Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-11-16
THE FIELD OF ADVENTURE.
THRILLING INCIDENTS AND OAR
ING DEEDS ON LAND AND SEA.
a Switchman's Noble Rescue-Gai-
1antrv Rewarded-An Incident of
New York's Draft Riots.

~ DWARD WARD, according to
II the pay roll of the Illinois
Central Railroad Company, is
plain switchman attached to
suburban passenger engine No. 8. In
the eyes OF Richard Bieschky, of AZ
Grand avenue, and of three trainloads
OF passengers the plain switchman is q
hero. The reason for Bieschky's re-
gard is that Ward saved him from
certain death beneath the wheels of n
express train. The three trainloads
of passengers considered Ward a hero
because they saw him effect the most
dramatic rescue ever accomplished on
the lake front.
Bieschky purchased n ticket for
Hyde Park recently at the Randolph
street station of the Illinois Central
road. He passed through the turn
stile Mt Gas o'clock to take train
south. just before Bieschky reached
the turnstile the outgoing express
train at the farthest platform moved
forward. Bieschky burst through the
turnstile and ran for tho platform. As
the express train started the engineer
applied extra steam and by the time
Bieschky reached the bottom of the
incline to the platform the express
was moving rapidly. All but one coach
had passed the point where Bieschky
arrived ready to clip the train.
IN spite OF the speed attained by the
express, and of the fact that he was
less than halfway up the incline,
Bieschky reached out with mis- right
hand for the railing on the front plat
form of the last coach, and rs he did
so he jumped for the car step. He
missed both the rail and the step and,
falling, rolled to the bottom of the
incline, aud for an instant lay length.
wise of the tracks, and but an inch
from the front wheels of the coach as
they rolled by him. Perceiving that
he was in dangerous place, Bieschky
strove to roll away from the tracks.
In doing this the man rolled around
so that his body was squarely cross
wise OF the rail. One instant more
and the rear wheels of the coach must
pass and these could not fail to dis
sever Bieschky's body.
Switchman Edward Ward from an.
other platform had seen Bieschky fall,
and ne instantly started toward him
on run. He got to the track of the
outgoing express train at the very in
slant that Bieschky rolled around and
across the rail- Quick as lightning
Ward seized Bieschky by the should
ers. He ierlled with ali his might,
and being large man, he easily
pulled Bieschky from the rail.
The act of tho switchman was not
an instant too soon. Despite Wards
quick work the rear wheels of the
coach rolled forward to where
Bieschky had lain just rs Ward was
dragging the mans feet off the rail.
The front wheel had proceeded SO far
that one of Bieschky's feet was caught
and the big roller grNzed Bieschky's
ankle and then tore off the sole of his
shoe.
Ward stood Bieschky upright, and
the rescued man looked down at his
torn shoe and his bruised shin. "My
God!" said he, that was n close
shave !" "Big Ed' Ward lifted his
cap, wiped the perspiration from his
forehead, and hurried away to attend
switch, while Special Officer Lane
took Bieschky in charge.
At the time Ward made his sensa-
tional rescue q local suburban train
stood on another track. 1t was filed
with passengers who were waiting to
go south. All the windows of this
train were in full view of Ward and
Bieschky. Another express train had
pulled in but a moment before, and
tho passengers were leaving this just
i'll time to see the rescue of Bieschky.
The passengers in tho outgoing ex-
press saw Bieschky fall and they
leaned out OF the car windows.
Everybody watched with abated
breath, expecting to see Bieschky's
body severed in twain. No man had
presence of mind to act, but Ward.
and when the three trainloads of pas.
sengers saw what he accomplished they
shouted and ran forward to shake his
hand. But Ward was gone as quickly
as he had appeared, and when the first
man sought to grasp his hand he was
opening switch for the next outgo
ing local.
acknowledgements