The Portland daily press., 1895-04-16
An Engine on the Wild River Road
Goes Into the River With a Rush.
THE EMBANKMENT GAVE WAY AND
THE BRIDGE FOLLOWED.
Five Men Jumped for Their Liyes-The
Engine Practically Ruined-The Great
est Storm Ever Known Among the
Mountains.
Especial to the PRESS. y

Gorham, n. H.. April 15.-The storm made
bad work on the Wild River railroad from
Gllead to the great lumber camps of the
WHO River Lumber company. and bad
accident resulted this morning.
| The Wild River railroad is owned by the
company. and is used for bringing lumber
out from the great camps. and for taking OF
supplies in. The engines are of peculiar
| constructions because of the fact that at
| times the road rises very rapidly, and an
ordinary engine would be of little use
The storm in the mountains is said to
have been something fearful. It simply
poured down, making it out of the question
| to do any work. Little streams became
| rapid rivers. and in short time the entire
section was dangerously crossed and re-
crossed by these suddenly formed streams.
The embankment Of the road, and even
some valuable portions of the plant of the
company was threatened.
This morning party consisting of John
Garland. NJ. Connolly and M. Griffin left
GIlead 10 60 to the camp. The line boasts
of no passenger cars and is not supposed to
take any one into camp except those who
ars connected with the company but the
rule is waived in the case of commercial
men or hunters. In this case the three
gentlemen were connected with the COM
pany.
E. 2. Sawyer was engineer and Charles
Noulton fireman. At all times ride over
the Wild River railroad is exciting hut it
was uncommonly so today and there was
an added element of danger.
Engineer Sawyer was fully acquainted
with every foot of the road and was run
ming slowly and with the greatesr possible
caution. He did not like the looks OF the
embankment in many places but could de-
turning. The railroad was the only means
OF communication between the great cent1a
Lumber camp and the outside world, and he
had supplies for the men with him.
Nothing but the fact that he was so
cautious saved the road from an even worse
accident than on previous occasions. He
neared one of the worst bridges on the line.
The water was running with great rapid ty
and where there ought to have been only
small stream was large river. Still the
road had been built with just such emer-
gencies in view, and they proceeded in
safety up to a point where the elnba n kment
began to tremble. Engineer Sawyer shouted
to the others: Jump for your lives" at
the same time trying to bring the engine to |
a dead stop. He did slow up even on the !
edge of the bridge, and the three passen-
gers saved themselves by jumping clear of |
The engine. The engineer and fireman |
stayed until the emban kment ana bridge |
were both sliding down. and then they
Jumped. going down into the water and |
escaping with bad bruises. All were badly |
shaken up. but the wonder is how they
could have escaped instant death.
The engine and tender lay piled MP with
,he ruined bridge in the water below. Not
,nly the bridge, but she track went down.
eaving bad break in the line. and one
lot easy to make good. At last advioes the
ngfne seemed likely 10 be practically a
otal loss. The bridge will have to be re-
'uilt, and the track repaired at a consider
BILE cost. Work will be suspended in the
umber camps pending the going down of
he water. The Oldest lumherman never
new of such storm in the mountains be-
ore.