Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-12-14
A CONDUCTORS "REMINISCENCES.
From the Lea,yillc Herald.


Yes sir" continued the conductor, I'VE
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 steal
ing ride than to pay their fare. IL an ac-
cident some years ago beat waskilled who
had on his person over $780, and papers
showing him to be the proprietor of livery
stable in California. 1t is remarkable how
persistent some can be. Six of them secret
ed themselves in the water tank of dead
engine that was being hauled in the middle
of a freight train, and when discovered re-
fused 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 ofpullng the engine up
to the tank and drowning them out They
capitulated, when about six inches OF ice
cold water had been souscd on them, and
all came forth like drowned rats, with the
exception Of a big 1rishman, 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 q western division were
compelled to blow their engines out quite
is done by opening cock that lets the wa
ter and steam out directly under the cab.
While one of the express trains was rushing
along in the night the engineer found it ne
cessary TO blow her out and opening the
cock most unearthly 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 ascer-
tain the meaning Of that unusual cry.
There on the track, torn to pieces by the
wheels and scalded beyond recognition, was
the remains of man who had been stealing
ride on the brake beam Of the engine tank,
so as 10 be near the fire box, and had receiv
ed the full charge of steam and hot water
on his body, and been blown from his inse-
cure seat without q moments warning into
eternity, adding one more to that great list
missing.
Boot. blacks that are up to the times never
paw fare. They wait until the train is under
headway, run along beside a car, catch on
to the irons of the door, swing themselves
under, and find comfortable seat on y
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 Immediate
" over them. Winter, however, drives
them to shelter, and those who do not mi
CRATE to the sunny climes Of the south, find
a haven in some county Jail, under whose
friendly roof they sleep away the cold days
and are fat and ready for summer trip
when spring opens. Two men, while
watching the loading of g car of United
States bonded merchandise in New York
city, concluded to take passage for San
Francisco. They procured an augur and
small saw, and during the night sawed q
piece of beveiling from the floor of the car,
procured supply Of water and food, and
rode 1000 miles before they were discover
cd. One Of them coming 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"