Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-06-07
A PLUCKY ENGINEER.

was one until retired few years ago
with comfortable fortune. Many men
in our profession have had exciting ex-
periences, bat doubt whether anybody
but myself has ever travelled at the rate
of 60 miles an hour, suspended beneath
railway carriage.
was never q man to seek adventure
for its own sake; neither was inclined
to be timid when task attended with
danger had to be performed. My work
often brought me into great peril; but,
except ON the occasion of which I am
about to write, had, fortunately, kept
clear of accidents.
1t was in the seventies that received
the appointment of chief engineer to one
of the big railway lines connected with
Boston. Twas of an inventive turn and
had recently taken out patent for a
radial axle frame for six wheeled
coaches. This was device that enables
the wheels of a carriage to adjust them
selves to sharp curves and so obviate the
friction of the rail and consequent dan
ger that attached to the ordinary fixed
aXles.
This patent of mine was applied ex-
perimentally to several coaches on my
line, and the results were to all appear
ances very satisfactory. However, I had
technical dispute with brother engi-
neer, an old friend in whose opinion I
generally had the fullest confidence, re-
spectipg o rather important detail. AS a
matter of fact, we held different opin-
ions as to the behavior of the mechanism
when in actual operation, and my work
ing model did not help us much.
"I'll tell you what I will do" said.
"I'll satisfy myself by seeing how it
works. "
"How do you mean?" he asked.
"Why, I'll travel underneath the
coach, hang myself up in hammock
and watch the whole thing"
My friend smiled incredulously.
"Will you accompany me? I am in
earnest, I continued.
"No, thank you" was his reply. 81
must decline to embark on such q hare
Drained adventure. I have wife and
family dependent on me.
But I was determined to settle the
point. If what he said was correct, the
sooner the modification was made the
better. So made arrangements for my
journey on the Boston express next day.
When Ireaehed the railway station,
found that my instructions had been
carried out. A large piece of sacking
; was suspended beneath the carriage by
four stout hempen ropes, passed through
wrought iron staples and properly tied
and lashed. I examined it carefully and
found everything secure
A few minutes before the train start
ed I crept into my hammock, assisted
by my friend, who had come to see me
off ON my strange journey. He wished
me bon voyage, the whistle blew, and
) we began to move out of the station.
Lying as was ON my back, smoking al
q cigar, the motion was at first decidedly
pleasant, but as we got up steam ant
t increased our speed my position became
one of considerable discomfort. Iwa
rocked from side to side with ever in
9 creasing violence and soon became GOV
cred with dust and ashes, which, will
the tremendous draft, were driver
8 against my face in manner that wa
at times quite painful. My eyes were
). however, protected by suitable pair O
spectacles that I had taken the precau
!, ton to provide myself with.
was able from my position to watol
s closely the behavior of the axle frame
Y l was acquainted with the position AMI
j character of every curve on the line
and consequently knew just when to b
t specially watchful. My qualification
o was complete when I found that il
J every respect the views had advocates
were correct. Every swivel and leve
h worked splendidly, and the undue strain
n ing that my friend had insisted mus
IS occur at certain points did not exist
|. There was absolutely no way of improy
}, ing the mechanism that could see.
n We had passed the worst curve O
T. the line and were now greatly increaF
IS ing our speed. We were entering o
% the fastest bit of the journey, an
, things were getting lively for me. Th
n pitching and rolling of small boat i
midchannel in "choppy" weather wei
I not to be compared to the motion I Q,
perienced. It was more like being viz