'tion at the summit, the dispatcher at
. the mogul.
«WEEKLY-NORWALK GAJEIT
l
'IWWI
fl liflGE 101111115
By W. W. WILLIAMS.
IWW.
HE following narrative describes
an actual occurrence on one of‘our
railways very recently. The truth of
the story is vouched for by an engineer
who took a prominent partin the bexcitw
ing events. It was suppressed b3 the
officials of the road upon which it oc-
curred. The oul3 outward manifesta-
tion that something unusual had hap-
pened was the discharge in disgrace ot'
a telegraph operator. \ot one of the
800 or more persons.11l1ose lives were
involved and whose existence held by
very attenuated threadsis aware or will
know, unless he reads this account,
how narrowly he escaped a horrible
fate in the mountainson a transcon-
tinental road recently. The incident
was as follows:
Trains Nos.1 and 2 011 this line were
behind time in the mountain 5 (111 ing to
a furious snowstorm. which had con—
tinued without ceasing for more than
St hours, it now being near midnight.
'l‘ogether they carried about 800 pas-
sengers, many of whom were soundly
sleeping in seats or in berths. They
were both proceeding under orders
from the train dispatcher miles away,
most- of the freight. trains on the Clio
vision having been suspended on ac-
count of the bean storm. They weie
rapidly approaching each o-thet and the
11atchful dispatche1 saw that he must
make a meeting point. \0. 1 had la-
boriously climbed the summit of the
mountain with the aid of a big mogul
as a pusher. As she approached the sta-
the summit station received a. dispatch
for her conductor and engineer order-
ing them to pass No. 2 at siding NO. 47,
M—being the next telegraph station
beyond that point. This-he delivered to
the conductor, taking his receipt there«
for in the usual manner. The mogul
had gone to the round house, it being
the ebnd of a freight division. The con-
ductor, congratulating himself that
the worst was over and that" In a short
time he could crawl: into a warm bed at
home, turning his lantern, cried: “All
aboard!" and the huge train began to
move down the mountain, having been
preceded by a snowplow. Gradually
the engineer opened the‘thrott-le and in
a few moments the train was in full
swing down a steep grade, steam hav-
ing been shut oil? and the heavy train
sliding down the mountain at a rapid
rate. _
The operatorlighted his pipe, tilted
back with his feet on the desk and sad-
}y ruminated on the fact that while
Thanksgiving was drawing near he was
2,000 miles from home..with.a prospect.
of remaining there for some time at
least. Suddenly he was startled by the
call for his: office. in a. hurried manner.
.Lns11 ering, he received this message as
fast as it could come:
“l\o. 2 has left M——— without orders.
Send engine to catch No. 1 quick.”
Not waiting to copy the order or to
put. on his hat or coat, the now fright
cued operator seized his lantern and
dashed through the storm for the round.
house, which was not far away. Reach-
ing that. building, he jumped through
the door and yelled at the tap of his
voice.
“Get. that engine out and catch No.
1—No.2 hasleftM without orders!"
Fortunately steam was still “up" on
Under the orders of the
foreman of the round house the “hos—
tler”_ was banking the fire in anticipa-
tion of some storm emergency, while
the engineer and fireman were washing
off preparatory to going to their homes
and beds, this being their place of
abode: Both seized their coats and hat-s
and sprang on the engine with their
dripping faces and hands. The opera-
tor ran for the switch while'the hostler
threw the big doors open. The engineer
reversed the throttle, the fireman shov-
eled coal into the firebox and the big
machine responded quickly by moving
out acrOss the turn table, which was
still in place.
The switch was quickly reached, the
engine ran out on the main track. the
operator closed the switch, the engi-
neer again reversed his throttle, threw
it as wide open as he dared. gaxe a blast
which threw a shower of sparks 50
'l‘eet high and a roar from ihedouble—
voiced whistle which echoed and re- '
echoed. from peak tc peak among the
lonely mountain canyons even above
the voice of the storm. starting down ,
the mountain almost like a ball fired
from a big siege gun.
' The fireman rang the bell all he could
in the intervals between the firing up,
while the engineer. with one hand on
the throttle, peered anxiously into the 1
storm and— gave frequent short, sharp
blasts on the whistle in the hope of at-
tracting the attention of the engine No.
l. The distance between the two sta-
tions is about 30. miles and No.1 had
some minutes the start.
The problem that presented itself to
the pursuing engine was how to at-
tract the attention of the engineer of
No. l and induce him to stop without
running into the rear of his train. still
proceeding himself ata faster rate than
that of No.1. Had the track been
straight, or even comparatively so,
much of the difficulty of this problem
-w
not. The job of getting down the
liountain at a rapid rate, much of the
time by her own immense momentum.
Occasionally this was so great that. the
engineer was compelled to put on air
to decrease it. The big rotary snow-
plow had lately gone down and was
sidetracked in the mountains - near
M—, awaiting the passage of No. 2
, Beyond that point the storm was light.
and No. 2 engine was able to clear the
track.
Suddenly the fireman, who was sit-
ting on the left side of the cab peer-
ing into the storm ahead, not much
firing being required going down the
mountain, exclaimed.
“George, there‘ 5 something coming
down the mountain behind us. I heard
a sharp whistle. There it gees again!”
The engineer listened a moment, and
said:
“Jump on top of the train and run
back and tell Tom.” meaning the con-
ductor, as the1e was a “blind baggage”
next the engine.
The fireman seized his lantern and
made his way back through the storm
to the front end of the “smoker.” Here
he dropped down onto the railing and
rushed into the car. Fortunately, the
conductor was right there, helping a
foreigner look for his ticket, which he
had lostor mislaid. The fireman quicks
ly explained his presence to the sur~
prised conductor. That- individual’s
mind acted quickly. He said:
“Go back and tell George to slow 11p
gradually, keeping a lookout at. the
rear. They must- know we are here
and will be looking for our red light.
Tell him to watch the gong."
The firemen did as he was told and
lost no time at it. The conductor ran
to the rear of the train. told the rear
brakeman to take the red light and
prepare to get off. Asking no questions,
the brakeman'prepared to. obey. The
train in the meantime was slowing up.
and as soon as possible the brakeman
jumped off and started on the run back
on the track, still having no instruc-
tions, which were not necessary, for
he knew that his order meant that the
train was about to stop on the-main
line and that his business was to pro-
tect it from a rear-end collision.
He had gone but. a short distance
when he saw the mogul come around a
curve in the distance, her big headlight
throwing a strong ray even through
the storm, which was lessening as the
foot of the mountain range was being
approached. He swung his red light.
across the track, the conductor on No.
1 saw it, pulled the bell cord and the
train came to a standstill.
Just as this happened a man hove in
sight in front, frantically waving a g
'The engineer Of No. 2 had 3
red light.
heard No. 1 and the mogul coming
down the mountain. He had stopped
his train, the conductor had sent out. 2
red lights both in front and rear and
the engineer was hustling to get his
train on a. sidetrack near by;
The two. conductors held a hurried
consultation which. you may be sure,
was not overheard. by anybody. No. 2
pulled out on the main track and com-
menced to climb the mountain. No.
1 resumed her journey down the menus
tain, passing the snowplow on the side—
l
l SHAllEFUL‘ PEACE.
Another Stormy Debate In
the Spanish Chamber.
01351011 01 11111111111113 01103111.
Senor Sagnstu.Defend-s His Position.
Says the United States Drove Spain
to Wu.r--Linares Has Challenged
Count d’Almenas to a Duel.
MADRID, Feb, 23.—The meeting 01
the bureaus last evening to appoint a
commission to examine the bill for the
l cession of the Philippines resulted in
only a nominal ministerial success. Al-
though the ministerial candidates ch0—
Sen were four and the opposition candi-
dates only three, yet on a division the
opposition will muste1 92 votes as
against 87 ministerialists. The opposi-
tion will therefore submit a. counteI
measure.
The Republican motion in favor of
summoning the constituent assembly
'of deputies. 'Professor SalmerOn, the
Republican leader, in the course of a
violent speech, said the Republicans
had resumed their seats in parliament
in order to force the government to ac—
cept its responsibilities. In his opin-
ion not only those governing, but pres-
ent institutions themselves: would fall
victims to the present disasters. He se-
verely censured the ministers for en-
deavoring to save the monarchy rather
than the country.
“Your colonial policy,” he said, “was
disastrous because you joined sword
and cassock in order to restore a feudal
theocracy with all sorts of privileges.
The government has surrendered to the
United States Spain’s whole colonial
empire, and the peace that has been
signed .is the most shameful recorded
in history.”
Senor Sagasta, replying, said:
“VVe‘ lost the colonies, but we have
avoided civil war. When you- were in
power, greater calamities occurred..The
United States drove us to war, for
which no regime is blamable. and no
regime could make a nation, weakened
by two colonial rebellions, strong.
“I will oppose reaction with all my
force. I am incapable of destroying
the nation's liberties. It is the Repub-
licans alone who endanger the liberties
of the country by breaking the law.”
The result of the debate in the cham-
ber upon the motion of Senor Silvela,
leader of the Conservatives, censuring
the government for “indifference to the
country’s troubles” was the withdrawal
of the resolution.
Professor Salmeron. after beingr call—
ed to order for a veiled reference to the
1 crown, declared that the Conservative
party was primarily responsible for the
country’s disasters, since it had failed
- to apply in Cuba reforms voted by all
parties, and that the present govern—
ment must also be held responsible for
making a dishonorable peace. He ad—
l vocated calling the constituent assem-
; bly, which, he said, would “kill forever
!
l
both Carlism and any attempt at dic-
tatorship.’ I-Te app 0 tied to all the Lib-
eral and Democraticfforces to co-op-
erate and so “prevent the triumph of
the Vatican and the reactionaries.”
General Linares, who was in com—
mand of the Spanish troops at Santia-
go at the time of the capitulatiou, has
challenged Cou’nt d’Almen'as to a duel
on account of the attacks which the
count made upon him Monday and yes-
terday in the senate in connection with
his arraignment of the conduct of the
Spanish generals engaged in the war in
Cuba.
President Faure’s Funeral.
PARIS, Feb; 23.—President Loubet
,has notified M. Dupuy of his intention
to accompany. the funeral procession
from the beginning to the end of the
,- a route, though his friends have vainly
ON A SIDE TRACK NEAR BY.
track. The mogul. in the meantime.
had gone back upthe mountain. after
theiengineer had explained the situa-
tion to the flagman from No. 1.
All this trouble was caused and an
3 awful accident risked by the criminal
carelessness of the operator at M
in failing to put out. a signal for .‘10.
2 to stop. he having an order for her
to meet No. l at siding No. 47. He dis-
covered his error just as the rear end
of the train was passing his window.
Seeing her lantern he rushed out and
made a frantic attempt to stop her, but
without avail.
this message to the dispatcher:
“Have made a mistake and let No. 2
go by. What shall I do?”
He got no reply save a quick acknowl-
edgement of his message, but he heard
and the order given regarding the pur—
suit of No. 1. And not a word did he
hear from that dispatcher until he
called that official up with a. glad heart
and said:
"Train coming around curve, must be-
No 1.1 N
Then he got this reply:
“Conductor and engineer N0. 1; Pass
No. 94 at J.”
Then he got this message:
“Be ready to turn over your office
would have been eliminated. butit was 5 on arrival No. 6 to-day. Report. here.
Then he sent this message:
“NO. 1 arrived 1:57.",
mountain on easy grades had made it
necessary to take a very sinuous course
1 L l , - -2
acro<s deep gu ches and along mouu . vision “applauded” and a tired dis-
tain sides, with deep gorges on the side
of the track in some cases more than
.1000 feet deep. A rear or head-end col-
lision 'in many of these places meant
the destruction of nearly if not every
life on the trains, for both were likely ‘
to be thrown down the great embank—
ment, at the. bottom of which was often 1
a deep and pid mountain torrent.
While the brave engineer was revolv-
ing this complex problem in his mind
:No. 1 was literally sliding down the
When that message went over the
line all the night operators on that di-
patcher, with the sweat running down
' over his face sank back in his chair,
drew a long sigh and said: “Thank
God!" '
The next day the delinquentopera 'ttor
? reported at headquarters. After“a had
half hour" “on the carpet, " he was dis-
charged. but he never will forget. while
time and memory last, that night's
work on the mountain division of a
great transcontinental railway.
Then he did the only .
sensible th1ng he could do by sending .
the operator at the Summit called up ;
‘ tried to dissuade him by pointing out
the danger of a hostile manifestation.
The League of Patriots applied for a
place in the procession, but M. Dupuy
refused 'the request on the ground that
“the league is a center of anticonstltu-
tional agitators and has already insult-
ed the president.” The. followers of M.
Deroulede are very angry and are talk-
ing of revenge. Troops have been pour-
' ing into the city for the ceremony, and
. it is estimated that no fewer than 100,000
are already here. The police are ready
for any emergency. Seats along the
i route are being sold at extravagant
prices.
Noted Engineer Dead. .
SCHENECI‘ADY, N. Y., Feb. 23.—John
Kreusi, one of the best known mechan-
ical engineers in this country, died at
his home in this city late yesterday,
aged 56 years. At the time of his death
Mr. Kreusi was the chief mechanical en-
gineer of the General Electric company.
He was a. native of Switzerland. Com-
ing to this country in 1870, he 'entered
the employment of Thomas A. Edison at
Menlo Park, N. J;, and in a. short time
became the inventor’s confidential man.
It was to him that Edison gave the task
' of constructing the first phonograph.
Mr. Kreusi was the inventor and pet‘-
fector of the underground tubing sys-
tem that is now in general use.
Gernuuly’n Army Bill.
BERLIN, Feb. 23.—The budget com-
mittee of the reichstag, which has re-
jected the government's proposal in the
army bill for an increase of ten squad-
rons in the- cavalry, yesterday rejected
the proposal to increase the infantry.
Both rejections were made at the in-
stance of the Centrists. The minister
for war, General von Gessler, at the
imperative that. something should be
done to arrive at an understanding, as
it is impossible to agree to abandon for
five years all prospect of strengthening
the cavalry."
'Stlll Another Ballot.
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 23.—One bal-
lot for senator yesterday showed no
change.
TAKE care of vour health. Take
Hostetter’s 'Stomach Bit-
ters. and then there will be an end
to D3spepsia, Indigestion, Bilious‘
ness, Constipa-
tion and Malar-
.ia. It drives-all
Ipoisnns from the
blood and builds
up the broken-
down .10dy:.1nd
{shatter-1d nerv-
ous system.
care of your smmach, and
your stomach will take
11111111111
Stomach .
Bitters;
led to a. stormy debate in the chamber!
close of yesterday’s sitting said, “It is
o
lH
’ 1111131111111: .111.
OF NEW YORK.
RICHARD A. Mccunn‘v, President.
Statement for the Year EndingDec. 31,11 .
According to the Standard of the Insurance Department of the State of New York.
IN @IDMEo
541,318,749 51
Received for Premiums . . .i‘ '. .
From all other Sources . . . . . 12,687,880 92
, $55,006,629 43
nmsn'nnsnmnnms. .‘ ’ -.
T0 Policy-holders for‘Claims by Death . - . . $13,265,908 00
T0 Policy-holders for Endowments, Dividends, etc. . 11,485,751 35
For all other Accounts . . . . ' .
l 094939379 53
$35,245,035 88
ASSETS.»
a
United States Bonds and other Securities ' . . $160,956,141 33
First Lien Loans on Bond and Mortgage . . . 68,503,580 90
Loans on Bonds and other Securities, . . 9,396,619 00
Real Estate, appraised by Insurance Superintendents
at $23,534,826.88 . Book Value . . . _. 20,604,649 61
Cash in Banks and Trust Companies ' . . . 11,621,377 36
Accrued Interest, Net Deferred Premiums, etc. . .“ 6,434,957 10
$277,517,325 36
' LIABILITIES. ‘
Policly Reserves etc. . . . . . 2 0 8 6 6
Contingent Guarantee Fund, , . . .. ' . 323:8:6‘8‘2 6g
Divisible Surplus . . . . . . . . $2,220,000 0
. ~ 3279517031§ é 1‘
Insurance and Annuities in Force . . . $971,711,997 7'9
I have carefully examined the foregoing Statement arid find the same to be correct.
liabilities calculated. by the Insurance Department. CHARLES A. PRELLER, Auditor;
From the Surplus a dividend will be apportioned as usua
’Boafd of Trustees
ADRIAN ISELh .l ..
GonGE S. Bowoon
WILLIAM C. Wanna.
VVILLIALI ROCKEFELLLB
JAMES N. JARVIE .
CHAS D. DICKEY J11
ELBRIDGE T GERRY
JAMES Spam;
HENRY H. ROGERS
J 110. W AUCHINOLoss
THEODORE MORFORD
WILLIAM BABCOCK
STUYVESANT FISH
AUGUSTUS D. J UILLIABD
”CHARLES E. MILLER
WALTER R GILLETTE
H. WALTER WEBB
FREDERIO CROMWELL .
J ULIEN T. .DAVIES
A. N. WATEREOUSE
CHARLES R. 31111111111130}:
SAMUEL D. BAacoca i
RUFUS W. PECKHAM {l
l
RICHARD A M00030?
JAMES C. HOLDEN
HERMANN C. VON POST }
WILLIAM J. SEWELL i
OLIVER HARBIMAN J. HOBART HERRIOK
I WM. 1’. DIXON
ROBERT A. GnAnmss
| GEORGE G. HAVEN
ROBERT OLYPHANT
GEORGE F. BAKER
Donna 01.00'1'1',
ROBERT A. GRANISS, Vice-President.
W ALTER. R. GILLETTE, General Manager.
1:51AM: F. LLOYD, 2d Vice-President. DUEit du—P. BRECK, Correspon ing Secretar,
it lLLIAM J. EASTON, Secretary. ALBERT KLAMHOTH, Assistam Secretary
FBEDERIO CROMW ELL, T1 easurer.
JOHN A. FUN A, Assistant Treasurer. JAMES TIMI. 801i. 2d Assistant Treasurer.
. W ILLIAM l’. 1 NDS, Cashier. hDWARD P. HOLDEN, Assistant Cashier.
- ii EMORY McoLINTOOK, Actuary“
i"; JOHN TATLOCK, J3 , Assistant. Actuary.
OHARLE A, WELLER Auditor. WILLIAM w RICHARDS Comptroller
QGLIFEUMD- -_ BJTSLAGER, Acuistant Auditor. HENRY ts. BRO W‘N, Assistant Comptroller
J UHN C. ELLIOT, Superintendent of Domestic Agencies.
.137)“ ARI) LYMAN SHOltT, General Solicitor.
-i MEDICAL DIRECTORS: . 4
E :AS J. il'lAlib‘bl. M D‘ GRANVILLE M WHITE. Ali 3.)
1?. U. S. WINSTON M. D. Consulting. ‘
Missions c stunner, densest Agents.
A... .31. came, Mocall Agent,
Norwalk Chronicler