The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-17
MOST FRIGHIFUL RAILWAY
WRECK OPTHE 18th CENTURY!
SAVED BY FATE!
HELD UP BY A R0DBER.
Wa, Of Words and BullstS---The Rebb'r
Captured.

"Do believe In fateE queHeu
cor Nccomber. OF New York. or pditS
of gentlemen in the smoker oil wash,
inrton south-bound sleeper. Many a."
argument have | had with the la.e iiy ~"
James q. Blaine on th.S SUD- -.
believed in fate. In destiny uid NV
though I do TO q great extent to-uay'
"a fev years ago !. in company with
ro,od ,bvsican OF Boston. started from
Tho mn IN Florida. 1t was the hrst
dav ~ the terrible blizzard which cost
Roscoe conklins and hundreds Of others
tbcir lives We were snow-bound In
Connecticut until Thursday afternoon
when we slowly made our way to New
work we were due to leave New YORK
the Thursday night at o'clock on the
Tamna slceper. our berths were re-
served II was 10 o'clock before we
reached New York, and the Florida tram
had left ON time. We left Jersey CITY
on the very early train the next MORN
ing. which reached Washington at Io'fo
A. NJ, and Savannah, Ga, the next
morning at a. NJ, which was the SAINT
time tho train leaving New York at >
o'clock the night before reached Savan.
nah and from Savannah the seepers OF
! tho two trains were consolidated, ana
went on southwark as one train.
"On this occasion, as travel was very
heavy each train went southwark from
Savannah as a section. The train when
left New York at Thursday evening
comprised the first section. We were
the second section: every seat was fun
in each train. and many were unable
10 secure accommodations on either.
"'rhe sleeper Of the first section went
through to Tampa, and 1t was necessary
that the doctor go on It In order TO reach
Iaf 10 hot
ing. as section No. stopped at Jackson
Vile. The doctor tried 10 exchange
seats with a Mr. Redmond, Of Montreal,
who was In the first section. This Mr..
Redmond refused TO do. though he did
not go farther than Jacksonville that day.
Just this side the Blackshcar river we
were signailed by a man waving a red
handkerchief. our train came suddenly
10 a halt. and we were Informed that the
bridge had given way, and the entire
train OF eleven cars had come down
precpice Of seventy feet.
"Ds. Flower took care Of most OF the
wounded and that evening he took a car
load Of the wounded and thirteen OF the
dead TO Jacksonville. Had he not been
there very many OF the wounded would
soon have been among the dead. NOW
the wonderful part OF this story Is this:
sold Thursday evening I'm New York; the
section DR.. Flower had had reserved for
himself. were in the midst Of the wreck,
the man was killed outright and the lady
fatally injured, only living a few weeks.
The Canadian who refused to exchange
seats TO accommodate tho Doctor, had
both legs broken, his shoulder and elbow
badly mashed, besides being seriously IN
jured internally. Twice was DR.. Flower
saved from this terrible wreck.
In 1854. DR.. Flower made a profess
sional trip to Kansas. While I'm Southern
Kansas. no took day off for hunting.
Wandering away from his companions
while strDlling along the border of the
Indian Terrtory where game seemed
most plentiful, he was surprised by four
robbers who suddenly appeared from a
thicket. He was ordered 10 throw up
his hands. All right, boys he said up
goes my hands. but don't point your guns
this way. The appearance OF the muZ-
zles gives me the neuralgia. They
seemed 10 enjoy his hall 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 remarked Il don't mind your
taking my money and watch, but l feel
sorry for you because they can never
| do you any good. WY So ueHidl'u'u
the outlaw. Because you are now suf-
| fering with Brights Disease Of the KID
news and have also heart trouble which
| of itself must soon kill you How DO
YOU know / have Kidney and heart
trouble?' asked the robber. 1 did not
think any one in this wide world could
tell a sick man his trouble without ask
ing any questions except DR.. II. c. Flow
er. Of Boston 1t was now the Doctor 5
turn. Drawing himself up to his fullest
height. and fastening his eyes on the
bandit, he said, 4 am DR.. Flower, OF
Boston The robber said in a nervous
tone. L have long wanted TO see you.
| You can help me. can you notg Yes,
under certain conditions. Name them,
said the robber. That you return to
me what you have taken, and that you
| give me $1,000. and change your present
way Of living 4 can only give 500 TO-
dow, hut | will agree 10 the other terms,
All right. said the Doctor. NOW hands
IN and shell 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" NV name is Bob Cockerel,
but send everything to me TO William
| Newmler Mound City, Kan, and / VIII
receive II. and ! trust to your honor TO
preserve my secret
To-day Bob Cockerel under another
| and mis- real, name is a happy prosperous
/ farmer. at the head Of family in North
ern Missouri.
"T have seen scores Of DR.. Flowers pa
| tents at different times, and they all
| tell of his examination or their cases IN
| the same accurate and wonderful way.
I am thoroughly convinced that there Is
| a kind of fate or destiny about that man
| which enables him 10 perform almost SUI
pcruatural wonders In his profession.
He is the most pleasing man per
sonally YOU ever met. Polite kind. and
svmpathetic 10 an extreme children are
espccially fond Of him. and never want
10 leave him. lie IS the most eloquent
| and fascinating orator on the American
platform. His language is the express
sion always OF the most beautiful and
| poetical speech.
Socially he Is genial and generous;
| he Is absolutely fearless. / don't think
| he knows what fear Is. He believes
! that whatever IS, is best That he is In
this world 10 do a work. and that he
Will stay here until II Is done. He has
| great confidence in himself. and has good
| reasons TO have. ! don't think he ever
| knew defeat. and II he did | don't think
he would recognize II. or would be long
| IN turning IL 10 a victory. He is most
| peaceably inclined, but when forced 10 a
| fight he is the most dangerous and de-
| termined foe man ever had.
"Rut the most wonderful feature OF this
| .....1ors,,i mans fife Il hfa ability ~