The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1907-03-29

that maybe he himself sort Of realized
1t after the storm had passed
Down east of the depot grounds at
McCloud stands or stood great barn
like hotel, built in boom days and long
favorite resting place for invalids
and Travellers en- route to California by
easy stages. 1t was nicknamed the bar
racks. Many railroad men boarded
there, and the new engineers liked it
because it was close to the round
house and away from the strikers.
Fitzpatrick, without a whine or
complaint, was put to bed in the bar
racks, and Holmes Kay, one of the
staff surgeons, was given charge Of the
case. A trained nurse was provided
besides. Nobody thought the injured
man would live. But after every care
was given him we turned our atten-
ton to the troublesome task Of operat-
ing the road.
The 313, whether it happened so or
whether Neighbor thought it we'll to
drop the disputed machine temporarily,
was not taken out again for three
weeks. She-was looked on as hoo
doc, and nobody wanted her. Foley re-
fused point plank one day to take her,
claiming that he had troubles of his
own. Then one day something hap
pened to McTerza's engine We were
stranded for locomotive, and the 313
was brought out for McTerza. He
didn't like it bit.
Meantime nothing had been seen or
heard Of Siclone. That, in fact, was
the reason Neighbor urged for using
his engine, but it seemed as If every
time the 313 went out it brought out
Siclone, not to speak Of worse things.
That morning about O'clock the un-
lucky engine was coupled on to the
White Filler. The night boy at the bar
racks always got up hot lunch for the
incoming and outgoing crews on the
mail run, and that morning when he
was through he forgot to turn off the
lamp under his coffee tank. 1t over
heated the counter, and in a few min
utes the woodwork was ablaze If the
frightened boy had emptied the coffee
on the counter he could have put the
fire out, but instead he ran out to give
the alarm and started upstairs to
arouse, the guests
There Were at least fifty people
asleep in the house, travelling and rail-
way men. Being modern building, it
was quick prey, and in an incredibly
short time the flames were leaping
through the second story windows.
When I got down men were jumping
In every direction from the burning no
tel. Railroaders swarmed around, busy
with schemes for getting the people
out, for none is more quick witted in
time Of panic. Short as the opportunity
was, there were many pretty rescues,
until the flames, shooting up, cut off
the stairs and left the helpers nothing
for 1t but to stand and watch the de
struction of the long, rambling build
ing. Half dozen Of us looked from
the dispatchers' offices In the second
story Of the depot. We had agreed that
the people were all out when Foley be-
low gave cry and pointed to the
south gable. Away up under the caves
at the third story window we saw
face. 1t was Fitzpatrick.
Everybody had forgotten Fitzpatrick
and his nurse. Behind, as the flames
lighted the opening, we could see the
nurse struggling to get him to the win
dow. 1t was plain that the engineer
was in no condition to help himself.
The two men were in deadly peril. A
great cry went up.
The crowd sWarmed like ants around
to the south end. A dozen men called
for ladders, but there were no ladders.
They called for volunteers to go in aft
er the two men, but the stairs were
long since furnace. There were men
In plenty to take any kind Of chance,
however slight, but no chance offered
The nurse ran to and from the win
dow, seeking a loophole for escape.
Fitzpatrick dragged himself higher on
the easement to get out Of the smoke
which rolled over him in choking
bursts and looked down on the crowd.
They begged him to jump-held out
their arms frantically. The two men,
again side by side, waved hand. 1t
looked like farewell. There was no
calling from them, no appeal. The
nurse would not desert his charge,
and we saw 1t all.
Suddenly there was cry below
keener than the confused shouting of
the crowd. and one running forward
parted the men at the front and, clear
ing the fence. jumped into the yard
under the burning gable
Before people recognized him lariat
was swinging over his head It was
Siclone Clark The rope left his arm
like slungshot and flew straight at
Fitzpatrick. Not seeing or confused,
he missed it, and the rope, with
Eroan from the crowd, settled back