The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-03-23
TOM cYPHER's PHANTOM ENGINE.
GhOstIy Combination That Haunts the
Northern Pacific Engineers.

Locomotive engineers are as class
said to be superstitious, but j. M.
Pinckney, an engineer known to al
most every Brotherhood man, is an
exception to the rule. He has never
been able to believe the different sto-
ries told of apparitions suddenly ap-
pearing on the track, but he had an
experience last Sunday night on the
Northern Pacific east-bound overland
that made his hair stand on end.
BY the courtesy of the engineer, also
a Brotherhood man, Mr.. Pinckney was
riding on the engine. They were re-
counting experiences, and the fireman,
who was a green hand, was getting
very nervous as he listened to the
tales of wrecks and disasters, the hor-
rOrs of which were graphically de-
scribed by the veteran engineers.
The night was clear and the rays
from the headlight flashed along the
track, and, although they were inter-
ested in spinning yarns, sharp look
out was kept, for they were rapidly
nearing Eagle gorge, in the Cascades,
the scene of so many disasters and the
place which is said to be the most dan
gerous on the $500 miles of road.
The engineer was relating a story and
was Just coming to the climax when
he suddenly grasped the throttle, and
in a moment had "thrown her over"
that is, reversed the engine. The air
brakes were applied and the train
brought to q standstill within a few
feet of the place where Engineer Cy-
pher met his death two years ago. By
this time the passengers had become
curious as to what was the matter,
and all sorts of questions were asked
the trainmen. The engineer made an
excuse that some of the machinery
was loose, and in few moments the
train was speeding on to her destina-
ton.
"What made you stop back there?"
asked Pinckney. Il heard your ex-
cuse, but l have run too long on the
road not to know that your excuse is
not the truth"
! His question was answered by the
engineer pointing ahead and saying
excitedly:
"There! Look there! Don't you see
itp"
"Looking out of the cab window" "
said Mr.. Pinckney, 81 saw about SOC
yards ahead of us the headlight of q
locomotive"
stop the train, man." 1 cried, reach
ing for the lever.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's what I saw
back at the gorge. It's Tom Cypher's
engine, No. 33. There's no danger o.
collision. The man who is running
that ahead of us can run it faster back
ward than l can this one forward
Have l seen it before? Yes, twenty
times. Every engineer on the roac
knows that engine, and he's always
watching for it when he gets to the
gorge"
"The engine ahead of us was run.
ming silently, but smoke was putting
from the stack and the headlight threw
out rays of red, green and white light
1t kept a short distance ahead of u!
for several miles, and then for mo
ment we saw a figure on the pilot
Then the engine rounded curve anC
we did not see it again. We ran by
little station, and at the next, whe1
the operator warned US to keep vel
back from a wild engine that wa
ahead, the engineer said nothing. H
was not afraid of collision. Just t.
satisfy my own mind on the matter
sent telegram to the engine wiper a
Sprague, asking him if No. 80 was in
1 received a reply stating that No. 8
had just come in, and that her Goa
was exhausted and boxes burned out
I suppose you'll be inclined to laugh a
the story, but just ask any of the boys
although many of them won't tai
about it. would not myself if liver
running on the road. It's unlucky t.
do so"
With this comment upon the tai
Mr. Pinckney boarded passing caboos
and was soon on his way to Tacoma
, 1t is believed by Northern Pacific en-
gineers that Thomas Cypher's spiri
still hovers near Eagle gorge.-Seattl
Press Times.