AN HEROIC GATEKEEPER AT A RAILWAY CROSSING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 72, 30 January 1879, Page 2

AN HEROIC GATEKEEPER AT A RAILWAY CROSSING.

Amidst all the excitement and turmoil of the elections, the Parisians, and indeed Frenchmen generally, are finding time to talk of the devoted heroism of Jean Plantier, a gatekeeper on the railway line running through the Rive-de-Gicr. His post was at a level crossing at one end of it, and on a recent night hewa3, as usual, on duty, expecting no evil, and very probably inclined to undertake the hazard, of his position. At all events it seems a train unexpectedly approached him, and he had to use more than ordinary expedition to get his gates shut in time. That on one side of the line he had alreadyclosed, and was hastening to bar the highway on the other. But this, through some miscalculation of the moments at his' disposal, lie was unable to accomplish in time, and before he could swing back the heavy gate, the engine, going at an express rate, rushed by, knocking him down, and passing over his arm, Fortunately he did not faint with the pain and shock, but managed to get up on his feet, though, horrible to relate, his left arm, cleanly amputated by the locomotive wheel, remained on the ground. His agony was fearful, and his first impulse probably was to make his way in the best manner he could to the nearest habitation and have his stump tied up ; but he. quickly remembered that the post he occupied, left without a gate-keeper would most probably be the scene of another and more

terrible accident. Ho. would .remain on ■' / •duty at any risk till he died ■or. was re- ; lieyed; and covering up his wounded'arm' as best liq. could, he prepared go. through liis terrible ordeal of duty.* Dor; / tunately the driver of tlio engine that had : _ injured Jean Planticr had noticed.the accident, and at the next station had .told, of what ha had feared a fatal casualty - some miles on the line he liad come along,' ■■■ Tho station master and some porters at once set out to see if assistance was yet of use, and after an anxious tramp along the six-footway, fearing each moment what ghastly sight would meet'their eyes,, they had come.on a pool of blood, and themutili-' atedlimbofthe 5: vegate-koeperwhichhad beon left where'n \':< A moment after Jean Plantier knew that succour had un- ' oxpectedly come. His tone was almost! apologetic as he answered—" Yes, he was most horribly wounded, and was suffering terribly; but he hastened to assure his superior officer he had Hot left Ms post a moment,' and the train' servfWPjaoV been in no danger."' Such is the simple story of devotion to duty that, bo it found iiiy Frenchmen or Englishmen, or whom not, 1 makes one's blood' run quicker and better. The Paris papers are calling for a Cross of tha Legion of Honor for Jean Plantior, and wo can only say that it would be well '■ if every membor of that somewhat'vuluminous order had done as'much to deserve his decoration.