The Torch That Saved the Train: How a Fireman’s Light Scared Off Bandits in South Tacoma

A bungling attempt was made Monday night to hold up the Northern Pacific Gray Harbor passenger train near South Tacoma. The men who are supposed to have been attempting the hold-up were scared away by Fireman O.W. Langworth, whose only weapon was a lighted torch.

The train, which left Tacoma at 5 o'clock, stopped at a water tank near South Tacoma. The engineer, H. W. Burke, was oiling the machinery, while the water was being taken. It was dark and but little could be seen on either side of the locomotive.

Burke noticed that a man was following him about the engine while he was working and that there were two other shadowy forms a few feet farther off. He thought little of the matter, however, and the idea of train robbers did not enter his head at that time.

'Come here,' the stranger shouted to Burke. The engineer did not heed the command, as he thought the stranger was talking to one of his companions.

'Come here. Do you understand?' the stranger again shouted. This time the engineer realized that he was being addressed and asked what was wanted.

'Oh come along; and I'll soon show you what is wanted,' replied the would-be thug. When Burke looked up at this unusual demand he found that he was covered with the revolvers of the men whom he had noticed a few minutes before. He uttered an exclamation of surprise just as Langworth, his fireman, came running around the front of the engine.

The fireman had been attracted by the noise and when he ran around to see what was the matter he had the lighted torch in his hand. He rushed directly at the robbers, who were put to flight by the sudden appearance of the man with the light.

The place where the attempted hold-up occurred is a somewhat deserted spot. It would have been an easy matter for the thugs to have taken charge of the engine and run it out on the prairie, where the passengers and mail coach could have been robbed at leisure.

After the bandits had disappeared the train was run to Lakeview, where an incoming freight wag met. A report of the attempted robbery was made to the crew of that train and brought to Tacoma. There is no trace of the men who attempted the robbery, but they are believed to be hoboes who have infested that section of the country for some time.