The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1894-11-29
Vol. XXXVIII. No 35.
JAKE" WOULD NOT DOWN
THE FIRST ENGINEER ON THE
WINSTON-SALEM ROAD.
How Jake Hicks Learned His Letters
at the Age of 65 in Order to
Pull the Throttle.

Mr.. "Jake" Hicks is said to be next
to the oldest locomotive engineer in
North Carolina. He now holds a po-
sition with the Southern railroad.
"Jake," as he is familiarly called,
was the first engineer on the road be-
tween Winston-Salem and Greensboro.
This was some thirty years ago, but
many citizens remember Jake" He
attracted great deal of attention at
that time-likewise did his engine.
There is a queer and interesting lit
tie story connected with "Jake's" life
as an engineer. The story has touch
of pathos in it also as showing the
love and mutual aid that the happy
old cOuple-"Jake" and his Wife-bear
to each other.
"Jake" started in the business of
hauling travellers years ago in the
mountains of North Carolina, where
he drove cross country stage. With
the advent of the railroad he was
thrown out of employment and OBJ
tained a minor position at a small
station on the road. His first eXpe-
rience as an engineer was in running
small stationary engine. He cultivat-
ed the acquaintance of the railroad
men and by riding on the yard engines
gradually learned to operate a lOcomo-
tive. Soon afterward he was given
an engine on small branch road and
ran it with SO much skill and care
that his promotion was rapid. Over
80 years ago main line locomotive
was put in his charge. He filled this
responsible position with remarkable
ability and came to Oe known as the
best and most careful engineer on the
road. 1t is fact that he never had
an accident.
For thirty years all went well with
the prudent engineer who had been
connected with the road so long that
he had come to love it and his engine
almost as much as his life. Then
terrible blow fell on him. He was dis
charged.
1t all came about from a regulation
which the road ADOPTED requiring all
engineers to be able to read. When
it came to the test old Jake was
found to be sadly deficient in book
learning. 1t was hard for him and it
was hard thing for the road he had
served so faithfully to do, but the
rule was there, so Jake went.
For week or so the old, illiterate
engineer roame1 aimlessly about,
haunting the railroad yards and de-
pOGS duu HduulluS WlSilully OuO nun
steeds be loved so we'll. But his occu-
patton, the only thing he knew and
his only means of making living,
was gone. Something had to be done
aud he, or rather his wife, did it, In
the house of the Hicks a queer prima-
ry class was started. Mr.. Hicks, then
65 years old, constituted the class and
Mrs. Hicks was instructor. After six
months of conscientious poring over
the blue-back speller "Jake" Hicks
was ready TO stand his examination.
He stood it and passed triumphantly.
The Visitor says that Jake may be
seen now almost any day at the union
depot, in Raleigh, sitting In his cab of
the same old putting engine he has
been running for years. He is old and
his hair and beard are snowy white
but the good humored smile he is con-
stantly wearing makes him look years
younger than he really is He may not
be highly educated even yet but there
are two lessons he has learned pat"
how to run a locomotive and how to
read train orders.