The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1889-02-28
"REMINISCENCES.
Trials and TribuIa:iO.ls
Experienced OH the Canadf AK Pacific
IL. H., in Construction Days.
By S. Y.

By S. Y.
1t was in the summer of 1883, when the
tide of the Canadian Pacific r. R. con
structiOn was in full swing. that the wave
of excitement struck the laboring class of
Minnesota, and ST. Paul in particular. 1t
hit some twenty five or thirty of us all in
lump.
1t was in the latter part of July. met in
st. Paul, citizen, who shall be nameless.
but noted railroad bridge contractor. who
was then deep in the meshes of forty
mile contract for bridge constructing on the
eastern end of the Western division of the
c. P. r. r. During the conversation he
asked me why did not come out and try
my hand at railroading. We'll" replied.
II know very little about railroad con-
struction, and the work could do there l
can do at home." "Oh nOnsense!" said he,
Lots OF men have gone out there who
knew no more about it than you do. and
got along well. I'll tell yOu." continued
he. Il have large contract on hand. You
come out. and bring with You a crew of
good carpenters twenty or more if you like.
and will guarantee you all work for year
at least. at wages not less than So, 90 day,
and from that to $4. so according to ability.
| will give you the contract; you can see the
work done, pay yOnr men and make good
thing for yourself-that is" said he. sagely
and pithily, ''if you manage WE'LL" Now
this was dOuble-distilled honey. "But
there must be some bitter along with this"
said l to myself How about board and
accomOdations?" asked him. Board, So. so
to S4.OO week; good camps and plenty of
blankets. But mind you. its rough country,
and you can tell all your men so. if you
conclude to come" ''Oh we'll" replied,
''yOu seem to stand it pretty we'll. and what
you can stand l suppose any other hearty
man can also" Yes" said he hesi-
tantly, "but know the ropes. More eX
perience. you understands" Well, | did
not understand it so well then as | did
afterwards, told him l would think the
matter Over and let him know. and | did.
| got together as fine a body of men to all
appearances as rode in the famous charge
at Balaklava. l sent them one day ahead
to Duluth, where | was to Join them next
day. L had not seen my principal since |
informed him of my determination to join
issues with him. so after seeing the men
off, went to see him, but 10! | found he
had left two days before.
No word left for me: No. not a word. |
didn't like this at all, but it was too late to
find fault now. | had obtained from him
only a general outline of the route, but |
made this Suffice together with nfor-
nation [ could pick up on the route and
left the next morning with my little son
Johnny, thirteen years old. to join the men
at Duluth. | found them all there. bag
and baggage-too much baggage l found
afterwards we went to the docks to
engage passage to Port Arthur. or Fort
William, as it is laid down Oh the maps.
After rough passage we reached Port
Arthur late one afternoon. On enquiry.
we found our next jump would be to Michi-
picOton-away to the eastward, and located
on the north eastern shore of the lake.
After transferring all Onr belongings to the
G. p. r. K. steamer, and aScertaining that
we would not leave for several hours yet, we
went out to ''dO" the town. do not mean
that we intended to do any painting, but
simply take look. and improve our knowl-
edge and understanding. Three doors out
of every five were the entrances to grog
shops, the fourth was a general store, and
they sold whisky too, as convenience. and
the fifth was hotel or boarding house
and they sold whisky too. The inspection
of the place was soon done-for we had only