The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-07
Incident in Career of Late
John A Coleman.
Sturdy Fight for His Rights
Against a Railroad.
After Four Trials He Wins Victory
Over a Corporation.

The late Jonn A. Coleman was n man
OF strong will and firm convictions. Once
convinced that he was right no power or
influence could swerye him from his
course. He was not given TO pushing his
opinions 10 the front save when he be-
lievea those opinions were for the public
good and then re was fearless and indefati-
gable In championing them, as was the
case in his long tight against Samuel NJ.
Gray's sewage precipitation scheme. But
sven efore Mr.. Coleman haG served the
city as its public works commissions. he
had shown his steadfastness of purpose
and hls entire disregard of consequences
when he had made up his MIND TO follow
out certain course OF action. This was
IN his long and ultimately successful fight
against that powerful corporation, the
NV York, New Haven q Hartford Rail-
rolc.
That case was celebrated one in its
day and attracted unusual attention
throughout the country. Representative
John nj. Rounds gave the Gossiper very
interesting account OF Ii this morning.
Some years ago he said, Mr.. Coleman was
in New Haven and having business in
New York purchased ticket for that
place over the New York, New Haven x
u hartford railway. Before starting he
received a despatch which obviated the
necessity of his going to the metropolis at
that tims. He did, however, go subse-
quent,y /, New York by another route.
When abour TO return to New Haven he
found the ticket he had purchased in
that city in his pocket ana decided to
make use OF it. When he showed tho
ticket 10 the gateman at the station that
factotum informed him IL was not goou,
and refused TO permit him 10 pass into
the train. MIR. Coleman told the gateman
that he bad purchased the ticket which,
although it read from New Haven 10
New York entitled him to passage be-
twee - those two points no matter from
which end he started. IL was, he insisted,
no further from New York to New Haven
that from New Haven 10 New York, and
having paid for ticket between those
two points he proposed TO use it.
The gateman was not to be convinced,
however, ana persisted in his refusal to
allow Mr.. Coleman to pass. The latter,
however, succeeded in getting through
the gate and boarded the train. Later
on while the train was booming along the
conductor came along on his ticket col
lecting tour, Mr.. Coleman presented his
ticket but like the gateman the conductor
refused to accept Ii and demanded cash
fare. This OF course Mr.. Coleman refus-
ed to ray. The conductor argued and
threatened, but without effect for Mr..
Coleman insisted that his ticket entitled
him to ride between New York and
New Haven and he proposed to have 1t.
Finally the conductor dropped the matter
for time and continued his journey
through the train.
Later on stop was made Mt q station,
aud there the conductor saw on the plat
form one of the directors of the New
York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad
Company. To the director the conduc-
tor related his contest with Mr.. Coleman
and was advised to put the latter off the
train.
Made brave by the backing OF the
director the conductor returned to
the train and informed Mr.. Coleman