Narrow Escape from Train Wreck
A disaster of frightful proportions was narrowly escaped by the extra train returning to Chicago from the Springfield Convention. At 11 o'clock P. M. on Thursday a long train, laden with fully 1,000 people, and, as was well known, contained the Greeley delegates. Many of the foremost men of Illinois were also on board. Shortly after leaving Springfield most of them had retired in the sleeping cars. Six miles northward of the city, while the train was running at the rate of 25 or 30 miles an hour, the engineer, looking out into the blackness ahead, saw the track cumbered with a great stack of timber. Instantly the machinery was reversed and the air brakes sprung, and the train brought to a stop with a shock that routed the crowd from their seats, causing the wildest confusion. The engine had not stopped a second too soon. A series of massive ties were firmly spiked to the rails, and beyond them a great heap was carefully laid to secure beyond the possibility of failure the utter destruction of the train and its passengers. The engine tore up three or four before coming to a final halt, but fortunately, the reduced impetus prevented a leap from the track. The local press makes little speculation on the matter, and the most curious indifference is manifested as to penetrating the mystery of the dastardly affair. It is generally thought that vindictive political spite is at the bottom of the attempt, and that its authors will be found to have been suborned for the atrocious work.—N. Y. Tribune.