The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-19
ENCINEER'S AWFUL RIDE
Drives His Iron Steed Twenty-E iqht
Niles In Nineteen Minutes.
RACE WITH THE GRIN MONSTER
Upon Learning That His Son Was Dying
Twenty. Eight Miles Away tho Old
Engineer Arrives on tho
Scene Before Death.

Brownstown, Ind, July ls.-John
Boone. one of the Oldest and best
brAown engineers on the Baltimore and
Ohio Southwestern railroad, risked his
life this afternoon I'm order to see his in
1ured son. Melvin. before he died.
The fatherwho has charge of a switch
engine threw open the throttle when
he learned his son had been fatally hurt
and he ran a distance of twenty-eight
miles In fdHeteen m!Hutes. He reached
his sons side just in time to see him
breathe his last. The scene was u most
dramatic one. The story of the fast
run fairly teens with exciting events.
Melvin Boone was employed by the
Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern rail
road as brakeman. Several members
of his family, including his father, have
been employed by the~road for many
years, and all of them are well-knOwn
and popular in railroad circles. About
4 o'clock Melvin, who had just left his
home. prepared to go to work. boarded
a 'freight train passing BrownstOwn
station. He succeeded in getting on
and immediately started up the ladder
Of one Of the cars intending to walk
back to the caboose.
knocked to the Ground.
Just as he reached the roof of the
car. he saw water pipe ahead which
had been left harsging from the tank
Before he could stoop, the obstruction
struck him, knocking him to the
ground. He was badly mangled and
the physicians who attended him said
he could live but short time. The
dying man begged to see his father
Mr.. Boone was at work on his switch
engine at North Vernon, 2S miles away.
He was Immediately notified by tele-
praph of his sons condition. When
the message reached Mr. Boone he was
just about to come from his days work.
He had finished firing up and his fire.
man was at his post. AS soon as he
read the sad news. he threw the throt-
tie wide open. Before the fireman
knew what had happened the switch
engine was dashing along at a fright
full rate of speed. He begged Mr.. Boone
to stop, but the latter heard him not.
The lives Of both men We're liable to
be sacrificed at any moment. Neither
was familiar with the condition of the
road as far as other trains were con-
cerned. At any moment they might
dash into a train. Signals Nare passed
unheeded, and the old engine tore dong
the boiler threatening to explode at any
moment. Mr.. Boone shoveled coal in
the fire recklessly. and every pound of
steam that could possibly be made was
put on. Several times the fireman was
on the point of Jumping from the en-
gine, so dangerous had the situation be-
came.
Made Wonderful Run.
Engineer Boone held him back. and
by the greatest efforts induced him to
put on more coal. As the road was
clear the engine dashed along past all
manner of signals. Boone sat on his
seat holding the throttle open as far
| as 1t was possible and watched the
second hand on his watch go round
Fortunately the road between North
Vernon and here happened to be clear
! but had any train been running on the
| division there Is no telling what would
have happened.
| Exactly nineteen minutes after
Boone started his engine dashed Mie
the Brownstown station. The run was
a most remarkable one. The distance
Is exactly twenty-eight miles and the
speed averaged SO 3-l9 miles an hour
which Is most wonderful performance
when the fact That the trip was made
by switch engine is taken into con.
sideratiOn. As soon as Mr.. Boone ar
rived he was driven to his dying SON.
side. The young man had regainet
consciousness for the first time. II,
recognized his father, and, as he placed
his hand In his, he died without utter
hng word.
Mr. Boone is nearly crazed with grief
He is we'll advanced in years and wa.
thoroughly wrapped up in his son. Nh,
strain of his daring and exciting rui
told greatly upon him and he is com
pletely Frustrated. 1t is doubtful If h,
will be fitted for work in many weeks
In railroad circles the great run Is tn,
topic of conversation, and although Mr.
Boone's act was not in accordance will
railroad rules the officials OF the com
pany admire him more than they blam,
him.