The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-03
BABY RAN THE LOCOMOTIVE.
"A Threc-Ycar-Old's Trip on an Engine
4 w Id ..E...

"A Threc-Yc ODDS Trip on an Eng
Runnin. Wild.
At can run an engine like papa, said
little three-year-old Fred Evans as he
was lifted down from the locomotive of
the ST. Johns motor line yesterday at
Albina. He had mounted the engine at
ST. Johns, pulled open the throttle and
remained on the seat alone on a MAD
ride of seven miles. The young engineer
is the son of WzB. Evans of ST. Johns.
an engineer on the motor line. He had
often been on the engine, and his faith
er had explained to him how the lever
is pulled and the wheels started moving.
The engine lies over an hour at st.
Johns. Just by the water-tank, and dur
ing this time yesterday, while Mr.. Evans
was at home at lunch, little Fred walk
ed down to the engine, mounted the
seat and opened the throttle wide. The
machine was full of coal and water and
was ready for the road. Several people
saw the boy start, but no one was near
enough to catch the engine. The news
was at once told to Mr.. Evans, and he
reached the track just in time to see
the locomotive, with his boy on board.
disappear around curve. The father
was wild with grief and fear. and the
boys mother was almost Frustrated
The news spread like wild fire. and the
whole town turned out. Excitement was
intense, women and children cried and
men offered suggestions. Master Me-
chanic Michael T. Brady was ct that
end of the line and at once began to tele-
phone to stations along the line. Ports
mouth and PeninSu!ar We're nCtifled, ana
men at these points tried to board the
engine as it dashed by, but its speed was
too great Mr.. Brady also notified the
office at Albina, and party of men ran
out the line northward to meet the wild
engine In coming up the long grade
toward Albina, the steam had died down
a little, but the register still showed
eighty pounds John Woods, motor
man on the City and Suburban Railway
was the first man to meet the engine.
He caught the hand rail and swung up.
but in doing so he was dragged W OF 20
feet. He at once turned off the steam ana
the engine slowed down and stopped. IL
was then young Fred made the reiiialh
concerning his ability as an engine ar i'-
er. =, ,,,,+
The boy was not scared at all but
seemed rather proud of his feat When
inc engine first dashed out of ST. JOINS
ne was frightened, and as he came
through Portsmouth like shot out OF d
gun he was yelling Justify Tor Inanliiii'
After coming several miles. however, he
again became brave and held his posi-
ton on the seat with composure, WIN
his hand on the lever, like veteran
The engine was stopped in front OF
the home of DR.. Davis, on Commercial
street, and was quickly run back 10 81,
Johns nv Mr.. Woods with the boy FREQ
stiil on board. Mr.. Woods said his sue
cess in boarding the engine was q sur
prisa to him, as well as every one else
as its speed was still considerable. Inc
engine had made the run from St johns
to Albina in less than half an hour.
In the meantime the news OF the res
cue had been sent by telephone TO the
frightened parents and for the remainaer
of the day there was great joy IN all 81.
Johns.-Morning Oregonion.