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About The Daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 1883)
TO Vol. xx. Astoria, Oregon, Saturday Morning, October 6, 1883 No. 5. CHASED BY .AN AVALANCHE OP FLAME. Engineer Brown's Dash. Down the Mountain Side in Front of a Blazing OH Train. Dunkirk, N. Y., Sept. 23. I don't expect to live much longer, and after I am dead I want you to put in the papers the story of that ride 1 had from Prospect to 13roc ton in 1SC9' The speaker was Duff Brown an old locomotive engineer, who was lying at his home in Portland, this county, dying of consumption. This was several weeks aro. On the 7th of this month he died. He was nearly GO 3ears old. His story of the awful ride is this: "In 18G0 1 was running a mixed train on the Buffalo, Corry and Erie railway. The track be tween Prospect or Mayville Sum mit and Brocton Junction is so crooked that, while the distance is actually only ten miles, the curves make it by rail fourteen. The grade for the whole distance is over seventy feet to the mile. "About 9 o'clock on the night of Aug. 17, 18G9, we reached the Summit with a train of two passen ger cars, six oil cars and a box car. The latter contained two valuable irotting horses, and their keepers with them, on their way, I believe, to the Cleveland meeting. There were fifty or sixty passengers in the two cars. I got the signal from the conductor to start, and 1 pulled out. We had got under considerable headway, when, looking back, I saw that an oil car in the middle of the train was on fire. I reversed my engine and whistled for brakes. The conduc tor and brakeman jumped off. They uncoupled the passenger cars and set the brakes on them, bringing them to a stop. Suppos ing that the brakes on the burning oil cars would also be put on, I called to a brakeman on the box car to draw the coupling pin be tween that car and the head oil tank, backing so that he could do it, intending to run far enough away to save the box car and locomotive. As I ran on down the hill, after the pin had been drawn, what was 1113' horror to see that the burning cars were follow ing me at a speed that was rapidly increasinjr. The men had not succeeded in putting on the brakes. 1 saw that the only thing to be done was to run for it to Brocton, and the chances were that we would never reach there at the speed which we would be obliged to make around those sharp reverse curves, where we had never run over twenty miles an hour. "When 1 saw the flaminjr cars for the whole six were on fire by this time plunging after me, and only a few feet away, I pulled the throttle open. The oil cars caught me, though, before I got away. They came with full force against the rear of the box car, smashing in one end and knocking tho horses and their keepers flat on the floor. The heat was almost unbearable, and, do my best, I couldn't place more than thirty feet between tho pursuing column of fire and our selves. By the light from the fur nace, as my fireman opened the door to pile in the coal I caught sight of the face of one of the horsemen in the box car, he having climbed up to the grated opening in the end. It was as pale as death and he begged me for God's sake to give her more steam. I was giving her then all the steam she could carry, "and the grade itself was enough to carry us down at the rate of fifty miles an hour. "We went so fast that the engine couldn't pump. Every time we struck one of those curves the old girl would almost run on one set of wheels, and why in the world she didn't topple over is some thing I never could understand. She seemed to kuow that it was a race of life and death and worked as if she were alive. "The night was dark, and the road ran through woods, deep rock cuts, and along high em bankments. There we were, thundering along at lightning speed, and, only a few paces be hind us, that fiery demon in full pursuit. I here were fifty thous and gallons of oil in those tanks, at least, and it was all in flame, mak ing a flying avalanche of fire five hundred feet long. The flames leaped into the air nearly a hund red feet. Their roar was like that of some great cataract. ISow and then a tank would explode with a noise like a cannon, when a col umn of flame and pitchv smoke would mount high above the body of the flames, and showers of burn ing oil would be scattered about in tue woons. rue wnoie coun try was lighted up for miles around. ''"Well, it wasn't long, going at the rate we made, before the lights of Brocton came in sight down the valley. The relief I felt when these came in view was short lived, for I remembered that train No. 8, on the Lake Shore, would be due at the Junction just about the time wc would reach it. No. S was the Cincinnati express. Our only hope, all along during the race, had been that the switch man at the Junction would think far enough to open the switch there, coniiQcting the cross cut track with the Lake Shore track, and let us run in on the latter, where the grade would be against us, if aiiything, and where we could soon get out of the way of the oil cars. The switch, of course, would be closed for the express, and our last hope was gone, unless the express was late, or somebody had sense enough to flag it. While we were thinking of this we saw the express tearing along toward the Junction. Could we reach the Junction, get the switch, and the switch set back for the express before the latter got there? If not, there would be an inevitable crash, in which not only we but probably scores of others would be crushed to death. All this conjecturing did not occupy two seconds, but in that two seconds I lived years. " 'Good God!' 1 said to my fireman, 'what are we to do now?' "The fireman promptly replied J and he was a brave little fellow that I should whistle for the switch and take the chances. I did so. That whistle was one prolonged y ell of agony. It was a shriek that seemed to tell us that our brave old enffine knew our dangtfr and had her fears. Neither the fireman nor myself spoke another word. "Thanks be to God! The en gineer on the express train, seeing us tearing down that mountain with an eighth of a mile of solid fire in close pursuit of us, knew in a moment that only one. thing could save us. Ho whistled for brakes, and got his train to a stand not ten feet away from the switch. The switchman now an swered our signal, and we shot in on the Shore track and whizzed up by the depot and through the place like a rocket. The burning cars followed us in, of course, but their race was run. They had no propelling power now, and after chasing us for a mile they gave np the pursuit, and in three hours there was nothing left of them but smoking ruins. "My fireman and I were so weak when we brought our loco motive to a stop that we could not get out of the cab. The two horsemen wers unconscious in the box car. The horses were ruined. And how long do you think we were in making that sixteen miles? We ran two miles up the Lake Shore track. Just twelve minutes from the summit to the. spot where we stopped! A plumb eighty miles an hour, not counting the time lost getting under Head-CD way and stopping beyond Broc- j ton. The commanding officer of the Taliapoomiy which scraped on a rock recently, though, perhaps, with less damage than she receiv ed when she ran siground on the Florida coast a few mouths ago. is reported as accounting for the ac cident by saying that "he knew the location of the rock, well enough, but the night was dark, and he thought he had escaped it." This recalls the old story of the pilot,, who, when his knowl edge of a harbor was somewhat doubted, declared that he knew every rock in it; ''and there," he added convincingly, as the ship struck, "there is one of them now!" A Washington young lady oE the mature age of six propounded the following question to her aunt the other day: It was after the story of the Creation and Fall had j been related, and the young lady j I -1 1 T P. t naa oeen meauaung lor some time on the moral of it, when she broke out' with: "Aunty, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God, why didn't he kill 'em and begin over again?" It is not improbable that the question has occurred to older people. There are said to be engaged j in the logging and lumber indus- j try of Canada 100,000 men who i support families, and on this basis it is estimated that 500,000 people j are dependent on this occupation j for support, or one-ninth of the Dominion's population. The to- i tal investment in industrial estab- iishments in Canada is $1G5,000,- 000. of which 25,000.000 is in 1 saw mills and 50,000,000 in lum ber outfits. Absolutely Pure This powder never varies. A marvel o purity, strength and wlrjlesoineness. More economical than the ordinary kinds, and cannot be sold in competition with the mul titude of low test snort weight, alum or phosphate powders. Soldonlu in can. Kov .r. Bakixu Fowdkb Co.. 10G Wall-st. N. Y. WIH. EDGAR, Dealer In Cigars, Tobacco and Cigarettes Meerschaum and Brier Pipes, GENUINE ENGLISH CUTLERY Revolvers and Cartridges. Brewery Beer Saloon. The Best Beer 5 cts a Glass. Hot Lunch every Day from 10 to 12 A. M The best of Liquors and Cigars on hand. A deservedly popular place 01 social resort. GEO. HILLER. ! POWDER Wiiou-sajaand ratal! dealer" in MILL FEED. Giass and Plated Ware,! ntOFICAI. AND D.'hMKXTU FRUITS AMD VEGETABLES. m Toi'Uut wall Wines, Liquors,Tofaacco,Gigcrs ; FOAEJ) & STOKES, WE HAVE OPENED AGAIN In Humc'sNewJJuihliiix And are Beady to Sui)ply the "Wants of Our Customers. A FULL STOCK OF Fresh. Groceries. SOLID GOLD JEVELRT Scarf Pins. Chains, Watches, Of even- description. The finest stock of Jewelry In .Vdorin. i37Atl goods warrautedasronnvst'iited GUSTAV HANSEN, JEWELER. King of the Blood Is not a "cure nil." It is a hlood-;nirifiPr:i:id ttmic. Impurity of the Mood poisons tln-svs-tem, deranges tlie circulation, ami tints In duces many disorders, known bv different names to distinguish them accordint; to ef fects, but being really brandies or plia-ies of that groat generic disorder. Impurity 01 Itlood. Such are Diifpcv.-ta, Uiltioiunc, Liver Complaint. (Vmiinf f")i. Xenon Di anlcnt. Headache, liachache. Central H'cak ne. Heart Dica.c. Dmmy. Kidneu Disease, Piles, Ithcumaliitm, Catarrh, Scrofula, Skin Disorder, Ptmnlat. Ulcer. SiccMhw, ic. ic. Kiiir of the KIooil prevents and cures these by attacking the cause. Impurity of the blood. Chemists and physicians auree in calling it "the most genuine' and efficient preparation for tiie purjKise." Sold bvDrug jdsts.Sl per bottle. See testimonial, direc tions, &c., in pamphlet, "Treatise on l)isc:ises ot tli Blood." wrapped around eacli bottle. I). RANSOM. SOX & Co.. I'ro; Uutfalo, N. V. ANO AND G A SMALL MUSICAL 1NSTKUMENTS SPREADS AND STOOIS Ptano, and Organ Instructors, j CELEBRATED- j STECK & KNABE PIANOS !! USED IJY- "President of United States" "Governor of Oregon." And other prominent persons, l'ianos and Organs of many leading makes, wliolasale and retail, including CELEBRATED TABER ORGANS. Largest House on This Coast. Instruments of All Kinds Tuned and Repaired. GABBIER Bros., 1 65 First St., Portland, Oregon. Shiloh's Catarrh Remedy a posi live euro for Catarrh, Dintheria and Canker Mouth. Sold by . E, Dement MOTELS AND RESTAURANTS. PARKER HOUSE, II. It. I'ARKER. Prop., ASTORIA, - - - OREGON. Ii. 1. PARKER. - .Manager and Ageat. AI. CROSBY. - - Day Clerk I'hil. BOWERS. - - Night Clerk. Ja. DUFFY 1ms the Bar and Billiard room. Pirst Class in all Respects. FHKK COACH TO THE HOUSE. IT IS A PACT -T1IT JEFF'S CHOP HOUSE ON Concomly Street is the Best in Town.. THAT IZr has Alivays on Hand FRESH Skoal "Water Bay and jEhsX ern Oysters. THAT "JEFF" IS THE BOSS CATERER. THAT l!o lias becu Proprietor of the "Aurora Hotel" in Knnppton Keren yearn. OPEN DAY AND NIGHT. COSMOPOLITAN Chop House and Restaurant. OPEN PAY AND NIGHT. Z!Iealn 2o ccntM and upwards. G. UOUIiAItl), - - Proprietor. 3SAI.V STKLET. ..... ASTOKIA. HOTEL. OYSTER AND COFFEE HOUSE. Frank Fabre Has re-opened at his old stand In Dr. Kln sey's Building. HE NOW HAS TIIE FINEST FURNI tnre, and accommodations-or any res taurant in town. Nothing has been spared to make it lirst-class. Private Itoo ins for Ladles r.r Families. Oysters cooked to order in any of Frank Fabre's celebrated styles. Ice Cream, Ice, Etc. The nicest furnished rooms, good clean bd, nd best accommodations for lodgers over the restaurant. A Good Cup of Coffee AND OYSTERS. Mi:s. rowiii.L will orEN an oys ter stand on next Monday, on Main street next to the Oregon Bakery. She hopes careful attention will secure her a share of patronage, at usual prices. l-lm UF.AI.KU IN Hay, Oats, Straw. Lime, Brick, Cement and Sand Wood Delivered to Order. Graying, Teaming and Express Business. Horses ana Carriages for Hire. DKAf.EU IX WiriES, LSOUORS AND CIGARS. FlItMT VIiASM !. W. CASE. ry.MMTKK AS D WHOLESALE AND R& r.lit. DEALER IK GENERAL MERCHANDISE 'on;er Cheuamus and Cass streets. VVTOKIA - - - OREGON A. MacBeth, MERCHANT TAILOE, No. 4. First St, - - Portland. Oregon. Clothing made at reasonable prices, and satisfaction guaranteed. Astoria Oil Works. J.H.DkI-ORCE. Proprietor. P.O.Box 251, Astoria, Oregon. Manufacturer and. Dealer in FISH OIL and SKID GREASE. Loggers will find my Skid Grease to he good and cheap. REMOVAL. The Astoria Passenger Line WILL AFTER THIS DATE HAVE ITS t V headquarters at its Stables next to B. B. Franklin's, two doors below Tiik Asto- w ax office. First-class Li very service. Carts with horse furnished, for one dollar per hour. Carriages on application The Astoria Passenger Line Hacks will leave for Upper Astoria from the stables. Horses taken to board. MRS. T. O'BRIEN. S.ARNDT & FERCHEN, ASTORIA. - OREGON. The Pioneer Machine Shoa BLACKSMITH SHOP AND Boiler Shop All kinds of ENGINE, CANNESY, A2fD STEAMBOAT WORE Promptly attended to. A specialty made of e pairing CANNERY DIES, FOOT OF LAFAYETTE STREET, ASTORIA IRON WORKS. Bkktok Street, Kbas Paiueeb Hoc&k. ASTORIA, - OREGON. GEHERAL MACHINISTS AMD BOILER MAKERS. LAND aotl MARINE ENGINES Boiler Work, Steamboat Work and Cannery Work a spe cialty. OASTIKTGrS, Of all Descriptions made te Order at Short Kotlce. A. D. "Wxss, President. J. G. Hustlkr, Secretary, I. Y. Case, Treasurer. johx Fox,Superintendent. C. H. BAIN & CO. DEALERS IX Doors, Windows, Blinds, Transoms Turning, Bracket Work. J313L03P V 03?l3L A specialty, and all work guaranteed. Oak, Ash, Bay, and Walnut lumber ; Ore gon and Fort Orford Cedar. All kinds of boat material on band. C. 11. SAIN A. CO. LOEB & CO., JOBBERS IN WINES, LIQUORS, AND CIGARS. AGENTS FOR THE Bast San Francisco Houses and Eastern Distilleries. Tumblers Decanters, and All Kinds of Saloon Supplies. BAU goods sold at San Francisco Prices. MAIN STREET, Opposite Parker House, Astoria, Oregon. CENEBAL STEAMSHIP ACEHCY. Bills of Exchange on any Part oi Europe. 1AM AGENT FOIt TIE FOLLOWING well known and commodious steamship Ines, STATE LINE, BED STAB, WHITE STAR. IIAMBUEG-AMEK ICAN. DOMINION LINE, NATIONAL, and AMERICAN LINE. Prepaid tickets to or from any European port. For full Information as to rates of fare, sailing days, etc, apply to I. "W. CA SE. BOZOETH & JOHNS. Real Estate and General Insurance Agents. ASTORIA, - Orejjon. WE WRITE POLICIES IN THE "WEST ern. State Investment, Hamburg, Bre men and North German Fire Insurance Com panies, and represent the Travellers' Life and Accident of Hartford, and the New York Life, of N. Y. "We have tho only complete set of township maps in the county, and nave made arrange ments to receive applications, filings, and final proofs on Homesteads, Preemptions. Timber Lands, etc., having all the official blanks therefor. Our maps can be exam ined in the office, upon the payment of a reasonable fee. Wo also have for sale city property In As toria and additions, and farms and tide land property. 'Bents, and other collections made, and loans negotiated. SOZOBTH & JOHNS, BUSINESS CARDS. Q JB. THOMSON, Attorney and Counselor at Law. Boom No. c, over "Walte House, ASTOKIA, OREGON. J. NAT. HTTDSOX, Attorney at ZATr, taA Notary Odd Fellows Building, Astoria, Oregoa. Q FF. FULTON, ATTORNEY AT LAW. Booms 5 and 6. Odd Fellows .Building. J Q.A. BOWIiBT, ATTORNEY AT LAW. Chenamua txeer, - - ASTORIA. OREGON J. CURTIS , ATT' if AT LAW. Notary Public, Commissioner ot Deeds for California, Nerr York and Washington. Ter ritory. Booms 3 and 4, Odd Fellows Building, As toria. Oregon. N.B.-CIalms, at Washington. D. C and collections aspeclalty. V. ALLES, Astoria Agat Hamburg-Magdsburg and Germin-Amirican FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES. jg C. HOLDEH, 2TOTASY PUBLIC, AUCTIONED COM3IIBSION AND IN SURANCK AGENT. JQR. N. C. SOATSAX, Physician and Surgeon Booms 9 and lo. Odd Fellows Bulldlay, ASTORIA, OREGON. JAY TUTXLvE. M. JD. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Omn-Booms 1, 2, and 3. Pythian Build ing. Kzsidxxce Over J. K. Thomas Drua Store. P. HICKS, PENTIST, ASTORIA, - - OREGON Booms in Allen's building up stairs, corner of Cass and Sqemocqhestret . JQK. J. K. LaFO&CJS, DE5118T, Room II, Odd Fellows Building, Astoria, Or. Gas administered for painless extraction of teeth. Q.KLO F. PiKKKK, SURVEYOR OF Clataop CaBty,aad CItyef Astarim Office : Chenamua street, Y.M.O. A. hall Auumno.e. J JT. JONES, STAIB BUI1DER, Ship and Steamboat Joiner, NORTHERN PACIFIC EXPRESS COMPANY Are Now Ready For Business. 3"Offlce with Bcaorth & Johns. E. A. NOYES, Agt. O EO. P. WHEELER. W. 1 SOBS. WHEELER & EOBB. GENERAL REAL ESTATE, INSURANCE, AND COLLECTION AGENTS. Real Estate bousht and sold on Commla. slon. Aecounta adjusted and Bills collected. Correspondence from abroad solicited. E&OSlce in Hume's new building, on Sque moqua street, next door to Foard & Stokes. Has re-opened hla CIGAR AND TOBACCO STORE, On the Roadway, near his old location. He and Tobaccos, and a full line of amokersr ar win Keep toe stocic 01 me cnoicest cigars, nrl Tiiwc nnH o full lint rf omnV.wi' Qr ticles, Including the finest meerschaum ipes. lie win do pieasea te see ins 01a enas at nis new stana. Cleaning Repairing. NEAT, CHEAP AND QUICK. BY CJEORGE X,OVXTTt Main Street, opposite N. Loeb'a. ANNOUNCEMENT. MRS. T. S. JJ5WETT, (Successor to Mrs. E. S. Warren.) Fashionable Dressmaker and nxixramBB. Dealer In Millinery and Faney Goods. Sqnemoqua street, next door to Odd Fellows Temple. PLUMBING, Gas and Steam Fitting DONE BY RUDDOCK & "WHEELER. AT fair rates. Also a complete stock of goods In our line. Estimates given and work guaranteed. Cass street, in rear of I O O F building, nest to Gas Go's oQlce. -