The Portland daily press., 1888-02-28
POOLING THE BOSTON a MAINE.
The sharp Trick Played by Bogus
Brakeman Of 8lddefcrd.
rBiddeford TImes.1


A Biddeford man who has several times
figured in sensations of attempts at suicide,
always coming out without a scar. has been
following a novel undertaking this winter.
He has been travelling about the States oil
Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts,,
visiting all the principal cities on the Boston
& Maine line Of railroad. always riding free
of expense, and with first class accommoda-
tions. The Interstate law had no terrors
for him. He could board any passenger
train at any station and ride as far as he
pleased without anything in the shape Oh
ticket or a pass. =.
posted himself on railroad matters, learning
the names of freight and passenger cOnduc
tors, the number Of trains and the time OF
the departure Of freight trains from tnelr va
rious headquarters. Then he purchased an
ordinary freight brakeman's lantern and a
brakeman's "bucket" Qunch paid and ne
was ready for business. lie would get on
through passenger train at the blddeIoLu
station, explaining to the conductor VINO
reached for his ticket that he was en-
ployed on such a train, giving the num.
ber and the conductors name, and tnat
he had come down to Biddeford the DAY De-
fore and was on his way back TO start OUT
with his train the next morning., MS IAN
tern and blue wooden pail would convince
trntb for who else hut a railroad employe
would be carving around brakeman's out
fit? So the conductor would pass on anu
the bogus brakeman would pursue the re-
mainder Of his journey without being mo-
Tested. Perhaps he would go 70 Dover,
spending the night and part OF the Ioiiow,
ing day there, and then, putting on DOlu
face, would return to Biddeford, or go on 10
Boston, or change at North Berwick anu 20
out on the other division to portsmouth or 70
Portland He was sure to ride on through
passenger trains, for the conductors on local
trains might hapen TO know him, and his III
tie game would be nipped in the bud.
He began. to work the scheme about the
time of the snow blockade early IN January.
He might have been working 1t today II 1t
hadn't been for the nig4t operator at the
Biddeford station. The bogus brakeman
had grown bold and his boldness brought
him to grief. He went into the
Dover station a few nights ago and
message to Biddeford for him. The message
came, but when Operator Walker took u from
the wires IL awakened his suspicion. lie nad
seen a strange character prowlng around the
station on different occasions, armed Win the
brakeman's lantern and pail Inc name also
sounded familiar to him. He had heard u
mentioned in connection with several suspi-
ciOus happenings. He telegraphed back 10
Dover, giving description OF the man, and
asking Ii it was he who sert the message.
The two operators INDUCED in a little con-
versation over the wires, In which the Dover
man was informed that the alleged brakeman
was a fraud. and that he had been beating
rides over the Boston 81 Maine Tor TWO
months. A crew Of railroad men who nap
pened to be in the Dover station at the time,
were let into the secret and they opened on
the BiddefOrd man and would have ridden
MIN on a rail If he hadn't made his escape.
He doesn't ride much in the ears now, but
when he does he pays his fare.