New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-11
A BRAVE AND MODEST GUARD
HE RISKS HIS OWN LIFE TO SAVE THAI
OF A PASSENGER


THE ELEVATED RoAD-THE GUARD REFUSES :.
TO TELL HIS NAME BECAUSE HE FEARS
TROUBLE FROM THE COMPANY.
One Of the narrowest escapes from death of sH
elevated railroad passenger that has occurred In
the history of the road took place last night
about IL o'clock on downtown train which was
just leaving Bleecker-st An old man and .
Soung man, both of whom seemed to have been
drinking, sat in the next to the last car. The
young man asleep and when the train reached
Beccker-st the old man tried to arouse him and
induce him to get of, but he would not move.
His companion shook him and called to him to
no purpose and finally as the train stopped left
him and got of, apparently thinking that he
would follow. lie did follow, but not till the
guard had shut the gate. Then the old man tried
to get back into the train.
The guard, Of course, refused to open tho
gate for him, and he stood on the edge of the
platform holding by the gate as the train
began to move The guard, who was the ono
nearest the rear Of the train had not given tho
signal TO start but one Of the guards further
ahead had given it without waiting to receive
it from behind and so the train had been started
with affairs in this dangerous situation. And
they rapidly grew worse. The old man tried to
him. In this way the passenger got his feet
from the platform of the into the iron graft
ing between the two cars Tho train had now
moved the whole length Of the station platform
and as it reached the end the old mans body
was brought violently against the guard-rail Of
the station.
He must then certainly have been knocked on,
with the probability Of falling into the street il
the guard had not clung to him and prevented 10.
Instead of trying to force him of as before the
guard had now. of course. 10 use every effort 10
hold him on The old mans companion was on
the platform Of the car. but he frightened
and confused. intoxicated and sleepy. and he did
little nothing to help the situation, but was
rather in the way. The guards task any
thing but easy one He small man, OF
slender build, and the passenger whom he was
holding in such perilous position was
large and heavy. Standing against the gate
10 keep his hold the outside
he could not get at the lever to open it, and there
was nothing for him 10 do but 10 hold on and
call to the guard at the other end Of the car to
stop the train Tile other guard could not hear
him above the noise of the rattllng train There
were few passengers and only one Of them was
near enough to know what was the matter. lie
tried to pull the hell cord, but ne did not know
how 10 handle it and did not succeed in ringing
the bell.
The position Of the guard was getting worse
and worse His strength scarcely equal TO
his task. and in order 10 hold his heavy and
squirming burden TO better advantage he climbed
up the railing Of the platform till he stood on
the top, astrde the space between the two cars.
The stretch Of road between Beecker-st and
Grand-st is the longest the whole elevated sys-
TEN downtown 1t is also a down grade. and .
particularly high rate Of speed Is always devel-
oped With the Grand-st. station far off, and
the speed and vibration Of the train increasing
every instant il seemed as if the guard must
certainly he forced to let go his hold of the old
man or he dragged by him down into the street.
To Judge from his obvious pluck in holding on.
the latter outcome appeared to be altogether the
more likely.
But at last the struggle and shouts of the guard,
besides those of the old man and his companion.
attracted the attention of the passengers. who
had thought at first that there was little drunk
on quarrel of words which was not worth troubling
themselves about. md ono Of them gave a long
hard pull the hell rope. Then the train gradually
stoprpd: all the other guards ran back TO see
what was the matter: the conductor looked
righteousy indignant NJ the delay Of the train:
the gate was opened and the guard climbed down
again 10 the platform. The trail went on again;
the old man and the young mon cursed eacf
other for causing the trouble till Grand-st was
reached and then thy got on
The guard was No. 1.2s6 He refused 10 give
his name to Tribune reporter who saw
littln Of tho incident and succeeded in getting
trustworthy account Of the rest of it, saying that
he was afraid it would get him into trouble with
the company if his name were published IN con
nection with the story. II the Manhattan Kali
way Company objected 10 its employees saving the
lives of passengers at the risk of their own, pos
siblv guard No. 1.2s6 misht find some other oc-
cnration in which he could have more apprecla.
ton and more paw. and perform such action or
bravery as he might feel called npon 10 do win
only the danger of death before him and with no
fear of losing his situation after escaping with
his life