The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-09-06
ALL OF THEM.
Nothing But the Unparalleled Bravery
Of the Crew Saves a Train
and Passengers
FROM ROASTING TO dealt H.
After Saving the Train Engineer Root
Sinks Down Unconscious,
in a Swamp.
NOT ASKING FOR ATTENTION
Though Horribly Characterization
Sullivan's Mind Unhinged by
the Terrible Strain.

S~SSS~
Sullivan's Mind Unhinged by
the Terrible Strain.
ST. PAUL, Sept. 3.-The limited pas
senger train from Duluth, bound for
st. Paul, was caught in the fire near
Hinckley Saturday afternoon and de-
stroyed.
Two hundred and fifty passengers
were saved from horrible death by the
bravery of Engineer James Root and
his fireman, John MCGOWAN, who re-
manned at their posts and sent the
doomed train flying through walls of
fame until a swamp or lake was
reached, where the passengers could
find refuge.
The il-fated train left Duluth at 2
o'clock Saturday afternoon. ALI the
way down the smoke was so heavy
that one could not see hundred yards
away. Daylight was shut out and the
train proceeded slowly.
People Became Weak From Fright.
Ten miles south of Carlton the train
was in darkness, The coaches were
filled with smoke, and breathing be-
came difficult There was no relief
from it, and the men one by one grew
frightened and weak. The passengers
were gasping for breath, and the train
men, realizing how serious the situa-
ton had become, passed through the
coaches imploring all to keep cool and
Offering all the encouragement they
could.
. It soon became apparent to all that
they had little show for their lives.
The children began to cry and cling
wildly to their mothers. The mothers
sank to the floors Of the coaches and
offered up fervent prayers for deliver
ance from the flames.
Rushing Into t1ss Flames.
The train was within a mile and a
half of Hinckley when tagged by peo-
pie from town. The fire was then adj
vancing with railroad speed towards
the train. At first Engineer Root
thought Of putting on all speed and
rushing through the city, but an in
slant Of reason caused him to abandon
the idea. The fire was coming with the
speed Of the wind, and such an effort
would be worse than madness. The
roar of the fire became more distinct, so
the train crew hurried all the people on
board and Engineer Root sent the train
spinning hack over the track at a rapid
rate.
The fire now became discernible. 1t
was coming like whirlwind and Root
could see that it was going faster than
the train.
He increased the speed Of the locomo-
tive. It was no use. The fire had
caught and surrounded the train.
But Engineer Root did not hesitate.
He held the throttle open and sent the
train faster to the north, hoping to
reach Skunk Lake before the cars and
their loads Of human beings burned.
And he succeeded with the help Of
Fireman MCGOWAN, who poured pail
after pail Of water from the tank over
himself and the engineer, to keep their
bodies from roasting. "a.
Relief in the Swami
At last the train reached Skunk lake,
and the order was hastily passed through
the coaches to abandon the train and
fly to the swamp close by. The train
was ON fire from the tender to the last
coach. The passengers fled to the
swamps, to await death or relief.
After he had saved so many people
from being roasted alive, Engineer Root
sank down in the mud and water, ask
ing for no attention, although hi
hands, feet, face, head and arms were
badly burned and his lungs were almos
blistered by the fiery blast that he hae
breathed so long. The entire train crew
displayed heroic bravery all through
the fe arful ordeal.
One Of the sad circumstances was thu
fate of Conductor Jerry Sullivan, of thu
limited, who, when the train reached
Skunk lake, did not stop at the swamp
but ran ahead on the track for the near
est telegraph station to telegraph TO
help. The excitement and strail
through which he had passed had un
hinged his mind, and hours afterward:
he was found wandering aimlessl.
about in dazed condition.
FIRES IN WISCONSIN.
Baronnette Destroyed and Three Hundre
Families Homeless.
| WEST SUPERIOR, Wis, Sept. 81
Baronette is completely wiped of tn
earth and one lone building is left Of
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