Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-12
The Man who Managed the Loco
motive Tells the Story Of the
Run.

Engineer Page was the man who brought
the President through safely to-day. He was
a most striking figure on the train as he
rushed up in front of the Elberon this after
noon, his long beard floating in the wind
which was blowing in from the sea. His
swarthy face was covered with dust and Gin.
ders. He stood erect and firm, and with an
air of pride in every feature that showed he
was conscious Of a duty well performed. A
representative of the journal boarded the en-
ginc and moved out from the Elberon to the
Wet End Hotel station, and during that
short ride had chat with him about the
trip.
''Did she behave well on the trip" was
asked
Behave well? | should say So She
seemed to feel all that was required Of her.
While on ordinary occasions take her over
the road she starts off with jerk like. and.
raising herself, gees galoping down, putting
and snorting. But this morning she glided
awav as gently as a ladies mare. And even
when put her to her best, she went on at
the rate of mile in fifty-three seconds. She
seemed to hold her breath"
As he said this he leaned out of the cab
and looked at his engine friendly
rider would at his favorite horse.
Then you did not limit the speed to forty
I'VE Iullts All HbuI, WHICH was luteIueuE
'.Oh, no that, you see, would only have
been three-quarters of a mile to a minute,
and a good deal of the way we made more
than mile minute"
''Did the doctors and the President know
you were going at that speed?'
They did not the first time. let her go.
and tell you how | came TO do it, We left
Washington at 637 this morning. We ran
down to Patapsco, 36 miles out, at the limited
rate. There we stopped three minutes. This
stop, like all other stops made on the way,
was made to change cars, to water, and al
low the physicians to attend on the Presi-
dent. l saw one of the attendants, / guess
it was Col. Rockwell, coming down the plat
form. and called out to him, How is the
President? You see, though I was not sure
who he was, felt kind of safe in calling him
Colonel, He is doing finely Page, came
back the answer. And does he feel the mo-
tion? l asked. Not at all why, you are
going as smoothly as a carriage over an as
phalt pavement.
'Was it then you began to think of run
ming little faster?" "Well yes; but ~ Bay
View, our next stopping place, was only
eight miles further, did not try until we
| started from Bay View to Peeryville, seventy
eight miles out from Washington. They
sent W ord that the President had been doing
White House was increasing, so | thought
should watch the engine, and If she went
smoothly try one mile little faster. Lamo-
ken, the next halt was forty six miles fur
ther on. The engine behaved beautifully,
and it was half way between Bay View and
Lamoken that / went on the trial and went
one mile in fifty-thrce seconds. 1 did not
feel jolt or jar as she went tearing down
the track, but knew then, if the President
had mind, he might get the sea breczes
| sooner. We stopped eight minutes 1t Lam.
| oxen. / called out to one Of the attendants.
| Did you notice any extra motion when
we were going fasterI why, no. was the
| reply; were we travelling faster than ~
| forty-fve miles an hour: Yes, sir,
saws I, I'VE went one mile in So seconds.
| WELL says he, Il did not notice it, and am
| sure the President did not; will 90 and
ask Pretty soon saw him coming down
the platform. Page, whip her up he called
out, the President did not feel any extra
motion they were all delighted to hear that
we were getting along faster, and the Presi-
dent says, go ahead; Il want to get there
Does he continue to improveY' / asked.
| Yes, he said short time ago, Il feel as if J
were on the road to recovery"
''After these stops you went pretty much
at the speed you thought best, according to
your knowledge of the road!"
Pretty much as / thought best, and the
engine behaved well right straight through to
Elb' ron. Yes, sir, right straight through.
She ran more smoothly than she is running
now, ! warrant you, and not being much
shaken up at this moment"
II suppose after this she will be the most
famous engine on the r0ad!''
s.Yes. sir; and she ought to be. l guess
she gained national reputation to-'lay."
.'How many more long stops did you make
after Lamoken!'
AFTER we stopped seven minutes at Gray's
Ferry, which is thirty miles out, and eight
minutes at Tulleytown-but see there, I have
written it out on q slip of paper"
With these words Engineer Page exhibited
a slip Of paper smooched with dust and Gin