Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-12
A Conductors "Reminiscences.

From the Leadville Herald
yes, sir" continued the conductor, 1--WE
railroad men have some funny adventures with
the tramping fraternity. Nearly all of those
who beat their way have money and prefer to
take the risk incident to stealing a ride than to
pay their fare. In an accident some years ago
a beat was killed who had on his person over
$500 and papers showing him to be the propri-
etor OF livery stable in California. 1t is re-
markable how persistent some can be. Six of
them secreted themselves In the water tank of
dead engine that was being hauled in the
middle of a freight train. and when discovered
reused to come out. and told the conductor
that they would like to see him crawl in there
and put them out. A better plan suggested
itself, that of pulling the engine up to the tank
and drowning them out. They capitulated when
about SIX inches of fce-cold water had been
sOused on them, and all came forth like drowned
rats, with the exception of big Irishman, who
could not force himself through the hole until
he had removed his clothing and the engineer
had fabricated him with black oil
The engineers on a western division were COM
peiied TO blow their engines out quite frequently
owing to the bad water. This is done by OPEN
ing cock that lets the water and steam out
directly under the cab While one of the eX-
press trains was rushing along in the night the
engineer found 1t necessary to blow her out ,
and opening the cock most unparthly scream
went up from under his feet. Jumping to the
air brake and reversing the engine, the train
was quickly stopped, and all hands rushed back
to ascertain the meaning of that unusual crv
There on the track, torn to pieces by the wheels
and scalded beyond recognition. was the re-
mains of a man who had been stealing a ride on
the brake beam of the engine tank. so as to be
near the fire box, and had received the tull
charge of steam and hot water on his body and
been blown from his insecure seat without a
moments warning into eternity, adding one
more to that great list missing
BOOt-backS that are up to the times never
pay fare. They wait until the train is under
Roadway, run along beside car catch on to
the irons Of the door, swing themselves under
and find comfortable seat on a brake beam
where they while away the time PLAYING cards
and sleeping and enjoying themselves fully as
well as those who may be reclining on cushioned
seats Immediately over them. Winter however.
drives them to shelter. and those who do not
migrate to the sunny climes of the south, find a
haven in some county Jail, under whose friendly
root they sleep away the cold days and are fat
andready forthe summer trip when spring opens
Two men, while watching the loading of a car
OF United States bonded merchandise in New
York city, concluded to take passage for San
francisco. They procured an auger and small
saw, and during the night sawed a piece of
bevelling from the the floor Of the car. procured
supply OF water and food and rode 1000 miles
before they were discovered. One of them COM
ing out for exercise gave the thing away They
were arrested and held until the custom house
authorities in San Francisco had examined the
contents of the car, and finding it undisturbed
they were released"