The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-07-26
FRIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE.
RIDING $50 MILES ON THE TRUCKS
OF THE LIMITED.

How Young Man Out of Money En-
deavered TO Reach the Bed Side of His
Sick Mother - Narrow Escapes from
Destruction - Avoiding Detection - A
Purse Made Up.
PTTsEuRG, Pa, July 26. w hen the New
York and Chicago limited pulled into the
Union depot at G:5j Friday morning n
ycung man about Is years of age jumped
oil one OF the platforms and stood still for
moment, apparently enjoying the con.
sternation which his appearance created.
He was evidently Caucasian, but so COM
pletely begrimed with smoke and SCOT as to
he easily mistaken for a son of Ham. As
the passengers alighted from the train they
gathered round him, and the depot employees
we're also added TO the crowd of spectators
The cause of the young mans honization
was soon made known. He had Travelled
from Fcrt Wayne, Iud., distance of 320
miles, on the trucks of a Car on a train
which made only two stops between Fort
Wayne and Pittsburg, feat which no one
in this country Is known to have accom-
plished before. My name he said, when
interrogated, is F. A. SchelL live at
loj State street, N. T., Washington, D. G.
For eight months | have been working at
BASS foundry in Fort Wayne as a molder.
Thursday dispatch informed me
that my mother was seriously
ILL had no money, every cent
having gone for board, so there was
nothing left but steal ride. | went to the
depot Thursday evening at 9 O'Clock, and
when tire bell rang for the train to start
1 Jumped on the front truck OF the second
car of the limited. and in second We were
off. | sat on the brake beam, with my legs
between the frame. | kept my arms on top
of the frame to steady myself, and nv feet
were supported by the brake rod Every
time they shut down brakes to stop |
crawied over the top of the frame into the
middle of the trucks and held ON to the
cross rods. Once my feet slipped and
dragged on the ground. | then thought /
was gone, but | held on like grim death and
managed TO get my legs up again on the
brake rod At Crestline and Alliance the
train stopped to change engines and for an
inspection of the trucks. When the in
spectors came to the truck where | was |
rolled over against the wheel on the oppo.
site side and escaped detection 1t was
hard riding, can tell you, but still would
rather travel in that way than on the
bumpers of freight train"
When young Schell reached the Federal
street depot he thought he was in Pittsburg
and tried to Jump off, but was struck by
one of the gates at the crossing and mar
rowly escaped destruction He climbed on
to one of the platforms, and it was then
that the passengers learned for the first
time that such an adventurous traveller
was on board. When young Schell had I'm
ished telling his story at the Union depot
there was lingling of silver. and those
who had enjoy ed the distinction of travel
ing on the same train with such Young
hero pooled their issues TO the extent of a
fair sized subscription. SO admirable was
his performance considered that all thought
OF molesting him on account of his fiagrsnt
breach of the rules of the rail
road company was abandoned On the
contrary, no one could do too much for him
He was promptly introduced to the wash
room, from which he emerged looking fresh
and rosy, without a semblance of fatigue
A substantial breakfast was then provided
by Mr.. Lee, of the depot restaura Mt to
which the Dung man did full Justice Steps
were then taken to provide Mr. Schell
with the means of completing his
journey, sufficient money having
been raised to secure half fare
ticket to Washington, which the company
will give. Young Schel however, if he
finds his mother alive, will never try again
the experiment of riding under q train,
with his hands clutching piece OF wood
work. laundering along at a rate of thirty
five miles an hoar He says there is no fun
in it