Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-22

How IN Engineer Avoided . Collision with
Gunpowder Wagons.

Gunpowder Wagons
Prom the Wilmington News
Nathaniel W. Gookin was a man OF large stat
ure. In manner he was quiet always polite
and oohging. but always impreesing those who
came IN contact with him with consciousness
OF bis nerve and self reliance.
on one occasion while running on the road,
he was bringing train from Philadelphia 10
TINS city. When he was nearing the grade
crossing OF the road leading to Dumouts pier.
On 'ne delaware river, Q few miles above this
CITY, ne saw two loaded powder wagons ap-
prosshing the railroad. The foremost team
n"o become unmanageable and was running
away, followed by the second team.
kngineer Gookin calculated that be would
n meet one OF those wagons at the crossing
mere we're no air brakes in those days. and il
ne hAckened his speed he might avoid the firs,
wagon to collide with the second one.
couision meant an explosion, death to him.
sen. tne fireman and the destruction of his
tram. Ihere was but one chance of escape.
nat was to increase his speed. outrun the
horses and pass ahead of the frst team or per
n.ps oe'~een ,he two wagons. He accepted
and waited "~e NPeA
stranded fireman, who had begged a ride
from Philadelphia to Wilmington on Gookin' :
engine that morning, told the story Of that trim
TO the writer. He said:
That was the most thrilling erner,ero. .,
my hfe saw the wagons as soon as Gookin
Gio ana made ready TO jump off, heard the
CHICK OF the valve and felt the old engine iumn
~ she was trying to shake herself loose from
Ears Inc tram held her to the iron or she
surely would have left il.
Gookins eyes were fixed on the crossins
ms countenance, except for the fash of hi
eye ana the compression of his lips, was as i'm.
movable as if cut from stone The train
seemed to be flying. The horses were evidentl,
aneaa IN the race to the crossing. They would
get Their nrst but would they get over.
On they came. running as horses wild with
fright only can run, and on we sped as il try
ing TO meet them. collide with and explode III,
wagon load OF powder. Great Scott, how thost
horses did run 1t had only been . minute OF
two since we first saw the wagons II seemed
like lifetime. We had only run mile or two
but II seemed as il we had run around tn,
world The space between the engine anc
wagon closed. They were apparently at tn,
crossing together. The second team was ss
close that Its horses and wagon must be pileC
up on the wreck Of engine and cars in q SECOND
collision.
AS the feet Of the horses of the leading team
.oucned the track at the crossing shut nv
eyes In horror to await the collision and the X.
piosion which was sure would follow The
Train new over the crossing in safety. The first
team had beaten the engine and cleared the
track. We had passed between the two wagons
opened my eyes and looked back to note wha,
had happened.
=, The nrst team was passing toward the pier
the second one was still on the west side of the
tracks, with the wagon overturned. Ii had
been so near that the horses, turning suddenly
70 avoid the rushing train. had upset the wagon.
hat train went into Wilmington at full
speed. Gookin blew for brakes and shut of
steam In time to stop at the station. but when
that was done his nerves gave ONT and he NO.
helped from the engine