Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-23
NO. TO-.
MiseellaaeoMs.
ULLMAN'S EDUCATED DOG.


There are few travellers ON the Harlem
Railroad who have not heard of the edu-
Gated dog at Searsdale depot. His name
is Knapp. He is the property of Mr.. Geo.
Ullman, the station master. Knapp is a
sheapard dog, about two feet high, and is
covered with dark brown shaggy coat Of
fine hair. He was born in the Scotch
Highlands nearly four years ago. In his
infancy Knapp was imported at consider
able trouble by gentleman Of Scarsdale.
who. being suddenly called to Europe
hor1ly afterwards gave him to Mr.. ull-
man. Noticing genius and intelligence
in knapp, MIR. Ullman began to train him.
Now Knapp can perform many wonder
iul feats. He has been taught to assist
his master in the performance Of his du-
ties around the depot. Knapp has learn
ed TO tell bp the clock when train is due;
and at night when the hands point to the
proper hour Knapp takes n lantern in his
light guiding the engineer to the stopping
place. Knapp knows an eXpIess train
from mail train, and a mail train from
way train. In the day time when an ex-
press train approaches the station and the
which signifies all is we'll M
Not many days ago Knapp appeared
with the white flag as an express train
hove in sight, but seeing two small child
ren going down the wagon road ignorant
of The approaching OF the train, he saw
that the children would reach the crossing
simultaneously with the train. Knapp
dropped the white flag and seizing red
flag in his mouth; he darted towards the
crossing. The engineer saw the red flag
and shut off steam before the animal
reached the children. Arrived at the
crossing, he stood there and prevented
the train from passing until the children
were safely scross the track; then he laid
the flag down and the train went on.
On another occasion Knapp snatched a
child from in front of way train just as
it was stopping at the depot. The child's
clothing was torn by the wheels of the To-
comotiye SO narrowly had it escaped death.
Knapp consults the clock every day for
the arrival of the mail train. A few mo-
ments before the mail train is due Knapp
stations himself at the mail rack. and
when the bag is thrown from the car he
carries it to the post office, and if it con-
tains any letters for his master he takes
them back to him.
When freight trains begin 10 switch cars
at the depot Knapp always takes red flag
and trots up or down the track, as the case
may be, and flags any train that heaves in
sight. Knapp always keeps his position
faithfully until called in by signals, just as
any other tlagman is. Engineers all know
Knapp, and faithfully act upon his signals.
After the departure Of freight trains Knapp
often walks down the track and carefully
examines the switches to see that the
brakeman have left them all right. Sat
istied that no blunders have been made, he
walks back to the depot, and If the clock
shows him that he had few leisure mo-
ments he signifies to his master desire
Tor pipe. Mr.. Ullman has taught him to
smoke, and he always keeps Knapp's pipe
ready for lighting when he calls for it.
The pipe being lighted, the animal sits OH
Il chair and smokes with as much appar-
ent ease and comfort as his master
Mr.. Ullman is good musician. He has
piano in the ladies' room of the depot,
and he often performs on It, Knapp has
been taught to sing or whine the tunes
which Mr.. Ullman plays. The dog often
perches himself on 4 chair beside his mas
ter with his fore loet on The piano frame.
and accurately turnes the sheets Of music
with his tongue, Knapp can waltz. dance
a scottish or polka as well as any can on
four legs. st
OF late some OF the mischievous brake
man have thrown snow-balls at Knapp
Just as the train started, or have made ugly
faces or stamped their feet at him. He
seemingly took no notice OF these insults,
but on one Monday one of the breakman
went into the depot to get drink of wa
ter. When he started out Knapp stood in
the door and would not allow him to move.
He made Il movement as though about to
administer kick, and Knapp opened his
mouth and uttered a growl, which convinc-
ed the brakeman that such a proceeding
would be dangerous. Knapp kept his
prisoner in the room unlil the train had
gone SO far that the breakman could not
catch it, land then releasing him, Knapp
walked away AS uncoucernedly as though
nothing unusal had occurred.
Since that time the BRAKEMAN have been
exceedingly civil to Knapp, but he treats
them with lofty Indifference.