The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-10-21
DARING LEAP FOR LIFE.
Fireman and Engineer Jump From u
Runaway Locomotive.

y
ed how it feels to so out into space
from the cab Of locomotive going at
the rate anywhere from forty to fifty
miles up, because Of a conviction that
the chances Of life are greater by tax
ng such a leap than by remaining on
the seat of the cab and taking chances
with the machine.
To make such leap into a level or
grass grown right-of'way is something
that would make an ordinary man hes
itate somewhat, but a great many
have made it and made it succcs,iul-
ly.
To make such leap out Of a runa-
way engine that is descending a stretch
Of track such as the Midland has down
Ute Pass, however, taking chances on
landing against granite boulder or
the side Of a mouniain, against arock-
ribbed tunnel, or over the side OF a
precipice over which no one could go
and live, it is even little more siren
uous, but this is the feat that Engi-
necr Frank Watts and Fireman James
Brandcbcry gperformed at . o'clock
last Monday morning and both men
are still alive 70 tell the tale.
The fact that the air brakes would
not stop the train dawnod upon Engi-
ncer Watts soon after crossing the
safety switch below Cascade. AS is
well known to persons familiar with
the operation Of this road, every train
that comes down Ute Pass, regardless
Of how late it may be, stops at Gas.
cadc for inspection. The running
gear OF the train is inspected, the
brakes are examined and tested and
four different men have to sign book
that says the train is in shape to make
tho descent Of the pass safely before
the engineer is allowed TO pull the
throttle to start the machine on it's
downward journey.
Freight No. ~ week ago Monday
morning passed inspection at Cascade
and secured the main track at the
safety switch. 1t was not long there
after, however, that Engineer Watts,
in recharging his air brakes, mlde the
hair-r aisipg discovery that his train
was beyond his control His brakes
were notsof sufficient power to with
sta nd the terrible weight Of his six
teen cars Of gold ore aud lead and sill
yer bullion, and there was no reaaona.
BILE expectation that the train would
remain on the tracks through the first
tunnel of the eight that lay between
him and level track. If it should by
any miracle pass the first tunnel, the
next curve-and there we're curves
every where down that stretch Of track
would probably precipitate the train
over the side Of the cmbankmcut TO
destruction.
Fireman Brandebcry, as he tells the
story, says: Tho train was inspect
ed at Cascade by the regular inspeo,
sors and everything appeared to be in
perfect trim. The last safety switch
was passed with the train under per-
fest control, stealing slowly and safe
ly down the mountain side It ran as
usual until we reached about three
fourths Of mile, when the engineer
thoughs he'd better recharge his air
brakes. There is certain amount of
loss of air running the train, and it is
necessary from time to time to re-
charge the brakes.
"If this is not done the brakes will
lose their grip on the wheels. This
Tscharging process required nearly
three minutes and, with the terrible
weight Of the train we were bringing
down, this time gave US terrific i'm
petus. When the brakes had been
Techarged the engineer applied them,
but there seemed to be little effect.
He applied them again and again, but
it was of no perceptible effect what
ever. You may imagine tha, We were
feeling mighty uncomfortable just
then and we had to decide pretty quick
chat We are going to do. We simply
sized up the situation az best we might
and decided that we had a chance on
ly by jumping from the cab, and
small chance at that, and tha. the
"a - R1 ED en ~ - -