Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-11-23

cut river at Springfield, but the abul
ments for bridge were being built
/ Before the handsome Boston & Alban.
station was built al Springfield ther
was a steep grade which swept dow
into the city from the east.
Beginning about a mile back from
the city the track dropped quickl,
down past the station and came TO al
} end at the river bank, 800 yards below
This was the jumping-off place, for thu
tracks had not been built cut on the
bridge. To the right, diverging slight
ly from the main track, spur led tC
the roundhouse, which stood on the
river bank, not far away. 1t was here
that the engines were faced about for
the return trips.
AS the Massachusetts, coming in tri-
umphantly from fits 50-mile run, APP
preached the brink of the Hill a mile
back from the river, Finch began TO
slow down and as he did so he began
TO realize that the heavy train had
considerable impetus. He was afraid
TO risk going down the grade with
so few brakes and decided TO stop and
! block the wheels, seeing that the track
was very slippery. So he shut off the
steam and applied the brakes. To his
surprise they seemed to have no effect
on the heavy train.
watch out, Finch" said Marcy, "or
you'll have us on the grade. It's pref
ty slippery"
Finch made no reply, but neryously
reversed the throttle, sending the
wheels spinning backwards over the
greasy rails In spite of the weight Of
the engine, but not staying In the least
the movement of the train. The dip In
the grade came nearer and nearer, and
at last Finch cried:
''My God, boys. | don't believe / can
stop herl"
Then suddenly the engine leaped for |
ward as II felt the sleeper grade, and |
the speed increased each second IN /
spite Of Finch's efforts as car after car
swept over the brink and pushed for.
ward with q force that was not to be
resisted. The occupants OF the cab
could do nothing but cling 10 the en-
CINE with helplessness which became
despair, as they saw that the big en-
CINE was entirely beyond control. But
as the Massachusetts came rushing
down toward the depot the full hor-
ror Of the situation burst upon her oc-
for there seemed to be no
way 10 escape piunging straight into
The abutments Of the new bridge.
There was a scramble for the side OF
The cab. Eddy made the first Jump
and he rolled off the tracks Just at the
station, unhurt Moore. the conductor.
and Nichols, fireman who was riding
n the cab, jumped next and were not :
injured, while back of them :
he trainhands were jumping to the
light and left for their lives. Finch
,ravely stuck TO the Massachusetts,. do
ng all he could TO stop the headlong
'ush and planning TO jump at the last !
moment at the river bank. and Marcy I
tayed with him. 1
few seconds more and the whole 9
rain would be piled up In the river.
nut just then curious thing occurred /
rs the Massachusetts, reached the point c
where the spur track led off 10 the q
Finch felt a sudden Jerk
idewise that told him the engine had
aiken the switch. and realizing that It
aust plunge into the roundhouse in.
tead OF the river he Jumped without ,
n instants hesitation and without see
ng what his landing place was going i,
0 be. He luckily struck a clear spot
lst In front of the roundhouse and
'ent rolling yards away from the
rack, while the mighty engine with its
ing train OF cars went rushing at full n
peed through the double doors Mar
ey had delayed his jump too long and I
as buried in the debris into which
ne roundhouse engine and cars were
esolved. b
Abel Willard, the master mechanic
the road, had heard the engine com
lg down the grade, and supposing that
was some engine wanting to come in =
here, had thrown the switch. The
orce with which the Massachusetts.
ushed by the heavy train, struck the
was tremendous. The old
ngine, llampden, which was stand
lg on the track inside, was driven
trough the brick wall on the further n
de and brought up standing, after
limbing a woodpile which stood on u
re very brink OF the river. But foI
Ills the Massachusetts would have gone A
ITO the river after all, despite III
'iding obstacle of brick roundhouse
The cars piling into the house after
be engine filed IL TO the roof with h
'reckage, and the frightful confusion n
ave new idea of the possibilities OF
The debut Of the Massa b
husetts had caused the loss Of -four Z
YES as well as the demolition OF the
rain and the roundhouse Marcy was
uried deep In the wreckage; Willard .,
nd helper were crushed while en- !,
eavoring TO get the double doors open
nd brakeman was killed in jumping. A
ut Finch came of nearly unscathed. :
oston Transcript.