Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-10-16
a HoRRInLg TALE.
Tho Espericnco OF n Drummer In n Rail-
road Accident.

~.
Tho Enpericnco OF n Drummer in n Rail-
road Accident.
Drummers the world over are good
story tellers but the one who related the
tale below could give points to the most
OF them. BE tells his experience in
railroad wreck in the following:
1t was 10 the winter of 1877 that Twas
making trip to San Francisco over the
Union Pacific. One evening was sit
ting in my seat. waiting until it should
be late enough to retire. My eyes pain
ing me somewhat, did not care TO read,
SO sat By the window gazing out into
the darkness.
Gradually, as 1 sat there, sleep be-
gan to oyerpower me. NV eyes we're
continually closing, my head nodding.
sat enjoying that dreamy feeling, trying
to decide whether to doze there longer
or go and summon the porter to make
up my berth. never decided. Seem
lngly without slowing up, the train
dashed into an obstacle. was thrown
to the floor amid the general wreck, and
utter darkness followed.
L tried to rise, but could not. Some
heavy object. car seat or piece of
framework, was wedged in above and
keeping me down. I felt no pain, ex-
cept that caused by few bruises and
my cramped position. The skrieks of
the wounded were heartrending to hear,
and the sound of escaping steam in the
darkness made the situation all the more
horrible
II spoke. There was no answer. The
few passengers of the car were either
dead or by some chance had been thrown
lar from me. It was of no use to call.
The survivors were probably doing ali
IN their power to rescue the wounded.
My turn would come in time, and I was
much better able TO wait than the
others. Sc lay there quietly, trying
occasionally to move and ease nv
cramped and somewhat painful posi-
tion.
Gradually the sound of escaping
steam subsidized, and the cries Of the
wounded grew more faint. Then 1
fancied heard dim cracking sound.
listened attentiveiy. Yes, it was the
sound of burning wood. Tho wreck
was on fire. Gould they put it out?
Would be rescued before the flames
reached me-? / called for HELM. There
was no response. The cracking
sounded nearer and louder. smelt
smoke. Although the night was cold
and raw and had become somewhat
numb, Low grew warmer.
"The cracking had grown to the roar
OF q raging furnace. The smoke was
suifocating, the heat intense. Could it
be that was to be burned alive? How
could l meet with death so horrible?
called and shrieked for help, but could
distinguish no sound of rescuers. 1
was almost st;fled by the smoke, almost
scorched by the heat. Through space
in debris could see light. It was
the fire that was creeping on to de-
YOUR me.
Il do not remember any particular
thoughts of that occasion. All nv
energy was devoted to calling for hel:,.
thought neither of home nor friends
nor OF previous deeds. I did not even
stop to realize the awful death that
awaited me. The thought of being
saved was the only one that entered nv
mind. Breathing was now almost i'm
possible. My head was aching from the
intense heat. The roar of the fire was
deafening. AT last full in my lace came
the bright flames, and I gave up all
hope of being saved
Then voice close to my ear said.
guess young man, you would find
it more comfortable in bed than huddled
up on the floor between the seats. 1
am afraid you will burn your forehead
On that steam-pipe, too
Il opened my eyes. There was the
conductors lantern full in my face. /
had gone to sleep and fallen on to the
floor. ! lay cremped up between the
seats, with my head resting on the iron
frame that incloses the steam pipes.
Soon afterward [ retired in the proper
manner and went to sleep under much
more pleasant conditions. 1t was the
only railroad accident 1 ever expert
enced."
E. A. Howard, OF Belfast, Me-, has