The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-10-04

Cut the d--n arm off, Zach, said the
man, pleadngly.
Again the two men attempted to raise
the part of the engine resting over the arm
but they Were compelled to quit. Stoop-
ing over Mr.. Martin saw that the pinioned
arm had been broken and shattered. The
fire was drawing closer and in few min
utes the flames would drive them away, and
leave the fireman to n horrible death.
Cut it off, please, ZACH said Willis.
don't let me burn up
Mr.. Martin turned away crying like
baby.
Il can't Willih." he said, 81 can't
Then you cam said the fireman, turn
ing his eyes nlendingly towards Mr.. Mar
tins companion.
That companion was Wallace Bethea of
Milton, Fla Mr.. Bethea put his hand into
his trousers pocket and pulled out long,
Whitc-handed knife.
The big blade he threw open and with the
handle firmly clasped dropped upon his
knees beside the pinioned man.
Conductor Martin looked on without q
word. Mr.. Bethea began feeling the arm
and with the blade ripped the coat
sleeve off.
Are you going to do it?' asked the con-
ductor.
said Mr.. Rethea, quietly, as he glanced ut
the edge of his knife.
With Il groan Mr.. Martin dropped beside
Mr.. Bcthea and caught Willis's arm. Then
for two or three minutes not a sound could
be heard save the cracking of the burning
timbcrS. There We're no grOanS or crleS
of pain. Slowly the knife found Its way
through the bruised flesh to the bone and
then the broken bones were pulled apart.
The arm was left with the hand under the
engine and the wounded man was borne
away from the flames by two men who had
been hurt in the accident.
3ut whether NJ. Martin " Mr.. Bethea
used The knife in the amputAtion, no one
will probably ever know.
just as quick as the wounded man was
safe beyond the flames, Conductor Martin
and Mr.. Bethea began searching for the
engineer. He was found under the engine
on the other side aud was dead when first
seen Aided by a negro or two, Mr.. Mar
tin succeeded III getting the body out just
rs the flames began eating away the wood
work of the engine. As they We're moving
the body. they passed the wounded fireman
who seeing the burden asked:
us brother Lew dead|
| YES he's dead was the answer some
And I'll join him soon," said the dying
! fireman. just as he saw that train he could
have jumped, but he put ON his brakes and
i STAYED at his post We didn't have time to
/ say goodby to each other. Somehow we
! both knew we were done for, and that last
| look he gave me was more t"naer than his
! kiss could have been. [ guess Ill follow
him quick.
1t wasn't long before a great crowd from
Opcka went to the scene, and then the
wounded We're cared for. DR.. Mccoy
inproyised hospital in the grove, which
was lighted by the burning cars, and there
did what he could.
OF the injured, Conductor Martin is prob
ably the worst hurt. But ne did not re-
3lize that he was hurt ut az as long as
thcre was work to do Only after he had
done all that he could did he know that
/ he was hart.
Fireman Willis lived for an hour and 6
! half after he had been cut loose from the
/ engine He remained conscious up to tht
| last and sent messages of love to man!
friends Beside losing the arm Willst
head was badly crushed in and the chances
are thnt he would have died from those in
| jurics.
Conductor Martin had just stepped int
| the baggage car when the collision came
II felt he said "the airbrakes go on. bu
before ! had time to even imagine that trou
BILE was ahead the crash came ] wa
thrown from one end of the car to tn
| other"
Conductor Martin has been railroadn
twenty-three years, and this IS his first &C
cdcnt. He could not speak of it yeste,I
day without crying. He was brOugh
home by Dr. Cooper last night and is a
his residence on Iucie street.
Engineer Willis was thirtv-eight year
old and leaves wife and seven children
His mother is still living. He was one o
the best engineers On the road and was POI
ular with everybody. His father wa
buried here. and here the engineer wa
raised and viii be buried.
His brother was twenty-four years of az
| and n single man