The Van Buren press., 1896-12-26

account of the ravines. Precious mo
ments were flying. Swipes set hi
teeth together with bull dog determi
nation and pedaled for life.
In his strenuous efforts to get NOR
speed ont of his wheel one of the pedal
broke, causing him almost to take
header He sprang TO the ground ant
ierked the tool bag from the wheel; a
he did so the wrench fell out, struck III
globe of the lantern and broke it int
fragments.
Great God!" he exclaimed, "wha
am | to dot"
But not moment did ne lose. Seiz
ing pair of pliers and short piece o
wire which fell from the tool bag, h,
dashed up the road like mad, leaving
his wheel where it had fallen.
Far away in the distant city the train
dispatcher was slowly calling Brewster
station for the report of train 16 The
train had been few minutes late all the
evening, but was gazing, and he had
hoped to have it reanh Brewster OF
time, 1t was now iuat due at Brew
ster, and he continued 10 call:
'Bu., Blu, Ds., Blu, Blu
There was an interru 9tion on the cir.
cult. First a few unintelligible sput.
;ers from the instrument, then slowly
was spelled out the following:
"T-r-a-i-n W-r-e-c-k-er-s have re.
~ a-1 4 /, 1.
bridge. For Goods stop Ne.
Six"
Then the wire came open.
The dispatcher comp ehended the sit.
uation in an instant. lie sprang to this
key on another line and fairly made the
telegraph instrument jump from the
table as he called Brewster lie finally
raised him and said:
NO. 1G!"
Here, go in min.,' was the response,
Hold 16; don't let her get awayl"
No answer TO his order.
Again he made the sounder hum as he
rapidly called Blu
Presently he was interrupted by the
operator at Brewster answering.
Just in time to catch hind end rear
coach and pull bell cord as train start
ed
Thank God!" exclaimed the dis,
palcher.
In very few moments orders were
given to the section men to proceed to
the high bridge ahead of No. 16 and
thoroughly examine the bridge before
allowing the train to cross. And to also
examine wire No. /, for an opening be.
tween Brewster and Crompton
Two rails were found with angle bars
removed and the spikes drawn and
pulled out in such shape as would have
sent the train to destruction.
After getting the track in shape and
the train safely over the bridge, the
tlackmen proceeded to look for breal,
in line No. l. As it was now daylight the
line could be plainly seen.
Three miles west of Crompton the
break was found. Swipes was also
found at the break, with one broken
arm, and his right leg broken above the
knee. He had climbed telegraph pole
which was supplied with ground
wire, cut the main wire and attached
the wire he had taken from the toolbag
of his bicycle to the west end of the
main wire, SO it would be long enough
to tap against the ground wire ON the
pole. He could just accomplish this by
hanging on to the pole at the extreme
top. Then he was able to roughly spell
out message of warning by tapping
the main line to the ground wire, al.
though he had no means of knowing
whether he was heard or not. Receiv.
ing a severe shock from the wires, hs
had lost his hold upon the pole and
fallen to the ground, thereby breaking
his limbs.
Swipes privately told his story to thu
agent after his fractured limbs had beer,
attended to, and the superintendent OF
the road was sent for. On the arrival OF
that official the night operator was
placed under arrest, and when con
fronted with the knowledge of his crime
he turned states evidence and fur,
nished information which was the
means of securing the arrest and sub
scquent conviction of the entire gang.
To-day Swipes is chief train dispatch
er of that road. When asked how he
came into that position, being younger
than most men holding similar situa-
tions, he proudly points to queer
shaped glass case which contains an
old-fashioned high wheel, in the same
condition it was when picked up near
the telegraph pole to which it carried
him in time to save the train from
wreck. and" he is wont to add, lin
time to carry me into the chief train
dispatcher's office"