The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-11-25


for an accident to occur. A tower was
erected at each end of the tunnel and
the two towers were connected by wire.
Every train was compelled to come to
stop and get orders from the operator
before she could enter the tunnel.
Neither operator was allowed to let a
train enter the tunnel until he had called
up the other operator and got from him
assurance that the track was clear.
Jones worked at one end and Smith at
the other. Jones could not let train
go into the tunnel until Smith said SO,
and Smith could not let a train go in until
Jones said so. The only way a wreck
could occur was for each man to let
train go in at the same time. Even
if both operators were to fall asleep
at the same time the system would
work, for the train conductors going
into the towers for orders would awaken
the operators.
Zone night there was terrible wreck
in the tunnel. The trains had met head
on. Several of the crews were badly
injured, and I think two died. There
was an investigation.
"The president of the road himself
went to the scene of the wreck. The
two operators were called before him.
1t was impossible to learn anything
about the wreck. Each operator was
sure the other had reported the track
clear, and could give no explanation of
the cause of the wreck. Then the pres
ident said:
"'Now, boys, I will tell you what 1
will do. 1 feel sure you know how this
happened. If you will tell me I will
give you my word that neither of you
will be discharged. I thought had
system here that was absolutely safe,
and it is of more importance to me to
learn how the wreck occurred than to
punish the one who was responsible.
must find out how it happened so that
L can take care that it does not occur
again. Tell me the truth, and 1 will
give you my word that you will not
lose your jobs.
Then the two boys confessed. Dur
ing the long nights they would become
sleepy Sometimes one would fall
asleep. Then if a train came the other
could not get an answer from him.
One night Smith was sleeping soundly
and Jones could not pet any answer.
He did not like to hold the train, for fear
Smith would lose his job So he let
the train go through. He knew it was
perfectly safe, for Smith could not let
train in without calling him up.
When the train came out of the tunnel
1T Weakened Smith, and Jones told him
what he had done. Then they arranged
scheme so they could both sleep. They
always kept the red block down, so that
no train could enter the tunnel while
they slept. If one called and received
no answer he knew the other was asleep,
and, therefore, the track must be clear.
and he let the train in.
| Zone night both were sleeping as
usual. A coal train came to Jones' end
OF the tunnel. The whistle of the train
Weakened Jones. He called to Smith and
received no answer. So he knew Smith
was sleeping and the tunnel was clear.
He asked the conductor to throw him
Off little coal for his fire, as he was
entirely out. The conductor threw off
two or three Jumps and the train started
into the tunnel. Those few Jumps Of
coal cost the road thousands of dollars,
and believe they cost two men their
| lives.
Jones went outside to pick up the
coal as the train pulled out. Being out
side the tower, the noise of the train
drowned that of his instrument, and he
did not hear Smiths call. A freight
train had come to Smiths end of the
tunnel at the exact moment that Jones
was picking up the coal. AS Smith did
not get any answer he thought, Of
course, Jones was asleep and the track
clea-. So he let the freight in. Then
the two trains came together in the
! tunnel.
'The president of the road kept his
word with the boys, but he took them
on that tunnel and gave them daylight
jobs, where they were not so likely 70
sleep, and could not do so much damage
If they did sleep. Those are but three
OF the many stories like them that have
come under my personal observation. p
Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette.
THE DIVINE NAME. I.