The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-14
MOST. FRIGHTFUL RAILWAY
Wreck Of the Nineteenth Gen.
fury.
Saved by Fate-Held up by Robber-war
OF Words and Bullets-The Robbsr
Captured

DO UellcVo III i6SS. quoFASo ThOi'
McComber, Of New York, Of party of
gentlemen in the smoker of o Washing
ton south-bound sleeper. MANY an
argument have had with the late Hon.
James G. Blaine on this subject. He
believed in fate, in destiny. 1 did
not; though do to greater extent
to-day.
"a few years ago I, in company with
noted physician of Boston, started
from the Hub to Florida. 1t was the
hrst day of the terrible blizzard which
cost Roscoe Conklin and hundreds of
others their lives. We were snow
bound in Connecticut until Thursday
afternoon, when we slowly made our
way to New York. We were due to
leave New York that Thursday night at
o O'Clock on the Tampa sleeper. Our
berths were reserved. It was 10 O'Clock
before we reached New York, and the
Florida train had left on time. We left
Jersey City on the very early train the
next morning which reached Washing.
ton at 10:45 Q. M, and Savannah, Ga,
the next morning at 2 .. m, which was
the same time the train leaving New
York at O'Clock the night before
reached Savannah, and from Savannah
the sleepers of the two trains were con-
solidsted, and went on southwark as
one train.
"On this occasion, as travel was very
heavy, each train went southwark from
Savannah as section. The train
which left New York at Thursday
evening com prised the first section.
We were the second section; every seat
WAS full in each train, and many were
unable 10 secure accommodation on
either.
The sleeper Of the first section went
through to Tampa, and 1t was necessary
that the doctor 70 on 10 in order TO
reach mis- winter home at Palatka that
evening, as section No. . stopped at
Jacksonville. The doctor tried to
change seats with Mr.. Redmond, of
Montreal, who WAS in the FIRST section.
This Mr.. Redmond refused to do. though
he did not 60 further than Jacksonville
that day.
"Just this side the Blsckshear river
we were siRDslled by man waving q
red handkerchief. Our train came sud
denly to q halt. and we were informed
that the bridge had given way, and the
entire train of eleven cars had come
down pre- cipice of seventy feet.
"Dr. Flower took care of m ost Of the
wounded, and that evening he took o
car load of the wounded and 13 of the
dead to Jacksonville. Had he not been
there very many of the wounded would
aoon have been among the dead. Now
the wonderful part Of this story is this:
The lady and gentleman to whom was
sold Thursday evening in New York;
the seotion DR.. Flower had had reserved
for himself, were in the midst of the
wreck, the man was killed outright and
nm 1a6 fatn 11 IL, t~,t-
few weeks. The Canadian who refused
to exchange seats to accommodate the
Doctor, had both legs broken. his Shout
der and elbow badly mashed. besides
being seriously injured internally.
Twice was DR.. Flower saved from this
terrible wreck.
''In 1884 Dr.. Flower made profess
ional trip to Kansas. While in South
ern Kansas he took day off for hunt
ing. Wandering away from his COM
panions while strolling along the border
of the Indian Territory where game
seemed most plentiful, he WAS surprised
by four robbers who suddenly appeared
from q thicket. He was ordered to
throw up his hands. All right. boys.
he said, up goes my hands, but don't
point your guns this way, The appear
Ance OF the muzzle gives me the neural
impudent reply After the leader had
relieved him OF his watch and money he
! shook hands with the Doctor and
Started to go, when DR.. Flower re-
| marked. 4 don't mind you taking my
money and watch, but feel sorry for
you because they can never do you any
good; why SOP demanded the outlaw
Because you sre now suffering with
Brights Disease OF the Kidneys. and
have also q heart trouble which of
itself must soon kill you How do you
know have kidney and heart trouble?'
asked the robber. Il did not think any
one in this wide world could tell sick
man his trouble without asking any
questions except 3. G. Flower, OF Bos.
ton 1t was now the Doctors turn.
height, and fastening his eyes on the
bandit. he said, Il am DR.. Flower, of
Boston The robber said in nervous
tone. i have long wanted to see you.
You car help me, can you not?' Yes,
under certain conditions. Name them. )
said the robber.' That you return to
me what you have taken. and that you
give me ST. 600, and change your pres-
ent way of living Il can only give
$500 to-day, but I will agree to the
other terms AL right. said the Doc
tor. Now hands up and she'll out and
the robber good naturedly handed over
the $500 and what he had taken from
the Doctor. Now said DR.. Flower
give me your name and address, My
name is Bob Cockerel, but send every
thing for me to VIM. Newmier, Mound
City, Kan. and will receive IL, and
trust to your honor to preserve my CO.
cret.'
To-day Bob Cockerel under another,
and his real name, is Q happy, prosper.
GUS farmer, at the heed Of q family in
Northern Missouri