Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-09
DEATH VALLEY sPENDER BUYS
PRIVATE TRAIN
MAD RACE TO CHICAGO
Santa Fe Road Places Best Equip
ment at Disposal Of seIf-Ad-
vertIsing Miner From
the Desert

the glory or newspaper noloTleIy, W
further his financial schemes, or both,
Walter Scott, the Death valley Croe-
sus, will commence a record-breaking
run half way across the continent In
o'clock today.
After dilly dallying for a week, Scott
paid over $500 to General Manager
John ]. Byrne of the Santa Fe at 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon and turn
ing to a telephone Mr.. Byrne gave
orders that the best equipment of the
road should be placed at Scott's dis
posal.
BY the terms Of the contract the
Santa Fe is to run It's train through to
Chicago at the fastest possible speed,
receiving $500 for its assistance in
helping Scott to become famous.
Should the record Of fifty hours and
forty-five minutes made by the Lowe
special from Chicago to Los Angeles
be surpassed, the Santa Fe will retain
the full $55OO If it fails to come up
to the record it will return $500 of the
amount
Scott at first demanded to be taken
to Chicago in forty-five hours, then
he said forty-eight and yesterday
morning wanted to wager $4,000 with
the company that it could not cover
the distance of 1856 miles is less than
fifty hours.
1t was a business proposition with
the Santa Fe management and the
officials did not ask Scott to show the
color of his money.
Scott Visits Byrne
At 8 O'Clock in the afternoon, Scott
paid personal visit to General Pas
senger Agent John ]. Byrne. He was
neater than was his wont. Strange
to say he had discarded his overcoat
and looked neat and cool in a blue
shirt, red tie and serge trousers.
II have come for my private train"
he said, as he entered Mr.. Bryne's
private office.
VERY WELL" came the reply. "Have
you the money with you?"
The spender had the money. He had
1t in large enough amounts to make
the railroad mans eyes bulge. He
pulled out a fairly large roll of bills
from his trousers pocket and peeled
off four of $1,000 denomination. There
was another $1,000 bill showing, but
thinking perhaps that Mr.. Byrne
hn oh Ia 70 AI,-
unbuttoned his shirt at the neck and
drew forth another large roll of green
backs. From this he took the amount
necessary to make up the $500 and
carelessly thrust the remainder into
his trousers pocket.
well, am fixed as far as Chicago,
anyway" he said. after arrive there
shall make arrangements for another
special to New York"
Following his visit to the railroad
office Scott sought solace at the bar
of the Augelus and then moved on to
other resorts where LIQUID refresh
ments are passed out to dry customers
on hot days.
wife and a man named Rouse, who for
the time being has given up the busi-
ness of an insurance agent to act as
advertising agent for Scott and repre-
sent Santa Fe officials, who when
asked to make portion of the trip
declined with thanks.
Drinks for Four
The advertising special will be made
up of an engine and tender, a baggage
coach, diner and a Pullman and Or
ders have been given to prepare food
and drink, mostly the latter, for at
least four persons.
Scott will give the glad hand to his
friends promptly at / o'clock, when
with Engineer Finley, the man who
has run Scott's Barstow specials, at
the throttle the train will pull out of
the La Grande station.
The Santa Fe will endeavor to cover
the entire distance in forty-five hours
If 1t is possible and orders have been
given to that effect. The special will
have the right of way over everything
but the Limited trains and will make
only the stops required to change en-
gines and take on coal and water.
The speed is to be limited to that
which is consistent with safety. II the
train pulls into the Chicago station at
noon Tuesday. as Santa Fe officials
hope for. fifty and one-third miles an
hour will have to be maintained. Old
railroaders shake their heads and say
the undertaking is an impossible one.
There are mountains 10 be climbed,
long trestles to be crossed. tunnels.
which win make fast time impossible
and a hundred and one other things
uniting to hold down the speed Of the
train in it's flight.
Special Watohmen
Every telegrapher along the entire
2265 miles OF road will be on the look
out Special watchmen Will be placed
&Contlnusa on Page Two.A