The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1884-06-28
AN EXPRESS MESSENGERS AID
VENTURE.

/ always knew served the company
in dangerous capacity, but had been
an express messenger for so many
years that | thought little or nothing
of t e risks L ran. My route was
through rough region, too, alter
was changed from the entral Pacific
to the Southern Pacific Road region
but ha f-settled and civilized, where
Ind ans and ruffians were as plentiful I'll
as hinamen in Frisco.
NV rum was q long one, through
q new country where railroad sta
tions were often one hundred miles
apart; and the loneliness of the
scenery, combined with solitary con-
finement in an express car, which
looked more like cell than anything
else. made four days of every week
hang heavy on my hands, though l
was often kept busy for hours at a
time. ~ s
L generally had mixei a assortment
OF. express matter, with plenty of
gold and silver in bricks and specie;
and occasionally, not much to my
liking, a coffin or two going east
ward, each enclosing dead body.
l would not mention this, but it is
necessary, as will be seen urt1er on.
| lie t Los Angeles every Monday
morning at $40; and from that
tire uGtil the following Thursday 1
did not leave my express car, having to
go to Ell Paso and return for my week s
work, stance of nearly fifteen hun
dred miles!
This may seem long rum" and so
it was; but as the stations we're few
across the southern part OF Arizona and
New Mexico, / had opportunities to
take my much needed re t, which | did
after became accustomed to the situa-
ton. was always glad to get back to
Los Angeles, however, for travelling
ninety six hours without any change is
extremely tedious, even in drawing
room car.
Imagine the contrast between riding
that way and riding in heavily-loaded
express car, with two small barred win
dows to look out of, and a hard bunk in
onescorner to sleep on, and you may
form some idea of the monotony of my
trip.
The miles passed slowly after 1 had
assorted and billed the expressage; my
pipe was kept burning; and the con-
slant roar and rumble of the train
sounded during the day, and lulled me
TO sleep at night, when the windows
were securely fastened, the lamps light
ed, and several rifles andrevolvers hung
around in case of an emergency.
l ran as express messenger sever
al years without being in railroad ac-
cident, Or having the train stopped by
robbers. Some of my brother messen-
gers met with adventures on nearly ev.
cry trip, but for long time was un-
Modesto !, until | began to disregard
the danger altogether. During that
tine | became accustomed to every
phase of my situation, and although my
lonely life gave me very silent and
taciturn habit, enjoyed my two days
at Los Angeles, or at Santa Monica
sea-bathing, as much as my more for.
tunate friends, who ran north over the
Tchochapi ass, and were at home ev
cry night. enjoyed their rests.
Train rabbeIies had lately been fire..
quent, and while did not expect to b.
at acked. learned to be on the look
out. / had set of signals with the
bell rope to let the trainmen know
when wasin danger, Robberies were
often made while the trains were il
motion. and the express messengers
were either bound hand and foot. o.
killed, the robbers being desperate meE
who hesitated at nothing,
Occasion ally, however. did relax my
vigilance, and slept as sound as at thu
hotel where l boarded. Finally m,
turn came. ~
The train arrived at Tucson one nigh
nearly an hour late. There was grea
deal Of express matter TO exchange, ant
for fifteen minutes was kept bus,