The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-15

Island roads behind Rock Island engine
No -554 backed down 10 the depot
BY this time the crowd had increased
greatly The depot platform from Kan
sas avenue TO Jackson street was crowd
ed From Jackson street 10 Van Buren,
the crowd had extended and. lined up
along the track. numbered almost as
many as those On the platform
Promptly at 1870 the train backed onto
the track in front Of the depot About
half the cars We're already filled with
small boys who had the fureth0ught to
hunt up the train and enter while it was
standing in the yards
The reception committee. the members
CT the Topeka city troop. the Rock Is
land officials and the police were on
hand to direct the people and be present
should any trouble occCr-
The men stationed themselves at the
entrances 10 the train to prevent the
crowd from s1ampeding and injuriug the
weaker ones The people made q dash
for the steps to the cars as soon as the
train came TO a standstiI and the plan
of collecting the tickets was abandoned
The people pushed and surged and II
I'VE minutes the train was filled
AN INTERESTING --DETECTIN E
An amusing incident which attracted
considerable attention and no little com
ment was the actions of an amateur
private detective in his EFFORTS to pre-
serve order and keep the crowd from en-
tering the train too fast
He perched himself between the rail-
ings Of the platforms Of two cars and
shouted out orders to the crowd and
pushed young men here and there telling
them what they must do
When questioned as 10 his right 10 be
50 authoritative he turned back his coat
displaying a badge sent out by soma
Chicago detective agency which any one
may join by sending a dollar for a year
" subscription to their official paper.
He also claimed that he was working
under the direction OF the chief Of police
OF Kansas City In connection with his
T-IrT~ In Ar a~aH T~a- VI
was on the lookout for a bold bad man
who had cracked safe in one of the
suburbs OF Kansas City.
The amateur was I'm charge of the first
train going out to the Hip and spent
the rest OF the Afternoon at the scene or
the picnic in watching with his eagle
eye for any attempt at picking pockets.
He was prepared at any time TO make
arrest as he carried big revolver
and dirk that would have done credit
10 a pirate Of the olden days
Promptly at 1-40 the train in charge
OF Conductor W @. Todd. Engineer Matt
Rogers Fireman Chas Hildebrand and
Brakemsn H L Matthews J. Wolfrey
and J c. Todd left the depot and made
the "trip to the -Hilf' in about fifteen
minutes The fourteen coaches were
crowded most Of the seats holding three
persons and Others crowded in between
The seats and aisles. and it was with diff
Guilty that the engine started the train.
Inc ofnclals experienced their greatest
difficulty with the small boys who have
not yet learned the value Of property
and who climbed in and ONT windows laa
cause it would take too long 10 20 bv
way Of the door and with the boys run
ming along on tops Of the cars
WENT FOR THE RIDE
one woman Of much avoirt7au.ois went
out on the first train and when me .sETflf,,
was reached, upon being asked If she
would get out answered ia the NEGATIVE
and went back TO town This was re-
Deated during each OF the three trims
The railroad offic1als were also bothered a
great deal by the boys who did this ssr1e
thing. taking Up space which could have
been occupied to q better advantaee bv
older people
At the grounds groups Of pretty school
girls could be seen playing at crack the
whip drop the handkerchief ring
aroand the rosie and other games AZ 4
similar nature Additions were made to
these groups as acquaintance coming
On the later trains found their way 70
the pasture land at the top Of the hill
Starting ND the hill the people were
surprised AZ the distance Many were the