MRS. PARKS: We conclude our story of Mrs. Allan Parks of Mount
Jewett whose heroism in May of 1900 was the subject of a recent
article in the Bradford Landmark Society’s newsletter.

We left off at the collision of two trains:

“There was a sudden scattering of workmen. In the smoke and
heat, the situation was indescribable. In the coaches, the
passengers were badly shocked and stunned by their various plunges
forward.

“Everybody on the train was hurt more or less, but those who
were bruised seriously numbered only six. After the passengers had
recovered from the shock, most of them got out of the train. The
sight that greeted them was enough to appall the stoutest heart.
They were surrounded by walls of fire.”

Mrs. Parks, a passenger, realized that unless help was brought
immediately, all the passengers on the ill-fated train would be in
great peril. She knew there was a telegraph station and an operator
at Newton and went to get help. When she arrived, she found
Trainmaster Moulton of the Kushequa railroad.

“On the siding was a locomotive with steam up. Quickly
explaining the situation to Moulton, she urged him to make all
possible haste to help the sufferers in the cut. The locomotive was
switched onto the BR&P track, and after a lively run to the
scene of the wreck, the engine was hitched to the passenger coaches
and pulled the 20 passengers and others back to Newton.

“When the train with the rescued passengers arrived at the
station at Newton, Mrs. Parks was standing on the platform,
laughing and crying alternately.

“The first inclination the passengers had of the little woman’s
heroism was when she asked for her hat. ‘I’ve lost my hat!’ she
said. ‘Were you on the train?’ asked several in chorus. ‘Yes, I ran
back here to get help,’ was the reply.

“In an instant, all wanted to know her name, all thanked and
blessed her. In the midst of the congratulations, Mrs. Park said,
‘Oh, I’ve lost my pocketbook, too.’ Instantly, a hat came off, 20
hands went into as many pockets and a shower of silver was the
result. Every passenger took the young woman’s name and address,
and she was the heroine of the day. Mrs. Park is the daughter of
James Doyle of Kushequa.”