During the brisk gale of Tuesday last, PETER LESLIE and others, at the Medina Depot, attempted to “switch off’” a freight car for the purpose of clearing the track for the down train. They run the car by horse power until it had passed the switch, where they disengaged the rope by which it was drawn, and Peter, who was on top, attempted to stop it by means of the brake, but it would not work, and the car, urged by the wind, moved on over the long bridge eastward, with increased speed. Peter became alarmed and alternately swung his hat and tugged at the break, but the break-chain had caught so as to render it inoperative, and in five minutes’ time the car was buzzing along at a speed that steam power might be proud of. Peter finally succeeded in disentangling the chain, so as to stop the car at Knowlesville, five miles hence, but his anticipation of a up train so thoroughly chased the blood from his face, and extracted the starch from his knee-joints, as to leave him one of the most harmless appearing white men ever discovered in these parts. He is ready to bet big on wind against steam power.–[Medina Whig.
Source: Orleans Republican, Albion, NY, 23 May 1855, p. 2, NYS Historic Newspapers.