The Iron Trail - Production & Contact Info

The Iron Trail (1913)
Short | Short, Western

The Iron Trail (1913)

Short | Short, Western

William Clifford, the new railroad construction foreman, arrives from the east to superintend the construction of the Santa Fe Railroad upon its first invasion of the west. He arrives at a time when the Indians are on the verge of an ...See moreWilliam Clifford, the new railroad construction foreman, arrives from the east to superintend the construction of the Santa Fe Railroad upon its first invasion of the west. He arrives at a time when the Indians are on the verge of an uprising, incensed at the intrusion of the iron monster, which drives away wild game and kills their people. Sly Fox, the young Indian chief, whose brother is killed by the construction train, visits the construction camp and threatens to exterminate the crew unless they cease further work. Alarmed at this attitude, Clifford sends for Crandall, the superintendent. Crandall, upon receiving the news, immediately starts for the construction camp and on the way meets with an accident. Fearing the injury may prove fatal, he sends for his wife and daughter. In the meantime, Sly Fox, who is in love with Starlight, a beautiful Indian maid, tries to force her to his will and threatens her with death unless she consents. He is prevented from killing her by the timely arrival of Clifford, who is out inspecting the new road. With the assistance of several cowboys, who are on their way to the camp with a herd of horses for construction work. Sly Fox is taken prisoner. One of the cowboys volunteers to take Sly Fox to the fort, while the rest continue their way to the construction camp with the horses. Hawanna, who is in love with Sly Fox, with Indian cunning succeeds in shooting the cowboy and liberating Sly Fox. Enraged at the white man's interference, Sly Fox returns to the Indian camp and incites the tribe to an attack on the white men, with the purpose of driving them away. Starlight, who has overheard their plans, rides out to warn the white men. She first rides to the construction camp, where they make immediate preparations for defense, and have barely succeeded in getting on the train, with the intention of leaving camp, when the Indians attack. The Indians follow the train out, and a running fight ensues. The engineer is shot, and as he falls with his hand on the lever, stops the train. Clifford goes forward to take his place, and before the train is again started, the Indians succeed in setting fire to the box car, in which Crandall, his wife and daughter are secreted. The explosives used in construction work are also contained in the box car, and when the fire is finally discovered, the train is brought to a stop. Crandall and his family are taken out, and the box car is uncoupled, and just as the train starts away from it, a terrific explosion follows. In the meantime, Starlight has ridden to the garrison and also to the neighboring ranch and notified the soldiers and the cowboys that the Indians are on the warpath and attacking the construction crew. They immediately start out, meeting on the road, and finding the construction camp deserted, follow the path of the track and come to the timely rescue of the party just as the Indians have them completely at their mercy. Starlight, who has followed with the cowboys, is wounded in the skirmish. When she regains consciousness, she attempts to crawl to safety across the railroad tracks, but falls exhausted on the tracks just as the train comes along on its way back to the camp. Clifford sees her from the engine. He crawls out on the tender of the engine, and just as the train nears her, lifts Starlight to safety. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
6 cast members

Name	Known for
William Clifford Clifford, Construction Foreman Clifford, Construction Foreman See fewer	The Hidden Law (1916)
Sherman Bainbridge Sly Fox Sly Fox See fewer	The Raid of the Human Tigers (1913)
Clarence Burton J.C. Crandall (as J.C. Burton) J.C. Crandall (as J.C. Burton) See fewer	The Crimson Challenge (1922)
Val Paul Actor (as Valentine Paul) Actor (as Valentine Paul) See fewer	Suspense (1913)
Winona Brown Actress (as Winnie Brown) Actress (as Winnie Brown) See fewer	Captain Courtesy (1915)
Phyllis Gordon Starlight Starlight See fewer	Another Thin Man (1939)