The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-25

raining like cloudburst, and while that
added to the spirit of the thing, it also
formed wet cushion on the rails, and
when their brakes were finally thrown on,
i the wheels stopped their revolutions, but
the train, with its tremendous momentum,
kept on its way.
The other train had already swung off to
the right to come round on the crossing,
for it had the right of way. The danger
was imminent, but the man on guard at
the switch saw it, and had not only the
presence of mind but the nerve to throw
it, in what under other circumstances
would have been the wrong way, and the
splendid Golden Gate special, with her
yelling freight, unconscious OF their dan
ger, slid off the rails into the mud. Hap
PLY only the engine did that
This switch is arranged at this place for
just such contingency, but never before,
it is said, has this safety provision been
called into requisition for passenger
train. Hardly had the special come to
standstill when the Fort Wayne rushed
across the tracks but few feet in front OF
her engine. But for the turn of the switch
throwing the special into the mud the
two trains would certainly have come to-
gether and the gallant Sir Knights of
Golden Gate Commandery, their ladies,
their shining swords and banners of purple
and gold would not have gone to Boston.
| This incident cost another half hour of
time. AS stated, only the engine left the
track. Another came out from Kent,
pulled the train back to the main line,
took its place in front and the pilgrime
went merrily- on. But this loss of time cut
off the possibility of the stop at Chautau-
qua. This was not SO much regretted, as it
was raining and little pleasure would have
been expected from the stop.
The commanders lined up on the plat
form of the station, gave the Chautauquan
CHEEKY salute and away they went again.
1t was part of the plan to take dinner
here and the diner had been dropped,
but telegram produced pot of coffee at
the next station and all hands feasted off
the commissary stores while rocking over
the rails at forty-mile gait and the rain
splashing against the windowpanes. Even
with the sacrifice of Chautaugua the falls
were not reached until after o'clock, four
hours behind time. The rain, however,
which had increased in violence, suddenly
ceased as the train drew into the station.
Carriages were taken and the main drive
over the bridge to Inspiration Point, on
the Canadian side, was made. The party
sat down to dinner at the Cataract House
and the journey was resumed at O'Clock.
1t is the last night on the train and is to be
signalized by general high jinks. Com
missary Townsend will deliver lecture at
Niagara Falls.
Appended are the names of the Knights
who so narrowly escaped serious injury
and perhaps death:
George D. Clark, e. G. of G. G. No. 16,
K. T.; Madison T. Owens, E. c. of Cnur
de Lion No. 8, Z. T.; Paul RAIDER. general
issimo of G. de L. No. 8; George Sinsau-
baugh, captain-general of @. de l.. No. g;
Christian Hellwig, senior warden of G. G.
G. No. 16; Charles P. Overton, junior war
cen of &. G.. c. No. 16; Courtland S. Bene-
dict. standard bearer of 6. G. C. No. Is;
Frank w. Sumner, P. G.. C., adiutant;
Leander w. Frary, E.. c., surgeon of Coeur
de Lion No. g.; Charles d. Bunker, quarter
master of G. G. G. No. 10; Eugene de Kay
Townsend, commissary of G. G. G. No. 16;
Charles L. Field, P. E. c., paymaster of G.
G. C. No. 16; William Edwards, P. E. c.,
commandant of Golden Gate Drill Corps;
William Smith, assistant quartermaster of
G. G. C. No. 16; Robert A. Mowbray, as
sistant quartermaster of G. G. G. No. 16
Sir Knights-James Bruce. Alonzo Hal
lett, Henry O. Sterns, Alexander Mckay,
Thomas NJ. McLachlan, Charles S. True,
William D. Sanborn, Theodore Frolch,
George L. Darling, William c. Ralston,
Michael Ryan, Frank w. Street, E. c.;
David E. Knight, Thomas H. Hender, Os-
car Robinson, Alonzo Colby, William R.
Knights, George W. Strohl, William B.
Rockwell, Alvin L. Bryan, James McNeill,
P. E. c.. Hervey Lindley. P. E. c.; James
Cunzer, James W. Trueworthy, Daniel NJ.
Sutherland, Samuel K. Lindley, James B.
Lankershim, James G. Hassinger, P. E. c.;
w. L. Clark, John w. Lucas, Joseph G.
Campbell, Frank II. Ames, James G.
Spaulding, Gaylor Rouse. Edward B.
Stuart, Niles Pease, William F. Smith,
James II. Maxwell. Frank j. French, P. E.
c.; Robert Ash, James H. Hatch, P. E. c.;
Thomas Kirkpatrick, George d. Cunning
ham, James Clark, Sherman Washburn,
Aaron R. Klock Charles ]. Lohman, Harry
J. Lask.