The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-17
DEATH WON THE RACE
HENRY j. MAYHAM'S SWIFT JOUR-
NEY TO DENVER OF NO AVAIL.
Though He Rode 1.O25 Miles in Less
Quick Enough to See His Son Alive.

DENVER, Col, Feb. 16.-The special
train from Chicago over the Chicago, Bur-
lington * Quincy and the Burlington &
Missouri railroads chartered by Henry j.
Mayham, Denver mining investment
broker, reached this city at 1852 o'clock this
morning. having run 1,025 miles in eighteen
hours and ffty-two minutes This journey
goes into history as the greatest railroad
feat ever accomplished. The best previous
railroad ong-distance record was nineteen
hours and fifty-seven minutes for 96i miles,
over the New York Central and Lake Shore
railroads from New York to Chicago. Mr..
Mayham, who left New York Sunday
the Pennsylvania limited, chartered
special train at Chicago in order to reach
the bedside of his dying son, William b.
Mayham, as quickly possible. The Bur
lington officials agreed to take him to Den
yer in twenty-four hours. 1t was at first
thought the trip might be made in twenty
one hours. Every resource of the Burling-
ton system was brought into play and over
two hours were clipped on from the best
running time that was thought to be posi-
BILE. on straight stretches of track the
train covered more than sixty miles
hour. The mountain climb from AKRON,
Col, TO Denver, 10 miles, was made in Ia
minutes, the train running an even mile a
NeD Travelling Engineer Dixon, or the
burlington entered the cab of the engine
and remained with eacn engineer as he
came on until the tram reached Denver.
No special tram bearing high officials OF tne
Nation ever attracted more careTui atten-
ton from the oncers or the railway.
kilograms from all parts or the United
States inquired concerning the progress or
the train and the possibility or Mr.. May
ham reaching the bedside OF his son in time
at least to grasp his hand before he was
beckoned across the dark river. AT the
Burlington passenger office in Denver the
representatives were kept busy answering
questions from friends and well wlSherS or
the family. but in spite OF the BurnngtonS
splendid record Mr.. Mayham arrived In
Denver too late to see his son alive. Inc
young man died shortly after midnight Mr..
Mayham was constantly sending mis- son
kilograms as he neared Denver. Before
reaching Colorado he sent three MESSAGES
in succession, each of which was to the
effect that when Will got well they would
go to California to hasten the sons recov-
cry. AS he neared this city the messages
became more frequent, and at the moment
when his son was lying dead, the rather,
half craZed with fear, was still sending
messages. Mrs. Mayham, mother of Will,
and her daughter were in New Orleans
when apprised of his illness, ana they also
are hurrying homeward. Will Mayham was
but a few months ago. Last Friday morn
ing he appeared in the best OF healtn, but
later in the day he became i'll and appen-
dicitis in the most violent form quickly de-
yeloped The deceased was one of the most
promising young business men in Denver.
Referring to the Burlington record-break-
ing run between Chicago and Denver, Cen
eral Manager Brown said to-day: 1t is
not exactly correct suppose that the
Burlington Company may not achieve still
better results under more favorable cir
cumstances The facts are that the COM
pany had only thirty minutes notice from
Mr.. Mayham to prepare for the run ana
the train started out of Chicago in a blind
ing snowstorm, taking the first engine that
was at our disposal