The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-21
Tom Cupher,s Phantom Engine.


Locomotive engineers are. as a class, said TO
be superstitious, says the Seattle Press Times.
but J. ". Pnckney. an engineer known to a.
most every brotherhood man. is an except
70 the rule. He has never been able TO believe
the different stories told Of appa.itiOns suddenly
appearinE on the track. but be mad an experience
lost Sunday night on the Northern Pacific east
bound overland that made his hair stand on
end.
BY the courtesy Of the engineer. also
brotherhood man, Mr.. PinckneY WIS riding on
the engine They were recouDtlnNexIe Tlences.
and the fireman. who was a green hand, was
getting very nervous as he listened to the tales
OF wrecks and disasters, the horrors OF which
were graphically described by the veteran en-
gineers.
The night was clear and the rays from the
headlight flashed along the track, and. although
they were interested in spinning yarns. sharp
lookout was kept, for they were rapidly near
ing Eagle gorge, in the Cascades, the snene of
SO many disasters and the place which is said
TO be the most dangerous on the 2,5OO miles OF
road. The engineer was relating story and
was Just coming to the climax when he sud-
denly 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 a standstill within few feet
OF the place where Engineer CIPHER net his
death two years ago. BY this time the psssen-
gers 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 a
few moments the train was speeding on TO her
destination
What made you stop back therei" asked
Pinckney. 81 heard your excuse, 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 end saying eXcitedly;
There! Look there. Don't you see iti'
Looking out Of the cab window" said Mr..
Pinckney, 81 saw about 800 yards ahead of us
the headlight OF a locomotive. -
stop the train, man." cried, reaching for
the lever.
MO, it's nathing. It's what saw back at the
gorge. It's Tom Cypher's engine, No. 30.
There's no danger of a collision. The man who
backward than can this one forward. Have
seen It before? Yes, twenty times. Every
engineer on the road knows that engine, and
he's always watching for it when he gets TO the
gorge"
The engine ahead of us was running silently,
but smoke was putting from the stack and the
headlight threw out rays OF red. green and
white light. IL kept short distance ahead OF
saw a figure on the pilot. Then the engine
rounded a curve and we did not see it again.
We ran by little station, and at the next. when
the operator warned US TO keep well back from
a wild engine that WAS ahead the engineer said
nothing. He was not afraid of collision. Just
to satisfy my own mind on the matter l sent
telegram to the engine wiper at Sprague,
asking him II No SO was in. Ireceived a reply
stating that No. 80 had just come in. and That
her coal was exhausted and boxes burned out.
l suppose you'll be inclined TO laugh at the
story, but just ask any of the boys, although
many of them won't talk about it. would not
myself if were running on the road. It's I'M
lucky to do So"
With this comment upon the tale of Mr.. Pinck-
ney boarded passing cabooSe and was soon on
his way to Tacoma 1t is believed by Northern
Pacific engineers that Thomas Cypher's spirit
still hovers near Eagle gorge.