The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-03-16
RAILROAD MEN.

We copy the following interesting gos-
sip about large, distinct, and peculiar
class of men, from the Troy Times. 1t
says:
The recent terrible catastrophe at New
Hamburger has called public attention
to this class in o manner which suggests
q brief allusion to its various elements.
When any one enters this branch of SER
vice he will soon find that he is a mem-
Der of very interesting community
one having its opinions, its rules and its
customs peculiar to itself Even the
wster-boy may feel his pre-eminence
over other youth, and so can the book
boy or news-agent, who in good times
can make his $40 or even SIS per week.
Then there is the brakeman, of whom
there is one to every pair of coaches, or
in other words, half man to each
coach. To him there is no music like
the steam whistle-at one time the long
and distressing shrek blowing for sta
ton, and then the short puff or signal
for braking. This brings him to his
lever, and with wrench that throws
his body into all manner of contortions
he fetches the roaring train to halt.
These fellows have all the dignity of a
craft. They are known as "Jack," or
"Bill," or "Charley," and when passing
at full speed they will greet each other
on different trains by gesture peculiar
to themselves, being gentle motion of
the hand like one beating time. The
brakemen formerly received only $25
per month, but of late years their pay
has been raised to $40. This they in
crease by running on extra trains, by
means OF which they often make $40. A
good brakeman may hope in time for
promotion, and if not here he may GO
West, where they often are put into i'm
portsnt positions. The risks of this en-
ployment are very considerable, but not
withstanding this there is always a rush
for every vacancy. The great misfor-
tune of this class is its temptation to dis
sipation. Brakemen could save money
if they chose, and indeed knew one
young man in the employ of the Central
few years ago who by strict economy
laid the foundation of handsome prop
erty.
THE CONDUCTOR.
The importance of this officer is not
to be expressed by mere words. On the
daily twenty trains which traverse the
Hudson River and Central, each conduc-
tor holds trust of life and death i'm
portance. He is, like the captain of a
ship, the supreme commander of his
train, and from the time he takes
charge of it, either at Buffalo or SYRIA
cuse, or at Troy or New York, his word
is law until he brings it to its destina-
ton. During this time he is required to
maintain incessant vigilance, and at
every station he can be notified by tele-
graph of any change or dangers on the
line. He is held responsible to a certain
degree for all accidents, and must on
such occasions vindicate himself or lose
his place. To illustrate, I may state
that train was delayed by various de-
tentions, and before reaching Albany a
slight accident occurred. 1t was said
that the conductor had fallen asleep, and
on that charge he was dismissed. An
other illustration is that of a conductor
OF q train bound from Syracuse to AL
bany, who was desirous of making a
speedy trip to Troy, and consequently
left the train at Schenectady in charge
of the baggageman and took the Troy
Express. This took place at o'clock in
the morning, when it might escape
notice, but it was discovered by the su-
perintendent, and dismissal followed.
Freight conductors are allowed to sleep,
because their duties are more tedious, but
they are held responsible for many cas-
ualties. Some time ago an expensive
carriage was sent on platform car to
its destination, but severe gale of wind
blew it off, and as this took place at
night, it was not noticed until a long
time after it occurred. This was also
the ground of dismissal. The conduc-
tors of passenger trains are the means
by which the company comes in contact
with the travelling public. On this ac-
count each one is expected to exhibit
good dress and polite manners, and this
he must maintain under all circum-
stances. His position would be pleas
ant one were it not for the frequent at
tempts at imposition to which. he is SUBJ
jected. One class of impostors are those
who beg their passage, or who attempt
in any other way to evade payments
class much more abundant than the
reader may suppose. A conductor al
lows no one to ride free unless he has a
pass regularly issued by some authorized
officer of the road, the violation OF this
rule being just ground for dismissal
1t is often very unpleasant to put man
off, but it is inevitable, and that is the
conclusion of the matter. However
there is very great difference in the
manners of railway conductors, some o.
whom are repulsive, while Others art
courteous and kind-hearted. One oftht
most agreeable and gentlemanly OF this
GLASS is Nicholas Witbeck, of West Troy