Ford Repair: My Escort died., temperature gauge, compression tester

Question
Hello.
If you could help me on this I would sure appreciate it.
My car is a 1997 Ford Escort with an auto tranny. This is the problem: Yesterday I was driving up into the mountains when I started hearing a loud ticking sound. I then looked down and my temperature gauge was hotter than I've ever seen it. About that same time I noticed I started losing power. I pulled over and the car died. I got out, checked the oil and water, they were ok. I then got back in and started the engine then drove about two miles before the same thing happened again. But this time when I tried to start the car it didn't start so I had to have it towed. At my friend's garage I again tried to start it but no good. I then checked and The spark was good. The fuel was good. All that was left would be the timing??? When we tried to start it the engine sounded like it turned over very very easy and there didn't seem to be any sound of compression. So my question is this:
What do you think it could be?
I know this is vague. I'm only asking before I have it towed 120 miles to take it to the shop and wanted to see if you might have an idea so I know what kind of $$ I'm about to lose. I've never had any problems with the car. Have always maintained the car well throughout it's 80,000 miles on the road.
Any help, or general idea would be helpful.
Thank you.
Larry

Answer
Im not sure, i would use a compression tester on it and check all cylinders before going any farther.  If it got to hot, a bearing may have burnt up, burning in the motor, causing it to over heat a little, then when you went to start it back up damage had already been done and so it would not start back up.  the timing may have went crazy.  Check the timing and the compression.