Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-11
SIXTY NILES AN HOUR.
An Insane Engineer rerrifies Ills Passen-

An Insane Engineer Terrifes His Passen-
gers.
Scranton Pal Republican, July stn.I
James Street, whose residence is on San
dcrson avenue, was until last Thursday To-
cOmOtiye engineer on the Lehigh and Sus-
quehannl division OF the Philadelphia and
Reading Railroad Company. For many
years he was in the employ OF the New
Jersey Central Railroad Company. He ran
the fastest train on The road. and was con-
sidered 10 he one Of It's very best engineers.
He had always been exceedingly careful,
and accidents TO his train were uncommon.
For several months past Street is said to
have had his mind on some sort OF an in
ycnton pertaining to railrolding. and ii -
supposed that he has lost his mental eQu-
librium in consequence.
Last Thursday he started from EaStOn
for Green Ridge with his passenger train.
He ran II as well and rs carefully as usual
until he approached the M1uch Chunk sta
tion. Then he put on n full head Of steam
and shot past the station at 4 frightinl
rate OF speed, rounding the sharp curves,
and soaring the passengers. 4 number OF
persons who had bought tickets for Mauch
Chunk were on the train and on the station
platform stood score or more Of people
who desired TO take the train for the North.
They were almost dumfOunded TO see the
train fly rast the station. IT. speed seemed
70 increase ~ the distance between it and
the station increased. The waiting paSSeu-
gers had never witnessed such sight be-
fore as they wondered at the popularity OF
the experience, while the people on the train
behind the insane engineer became more
and more frightened rs they flew over the
iron highway. Among the watchers on
the platform OK the Alauch Chunk station
was the local superintendent OF the railroad.
He surmiscd that something was wrong
with Engineer street. for he had never
known that hitherto faithful employ6 to
disobcy any rule Of the road.
Ai'cr the train had gone 4 mile or two
past Nauch Chunk the conductor pulled
the hcl-cord aud stopped the train. Then
be went 30 the engine and saw that En-
gircor streets eyes looked wild, and that
he appeared 70 be nervous and cXcitable.
He took particular care not TO say or do
anything that would annoy him, and he
vas careful not to let Mr.. Street think that
he suspected his action in running
past the station was induced by
insanity. Neither did he reproach him Tor
what he had done, but III quiet and gem
tie way ordered him to back up to the
Mauch Chunk station.
The train had been run over bridges aud
around sharp curves at the rate Of sixty
miles an hour. and the cars had Swaved 50
much from one side to the other OF the
track that the women and children plssen-
gers were pale from fright. Engineer
street chcvcd the command and backed the
sr,;, I.,rrp Maucb .'bnui- II tr-aI
found that the boiler was nearly dry, and
the wonder was that il did not explode.
The superintendent had street taken 10 the
uolcc-station and placed another man on
hi, engine. street was not at all pleased
at the change which had taken place in
such . brief space. and he most strenu-
ouSly objected 10 being forced to leave his
train and be thrust in prison cell. Street
was we'll taken care OF, however. and his
treatment was gentle and kind. On the
following day be was brought to this city
ana taken 10 his home at Green Ridge.
Mr.. Street did everything 10 please aud
amusc him, and to keep his mind from
wandering. For time he appeared to be
conten;cd. He sat out in the yard and
seemed to enjoy himself during the greater
part Of Saturday.
On Saturday evening he came down TO
The city and began TO throw money around
with excessive prOdigalty. llercpreScnted
himself 10 be a millionaire. and saId he was
abundantly able to buy ont either the
Lackawanna Iron and steel Company or
the Dickson Manufacturing Company. He
said that money was no object 10 him what
ever; he had million, Of it, and why should
he not spend 1t was a queS ion which he
put 10 the tradcsmen whom he dealt with.
They were pleased 10 meet so wealthy and
WithGl 30 liberal Il customer, and the goods
which he purchased were paid for ct once.
He bought set OF furniture in one place
for SLID and counted out the money. A.
other stores he purchased presents for his
friends, and ordered the dealers to send
them to his friends residences. In this
way he managed to eXpend nearly $500.
Yesterday hls brother went around and re-
covered the money which the deranged en-
ginecr had cot rid Of so quickly. Nothing
very peculiar or strange IN Streets conduct
occurred on sunday. He remained at
home, snd was uncommonly quiet.
Yesterday he frightened his wife and
neighbOrs by 1ringa gun OH pr0miscuOusly |
about the neighbOrhood. He said he want |
ed TO kill a few people before he went down |
TO EaSton and murdered railrOader there |
against whom he had srudge. Street |
said further that he intended to start for |
Easton on one OF the afternoon trains. PO- |
licemen were placed at the Lehigh and |
Susquehanna stations to watch for him, but |
he did not attempt to leave the city.
Streets neighbOrs watched him with ex-
treme caution, and did nothing to cause |
him to suspect that they were making pre-
parations to take him to an insane asylum.
Yesterday afternoon the proper papers were
made out. and arrangements were made for
j. W. Boice and Constable Bates to take
him TO n Philadelphia private insane
asylum. The mode Of obtaining his con-
sent 10 accompany them was to make him
believe that they were interested in his in
ventions, and that they were going there in
order 10 assist him in procuring patents on
them.