The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-22
CLOSE CALL.
An Old Mans
Experience.
PRESENCE OF MIND
Of an Engineer Saves Muir
ty Towards Life.

Spencer, Nov. 21.-Had it not been
! for the wonderful presence of mind of
Engineer John Renshaw, Murty How
ard of Cherry street would be a dead
man tonight Mr.. Renshaw is engineer
Of the Spencer branch of the Boston
and Albany Railroad, and is about
seventy years OF age.
This morning, as the engineer was
! steaming up from South Spencer, on
his second trip in the morning, arriv-
ing in town at about $50, he had one
of the narrowest escapes from killing
a man, that he has had since he has
been in the business. There is a sharp
curve of the tracks directly opposite
the house of George Dickerlnan which
is situated about q quarter mile from
the depot and it is right here
that the accident all but occurred. En-
gineer Renshaw had light load, only
one car being attached to the engine.
and consequently was steaming
around the curve in, front of Mr.. Dick
erman's house. Mr. Renshaw discov-
cred Mr. Howard walking directly in
the middle Of the tracks, and head on
towards the engine. but few
feet away. After seeing Mr. How
ards perilous danger, Mr. Renshaw in
the tWinkling of an eye, had his hand
on the throttle, and the air brakes an
| piled in full force. Not a second too
quick, however had the engineer act
ed as when the engine was brought to
I q
| ard that he could reach out and touch
the front Of the locomotive with his
hand. After the engine had been
brought to standstill Mr.. Howard
stood in sort of semi conscious con-
dition, not moving in either direction.
Fireman John ]. Martin Immediate
| ~ ahghted from the engine and tried
| TO tell the aged gentleman to move
from the track, but his efforts were in
Vain Martin then took him by the
arm, and turning him around started
him off, but instead of going outside of
| the rails Mr.. Howard still remained
| between them and commenced making
his way back toward town.
Mr.. Martin finally was able to get
the gentleman somewhat to his senses
| and started him home outside of the
rails. Mr. Howard is well known in
| Spencer, having been in the Hv-
cry business on Spencer street for
several years. He has always enjoyed
excellent health, and was a man Of
very clear mind, until a short time ago.
! When he had the misfortune to receive
a shock, and it is due to this illness
that his queer actions today We're ac-
| counted for.
| After rest Of about six months. the
members of the c. r A. again resumed
| thelr literary exercises tonight with a
most interesting and enjoyable pro-
| gram. Last year debates We're in or
der at these exercises, but for the pres-
ent at least this feature will be left
out and replaced by speechmaking
The object of these meetings is to give
! the members of the society a. social
evening, as well as to give them a
chance to derive benefit from them.
A committee has been chosen. consist
| ing of Daniel Coffey, Arthur Plante and
John F. Dillon, whose duty it win he
to provide programs for an entertain
ment every Monday evening during the
winter
| The program this evening was car
| RED out as follows: Ode of welcome. bv|
| the literary committee; reading. James
| Quinn; piano solo, Eric Richards; piano
| duet, Messrs. Frank Durkin and Ar
thur Plante; harmonica solo. Frank
Eagan; selection by the C. A. r. quar-
tet, composed of Messrs. Frank Fagan.
Daniel COffey, George and Frank Nor
After the conclusion Of the program,
Spiritual Director G. Fl. Dolan, presi-
Gent I: }. Condor and Vice-President
A. Mcnamara made short but interest
ing speeches.
The house of Charles Buxton, a local
milk dealer, which is situated on the
Leicester road, short distance beyond
Edward Warren's farm, was entered
this morning by burglars. The burglars
easily gained entrance into the house
ana as they supposed the coast was
clear were about to begin their costly
| work, when, alas! to their great sur
prise, they were confronted by a mon
| ster bulldog.
The dog, easily frightened the bur
glars away before they were able to Sc
cure any booty. Mr.. Buxton thinks
from the shrieks of the men, that the
dog undoubtedly took part of their
trousers, if not some of the flesh
After much trouble and many mis-
haps, Carris Berthiume, who for the
past four weeks has been engaged in
the wheelwright business, in Warren's
block, adjoining Duquette's blacksmith
shop, on Wall street, has gone out of
| business.
The long looked for markers for the
graves Of the revolutionary heroes have
at last arrived, and are now being put
in position at the old cemetery. The
work is being carried on under the su-
pervision Of Miss Annie ], Ward and
DR., A A. Bemis.
Edward Hill and men have been at
work all day repairing three leaks in
the gas pipes, two of which appeared
in the pipes running from the main to
the high school building, while the
other occurred in the pipe leading to
the residence of c. b. Carpenter, both
| situated on Main street. All three
| leaks appeared under the car tracks
of the Worcester and Suburban Com
pany, and are caused by the action of
| electrolysis. 9nJ
Captain f. X. Bacon of the Luther
| Hill Camp, Sons of Veterans, mustered
in two more recruits tonight at the G.
! A, r. hall. The new recruits are Err
nest w. Danforth of Cottage street, and
! Henry Walker of Lower Wire Village.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Marlboro of
Marlboro are visiting Mr.. and Mrs. Ma
poleon Brault, Maple street.
| SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE.
You can't keep a good thing down. News
| OF 1T travels fast. When things are 1.-THE