Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-08-09
THE ADVENTURES OF AN ENGINE
DRIVER.

my life than did one morning when Job
P.y Slogger, our locomotive "boss," ac-
costed me as l was making ready the
milwaukee, " to take the through" train
westward - s.
"Well, George" said he, "heard the
news? Guess not, ell? You amt got to
run this route agin?"
turned pale, fearing l had got into
some scrape; but [ only said, "Why,
sir?"
"Why" he repeated, smiling at my
scared looks, "because you're put up in
Abel's place. You feel kinder spry, l
reckonp
did feel "lzinder spry," for Abel, a
first-rate hand, had just been promoted,
with handsome douceGr, for gallant con-
duct upon certain occasion. | was his
companion on that occasion; and as the
adventure was the cause of my being
made an engine-driver, will, with your
permission, proceed to relate it without
further preface.
Soon after my arrival in the States l
succeeded in obtaining situation as fire.
man on one of the trunk lines. After
time | became associated with Abel Stor-
er, who had the reputation of a tfrst-class
engine-driver, though he was to my taste
a little too reckless; and when sin liquor"
uOIDluS uduulGu ulul. rIOm ADGl l.
heard many tales respecting the encoun-
tiers he had had with white Iniuns, as he
denOminated certain flibustering gentle
men who had playful habit of disgus.
ing themselves as native Indians, and car
rying off any specie or ammunition con-
tanned in the wagons. AT times, indeed,
l believe, they did not hesitate to commit
the most dreadful outrages under the
guise of the war.paint.
One morning, about two months after
my having been appointed fireman."
we got orders to take train down
to Landerville. Abel was accordingly in
great hopes of shooting some "Injuns, :"
and provided himself with a quantity of
ammunition for his six-shooter l, more
skeptical, neglected this precaution. We
started, however, having a quantity of
specie in boxes, some valuable stores, and
a mixed cargo of motions" III our charge.
We had received instructions to shunt at
Bunkum City for faster train of passen-
gers, and then Gf it had not previously
run into us) to assist it up the steep in
cline at that place, our train being subse-
quently helped up by the other locomo-
tive.
We arrived at Bunkum Siding in safety
about i've O'Clock, and hearing nothing of
the following train, replenished the en-
gine. and then proceeded to look for some
food for ourselves. We pitched upon a
small store, where we managed toprocure
food and some of the most fiery stuff (mis-
called whisky that l ever tasted. Abel
drank it greedily, however, while | de-
voted myself to the food. We. were ON
the eve of departure as two orough-looking
fellows entered and demanded liquor,
taking stock" of US as they staggered
about. Seeing that Abel was becoming
more intoxicated, and recollecting that
the passenger train must be due, l at
tempted to remove him, but one of the
strangers, stepping forward, requested us
to ''llquor up" before we started. Abel
grunted drunken assent, and l. not dar-
ing to refuse, sat down while the ''drink'
was being prepared. During the concoc.
tion of the "reviver," Abel Kept wander
ing aimlessly about, swaying recklessly
against the tables, and when the glass
was at length prepared for my accept
ance, he lurched heavily against the
stranger. Crash went the tumbler upon
the floor, while amid volley of curses l
dragged the offender from the house,
and managed to regain the engine unmo-
Tested. .,...
Anticipating we should be followed, !
kept Abeis revolver in readiness, but
after time l noticed two figures pro-
ceeding in the direction of some log huts
which lay some little distance down the
line upon the left. As the strangers dis
appeared over the brow of the hill turn
Cd my attention to Abel.
To my establishment he responded to
my first adjurations by saying, as he gain
ed a sitting posture, Darn them cusses,
have they gone right away?'
I. I
surprise.
"Why, l thought you were drunk"
cried at length.
"Drunk" he echoed, "those fellows
would have you on your back in a coon's S
jump but for me. | know them, the
'Injun thieves, they're alter our specie,
my boy, as sure as shootin', but I'll tail
'em, the varmints. Which is the specie
wagonY
Number eight" replied, wondering,
ly.
"Of with it, and tackle it on the passen
ger train" cried Abel excitedly; ''we'H
fix their tlints yet, by gosh"
So we set to work with will but
while we were uncoupling the wagon the
other train arrived Abel communicated
his suspicious to the conductor, and in a
few moments the specie was safely in.
cluded among the passenger cars. BY
this time the evening was closing in, and
when we had placed the train on the sid
ing at the top of the incline, to clear the
track for the passengers, began to hope
that our fears of any attack were ground
less.
We ran down again with steam on, to
get in the rear of the passenger train, and
the other engine followed at a little dis
tance. AS our engine neared the points,
just below the log huts have mention.
ed, several figures rose from their con,
cealment. Without warning of any kind
they deliberately fired at the engines as
they passed. Surprise, more than fear,
kept us for a moment inactive. But Abel
quickly recovered himself. Shouting to
me to lie down, he discharged two barrels
at the nearest of our assailants. With a
groan he fell dead in his tracks. In few
seconds We had run out of range, but
those upon the other engine were less for
tunate. UDaTmed rs they were, the driver
and fireman could make no resistance,
and we, as well as the passengers, who
were now turning to their assistance, were
Obliged to remain passive spectators. The
poor fellows were tumbled off the engine
by their assailants, whose intention to
seize the specie wagon was now evident.
But In tnlS tney were IOlleu. some OF
the passengers, having got within range
had by this time commenced pretty hot
fire against the "hibusters," who now
found themselves in fix, as Abel, revers
ing his engine, returned to the attack
Their position thus becoming untenable
they started their engine and ran quickly
out OF the range of the passengers fire. Blu
Nemesis was behind them. And seeing
their manpuvre, turned on full pressure
and swore he'd shoot them ere he slept
Now commenced the most extraordinary
chase ever heard of.
The engine in front had start of about
half mile, but we had great power, anc
understood the management of the ma
chine. Both locomotives were well sup
piled with wood and water. One Of oul
opponents attempted to jump of as the