Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-09

loss of life. It. also
has the reputation among railroad officials
of being one Of the most backward coun-
tries in the matter of railroad development,
all things considered, on the face Of the
globe Perhaps, however, China and Africa
outrank her in this respect. ,.... ID.
To the American reader the most mysti-
flying portion of the press dispatches tell
ing of the recent accident was the last SEN
tence, which read:
1.-The engineer and conductor of the
wrecked train have taken to the woods
Imagine men occupying like positions in
this country running away from people
they had been instrumental in manning or
killing. whether accidentally or through
careleSSneSS.
Jerry" Sweeny, one Of the most intelli-
gent engineers employed by the Pennsyl
vania railroad, served five years on one of
the roads down in Mexico, and has a fund
of Information about practical railroading
in that country. 1t was after the strike of
1877 that Jerry" drifted down into Mexico,
with a dozen others of like occupations.
and, after doing penance for five years,
thankfully came back to his first love.
Americans Preferred.
In the course of an extended talk with
the writer he said:
about the best thing connected with
Mexican railroads is American labor. The
officials down there have recognized from
the first that it takes something besides
strength to run an engine. Americans are
given the preference in the positions of en-
gineefs and conductors
II am thoroughly familiar with the spot
where this last accident occurred, and I'll
risk my reputation as an engineer on the
assertion that the engineer was not to
blame 1 see that he. is an American, and
this gives additional emphasis to my as
sertion. The officials of the road may
escape censure through political con-
nivance but a thorough investigation will
back up my assertion. I'm the first place.
the engineer had his life to look after,
and I take 1t that be Is man of nerve.
or he wouldn't be in that country, as timid
people dor't work on Mexican railroads.
Secondly. the spot where the accident oc-
Cured Is one of the worst on the Inter
Oceanic road, and train has to literally
pick it's way around the sharp curves in
that vicinity.
.'That road and In fact all the Mexican
lines have been laid out economically
as possible. and only! enough of the noun
tain has been chopped away to permit a
foothold for the track, so to speak. On
one side the train rubs against the noun
tain and on the other the passengers look
down into a deep gnllys
Now, take train running at moderate
or careful speed. A defect, unknown to
all the train hands. has developed n one
of the trucks under the Tender. The train
strikes the curve only moderately hard,
but it sufiiees to jar from the track the
wheels of the tender and the remainder of
the train follows suit. On the outer side
of the rails there is hardly; a foot Of room.
and the next instant there is a tumble of
wood, iron and human beings in the gully
below.
They Take to the Woods.
I'm this country a defect in the tender
and the first reports from the accident
cauSa-upuld
discovered by an intelligent car inspec tor.
Then the curve would have been protected
by double rail, which will, nine times
out of ten, keep car upright and hold it
to the rails. Both these requisites are
neglected down there, or were when I was
in Mexico recently on a visit. and a
result a catastrophe is apt to follow.
THE employees know the custom of the
country thoroughly, and instead of hasten
ing to the rescue of the passengers, in
this country, they fly for their lives. If
they fall into the hands of the people they
would be shot or hung to the nearest tree
The Mexicans have no time to look after
real causes. The apparent ones,in the shape
of engineers and conductors. will do, and
in their blind rage they kill first and in
vestigate afterward.
"One thing in connec ton with railroad
Ing in Mexico that takes on the tnge of
civilization is that the government: stands
by the corporations to the last ditch. Sin
This state of things has brought about
almost continual warfare between the
lower or ignorant classes and the rail-
roads. The oonfiscation of valuable land
and the accidental killing of human beings
and cattle contribute to the feeling of
hostility.
"Mexicans dislike being hurried, and 1
have had my hair raise on ends on account
OF the leisurely way they have crossed the
track in front of my engine, notwithstand-
ing the frantic shrieks of the whistle and
the gesticulations of bystanders.
Some Roadside Experiences.
Il have seen an ignorant Mexican stood
up against water tank and shot full of
holes by soldiers for simply throwing a
tie across the track. His child had been
killed by the train just ahead of mine and
he wanted to throw our train in the ditch
out of revenge. The tie would have done
no damage, but an excited Mexican official
wanted justice, and in spite of my argu-
ments he got it, of a Mexican sort.
Then, again, the average Mexican liv-
ing out in the country is an expert with
the rifle or pistol, and doesn't like to be
disturbed while sleeping. That little nick
IN my right ear was given me by one Of
this class. 1t happened in this way: The
Mexican was sleeping about hundred
yards from the track, his little pony being
also stretched out on the ground. My at
tention was called to the couple by my
fireman, ana thinking tOs.have some fun, l
grabbed the whistle rope and let go several
screeches that would have almost awaken
ed the dead. The horse caught the noise
first and in a fright endeavored to regain
its feet. In doing so it kicked the poor
Mexican in the shoulder. The latter
jumped to his feet, black with rage. See
ing our laughing faces as We slowly glided
by he snatched up his repeating rifle and
fired directly at US. I lodged, but not in
time to altogether avoid the bullet, though
my quickness saved my life, and I didn't
grumble much over the little bit of lost
flesh.
1.-THE funny part of the adventure was
that the Mexican wasn't satisfied with
shooting at us, but wanted our lives, and
having plenty of time on his hands, started
to follow us up. He learned our names
from the next station agent and gave it
out that he was going to have revenge.
This bit Of news was telegraphed to me
by friendly telegraph operator, and fear
ing he would carry out his threats turn
ed the case over to railroad policeman.
He arrested the bloodthirsty Mexican and
the judge was very lenient with him. CIV
ing him only three years in Jail to regain
his normal condition of mind. I left the
country before he was released from
prison.
A Maniac mt the Throttle.
"As rule native Mexicans do not make
good engineers. Their nervous temperament