The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-15
SAVED THE TRAIN.
A Brave Boys Adventure Down In

/ general bearing to particularly attract
attention; he was just like most other
boys of his age, but upon a close ac-
quaintance, it might have been noticed
| that he was much quieter than most
boys, and a very shrewd Observes might
| have discovered a slumbering energy
under Harry's serene exterior that only
required some emergency to arouse 1t
| into acuiOn.
Harry. lived with his parents on
ranch which was, like all other ranches
in Central Texas, surrounded by
patch of farming land, which was main
| ly devoted to the cultivation of cotton,
while herds Of cattle and horses belong
| ing to the ranch roamed ait will on the
open country, beyond the sacred pre-
cincts of the fenced fields.
During Harry's babyhood the nearest
settlement was Meridale, seven miles
to the south, while about the same dis
! lance to the north the little hamlet of
Montrose nestled in the BraZos Valley.
In time, however, a branch of the T. G.
road pushed it's way from Waco to Cis-
co, and greatly spoiled the WOmack
ranch by running through the lower end
| of it. Then later the G. G.. S. F. road,
in making its way from Galveston to
Fort Worth, cut through the eastern
end, and then the Womack ranch was,
| in Mr.. Womack's opinion, completely
ruined
With the railroads several small viii
lagos sprung up, and among them was
Kopperl, seven miles from the Womack
ranch towards Fort Worth, on the line
of the G. c. s. F., while about the same
distance towards Galveston Meridale
station was built for the benefit of the
citizens of Meridale, who were nestled
about four miles back from the G. c. S.
+. road. Then, to cap the climax,
station was built just alongside of the
| Womack ranch, right at the junction
of the G.. G. S. F. and T. c. roads, and
the town of Morgan began to deploy
around the fenced-in part of the Wo-
mack ranch, and old man Womack be-
gan to mourn over the lost glory of the
State of Texas, abuse the railroads upon
| every available occasion, and voted
against every candidate for the LegiS-
/ lature if he suspected that he favored
the railroads in any way.
Harry Womack had lived an Isolated
life until after the railroads were built
through the country, and even after
| wards he kept very much to himself,
and when not busy in the fields, was
roaming over the country looking after
the welfare of the rowing herds. 1t was
| on one of these lonely rides that he met
with thrilling adventure that lifted
him on the very pinnacle of local fame,
but, in the end, cost him his life.
1t was late in the afternoon when
Harry threw his saddle on his pony
for the purpose of riding over the
range to look after the stock. He head
ed the animal toward the south, crossed
| Steels Creek and then made a wide
| circuit to the west of the G. C. S. F.
| Road. He then began to work the
range eastward, intending to cross the
railroad at the hills, about three miles
south of Steel's Creek, and then work
| back from the lower end of the stream.
AS he rode from the west, however,
it was necessary for him to ride over
a small bluff, or ridge, then cross the
| railroad and cut across the edge of
a deep ravine before he again struck
the open country. Upon arriving on
| the bluff, however, his attention was
attracted by four men camped near the
edge of the ravine, with their horses
saddled and staked close to them
AS Harry was afterward heard TO
say, he could not tell what it was that
struck him as suspicious about the
men, He knew they were strangers;
they had no camping outfit with them,
and their mounts We're extra good ones.
Harry's course led him close to their
| camp, and as he crossed the railroad
near slight curve he noticed that
the fishplate had been removed from
one of the rails right where the curve
began. Instantly the true situation
flashed across his mind. 1t was going
to be hold-up, and the express from
Galveston was soon due at Meridale.
| If the train failed to stop when sig
nailed by the robbers, the loose rail
| would stop it anyhow.
AS soon as Harry grasped the stu
ton he formed his plan of action. He
rode leisurely by the suspicious camp.
and he did so he saw the men cycling
him closely. He drew his pony up
and asked:
Have you gentlemen seen a pair of
stray ponies, bays, with a c. NJ. brand
on their left shoulder"
No, they had not seen them and as
Harry began to ride slowly off one of
the men asked:
Where do you live?"
Back here on the creek" replied
Harry.
Where are you heading for?'
Down below here to look after those
ponies.
Harry saw a significant look pass
between two of the men, and then the
one nearest to him took hold of his
bride and told him to dismount. Harry
then knew that he was to be bound
and thrown in the brush as an act of
precaution on the part of the men.
and he also knew he had to do some
thing and do it quickly.
AS the man grasped the bride Harry
cut him across the eyes with his quot A.;
at the same time he put the spurs to
ms pony and the animal made a dash
through the ravine Before he reached
the shelter of the thicket. however,
several shots from Winchesters were
| were sent after him, but Harry gained
the open country to the south of the
ravlne, struck an old blind trail close
| to the railroad, and was heading TO-
ward Meridale as fast as the pony
| could carry him
he mad ridden about a mile on his
journey when the pony dropped under
him. AS the pony fell Harry was
Thrown to the ground, little forward
OF the animal, and as he picked himself
up ne saw that the creature was COW
ered with blood and that its running
days were over. 1t had been pierced
by four bullets, and he also became con-
| scious of a burning sensation in his
SIDE ana saw that his shirt was covered