The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-25

passed through the tunnel under the St
Clair river. only few miles out from
Port Huron, that the crew and passen-
gers began to notice the peculiar conduct
of the engineer, as shown by the eccen-
trio movements OF the train.
First came burst of speed. Then the
brakes were applied with a suddenness
that sent passengers tumbling over seat
backs. Those who left their seats in ex-
element were hurled headlong to the
floor. As the miles were passed the speed
increased. the rain beat upon the car win
dows and great flashes of lightning made
the sky lurid with their recurrent glow.
Helpless and pale. the passengers sat
clinging to their seats, believing that they
must soon meet with some terrible acct
dent. It seemed impossible for the train
10 remain on the rails. and the passengers
were tossed from side TO side as curves
were rounded. A sullen roar would be
heard as freight train on a siding was
passed. a flash would tell that station
had been left in the wake Of the flying
train.
From Capac. where the first stop was
scheduled but past which the train whrl-
ed without so much as a warning whistle.
messages We're sent on ahead 70 INLAY
/ City. Lapeer. Davidson and Flint 10 clear
the track Freights We're sidetracked and
+ passenger trains were held up.
INLAY City was passed at hurricane
+ speed Members Of the crew tried to climb
over the tender TO the engine cab, but
the train rocked so that they were forced
to give mp the attempt
The city of Lapeer flashed hy, a long
stream OF twinding lights Davidson APP
peared and vanished
The word had gone out that 10. . was
being driven by q crazy engineer. and
though the hour-li.07 p. m.-vas late. the
depot platform at Flint was crowded with
spectators 20 see the wildcat train and
hear the roar as the limited went by 1T
seventy miles an hour.
! Without the sound IF a bell the old en-
+ CINE came around the curve and into THE
Flint wards, nearly a mile from the sta
ton. Slowly. Oh so slowly. 70 the anx-
fous watchers. the headlight drew nearer
as the train crept in under brakes. Nea
belonging 10 other engines stood ready
70 boan5 the locomotive Il she did not
stop az the station. but slower and slower
as the airhrakes were set and the throt-
Tie was closed. the heavy TRAIN with IFS
load 81 frightened passengers. came 90 a
dead stop.
on hoard the train il had nj first been
supposed that the locomotive had suffered
an accident. The truth was disclosed
when the conductor and brakcmeH went
forward
There they saw Brown ~ his post and
looking ahead. The fireman WAS throw
Ing in coal No one could understand
what was the matter The coudnctos
cried out az Brown. hut ~ nai5 no heed
The fireman looked I'D srd made ul5Te
as II 10 star, over The tender @ explain
matters. Brown grasred him Ivy the neck
and threw him hack vt9icn,,y
Then those who Watched gained the 1-si
hint that Brown had gone insane
The distance between rhe hsgr1rr cal
and The tender w1s several feet ere o.
the men attempted 60 reach the tender
He wouid have fallen end been g-oan1
snto bits had net his courauicns cauehi
him. Other attempts were caaally fr,tt.
less
Il finally became evident thar no 90
would De ahic e. cross. and the mcl sin.
Ply stooa there. watching engineer and
fireman as The glare ir1,n ths eaea Gre
vaitias for the end
NJ one knows What Wild plans we-'
formed ir Browns crszy mind PERHAPS
~ Thought thai sumo great heraic ea-
deavor vas demanded of him. and kew