The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-21
RAILWAY GOSSIP.

L
|
| H. w, Hubbard, general freight agent of the
| Vandalia, accompanied by his wife, has gone to
| Hot Springs for q two weeks tour.
Charles Lewis, right bower in the Erie fast
freight line Office at this point, is spending few
| days at home in a tussle with the mumps.
! Mr. Marion Foreman, lately clerk with the
Union Pacific railroad, has taken the position Of
| stenographer in the Office of George Brecount
| general agent of the L., N. A. g. c. road.
| The employees of the Chicago g. Alton have
presented Mr.. VIM. Haskinson, who recently re-
signed as division roadmaster, with solid silver
dinner service and tea SalYer as token Of their
regard.
| The Pennsylvania railroad is still pursuing the
| policy of consolidation and decrease of expenses.
| General Agent w. j. Rose, at Harrisburg has
been appointed division freight agent for the
eastern division of that road, and the duties are
consolidated with those of his present office.
President ingalls,, of the c.. I. st. L. & G., is
of the opinion that the officials of road in a po-
sition to act upon questions of revenue should
! be required to own a certain amount OF the
stock and securities of the company. He thinks
| they would then be more interested in maintain
ing rates.
II. F. Hecker, the wi9e-awake travelling aud
itor of the L., N A. q c., m AIDE his usual tour
| of inspection of agents on the Indianapolis di-
| vision the past week. He was much pleased to
| find the road Offices and agents all in good con
| dition, and paid special compliment to the now
offices at Indianapolis.
James Harahan, general manager of the Lou
| isvle g. Nashville, whose resignation takes
| effect Jan. l, it is said, is to take position
| the Baltimore e. Ohio road, probably that of as
| sistant general manager under Bradford Dun
ham. his predecessor il the management of the
| Louisville 81 Nashville.
| Thomas Donelson, the Adams Express mes
| senger who died at Cincinnati in the early part
the last week, had run messenger thirty
| two years, the greater part of the time over the
Ohio g. Mississippi more recently between Gin
| cinnati Is indianapolis, and he was highly es-
| teemed by all who knew him.
Col T. NJ r. Talcott. late general manager of
the Richmond g. Danvile railroad system, has
been appointed general manager of the Mobile &
| Ohio railroad, vice G. Jordan, deceased Colonel
Tacott served on General Lees staff during the
war; and afterwards was connected with the con
struction department of the Chesapeake & Ohio
road.
Mr.. c. s. Depothonier and Mr.. r. G. Fleming,
representatives of the foreign bondholders ofthe
Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company, left
for Europe yesterday 1t is said tlrat the affairs
of the company, far the reorganization
| scheme is concerned, are in allegiance, and moth
| ing will be done until further instructions are
| received from the European holders of securi
| ties.
! An old time engineer on the Terre Haute &
Indianapolis road, now division of the Van
Il dala, yesterday remarked that of h. j.
Peck's hobbies was that trains should arrive and
| depart at termini, exactly on the moment. Mr..
Peck made it q rule to stand at the west end of
the Vandalia depot, and as the train crossed
| Mississippi street. he would pull out his watch,
| turn the face of it to the engineer, and if on
time would smile and bow, but if late would
| shake his head, walk down to the depot and say,
| "Billy, how happens it you are latep 1t was
quite difficult to convince the old gentleman that
there was any for it. He would
turn and in rather gruff manner say,
| " Don't let this occur again" President Peck
had many eccentrctries and practiced the strict
| est economy. He would twice year walk the
| entire distance between Indianapolis and Terre
| Haute, carrying on his arm peck bucket in
which he put any piece of iron he saw lying near
| the track pieces of spikes, coupling pins
| shackles. When his basket became weighty he
| would dump the contents near the track for the
| section men to gather These were known as
| "Peck's piles"
NJ Mounts master of transportation on the
| Cincinnati, Hamilton g. Indianapolis road, has
recently enjoyed an experience worthy of note.
Some fifteen years ago, when he was running as
| u passenger conductor between Morrow and
| Lancaster, o., as his train was about leaving the
| station, q young man reasonably well clad, and
of good conversation approached Mr. Mounts
| and in quiet manner told him that he was
| strapped, but wanted to go to Lancaster o.
The fare was So. Is, and he had thirty cents. He
told Conductor Mounts that he had Just come
from ont West and stopped over day or two in
| Cincinnati where he had seen the elephant and
spent some $50 in money. Now said he
pulling a watch out of his pocket, II paid
$3.50 for that watch at Cincinnati auction
room. / don't know whether it is worth 81, but
l will leave it with you as security until 1 pay
| the money you advance for my fare" The young
fellow talked so honestly seemingly, that Mr.
| Mounts took his watch and carried him over the
road. Fifteen years had passed. Mr.. Mounts
went home to Morrow to spend the Sabbath
| and Saturday evening last a man
rang his doorbell Mr. Mounts answered it.
A man, who apparently some thirty
five years old, stood at the door.
He introduced himself, telling the story much
as recited above, and said he was in from the
| West visiting and had called to redeem the
watch and pay interest on the money advanced.
| Mr.. Mounts went up in the garnet. opened an old
| trunk, where the watch had been placed years
| ago, brought it down to the owner, and, as he
| handed it to him. remarked that it was not
| worth much, he feared it having become covered
with verdegris. THAT watch is worth $500, in
my estimation" he answered. 81 now have a
| wife, two nice children and handsome prop
erty which doubtless would not have had but for
the lesson this watch and my visit to Cincinnati,
fifteen years ago, taught me-"