Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-12-03
A ST RANGE RACE WITH FIRE.
Blazina OIL Carried on the Swift Currcns
of n River.


of n River.
"My engine was hauling an oil train.
The time of year was October. We
had had long spell of dry weather,
and fires were beginning to break out
in the woods all over the country. That |
afternoon the air was hazy with smoke,
and the sun went down like ball OF
hot copper in the thick sky.
about three miles above Jonesville
the line crosses q shallow little river
which, running through the heart OF
the town, supplies water power for the
two big mills. The mills were at the
lower end Of the town, where the wa
ter falls some 30 feet into deep ra-
vine. At the place where the railway
crossed the river the banks were steep,
and the bridge was piece OF wooden
trestle work.
"As we thundered down the grade
leading to the bridge-which was hid
den from view 5J !. curve wc aoticoa
that the fires were getting close to the
track on both sides.
"It'll be bad if the fire gets into the
bridge said Bob Macdonald, the driver,
TO me, as | heaved a shovel of coal into
the firehole. 1t was dusk by this time.
/ looked out ahead before l answered.
Then | said:
"'There doesn't seem to be much fire
in that direction. ! reckon the bridge
won't get scorched this time
"Three minutes later we were round
the curve, and in full view OF the bridge.
To our horror there were the vicious
little blue-and-orange tongues OF the
fire licking away hungrily at the tall
trestles.
"Down brakes!' screeched the whis-
tie wildly. But there was no stopping
that rushing mass of loaded tank cars.
With what seemed to us undimirished
speed we slid down the burning bridge.
"'Jump for it!' yelled Macdonald.
We sprung, almost together; and the
brakemen behind followed our exam
pie. The speed was, of course, slack
cned by this time.
"End over end / went down the EN-
bankment, and fetched up in messy
pool not ten yards from the gulch.
staggered to my feet. The engine was
just crashing through the bridge.
Down piled the oil cars on top OF it,
like so many sheep playing follow-my-
leader over fence. l remember not
ing how they kicked up behind, just as
sheep do, as they went over the edge.
The next minute the flames were roar
ing up like mad. The oil had caught.
"None of the fellows was much hurt
but Bob Macdonald; and he, though his
arm was broken, was able to crawl up
on to the track, where we huddied to
watch the dreadful sight. Then a
strange and terrifying thing took place.
The flames ran out swiftly from the
burning ruins over the top of the wa
ter, Just as if the river itself was on
fire. The oil was being carried down
by the current.
"'Great heavens!' walled Macdon-
aid, the whole of Jonesyille will 60,
I sure. In 80 minutes that will be river
uf fire rushing through the town'
9 "At these words pang frightened
: around my heart. You'll smile when
s / tell you why. On the day before,
when my train was running through
: Jonesville | had chanced to catch Il
: glimpse of little lad, with fluffy yell
1 low curls, on the balcony Of house
7 right by the edge a the water. The
little lad had smiled and waved his
s hand at me, and looked after Inc some
t way, as if he was lonely and wanted
t to come. / carried his look with me
: ull day. About this time had lit
e tie lad of my own, with curls some
n thing like this ones, away east. My
10y was good deal bigger than this
8 one; but maybe a streak of homesick'
o ness made ME sort Of sentimental, you
know.
v "Well, at those words of Macdon
aids it wasn't the town / thought Of
: but the little lad at the window.
"Ill warn the town' l shouted
Il Then / scrambled down the bank, on
o the side above the fire, got across the
u river by alternately swimming and
wading, and started on the run down
t the track toward Jonesville.
u I'm those days | was smart long
e distance runner, and five miles was
{ my pet distance. But it was one thing
u running on well-made racing ground
= and quite another on the irrcgularly
placed sleepcrs Of a railroad!"
II 81 should think sol" l interjected
feelingly. / had tried it more thar
= once.
n "But / tell you," continued Sleeves
q II made good time. The river was
y swift, and those sliding flames had {
&c big start; but in five minutes / was
g abreast of them. Soon I was wei
u ahead; and then l lost them beh1nt
u a turn of the banks.
I Before l reached the town my eye
felt full Of blood, my heart seemed
! as If it would burst, but my legs coult
=, have gone on forever. The streets wer,
y lighting up. began shouting as
v ran: Fire! Fire' as vigorously as IN,
;, dry throat and heavier lungs woull
permit. There was no sign of fire t,
:. be seen, but the wondering peopl
=, 70 caught up the cry, and by the time
~ reached the engine house everything
. was ready for start, and the tiremel
> we're looking anxiously about to Sc
where they were wanted. / told M.
. story; and before it was through tn
. engine was tearing toward the water
F" side as fast as the horses could galloI
Charles G. ID. Roberts, in st. Nicholas
Not Contradicted.
d "What ails you, Squildig?" asked Nc