Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1890-09-16
ALL HANDS ASLEEP.
Engineer, Conductor and Passengers Lei
the Train Run Itself.

Engineer. Conductor and Passengers Let
the Train Run ITSELF
"Wo had beon shooting prairie chick
ems in Uinta County, Wyoming Terri
tory, and lost our way" he said. ''We
had expected to strike the Union Pacif-
ic railroad at Hilliard, about sundown,
bnt 1t was nearly 3 o'clock in the morn
ing when we crawled up to the
little station platform, tired.
sore, and dead tagged. We
sat there shivcring waiting for the next
down freight until the red light round
ed the curve and came toward us shivcr-
ing and tottoring. as it seemed, in the
darkness. We did not expect TO be able
to stop the train, but the grade was
slight here and as all trains from Pied
mont to Evanston are run on grade
only we had determined to Jump the
train 5 --- was TO take the engine at
the cab door. That left for me the ca
boose at the end or possibly the emigrant-
cars, II tho train carried any. 1t is next
to impossible to jump freight car, as
there are no steps or no place to seize
as you make tho spring. was to climb
up, walk along tho freight-cars and join
81 in the engine where 1t was warm
and where VIC could talk to the engineer
and fireman.
"rhe heavy freight train rumbled
down upon us. and as the engine shot
past l saw s. suddenly pull himself up
and then he was gone in the darkness.
A moment later, after the rattle and
rush OF string of cars, spcd my
chance on an emigrant-car, and /, too
was safe on board had not expected
to find an emigrant train, but when l
landed on the platform of the first coach
/ opened the door and went in. Every
one. including u brakeman, was fast
asleep. ] went through the three cars
and back to the caboose. Every one
was fast asleep. Then walked back
through the cars, and climbing to the
top OF the last freight car, started to
walk ahead to find s.. met him Com
ing my way, as he was afraid had not
made my connection and had been left
behind.
"'The engineer and fireman are both
sound asleep he said.
"'Then every one on this train is
asleep answered. and there are
hundred or so OF emigraDts back
there
''We went ahead, and /, getting down
to the tender. sat on the coal and looked
Mt the engineer and fireman. From
Hilliard to Evanston the radeincroases
and 1t is lively run. The train went
ahead at a smashing rate, not a single
brake being on. but both the men in the
cab slept on peacefully.
ut was full daylight when we enter
cd the cut above Evanston. s.
shook the engineer heavily there.
"'I,etter wake up, he said, with GU
rious smile on his face. You are run
ming into town at passenger trains
speed
'''Who's asleepg said the engineer,
grufily, springing upand rubbing his eyes
as he looked at his big silver watch.
What are you doing in here9'
"'Oh,' said S., with laugh, I've
been watching over your slumber for an
hour or more
"At this the engineers sayageness
suddenly diappeared. 1t was down
brakes then, and the lorg train came to
n standstill. The fireman meanwhile
had become awakened and looked sheep
ishly at his superior. Each had trusted
the other.
"'what are we lying here forg asked
S.
'''Twenty minutes ahead oftlme, said
the onuinear maeltiv Saw la added.