The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-29
TRAIN no ).

men drop IN To visit me, and, when they
ee that am not particularly busy, they
lre apt TO linger long and will sometimes
worry me for "a railroad story" Espe-
tally is this the case with the reporters
when things are dull" in their own es-
pccial line.
Now, Mr Rennie," one will say,
'wc an know that you are an old stager.
Your record is public property. You
nave Travelled east and west. north and
south, probably half a million miles.
Tell Us a rip snoring yarn, FOR The
Bangiown Trumpet. W
Whcrcupon will occasionally humor
them and rcsurrcct an old dead and
buried Renaissance, but moro often
will reply in this wise
1T IS very true, gentlemen; | am in
Iced an old timer. have fired up,
bossod the throttle, graded roadbeds. dis
patched trains and managed two or
three thousand miles of railroad prop
arty, anil yet, venture 10 say, that
cannot relate Il true story that will be
wonderful enough for The Bangtown
Trumpet
There is. however, one incident which
came under my especial notice some
years ago, that have never yet related
10 the reporters or TO my moro private
friends-an incident which, to the best
Of nv knowledge and belief, did not find
It's way into the newspapers at the time
Of is occurrence.
In the year 1870 was the superintend-
snt Of motive power on the third division
II the Chicago and Arizona railroad.
Ny duties consisted of supervising the
movements Of some forty locomotive
and their crews. was also in charge Of
the shops at Axleb0rough, although they
and the great round house were under
the more immediate care of tho master
mechanic
Oae day / stood on the huge turn table
In the yard, Just outside the round
house, takingto my friend John Bolton,
one Of our best passenger conductors.
Whleve chatting together, small
boy uottcd up | recollected having
seen him once or twice about the yard
and in town. but | knew nothing about
him. not oven his name. Bolton, who
was "a whole souled. genial fellow, passed
the time Of day TO the boy, though he
knew no more Of him than did.
The little fellow was as bright as a
new dollar and looked as smart as a
whip. bat he was exceedingly small and
Judged him to be about II years old.
"If you please sir, he said, looking
me fun in the face, "are you the chief
II the locomotive department.!
"Wcll, replied with a grim smile,
suspect "that is not what they. call
me. although on this division OF the c.
and 4. am in charge of tho shops and
locomotives. Why
because, sir, want a job. mean
to be a railroad man, anyhow, and want
to be- an engineer if possible. Can l 80
TO work in the shops|
laughed, but john Bolton patted the
boy good humoredly on the back as he
said:
Good for you, my son."
Indeed, sir" continued the boy, who
was evidently very much in earnest, Il
know a good deal about machinery and
iocomouves-just try me"
did ask him a few questions about
tho construction of an engine, and the
Dos actually gave me wonderfully intel
igent answers. =
you go to school for another year OF
TWO, and grow up few more inches
my boy. Then il you come 10 me | will
put you TO work in the shops"
lis face cloudcd as | spoke, and he Of
fered q last word in his own behalf:
II know Ina small sir, but I'm older
than look I'll soon be 10, and I'm quite
strong
ION, give the boy show, Rennie,
said Bolton. in his slow, good natufed
drawl Hell pan out all right.
We'll" said, relenting, what Is
your nune:
Charles Stockwell, sir"
Then, stockwell, viii give you the
first vacant apprentice job
The lad thanked me joyously enough,
5ut noticed that lac graspod uurly John
nolton's hand and thanked him twice
over
Three weeks later put young Stock
well 10 work in the locomotive repair
shop.
Six months pissed away, ami IN
the autumn a bitter quarrel was IN
progress between the Chicago and Ar
IONA Railroad company and it, employees,
chiefly tAe en- .nesrs. Attic same time
the engineers being for the most part q
highly intelligent aal sensible body OF
ucn. no serious trouble had thus far
been experienced, nor was any looked
for by the company and its officials. Al
freight traffic was suspended, but thu
engineers detailed certain Of their mum
Der to run the mail and passenger trains
But there were just q couple OF men OF
whom the officials were somewhat afraid
and who the engineers themselves wer'
fearful would involve them in serious
trouble and 50 damage the cause OF TN
strikers These were Michael DAILY, al
engineer. and his tireman-men fearles
and thoroughly capable at their work
but who would stop at nothing to &C
complish mean revenge when the,
considered themselves injured.
One evening express train No. stoos
in the big barn like depot at Axlebor
Ough. about TO start for the west. A 10
connective had just pulled out OF tn
round house and was backing up L
the waiting train. it was engine No. 4O'
and was manned by tho very men VIII
were SO much disliked by both officer
and employees. Nothing much, however
was thought Of this. They were closel,
watched about the shops and yards
when they were in the cab it was toler
ably certain they could do no mischief
because any peril to which they nigh
expose the train and passengers must o
necessity include themselves.
The conductor was John Bolton AM