James Root and Jack McGowan at the Hinckley Fire

James Root was a train engineer. He drove engine 69. He thought of her as "his girl". Jim loved that train.
One day in September 1894 he almost lost her.
He was working for the St. Paul and Duluth railroad. It was his job to run the train through the big woods of Minnesota.
That September day he stopped in Duluth. The air was smoky.
Jim climbed into the wooden cab of old 69. Jack McGowan climbed on. He would be the fireman for the trip.
"There must be a big fire somewhere," said Jim
"Do you think it is safe to go on?" asked Jack.
"Old 69 will get us through," said Jim.

Find out how Old 69 got them through, and how James Root and Jack McGowan saved over 200 people from the great Hinckley fire in this exciting 15-minute book.

Ages 7 and up.
Reading level 2.2

This book is part of our "Heroes in History" series. These 15-minute books focus on a specific moment in a historic person's life. Aimed at second graders, they provide the perfect introduction to famous Americans in an exciting, fun-to-read way.

LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.