Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-21
BABY RAN A LOCOMOTIVE.
Sat with His Hand on the ThrOttl
Like Veteran.

Sat With His Hand on the Throttle
Like n Veteran.
From the Portland oreeonfan.
Il can run an engine like papa" said 1T
tie three-year-old Fred Evans as he was
lifted Gown from the locomotive Of the St.
johns motor line yesterday at Albina. He
had mounted the engine at st. Johns, pull
ed open the throttle and remained on the
seat alone on a mad ride of seven mllee.
The young engineer is the son of W. B.
Evans of St Johns, an engineer on the
motor line. He had often been on the en-
CINE. and his father 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 during this
time yesterday. while Mr.. Evans was a:
home at lunch, little Fred walked 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.
out no one was near enough to eaten 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 a curve. The
father was wild with grief and fear. and
the boys mother was almost Frustrated.
The news spread like wildfire. and the
whole town turned OUT. Excitement was
intense, women and chilGr6n cried and men
offered suggestions. Master Mechanic
Michael F. Brady was at that end of the
line and at once began to teller hone to
stations along the line. Portsmouth ard
Peninsular were notified, and men at ,lIcse
points tried to board the engine as II
dashed by, but its speed was too great. Mr..
Brady also notified the office at Albna. and
a 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 little, but tnc register still
showed eighty pounds John Woods, q
motorman on the City and Suburban rail-
way, was the first man :" meet the eng ne.
He caught the hand rail and swung up,
but In doing so he was dragged sixty or
seventy-fve feet. He at once turned on
the steam and the engine slowed down and
stopped. 1t was then young Fred made
the remark concerning his ability as an
engine driver.
The boy was not scared at all, but seemed
rather proud of his feat. When the engine
first dashed out of St. Johns he was fright
ened, and as he came through Portsmouth
like shot out Of gun he was yelling
Justify for mamma" After coming sew
eral miles, however he again became brave
ard held his position on the seat with COM
posture. with his hand on the lever. like q
veteran.
The engine was. stopped in front of the
home of DR.. Davis. in Commercial street.
and was quickly run back to st. Johns by
Mr.. Woods, with the boy Fred still on
board. Mr.. Woods said his success In
boarding the engine was surprise to him.
as well as every one else, Its speed was
still considerable. The engine had made
the run from ST. Johns to Albina In less
than half an hour.
In the meantime the news of The rescue
had been sent by telephone to the frighteE-
ed parents and for the remainder of The
day there was great JOY in all ST. Johns