A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AVERTED BY ONE MAN'S NERVE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1176, 20 November 1883, Page 3

A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AVERTED BY ONE MAN'S NERVE.

The train to Portland, Mass., came into Beverly depot a few minutes late, and signals were sent warning the Gloucester express, then due, but the engineer of the express did not notice them quite as soon as he would, had he not known that the road, by right was his; When he did see them he nt once applied his air brakes and reversed his engine, but the suddenness of the act broke the connections of the air brakejand they would not hold the train. The engine, with wheels reversed, was rushing onward pushed, by the train. Danger signals were shown to man the brakes, but nothing could Btop the mad career of the train under such, a headway. Amongst those who saw the incoming train nearing its sure destruction was Isaac Williams, and he at once spraDg to the switch to turn the train off its course, but to his horror he found that the Portland train had run into the same switch. At once calling the engineer to back off he stood by while his men were calling him to get away or he would be killed, Well knowing it was his life or a hundred others, and perhaps both, he stood firm, and the instant the Portland engine was off the switch he gave it a turn just asthe incoming engine struck it, the engines passing within a few inches of each other, and away went the express on to a aide track. Williams is usually employed on a gravel train, has seen many narrow escapes, but never loses his head. The express had on board a number of the wealthy shore residents, who are perfectly wild over Williams and his daring exploit. A large sum of money was at once made up for him on the train and more is in store for him.