Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-06-18

Heroic Death of Brave but Fooihardy
Knight of the Throttle.

/
Knight Of the Throttle.
In my long service as a railroad en-
gineer I have become well acquainte'
with oil and smoke, coal and cinders
It was while firing" that the practica
knowledge of my engine was gained
II takes time 20 learn TO fire well, SO a
to have the highest pressure OF steam
at the grade where needed. His fir'
must be kept steady and hot. and it i
necessary that he know the road a
we'll as the engine.
What with shoveling coal, oiling hi
engine and looking after his stoch
of coal and water the fireman is a busy
man.
When l began firing under Nell
Aness knew him to be good hearted.
pleasant fellow, and he always spoke
pleasantly to me while ! was learning
my duties, and ! must have been a try
ing chap at first.
One bitter cold night in the month
of January found us pulling out OF
Omaha, westward bound, about twen
ty minutes late.
Our train was heavy, the rails frosty,
and the wheels seemed to stick to the
line, while the icy winds almost froze
the blood in our veins. We used every
ounce of steam. 1t takes more coal to
make steam on such a night, though
the fire seems to burn tiercer and
brighter
As we pulled out Nell showed in his
determined manner and by the way he
handled her that he meant to make up
the twenty minutes, for all ahead our
line was clear
On we sped, counting off the mile
stones at the rate of forty an hour
where the road was level. All, these
bleak winter nightsl
Hopefully we peer into the darkness,
but can only see what the headlight
shows us
No. 145" eastbound freight train
running to Omaha would either side
track at a small station called Sheldon
or one three miles further east called
Elbling until we passed. We passed
Elbling at 1045, and it was comfort
to think there would be no delay on
our road, and we swept swiftly onward
toward Sheldon, where we expected
NO. las" to be safely sidetracked,
since she had not run into Elbling.
But an unavoidable accident had
occurred just around a curve, where
the road followed the smooth, wind
ing bank of the Platte.
An axle had broken and got one of |
their cars of the track. The train |
hands conductor and brakemen-were |
IN the caboose for warmth, and did not |
notice the accident for a time. The
train was finally brought to a standstiu, !
and as they did so other cars were de-
'ailed, which threw the whole train
nto confusion. Signals are often OBJ
'cure in the frosty air, and they said we
;aine upon them very quickly after the
lgnal lanterns were gotten out.
AS we shot around the curve going
It a great speed saw the steam from
he freight engine, Nell was looking
'ut on his side.
I'VE are lost, Nelll" l shouted. mo.
45 is on our line" In an instant we
lad shut off, reversed and whistled for
)rakes
As we came up swung out, for saw
leath ahead of us.
Jump, Nell' | cried He glanced
oward me, and then straight ahead.
he look on his face seemed to say to
le, 1T is all right for you to go;
lust not leave my engine!" In that
ne lightning glance l seemed to see
ne brave, heroic soul of my engineer
inning in his honest, pleasant face
hen | jumped, rolled over and over
own the steep river bank, and landed
n the ice There was mighty crash,
nd | saw from the spot where | had
allen, dazed but unhurt, our engine
nd several cars pitched headlong down
ne embankment. The silence of the
light was broken by agonizing cries for
elp and heartrending screams and
Tayers.
We who were uninjured worked
With a will Twelve passengers were
illed and many injured. looked and
watched for Nell, hoping he would
Don be seen at work among us. After
Tearing away piles of wreck, we found
i'm AT dawn lying under his engine in
ne shallow water beneath the ice He
let death tearlessly with his hand OH
ne lever, giving his own life in the
ope that Others might be saved.
irave Nell Aness! He was, indeed, a
ero. ArlIansaw Traveller.