The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-07-26
a SWITCH ENGINE RAN AWAY.
Boy Civ as Chase on Bicycle and Cap
lures the Engine.
-. I'M. NJ


Here is modern knight GRANT on
wheels.
The bravery of n young negro boy I'm
Marietta Wednesday morning prevented
two trains splicing into each other AMI
probably several lives being dashed INTO
eternity. II was also a new use or me
bicycle and as brave a deed as has been
noted in this neck Of the woods for many
weeks.
About half mile north of the Marietta
depot an Atlanta. Knoxville and Northern
switch engine was lazily transferring some
freight cars from one track 90 another
The iron horse VVlturcd out on the track
of the Western and Atlantic once as a
freight engine flow around the corner and
dashed into the switch engine at a lively
rate. scattering splin.ers. steel and IRON
i'm every direction 10 the music of the es-
Gaping steam and the frantic ye!ls of the
fireman and engineer OF the switch en-
glne. who had jumped from their cab ana
were making Tor the woods.
The two engines plewed at each other for
n while when the throttle of the switch
engine was opened automatically and the
hlSsinC monster started toward Marietta
at a terrific rate, drawing three freight
ears after her. The pilot was gone, as Wei
as some other I4trappcrnalia OF her make
up. and there was no guiding ha'd az tne
throttle. The engine sped ON in its Wiki
down the line.
AS the runaway passed the depot in
Marietta the engine had acquired a speed
of about fifteen miles an hour The lounS-
ers about the depot made frantic cllOI's
to jump the engine but could not. The
speed was too great The runaway dis
appeared around the curve south OF the
depot and made straight down the track
The northbound fre. sht from Atlanta
was about due. The runaway would catch
her about half mile out, and there was
40 telling the result. CohstelhatlOu reign
ga supreme through the Mite Guy, anu
tho tast diving rattle OF the Wild engine
sounded Hike q death knell IN the ears OF
the excited citizens.
A. lue engine passed AnderSOu'S stable, a
short distance from tho depot, Charies
Daniel "a young colOred boy IN tho employ
OF tue electric light company OF Mdr4etl't'
was riding down tho road on ms oitS'te.
As the engine flew past MN ana no saw nv
one az tho Jhrottle or in the cao IL did
not take him long 10 take in the situation
VITA remarkable SWlftncsS no turned MS
silent Stetd from tho road straight 10 the
track and put all his power on 10 the
pedals The bicycle responded 70 hiA tN-
erttoms and flew down the smooth pain be-
side tho track like bird Tao runaway
was not far FIX front-only 200 feet, but was
running over fifteen miles an hour.
The race grew moro exciting. Tha boy
had never ridden SO fast before. Ha knew
the freight was due; that ii no did not : ,op
that engine death would result. Ito had
already run after tho enigma q ali-mllc.
but was slowly gaining. Tho steep grade
WAS near. though. aud If the runaway
reached the top pct0Te II "ould DO caught
there was no earthly chance 10 prevent
collision.
With this thought Daniel strained his
muscles ana pushed still harder. 1t new
Ike ughtnine Tho distance between him
and tho engine diminished. He gained last.
In "A minute ne was beside tho cow-catchcr
and tho flying drivers tie rode up 20 the
.sida OF the cab and placing his hands on
the steps. with one mighty efort swung