Charles A. Perkins, Sr., saved Bernard A. Starker from being run over by a train, Royal, Texas, April 29, 1914. Bernard, 1, walked on a railroad track and stopped between the rails at a moment when a passenger train was approaching at a speed of about 35 m.p.h. The engineer applied the emergency brakes and reversed the engine. When the train was 400 feet from the child, Perkins, 29, locomotive fireman, ran out along a running board, swung down over the steam chest to the bumper timber, and without holding to anything, leaned down and grasped an iron rod above the bumper timber. He stepped over it and let his feet slide down the pilot until his right foot rested on a small step at the bottom, then, with his left leg swinging free, he turned to face Bernard and grabbed him with his left hand. He lifted the child and held him until the train was stopped with the pilot 20 feet beyond the point where the child had been. The child was not injured. 13306-1089
13306 – 1089
13306-1089