Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-10-15
. or BRAVERY.
Actual Scenes Produced by the Talbot
Whitney Carnival Company in
Electric Theatre.

We are accustomed to make a wide
distinction between the heroes and
the ordinary run OF mortals. Yet every
day it is being proved that the hero
is only the man with the chance. That
any good American of able body and
mind can mount into heroism at the
cry for help. riot and flood and fire.
have offered many chances this year
to the man who would step forward
and take tile responsibility.
The town of Hepnner. Oregon, need
ed a brave man last June, when the
food came down the creek. and found
him at the first cali for help, ALONE
the creek 500 people were marvelins
at the storm. taking comfort in the
good roof that gave item shelter.
Thunder and hail might rage outside
within was Sunday night. peared early
lamps for the darkness. while the
voice Of God pealed overhead. The
food was coming down in one great
wave. sweeping up all that grew, stood
or moved upon its tracks, flinging its
trophy upon its back and reaching
eagerly for Q
Some one must urn these bewilder-
ing beings out into the night and set
them running, slipping, grasping,
struggling up the drenched banks.
while the little home met its fate.
1t was too late to save the town
but all the country below cried out for
help ana the call was answered BY
Leslie Matloek a young stoekman.
Watching the storm he saw this
strange wall loom zip out af the creek,
part Of Il barn hung Oh top for a mo
ment and then was sucked under.
The wall curled then crashed forward,
there was a sound Of breaking timbers.
and screams. Matlock ran blindly
towards his home below, but he was
too late, the great mass swallowed
them UP beyond help, then his mind
flew to 500 other people along the
creek. The moment had raised up its
hero. In less than sixty seconds he
and a comrade who had answered his
shout were mounted on the first horses
they could seize and pounding through
the storm to the rescue.
Paul Revere had at least a road to
follow, but Matlock's course lay along
the windings of a creek with the rush
ing waters at the horses heels, fences
to be broken through and rain and
hail. broken only by the flash Of light
ming. The hail bruised them like
stones. Matlock's horse fell throwing
him heavily so that he must remount
with a sprained knee. Ait last, mud
splashed. with white, set faces, they
galloped into Lexington and saw the
| citizens race to the highland. Then
on to some twenty-three miles from
what Heppner had been. Three miles
before the end Matlock's comrades
horse gave out and he had to save his
own life. But Matlock had secured a
new mount and kept on into the town
Here a telegram had already brought
the news, The Heppner operators
last earthly act was to send out the
warning.
Matlock, his work done, posted back
through mud and rain to learn what
he could OF his own. But the friends
of his life time we're among the miss
ing. But 500 lives were saved because
a man had In him the making Of Q
hero.
The exact and only productions eve
taken Of this wonderful ride and ter
rible loss, are reproduced by the Tai
bolt. Whitney Carnival company In
their electric theatre. which will oper
here October 26th for one week will
fourteen other attractions.
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