Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-20
ENGINES HALF HUMAN.
Some of the Curious Surerstitions of Loc'
motive Engineers-A Few Experiences.

some OF the curious SuPeFSGItIohs VI AOco-
motive Engineers-A Few Experiences.
A great many tales have been told about
railroad engineers and the queer notions
they have about their ''pets, as they call
them. Some of these stories look all
right in print, but in reality they are pure
inventions. The Globe-Democrat CORE
spondent resolved to interview number
of railroad engineers in view of securing
their experiences with locomotives, and to
find out if possible, whether engineers, as
a rule, are superstitious.
Creston is quite railroad town, and is
the end of division. 1t is no trick at all
to meet half a dozen railroad engineers,
and as they are all good fellows, an In
terview is cheerfully granted.
Tom H is one of the oldest and
most reliable engineers on the b. and M.
Railroad. Being asked concerning loco
motives and their engineers, he said:
"a locomotive engine is, to my mind,
as near human as any inanimate object
can be. Sometimes think that they are
more than half human. Of course that S
all fancy, though have driven this en-
CINE, No. 483, for ten or fifteen years, and
| know every inch of her, and know how
to manage the old lady, Some days she
gets cross and doesn' seem to care about
working. Then I have got to coax her.
Other days she'll feel bad and take on at a
dreadful rate; then I've got to doctor her
carefully. We fellows have way of tend
ing to these little matters. As general
rule my engine is in good trim and goes
like bird. She acts like a human, trem-
bling with excitement if there is a pros
meet for fast running.
''Do | believe in presentiments? Well,
I'll have to say yes. The night we went
into ditch near Malvern, smashing up
things badly, [ told Jim (the freman) a
half hour before the accident happened
that something was coming, because |
never before knew the engine to act so
queer. She didn' t want to go, and when
| crowded her she pounded badly, seeming
to drag like, along the rails. When the
poor girl toppled over on her back In the
ditch | thought she groaned awfully.
believe an engine smells danger ahead,
somehow, and then goes to trenholm and
pounding. Leastwise mine always did.
Ever see any ghosts ?"
''Well, can't say that [ ever did but
once. We were coming west from Ottum-
wa about midnight. 1t was moonlight,
and | could see ahead pretty well. We
were nearing a place where young girl
had been killed while crossing the track
on little pony. AS we came up rapidly
[ noticed something white on the track In
front, and presently, to my horror and as
tonishment | saw the shadowy outline of a
young girl She was holding a little pony
by the bride rein, and the animal was
prancing with fright. Both were square
on the track. | blew the whistle and turn
ed on the air. At this moment the girl
turned her face toward the engine. A
long, cruel red scar extended from her fore
head to the chin. Her eyes had p1tlful
look. But we couldn't have stopped the
train for our lives. We dashed upon them
and-went through the apparltlon like 1t
was a cloud or mist | felt chilly sensa'
ton as we passed, and my blouse was
damp, as if dew. had fallen upon 1T. That
was the only apparition | ever saw. Poor
W ran over the girl, and has never
ceased to grieve about it. .
Tom IFS experience is Identical
with the experience of other engineers
Almost all of them have some queer no.
lions about their engines. Some OF the
bows carry a cat In the cab for good luck
but the little animals don't live long
They can't stand the heat and EARRING
Others of the engineers have the pictures
of their wifes, sisters or sweethearts be
fore them, but claim this is simply marx
of affection, yet a reminder, too, that
someone is caring for them.
Numerous engineers hate to start on
run at II o'clock Thursday night-it's
bad beginning, as Friday is the next day
Some engineers will not start out on
run with thirteen cars if they can possibly
avoid it.