New Britain herald., 1926-09-16
.DASHES BEFORE TRAIN
TO save CHILD'S LIFE
Veteran Gate Tender De-
ties Death Under
Wheels of Express

A girl, apparently not more than
10 years of age. skipping along to
school, crossed over a short cut from
Franklin street to the railroad
tracks about 40 feet west of the
Stanley street grade crossing a few
minutes after s o'clock yesterday
morning. blissfully unaware that
less than 100 feet behind her there
was laundering towards her, an ex-
press train under high speed. With
IN a few seconds the little girl
would have been struck and IN
doubtedly mangled without knowing
what hit her, but for the bravery
OF Timothy Flaherty of SIS Franklin
street, veteran gate tender. who,
throwing aside all thought of his
own safety. ran from his post at
the gates and literally threw him
self at her, knocking her into a
dltch that runs beside the south
track an instant before the train
rushed by.
To wait for Tim" Flahcrty to
give publicity to his heroic act
would mean an indefinite lapse of
time; indeed, he told of it today only
when closely questioned, for he
views it as simply another bit of
duty that he is expected to perform,
and, in his own words: "Whv
wouldn't I take the risk to save the
child; who am I to stand safely bv
and see a child killed without a
chance to protect herself? What
If l did get hurt. - probably
wouldn't have been killed. and if I
had got hurt and the childs life was
saved, wouldn't it be worth it?"
MIR. Flaherty, in the excitement
that attended the daring rescue, did
not learn the little girls name. She
was so frightened that she ran away
after being picked up, and the only
relative to her identity
and her address Mr.. Flaherty OBJ
tanned was that she lives on Sew
mour street and attends the East
street school.
Workmen at North & Judd's en-
gagged in unloading trucks on STAN
ley street, north of the crossing.
witnessed the rescue. Some of them
were almost overcome with fright
and were literally frozen to the
ground as they saw the child walk
ing on the track and the big train
bearing down upon her. The alac-
rlty with which Mr. Flaherty cover
ed the distance from his post to the
point of danger surprised them.
some shouted to him to beware 1t
seemed that he must be struck and
both he and the girl hurled into
eternity. The rescue happened so
quickly that the onlookers were not
certain that either party had escap-
ID until the train had passed and the
'rossing was clear.
Mr.. Flaherty was gate tender at
he Stanley street crossing for 90
ears before he left the employ of
he New Haven" road to work in
actory during the war. On leaving
he factory he re-entered the COM
'any's employ and was detailed to
lis old post. He is one of the oldest |
,ate tenders in the employ of the |
ompany, in point Of years of serv-
ce, and his reputation for careful |
less is known throughout the state.
he little school girl is not the first
'erson who owes her life to his |
and watchfulness.
In all the years of his service, !
Tim" Flaherty has exercised the |
anne care about the appearance of
Isl gate house that he displays in
he performance of his duties. The |
eat in the little house is kept var
ished and years ago he papered |
he interior walls, to give the place |
$ cozy and homelike an appear.
nee as possible.