Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-09-05
THREE NARROW ESCAPES
The Thrilling Adventures of New
 York Man.
Battle, Ouicksand and Railroad Accident The Waterbury Circus Mrs. Ella Wheeler Wlcox's Views on
 Women and Money,

Battle, Ouicksand and Railroad Accident
 The Waterbury Circus Mrs. Ella
 Wheeler wncox's Views on
 Women and Money.
 "And how many wonderful adventures and narrow escapes have you exper- ienced?'' one of us asked the Colonel, who had not spoken for some time, though we were telling stories of moving accidents by flood and field, of which he must have had his share as brave soldier first and since as journalist and lawyer.
 ''Three," he replied sententiously, and after pause went on. "The first was at Bull Run. It was very simple and not impressive in the telling At the time when a retreat had been ordered, or be- gun without the order more likely, l found myself separated from my com mand and within few feet of the Con federate lines. Just as I turned my horse to ride back to my regiment l was struck downward blow upon the head from a fragment from an exploded shell. knew nothing further about what hap pened, but I afterward learned that had ridden 800 yards and fairly into our lines before falling from my horse. A surgeon would find it hard to believe that could ride so far unconscious and with such 8 wound, but it is true"
 "And the second?''
 "Well, that was a long time after; a long, long time, as it seemed. We had fought nearly through the war and after half starving with corps of invasion had pierced through the country to the Gulf. How we enjoyed the rest and the beaches! | One day was riding along the beach at low tide when my mare shied and refused to go farther. Foolishly urged her on. Again she tried to stop and again I com pelled her to go ahead, until all at once | she began to sink, trembling in every l limb, and 1 began to understand that l had fallen into a quicksand. In spite of 1 her plunging and rearing the animal went lower and lower, until to relieve her | of my weight, I jumped off the saddle l and then I began to sink, too. Presently, l the mare was in up to her back and to | my armpits. I spread my arms out | along the surface to hold myself up as | long as possible. It was useless to scream; there was no one within hearing. had long ago given myself up for lost | when, by accident some of our men | came riding up. Still I was not saved. They could not safely come near me un- til one of them galloped off and pres ently returned with lot of fence rails. | With these they built sort of mud causeway and finally pulled out not only me but my mare. But had only fifteen minutes to spare.
 ''The third narrow escape was also one of carelessness was on a fast moving railroad train, and in passing from one | car to another fell between them and 8 little at one side, breaking one arm. still held on by the sound arm, and, being something of an athlete in those days, tried to throw myself back upon the plat | form. Four times I tried and failed, and then I knew that with the pain of the wound and my exertion my strength was really going It was then or never. made fifth and last effort, strainine every power of body and will to the utmost and succeeded. Somehow I groped my way into the car and fell at once into z seat and dead faint.'