The National tribune., 1900-07-19

right, two men are enough; if we are
ditched or fired upon, the men on the tender
are simply out there to be killed; If we run
into trouble, you rally and support us;
that's all | want of you"
The officer was surprised, and sad:
"What do you know about 1t:
I've seen service with the old Ninth
Corps. and know just what I'm talking
about, and I'm running this engine, and am
responsible for the safety of your people.
He changed his manner ut once, and
ordered the Sergeant and one man to oDey
my orders. They had the Lee rifles oil the
navy. | explained to them how to shut OH
the steam and apply the air-brakes, ana
told them that if we were fired upon, that
l would be the one most likely TO catch II;
but to never mind me, but slam on the an
and open fire. They seemed very much
impressed, and promised to do their best
We slipped out of the city without any
noise. Afterwards, Learned that the strikers
knew that the troops were going out, and
had planned TO put dynamite charge
OH the rail on the curve at 22d street, and
give us a hoist. They waiteI back from
the track, as the police were patrolling the
line, listening for my whistle, when the
train rolled past, and they were unable to
carry out their plot. Running with care
and taking careful look at all bridges.
we reached long siding at San Bruno
filled with freight-cars. As the train
slowed down, dozen men came out of the
shadows.
: "Here they are. boysw ! said, and jam
med on the air. Before the train could stop.
the Naval boys were out i'll the grass, and
: my Sergeant challenged sharply and was
: answered, Deputy Sheriffs, watching
these cars" and the man came up and
displayed his badge. We explained who
we were, and rolled on. The County
authorities had posted a guard to protect
the cars, reasoning that it would be cheaper
to protect them than TO pay for them if they
were burned up.
Arriving near San Jose, a light was
swinging across the track, signal for the
train to stop. The train was quickly
stopped.
"Who comes there?" was the challenge
with decidedly military accent.
Train with troops" ] answered.
"Stay where you are! Officer of the
Guard; post 'leven"
The conductor had come over to the
engine Pull down to the station" he
said. "Halt.' said the sentinel. "Oh, go
on; never mind him." said the conductor,
and he started to get down off the engine
/ heard the 'kluck-kluck" of the Spring
field rife. and | grabbed the con" by the
collar and yanked him back. you'd
FOOL" | said angrily. Don't you know
any better than to monkey with a sentry?
That man down there with gun outranks
Uncle Coils just now" then to the SEN
tinel, am going TO stay right here until
your Officer of the Guard comes" The
troops who stopped us were the local
militia company. The next night the
strikers burned one bridge and attempted
TO burn another, but were driven off by a
resolute watchman who opened fire with a
Winchester. From this time the trains
ran regularly, but for long time carried
U. S. Marshals, and the engine crews
went heeled. My theory againstcrowding
the engine and tender with troops was
proven TO be the correct one. The day
after our night trip, Engineer Sam Clark
started from Sacramento with a train.
A dozen or more soldiers were on the tender,
and 200 in the train. Two miles from
Sacramento, the engine, big compound
hog" was derailed. Engineer Clark and
five soldiers Of the 5th Art. lost their lives;
a useless sacrifice, lost simply because
the commanding officer didn't understand
railroading, and the engineer knew nothing
Of soldering. None Of the soldiers in the
cars were hurt. A monument was erected
by the 5th Art. in memory of these men who
perished, and part Of the inscription read:
Murdered by Strikers"
Some of the A. r. U. men entered a
protest against this inscription, and even
threatened to blow up the monument.
Col. Graham posted a sentry at the monu-
ment with orders to shoot any one who
attempted 10 come near it. The Eonu-
ment still stands.
My "scab" fireman proved himself a
worthy son Of veteran. He fired for me
for three years; was promoted hostler;
then TO a switch engine, and then to freight
on the main line, where he is now earning
a good salary. Many threats were made
against NE by the strikers and their friends,
until, entirely out of patience with them,
sent them word that, if they kept up theil
threats, would certainly kill some OF them
since then everything has been quiet.
British Reyerses