Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/143

 Moines not far from the railroad bridge which was first built across the river near the coal town of Moingona. The banks of the river here rise to a great height. The grade of the railroad, down the valley of Honey Creek, descends rapidly and not far from the Shelly cabin the track crosses the creek on a bridge of considerable elevation. On this wild night the Shelly family was aroused from their sleep by the roaring torrent of Honey Creek which was rushing by the cabin with the force and volume of a small river, uprooting great trees along its banks and bearing towards the river huge masses of floodwood. Upon striking a light they saw that it was time for a freight train to pass. Suddenly they heard the rumble of the train and then a fearful crash of timbers and a wild cry for help. They realized at once that the train had gone down into the flood with the wreck of the bridge spanning the creek near the cabin. Lighting a lantern Kate started in the direction of the bridge with the fierce storm beating in her face. The darkness was so great that she could see nothing, but guided by the noise of the roaring torrent she reached the bridge. Where the flood was roaring by, she soon discovered the wreck of the train which had gone down with the bridge, and heard the shout of the engineer who was clinging to the limb of a projecting tree which had been partly uprooted by the flood. He was the only survivor and on the opposite side of the creek where it was impossible for Kate to cross to his aid but he assured her that he was out of danger. Both knew that the night express from the west would soon be due and realized the terrible fate that awaited it, unless warned of the fallen bridge. The engineer could not cross the raging flood to go on this mission and so brave Kate Shelly hesitated not a moment but turned her face towards the river. The fierce wind and driving rain beat in her face and nearly carried her off her feet. The lantern was soon extinguished. It was a mile through the dense forest to the river with a long,