The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-10
SAVED THE TRAIN.
Overlook Girls Prevent Wreck
of Missouri Pacific Train.

The story comes from Fort Scott of
the narrow escape from destruction of
the Topeka-Fort Scott train on the Mis-
souri, Pacific through the presence of
mind of two little girls at Overlook
It was last Thursday and following is
the story:
Situated about three miles from Ov-
erbrook and stretching across a dry ra-
vine. some 20 feet in depth, is a, wooden
treStle on the K n. & D. road. and at
this point the one train day going in
each direction makes good speed, the
country being level. Yesterday morning
Ida and Sadie Workman, two little girls
on their way to school, noticed with
alarm that during the night this trestie
had been completely burned CE1t, all the
woodwork being gone. and the rails only
being left spanning the gulch. Instead
of running off for the help of elders, the
brave little girls ran down the track in
each direction and stationed themselves
on the track to warn approaching trains
of the danger. No sooner done than the
shrin whistle of No. 2S5 was heard in
the not far distant north. Bravely the
little woman stationed there stood on
the track and waved her arms franucal-
ly at the approaching train which was
fast going to destruction. Seeing the
little one and noting her frantic centuries
Engineer Sol Richardson threw back the
throttle and brought the train TO
quick stop. just before the treStle was
reached. Conductor E. A. Smith came
running up to discover the reason for
stopping the train in such an out of the
way place and then the burned trestie
was discovered. Shortly afterwards the
remainder of the crew and the passen-
gers came up to the head end and there
was a general giving of thanks. A trav
cling man suggested taking up a collec-
ton for their little preservers and his
suggestion was joyouSly met with. All
eyes turned in search of the tiny hero
ines But they were as modest as thye
We're brave. They had disappeared
There can be but little doubt that if
the engine had gone onto the unsup-
ported rails at the speed with which it
was moving it would have gone down
into the pit and the whole train would
have been ditched. probably resulting
going north and the destruction of the
bridge had not been discovered. disaster
would have been certain The treStle is
situated just around a short curve and
cannot be seen until the engine is di-
rectly upon it
Upon investigation it was discovered
That the trestle had in all proba bility
been burned out by the carelessneSs of
some tramp, who had spent the night
beneath it. Charred brush and forest
wood were evidence of the campfire that
had existed there the night previous.
out eXtinguishing the fire which, left
alone. caught the timbers above and
rapidly and totally destroyed them.
Train No. 2S5 was delayed four and
one half hours on account Of the burn
I ed trestle- A work train happened to be
situated at Overlook and this was
called into play. The rails Were PROF.
ped UP temporarily by the workmen
and just strong enough to allow the
train to pass over. It required q good
deal of time, and the thorough recon-
struction of the trestle VIII take days.