The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-18
MADMAN IN
ENGINEcAR.
ws
Engineer and Fireman Compelled
TO Fight for Life.
TRAIN WAS RUNNING WILD.
Desperate Conflict Ended at Station Where
The Maniac Made Ills Escape Uass
Cover Of His RsvsIVsL
TRAIN WAS RUNNING WILD.

New York, Jan. Is.-While engine No.
q was dashing along with four crowded
ears on the rIrooklyn Elevated road last
night tile engineer and liremen were
hshting for their lives with madman in
the cab.
In charge OF Engineer Alexander skim
ner and Fireman Nicholas Smith. the To-
comotive had just pulled out OF the Hal
sey street station, going toward Chaun-
cey street, when Skinner saw a man sit
ting on the tender Of the engine,
The man WAS big and muscular. lie
was waving his hands wildly and APP
peared 20 be crazy.
Catch that man and haul him into the
cab before he fails under the wheels and
Is killed said Skinner TO his fireman,
AZ the same time Skinner showed up
slightly. Smith was formerly a trainer
for Tom Sharkey, the prize-hghter lie is
very strong man and daring. Smith
walked out on the side OF the engine and
seized the man by the coat The next
instant he was carrying him TO the cab,
the man struggling and screaming To
break loose
once IN the cab the man began 10 fight.
He seized the shovel an ddealt Smith
blow that knocked him down and rem
dered him partly unconscious. lie then
turned upon Skinner.
The two men grappled They fought
about the cab. Each had the other by the
throat. Skinner. also powerful man.
pulled his opponent down. lie fell across
the prostrate form OF the fireman.
Smith suddenly regalned his senses. AS
hc dei SO nc caught the mailman about
the waist and held him. Skinner at once
turned Co his engine. He put on full
steam and the engine bounded forward.
tffsaa AL 10 IA tafls
peatedly. The guards were warned that
there was some hing wrong I'm the cab.
While the engine dashed ahead toward
the Chauncey street station Smith and
the madman fought. First Smith was on
top with his hands on the madman's
throat. then the mailman would roll over
and for time would have the adyan-
tage.
when the Chauncey street station was
reached the engine stopped at the plat
form. Smith md the madman, still fight
ing. fell from the cab. They rolled about
the platform. Skinner and four guards
came TO Smiths rescue
When he and the rnadman rose 10 their
feet the mailman drew revolver. He
pointed II at Smith. but before he could
fire Smith had struck him fun I'm the face
and the man went down. lie rose to his
feet again and smashed the windows of
the cab with the butt end OF his pistol.
With the weapon leyelcd at the others
he started from the station. Again Smith
ran at him. Again he dealt him a hard
blow which sent him sprawling. When
the man rose TO his feet this tirse he
pointed the pistol at the trainmen backed
from the station To the stairway and took
to his heels
Smith and Skinner at once boa rded their
cab. Another train was fast approaching
and there was danger Of a rear collision.
Smith was bruised and cut i'm many
places. Skinner was unhurt
The trainmen reported the affair TO the
Brooklyn police. They said that the man
was undoubtedly insane. They described
him as we'll dressed. about twenty-eight
or thirty years old, OF tremendous build.