The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-01-20
RAILROAD JACK.
An Intelligent Dog Attached to the hail-
way Mail Service.

An Intelligent Dog Attached to the hail-
way Mail Service.
Railroad Jack is attached to the rail-
way mail service, and has rowing com
mission. He is about seven years of
age, and ever since his second year he
has been one of the greatest travellers
of this country, Jack has great fond
ness for mail-bags. He never cares
long Tor any particular one, but seems
To hexe an idea that the entire business
Is under his charge, and he is perpetu-
ally tfaveling about to make sure that
everything goes right Jack halls from
Albany, and his name in private life is
Owncy; but Railroad Jack is his travel
ing name, and the one that has become
famous. He wears broad leather col
lar. which has attached nickel-plated
badge reading: "Post Office Owney,
Albany, New York;" but beyond this
distinguishing mark, Jack is a citizen
of the entire country. Albany, how
ever, is very proud Of her representa-
tive, and Jack condescends to make his
headquarters there, where there is a
special apartment for his use.
Five years ago Jack made his first
trip. He went to Boston by way Of the
Boston & Albany railroad, and since
that time has always regarded that
route with special favor. His experience
happened in this manner: A certain
mailbag In the Albany post ONCE took
his fancy, and when the bag was carried
to the station Jack went along with it.
When it was thrown into the baggage
car Jack followed, and he stuck by that
particular bag until it reached the Bos-
ton post Office. This done, Jacks at
tachment was over, and that very same
night he took another mailbag under
his protection and saw it safe to its
destina alton in Maine.
As this was Jacks first trip he was
not acquainted along the lines, and for
three weeks he was unheard from.
LA he walked into the Albany post
ofsst one day, wagging his stumpy tail,
and saw that certain bag was
all right. Everybody was much
amazed over his wonderful trip,
but 1t turned out to be mere
run around the block compared
with his later travels. The fondness
for rowing was awakened in jacks
heart, and q short time after he went
away again, and was absent two
months. The men who knew him re-
garded him as lost this time without
doubt; but one day they read in paper
that Jack had arrived in New Orleans
He was identified by his collar, and fol
the first time Jack began to receive
newspaper notoriety.
Then he left New Orleans, stopping
over here and there when it pleased
him, and by degrees he Travelled
the length of the country. And
where do you suppose he ended
this wonderful journey? Away
up north. at st. John, New Bruins
wick. There is no doubt of the
truth of this, for the newspapers kept
track of him all the way, and he
became famous. Just think Of
this wonderful dog going that
distance by himself! Since that
time he has been to San Francisco, ant
has covered the entire length anc
breadth of the United States. He ha.
visited nearly everv large city in til,
country, and has gone through the
eastern states so often that every rail
road postal clerk knows him.
Jack is thorough Yankee in hi
tastes, and decidedly independent, bu
seems to like the east best, especially
the Boston & Albany railroad, upor
which he made his first trip. He il
never molested, but allowed to do as h,
pleases, and is always well treated. /
would not be well for any outsider t.
NEEDLE with the bags Jack has il
charge, and Jack seems always to know
what man has the right. He was in
wreck once, and was thought to hav,
been killed; but when the mailbag
reached their destination, Jack wa
with them. A little while ago he pait
flying visit to New York, and thel
started east again, where he is probabl,
now traveling.-Harpers Young PEG
| MA