The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-05-02
LASsoED A LOCOMOTIVE.
Renaissance of Early Days Along the
Union Pacific Railroad.

Union racine Railroad.
Many are the "reminiscences related
of life on the rail in the early days Of
the Union Pacific. Away back in the
JOS, shortly after the completion of the
road to Ogden, Utah, the officials of
the western portion Of the Overland
often found themselves hard pressed
for the requisite force Of skilled men
necessary to man their trains to meet
the demands of the constantly increas
ing freight traffic. 1t was during the
prevalence of the mining fever
throughout Colorado and neghboring
Territories. The disease quickly spread
to the train service, and the earnings OF
many of the boys were regularly invest.
ed in mining speculations, mostly
through grub stake.
Dame fortune showered gold with a
lavish hand on those whom she wished
to favor, says a writer in the St. Louis
Republic, and, at the time of which
write, it was observed the old girl did not
disguise her preference for the knights
of the rail. Fortunes were acquired in
day, and instances were cited of a
brakeman who one day was polishing
wheels for $2.5 50 per day, and no over
time next month, might be seen indus
triOusly acquiring callouses in scissoring
coupons. Frequent occurrences Of the
above nature naturally left their impress
sion on the resources of the officials,
who were often forced to press into ser
vice men who twisted a brake for the
first time on the day of their employ
ment. But the officials had no other
recourse. A nabob will not brake on a
freight train-at least, not while he is
nabobing. On one occasion a cowboy
was employed to fill the position of first
mate on freight train.
His conductor instructed leather
breaches to fetch the engine and place
her on the train, while the former pro-
Ceeded to the dlspatCher's office, where
he registered his train and also a kick
or two. This done, he engaged the
dispatcher in conversation, in which for
quarter of an hour he entertained the
latter with an instructive discourse on
the subject of handling trains by tele
graph. After kindly thanking the con-
ductor for his advice the guardian Of
the train meekly intimated that the
east-bound freight, which his train had
orders to meet at Howell, was there
awaiting his arrival, Rushing to the
register, where his pencil nervously
recorded his departure, he yelled out as
a parting adieu, Pm gone at 1900,
and stepped out into the night. Upon
reaching his train he found her engine
less. He was also short one cowboy.
His search for the "brakey" was
quickly rewarded. The yard engine
had just paused to couple on to string
of cars. This was our newly found
brakeman's opportunity, and he was
not slow in taking advantage of it.
When discovered by the conductor,
Mr. Cowboy was in the act of throwing
his lasSO; the next moment the grace
full folds Strengthened out, the loop fell
snugly over the smokestaCk, and the
switching engine was captive. The
conductor was about to say "By gum p
when he was interrupted by the voice
of the brakeman, who, observing his
chief approach, cried out in joyful
ecstasy: ITS all right, now, boss; I've
ketched her at last, and will have her
on the train in fifty. You see, this
deal is kinder new to me, but on our
next drive I'll have her down pat"