Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-02-19

Warrants were got out and search
ers put after him. yet nobody could or
would apprehend him. 1t was general
ly understood that the sudden diSap-
pearance was one of Siclone's fre.;ks.
II the >ex-cowboy had so determined
lie would not have hidden to keep out
of anybOdy's way. have sometimes
pondered whether shame hadn't SCme-
thing to do with 1t. His tremendous
physical strength was tit for so much
better things than beating other men
that maybe he himself sort Of realized
| It 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 lcng
favOrite resting place for inva!ids
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 1t
because 1t was close to the round.
house and away from the strikers.
Fitzpatrick. without 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 3l3. whether 1t happened so or
whether Neighbor thought 1t well to
drop the disputed machine temporarily.
was not taken out again for three
weeks. She was looked on as II 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 IL locomotive, and the 3l3
was brought out for McTerza. lie
didn't like it Il bit.
Meantime nothing had been seen or
heard Of Siclone. That, in fact, was
the reason Neighbor urged for using
his engine. but 1t seemed rs II every
time the 3l3 went ont 1t brought out
Siclone. not to speak Of worse things.
That morning about 3 o'clock the in'
lucky engine was coupled on to the
White Filler. The night boy Mt 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 OF the
lamp under his coffee tank. 1t over
heated the counter, and in few min.
utes the woodwork was ablaze. II the
| frightened boy had emptled 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 a modern building, 1t
was a quick prey, and In an Incredibly
short time the flames were leaping
through the second story windows.
When got down men were jumping
In every direction from the burning ho-
tel. Railroaders swarmed around, busy
with schemes for getting the people
ont. 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 on
| the stairs and left the helpers nothing
for It 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 a cry and pointed to the
south gable. Away up under the caves
at the third story window we saw q
face. 1t was Fitzpatrick.
Everybody had forgotten Fitzpatrick
and his nurse. Behind, us 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 10 condition to help himself.
The two inen 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 60 In AFT
er the two men. but tie stairs were
long since furnace. There were men
In plenty to take any kinI Of chance.
however slight. but no chance offered.
The nurse ran to and from the win
dow, seeking II loophole for escape.
Fitzpatrick dragged himself h:,,arr OF
the easement to get out OF IL" s:.;o.-H