Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-02-07
A Conductors "reminiscences.


"Yes. sir" continued the conductor. '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, beat was killed who had
on his person over $500 and papers showing
him to be the proprietor Of livery stable
in California. 1t is remarkable how persist
ent some can be. Six of them secreted
themselves in the water tank Of "dead" en-
gine that was being hauled in the middle of
a freight train, and when discovered refused
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 ice-cold water had
been soused on then. and all came forth
like drowned rats, with the exception of
big lrishman, who could no, 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
compelled to blow their engines out quite
frequently, owing to the bad water. This
Is done by opening cock that let's 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 il
necessary to blow her out and ouenng the
cock, most unesrthly scream went up from
under his feet. Jumping to the air brake
hnd reversing the engine, the train was
quickly stopped, and all hands rushed back
70 ascertain the meaning of that unusual
cry. There on the track, torn TO pieces by
tht wheels and scaIded beyond recognition,
wasthe remains ofa manwho had been stealing
a rlde on the brake beam of the engine tank.
SO as TO be near the heat of the FIRE box, and
had received the full charge of steam and
hot water on his body, and been blown from
his insecure seat without moments warn
ing into eternity, adding one more 10 that
great list missing
Boot-blaCks that are up to the times
never pay fare. They wait until the train is
under headway. run along beside car. catch
on to the irons OF the door, swing Themselves
under and find comfortable seat on brake
beam, where the, while away the time nl,y-
ing carGs and sleeping and ENJOYING them
selves fully as well as those who NAV be re
Ginning on cushioned seats immediately over
N''N'i'- " '''ltir HbNtNtT, uEites them To
shelter, and those who do not migrate to
the sunny eIimes OF the South. find a haven
IN some county jail. under whose friendly
root they sleep away the cold days and are
lat and ready for the summer trip when spring
opens. Two men. while watching the load
mg Of can of United States bonded
merchandise IN New-York city, concluded
to take passage for San Francisco.
lhcy procured M auger and small saw,
and during ne night sawed a piece Of bevel-
ing from the floor of the car procured =,
supply Of water and food, and rode 1000
miles before they were discovered. One of
ih"m coming out for exercise gave the
'hrg away. They were arrested and held
until the Custom House authorities in San
Francisco had examined the contents Of the
ear, and finding it gndls,urhed they wer.
released"