Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-20

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W s. 8VS road. Hisrail-
road exper-
WILLIAM n. '0aHt1os. fence dat 9 8
back to the civil war, in which he
served. Always on deck at the APP
pointed hour for duty. he has won for
himself the highest estimation of his
company. while his jolly disposition
has made him q favorite in the coun-
ellis Of his fellow workmen.
Although on the shady side of the
half century mark, Mr.. Johnston gets
around with alacrity creditabie to
one OF half his years. Born in Scot
land in 1912. about twenty-four
years afterward he is found firing an
engine for the Union Pacific out Of
Omaha. This was Mr.. Johnston's
first railroading experience. Pre-
vious to this be served his country,
enlisting with Company B, Second
regiment of the Iowa infantry. after
ward being promoted to the Twen-
tieth Iowa infantry. Two years with
the Union Pacific and Mr.. Johnston
came back to his home in Davenport.
There he obtained q position on the
Rock Island road braking on the
Iowa division. In March of 1870
he went firing on the same division.
Two years afterward he was pro-
noted to engineer in the yards at
Davenport. He was continued in
this position for five months, when
he was given q run on the Iowa d.
vision, over which he has been pilot
ing an iron horse since. Six years
ago Mr.. Johnston was given a
passenger run between Rock ISL
and and Valley Junction.
Mr.. Johnston was married at Dav-
EXPORT in 1869. He is a member of
the Brotherhood of Engineers. a
charter member of Beaver Creek
lodge. A. .. U. w., of Brooklyn,
where he also belongs to John T.
Drake Post 321, G. A. r.
Told Along the Tracks.
John Lacey's Rock Island engine,
454. has returned from the Chicago
repair shops.
George Whippel's engine. 93s, is
back from visit to the Rock Islands
repair shops in Chicago.
A new time card is expected on
the Milwaukee tomorrow. Only
slight changes are expected.
James Smiths engine. 915, has
gone into the Rock Islands shops
across the river for a general over
hauling.
Vice-President II. s, Cable and
Superintendent H. p. Greenough, of
the Rock Island. & Peoria. are off on
tour of inspection of the main line
today.
The Milwaukee road is distribut-
ing q neat little pamphlet illustrat-
ing points Of interest in the "Conven-
ton City," and telling the story of
how that place became known BY
| such q name.
Edward Heffernan and Connie
O'Brien have returned from Ma
rengo where they appeared as wit
nesses in damage suit brought by
the owners Of I'm elevator lately
destroyed by fire, against the Chi
cago. Rock Island & Pacific Railway
company. 1t was alleged that . spark
from an engine caused the destruc-
tive blaze. Mr.. O'Brien was the en-
gineer and Mr.. Heffernan the fireman
Of the engine which was charged
with causing the trouble. The rail-
road company won the case.
The curly-haired. wild-eyed indi-
vidual whose peculiar actions about
the streets have led many to believe
that his proper place is in an in
sane asylum. made his appearance
ut the Rock Island round house this
morning and asked permission to
sharpen razor, with which he said
he intended carving one OF the car
repairing force. The boys about the
round house had heard of .sdaffy"
before. They let him state his case !;
and then they gave him q chase
which he will not soon forget. This
made the fellow more angry than ever
and welding the razor right and left
he threatened TO clean out crowd OF
railroad men sitting outside of
Fifth avenue boarding house. He
was finally cooled off. however, with
the assistance Of pail or 20 OF water.
The Chicago. Burlington q Quin-
cy Railway company has decided to
add three more miles to its route in
the vicinity Of Griffn. Yesterday .
contract was awarded 70 the Ed
wards & Walsh Construction COM
pany for the grading of . RICH. OF
way between New Windsor and the
Griffin Tile worksat Grifiu, on which
will be built . span track. This
viii require about 1900 cubic yards
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