The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1895-02-14
TIE OWL TRAIN FROZEN IN.
Arctic Experience or It's Passengers In
the Drift Near StelUon.

1
NEW BRUNSWICK, n. J., Feb. IL
One hundred and fifty passengers left
jersey City at 1890 Sunday on the
| Owl train, No. Al, OF the Pennsylvania
Railroad, for points on the New York
division and Philadelphia, Baltimore
and Washington. Ten hours later
they were just thirty miles on theiI
| journey and almost helpless because
| of the snowdriftS which stalled the
| train just east of SteltOn, a small
| station three miles from New Bruins.
| wick. 1t was light uf suffering and
was made up of three sleepers and
| four day coaches, and was drawn by
| engines APO and $40, two of the largest
on the division.
No serious delays were met with
| until the train had passed Stelton.
Then it slowed up and finally stopped
about one hundred yards east Of the
station, and passengers on the right
of the cars discovered snow against
the window panes in a solid bank.
The engines tugged and shrieked, but
the cars would not bulge. Then the
passengers realized that the train was
stalled in a snowdrift.
Soon the temperature in the cars
began to drop, and the few passengers
who had been sleeping were awakened
by the cold. As many as could hud-
died about the stoves, while the
Others paced up and down the cars,
trying to keep warm. Some ventured
out upon the track and pursuaded the
engineer to let them stand near the
BOILERS.
Fireman Dougherty, of Engine APO,
had not slept for thirty-six hours, and
he had been hard at work for four
hours pitching coal into the 6re-box
of the engine. Finally, exhausted by
his efforts, he rebelled and proposed
to Fireman Frank Barbour to bank
the fires and desert their engines.
Here two Of the passengers offered to
relieve the firemen, and their offer
was accepted. For time they SHOW
eled coal, but the exercise was too
violent for them aud they quit.
About S a. m Conductor Williams
sent word to Railway to send on
three engines to pull the train out of
the DRIFT. The engines arrived about
$50 and lined up in the rear of the
train. All Ave engines tugged away
put the drifting snow was frozen hard
lder the wheels and could not be
moved. By this time the passengers
were desperate. A theatrical com-
pany in one OF the sleepers passed
through the train and by the jovia!
antics kept I'D the spirits Of the party.
Two small pocket TASKS Of whiskey,
in the porter's possession, were secur-
ed at fabulous price aud doled out in
small quantities to the women. A bout.
8 O'Clock increasing cold and hunger
induced the passengers to hold con-
ference, and delegations from each Car
volunteered to visit the nearest farm
houses to secure food. A Philadei-
phian took up contributions from the
men to pay the farmers. Three
houses we're visited, and supplies suf-
f1cient for about twenty five persons
with small appebites was secured
When it was apparent that the food
would not go half way around, about
fifty passengers made up their minds
to walk tn New Brunswick, four mile g
away. 1t was very dark, the wind was
blowing a gale, and no one was quite
sure Of the way. By following the
rails as closely as they could, the
party walked along in the biting wind
toward the city.
1t was nearly two hours before they
reached the railroad bridge which
spans the Raritan river. The majority
of those in the party were almost ex-
hausted. Richard Emmons, of Wash
ington, more than once insisted upon
leaving the party to lie down in the
snow, being so weak that he could go
no further. Only by force could he be
induced to GO on. When the students
in the van came to the bridge, they
told the party it would be perilous to
cross it, as the wind might sweep them
into the river, and 1T was decided to
make a detour of a mile, the party
reaching the city by way Of the
Albany street bridge about 8 o'clock.
The Pennsylvania Railroad officials
sent relay train to relieve the delayed
passengers at Shelton, who were
brought to this city and cared for.
Later in the day they resumed their
j urney. Train Al is still frozen in on
No. 4 at Stelton, and snow shovellers
have been at work all day trying to
dig it out. The wheels are clogged
and frozen to the tracks, and it may
prove impossible to move 1t until the
weather moderates