The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-04
HE TOOK A LOCOMOTIVE
PATRICK KANE SUSPECTED OF MA
LiCiOUSLY TURNING ONE WILD
Engineer Mark Murray's Courage
Prevented n Crash in the Round
HOuse-Jumps on n Flying En-
gine Near Newport and Carefully
Directed 1t.

Mark Murray, an engineer in the en-
ploy of the South st. Paul Belt Line
Railroad company, had an experience
tuesday night as thrilling as ever
falls to the lot of railroad operators,
for he captured a wild" engine run
ming at nearly twenty miles on hour.
His perilous feat saved the $1,000
locomotive from destruction and pre-
vented the complete Wrecking of the
round house at South Park.
The engine is operated between
South st. Paul and the main lines of
the Burlington and the Milwaukee
roads. Murray has charge of the en-
gine, and daily takes cars of stock to
and from from the stockyards to the
functions with the main lines at New
port, on this side of the river
The round house is at South Park,
where Murray lives with his family.
When not in active use the engine is
by Murray. Usually there is a Slight
steam pressure in the engine boilers
for some hours after the fires have
been drawn in the round house
After his last run Tuesday night
Murray quartered his engine in the
round house and retired. Shortly after
midnight he heard the sounds of
wheels on the tracks adjacent to his
house. Jumping out of bed he hastily
donned his clothes, and, hurrying out
of doors, saw his engine vanishing In
the darkness toward Newport.
The open round house doors, together
with the smoke which hung heavily
over the track, convinced Murray that
his engine had been stolen. No fire
was left under the boiler when he put
the locomotive up for the night and
1t was impossible for the steam power
to have carried off the engine without
human assistance.
The distance to Newport Is about
five miles. Fearful lest some terrible
accident might happen If the engine
was taken across the bridge and run
down the tracks of the Burlington or
the Milwaukee roads, Murray started
on a run after it.
Sparks along the track showed the
engineer beyond doubt that some mis-
creant had stolen his locomotive. After
running nearly two miles at the top Of
his speed, Murray found himself ex-
hausted and forced into a walk. Every
moment was precious, however, and he
pushed on as rapidly as his tottering
legs would carry him.
Another mile was passed, when, with
the Newport bridge in sight, Murray
halted and listened. He heard the
sounds which an engineer recognizes
as the distant rumbling Of wheels. In
tently straining his ears, he discovered
that the sounds grew more distinct.
Placing his ear close to the rail, he
was convinced that the engine was
coming back
The stretch Of roadway at this point
is straight and level for a quarter of a
mile. Stepping from between the rails
Murray awaited developments
The sound of the wheels came nearer
and nearer Suddenly around a bend
In the road plunged the outline of the
engine. No headlight was visible, the
bell was silent, and no warning blast
came from the whistle
Not realizing that the engine was on
wild run, dashing at the rate Of
nearly twenty miles an hour, with no
guiding hand at the throttle. Murray
nevertheless knew something was
wrong, and quickly prepared to carry
out the determination of a second.
Backing off diagonally from the track
he stood, like a sprinter set for a
race, awaiting the locomotive. AS the
engine flew by Murray rushed at the
projecting rod from the tender pilot.
1t was dangerous feat, but the only
chance of stopping the locomotive His
gathered momentum before grasping
at the projection and by the accuracy
of his calculation accomplished the
hazardous undertaking.
MurrayS fingers closed in a tight
grip over the projection rod, and
though jerked from his feet with great
1orce, ne managed to retain his hold.
His body was thrown across the pilot.
but in a moment he had gained foot
ing and climbed up on the tender.
The first glance toward the engine
showed Murray that he had captured
a wild locomotive. The cab was
empty. and the open furnace doors
showed red-hot Goals under the boiler.
Scrambling to the lever, Murray shut
off the steam. When the speed had
sufficiently diminished he brought the
engine to stop and began an investi-
cation.
From the appearance of the fire Muir
ray saw that fire had been built in
the furnace after he quartered his en-
gine for the night. Then he noticed
that the cushions of the cab seats
were missing, as was also a coat he