The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-05
InE LoooMoIWE FlReMAN.
lie Holds Position the Responsibility Of
Which 10 unappreeIated.


which ~ Unappreoiated.
II Is doubtful N there IL "A man on the
train VIII IL lees appreciated than the FIRE
man. The public shakes hands with the
conductor who has charge OF the train,
thanks tho brakeman for many little
courtssies. bows 90 the baggage master who
looks for il luggage la transit, trusts It's
valuablos with the express messenger and
talks long and loud Of the "hrnvo engi-
necr,n bat the iireman-ho who bends TO
his work and feeds the FIRE that makes the
Bteam-.is never mentioned. Sometimes
a purse is made up for the engineer. No
one ever heard OF tho fireman getting "a
purse, but the records show That he has
performed a. many deeds OF valor as the
engineer. Again, n the train leaves tho
track or goes into another train, the fire.
man has fewer chances 90 oscnpe than any
other man on the train, except perhaps
the mail clerk, shut up like rat In
cage When the fireman Is nt work, and
that Is nearly all the time when the wheels
are turning, he stands stopped over, show
cling in the fuel or raking the coal In tho
hrebox. His view ahead Is obstructed,
and he cannot see the danger that may be
dashing upon him. The rattle and roar OF
the machinery may drown the engineers
warning Gala crash-the tender pins
him to the boiler hend and he dies n hor-
rible death. Standing in the narrow gang
way, peering ahead, n sudden lurch around
a curve may throw him Oft.
Instances have been known when the
coupling between the engine and the tank
parted. and the fireman dropped betweea
them TO be ground to pieces. The records
show that more fremen than engineers
are killed in railroad wrecks About the
only time the fireman has little leisure
is when the train is running down grade.
Then "she Is shut of, =" steam Is saved, and
the knight Of the shovel climbs up 10
cushioned seat and takes a breathing spell.
But even then one eye is ahead, his band
on the bellcord and the other eye fastened
ON the steam gauge, whose little black
hands, fluctuating back and forth, gauge
his labor as well As the steam There is "A
science in feeding" an engine that is not
understood by one not in the business.
There is a way 20 throw in the coal and 20
empty the shovel and close the furnace
door at the same time. It requires nice
calculation that tells how many "scoop-
loads" are needed to send tho hands on
the gauge TO the proper figure, deft han
ding 20 keep the deck of the cab clean and
a hundred other little things that go to
make skillful fireman, one that saves
money for the company by outstanding
the coal. In the old days the fireman on
"wood burners" had hard time Of it and
certainly earned the small money he re-
ceived for his services, but he had a sine
cure compared with the man in blue over
nlls and jumper who "stokes up" one OF
the huge "moguls' or "hogs" of the pres
ent day. These engines haul freight ana
eat up coal as If IL were CREASED paper.
The fireman is at work continuously, and
about the only time ne has to rest Is when
his train takes siding" to let a more
aristocratic passenger train pass.-Ashton
Reporter.