The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-06-16
NUMBER 81.
The CRAZY Engineer,


The following extract is from the log
book Of Mississippi River steamboat
man:
During the late war I was engaged as
engineer on board government trans
port. At the memorable siege of Vicks-
burg my boat was ordered down there
with load Of troops. On the 4th Of
July the City Of Vicksburg was surren-
dcred. A few days before the fall Of
Vicksburg l was ordered from one of
the sidewheel transports on to large
stern-wheeler, then undergoing repairs
at Mound City. Immediately on taking
charge of the new boat was ordered to
raise steam, and when we were all ready
orders came to back out. We were un-
der sealed orders. which on being OPP
ened, proved to be instructions for us to
go to Vicksburg and there take on 800
wounded soldiers and transfer them to
Louisville. Our down trip was unat-
tended by anything more than stray
shot now and then from the guerrillas
in the thicket. Our crew consisted of
full complement of officers, fifteen men
on deck, and 100 soldiers as a consort
to guard us against an attack from the
enemy. When we were safely moored
at Vicksburg carpenters were set to
work converting the boat into q hospital.
All things being ready we backed out
with our 800 wounded soldiers and also
$50 Confederate soldiers, that were be-
ing taken to Northern hospital. Our
voyage was unusually quiet, the woods
seemed less dangerous than at any time
since tho war, no shots having been
fired at us since our downward trip
We were at the foot of Island thirty
seven when the incident occurred that
prompted me to write this sketch, an in
cident that caused my blood to almost
freeze In my veins as my fancy wanders
back to the time when l saw death star
ing me in the face and me powerless to
avoid it. came on duty at 3 o'clock
at night, and as I walked down the
guard feeling Of Undesirable loneli-
ness seemed TO seize my fancy. and in
spite of all my efforts to throw 1t off
it seemed to increase as neared the
engine-room. Ientered the engine-room.
and, as far as I could see everything
was in good order and my partner was
in splendid spirits and jokingly said:
Don't blow her up with all these people
on beard"
Twas ut that time an old and expert
enced engineer. with an established
reputation for skill, and the strange ad-
monition rather confused me. I felt
sure the same feeling had taken posses
sion of my partner that haunted me;
however, made no response, but pro-
ceeded to inspect the machinery, as was
my custom. might have been an hour
looking around, when looking up saw
a wild looking man appear in the en-
gine-room door. wearing the uniform Of
the Confederate army. l paid no atten-
ton to him, but went on with my duty.
Presently thought heard some one
slipping up to me. I turned my head
and saw the man standing near me with
an iron wrench raised over my head. I |
raised my hand to ward off the blow, but |
too late; only dull dizziness and knew |
no more.
When I came to I saw q sight that al |
most paralyzed me; there was, bound |
and gagged, while the man that struck |
me was watching the steam gauge with |
eagerness, and which already indicated
a pressure of IT'S pounds. The ''doctor"
was stopped. AS opened my eyes they
caught the eye of the soldier who, with |
O maniacal laugh, said: There's boat |
after us, and 1 am going to keep ahead
of her. This boat don't make steam
easy, SO thought I would stop the
doctor and he laughed again at his
own perspicuity. Great heavens, was
it true that was bound by mailman,
who imagined he was racing with an
other steamboat, and was raising more
steam in order to win the raccp / knew
that in u few moments horrible explo-
sion must inevitably follow and hum
dreds of people probably be killed.
What II he should happen to change his |
fancy and start the ''doctor?" Steam in |
creased until it indicated 2l0 pounds
/ held my breath and closed my eyes.
Eagerly the mad soldier noted the in
crease of steam, and, with fiendish |
look, said, II guess I'll start the doc
tor" ! saw him put his hand OH the
throttle valve, saw the doctor start
with thump that fairly shook the whole
boat, and for several seconds the ''doc-
tori run, but was not throwing any
water. l held my breath, expecting to
be hurled into eternity, when saw the
other engineer enter the door. At a
glance he saw 1t all, and with a well-di-
rected blow felled the maniac to the
floor. Instant orders to haul fires saved |
us. and many prayer was offered up |
for our safe deliverance. The man that |
came so near blowing up the boat had
once been steamboat engineer, but GO
ing into the army, received q wound in
the head from which he lost his reason.
On this night he had escaped from his
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