davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02
IN THE CAB OF A FLYER

now we were flying. Apparently no speed limit
the engineers here We began to move
with series of crashes and whirls and dashes,
Down long straight strip we would shoot, crash
over bridge dart around curve, then carve
our way through long lines of freight cars with
one everlasting smash. Once more in the open,
plunge through short bridge, again glance of
the side of hill as the tracks led away in an
other direction, all the time with the speed of an
arrow.
A perfect stream of scenery-houses, barns, vii
ages-howed past us in blurred mass as we ate
up mile after mile of the oncoming tracks in
fifty-two, ffty-three, fifty-four seconds, always
under the minute
Back in the Pullmans the passengers were COM
fortably disposing thet1selves for the night, the
easy.running cars by no means betraying the
speed with which they were being drawn through
the darkness. But it was just the opposite on
the engine.
Here everything was in an uproar. The great
mass of steel danced and jumped and jiggled as
IL bored its way through the blaelzness, The
only light was the faint one furnished by the
flickering oil lamp that showed the dial of the
steam gauge. Oil cans continually banged against
each other, and all against the boiler, the work
ing parts Of the engine coupled to the crash Of
the train making such a racket that one could
not hear oneself think.
Then, rounding a curve, bright pair of white
tail lights switch into sight, only few hundred
wards away The engineer still motionless, makes
no move toward the throttle or brakes. l think,
he's surely asleep this time. Those lights are
right on our track, and wel be into them in an
other momentl
The great engine fairly leaps toward the omin-
Gus lights and with incredible swiftness eats up
the intervening distance. am right The en-
gneer hurredly reaches toward the boiler and
tries the water gauge cocks. An instant more
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

occupied by the present exhibition are also
shown.
The commercial exhibits are largely confined to
the Piazza d'Armi section, which is connected
with the other half of the exhibition by spe-
cially constructed overhead electric railway. As
one passes from section to the other charm
ing views Of the distant snow mountains are
gained which convey an idea of the position of
Milan, an idea which is still more clearly en-
forced by visit to the roof of the cathedral.
From the steeple, crowned by golden figure Of
the Virgin, the redtiled roofs of the city stretch
out in all directions, and beyond the fertile
sweeps of the Lombardy plain rise the mountain
heights already referred to. The old coach road
to the Simplon leaves Milan at the Simplon gate,
just outside which is the Arco della Pace the
great triumphal arch built in white marble by
order of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Simplon
road passes one side of the Piazza d Armi, the
huge drillgound which has provided the site for
part of the exhibition. Now steel road fol-
lows the same track, along which will soon be
passing a regular system of passenger trains
which it cannot be doubted will greatly forward
the prosperity Of northern Italy.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

foot of a steep grade where a helper was await
ing us. Soon the two snorting engines filled the
surrounding country with the noise of their crash
ing exhaust. We mounted higher ana higher un-
til, nearing the top, the helper uncoupled, quick
ly ran forward to a pocket into which it was
switched and then we started to descend a
steep eight-mile grade.
eve always try our brakes here" said the
engineer at the top of the mountain, as he tried
his all" and found it working satisfactorily. you
never know when you are going to need them
on a long, stiff hill like this, and when you do
need them-well, it's a good deal like the case
of the man and the gun out West"
Down we slipped rapidly by mere force Of gray
ity, and here the hardworking fireman got a
rest. Smoothly and swiftly we coasted and soon
drew near the bottom Of the valley. Here we
slowed down and stopped at the small town at
the foot of the grade, this being as far as the
engineer went.
A REAL SPURT.
Take ride on the next division" he ad.
vised That's the banner division of the road.
And you will see how fast these engines can
run, for it wouldn't do TO let them out on our
part Of the road"
"Gad to have you," was the brief welcome
of the new engineer who was easily over sixty
years Of age and of small stature. And soon we
were once more under way. The new division
was 140 miles long, and the roadbed is almost
level and straight for the entire distance This
is the part of the road where time can be made
up, and as about twenty minutes had been lost
while waiting for connection, had the chance
Of seeing the engine run even faster than usual.
Darkness had now fallen, and the engineer
was forced to trust to the signal lights for guild
ance.
If we had been running on the lower division.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

of in the track. Again the engine tried to follow
straight line as rushed upon the curve.
Once more we rounded in safety, and amid the
deafening clatter of the flying wheels the engi-
neer coolly shouted:
"The company WON'T let us run faster than
fifty miles an hour around these curves"
By this time I wasn't sure whether I was
equal to another curve or not. A hundred miles
an hour would have been my estimate of the
speed with which we were travelling had about
given up all hope of reaching my destination ex-
cept in tangled heap, and was holding on to
the jumping, jerking bouncing engine wonder
ing how long we would last and just about where
we would get it,
So much has been written of the great ner-
vous strain under which the engineers of fast
trains constantly labor that on the lookout
during my spare moments to see some indica-
ton of it.
First the engineer would swing out of the cab
and take a look back as we rounded the far
side of curve to see if his train was intact
and in good shape. Then he would glance scru-
tnizngly at the axle boxes of his tender. Ap-
preaching an unusually sharp curve he would
throw on his air brakes, thus enabling the train
to more rigidly and steadily to round it.
But he never touched the throttle. Once open,
it stayed open. Occasionally as we passed through
a small town he would turn on his automatic
belLringer, and then moment later would shut
it off as we shot through the village and reach
ed the open country again He went about all
these duties with the utmost GOODNESS and calm
ness, and if he was at any time bothered by ner-
vousness during the progress of what to me was
most exciting experience it certainly was not
visible to the naked eye.
Finally, after many miles of the same kind
Of sensations each succeeding one having strong
individuality of its own and in no way suffering
by contrast with the others, we arrived at the
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

and we shoot past the caboose Of freight train,
on a side track bound in the same direction as
ourselves, waiting for us to proceed
And so on through the night. A new sensa.
ton with every mile. Imagination working over.
time, and playing all kinds of pranks.
A thick fog closes in upon us. One can see
no farther than the end of the engines pilot
But we keep right on at the same rate of speed
Running on schedule of Providence, it would
seem to the layman. But not so with the cool.
headed sharp-eyed little engineer. His eyes are
trained the signal lights that fit by at inter
walls. As long those lights are of the proper
color he doesn't care if his eyes can't penetrate
the thick, gray wall that faces the headlight and
dampens our clothing.
engineer picks out Of the depths of the fog
station which would forevermore remain undis.
coverable to the inexperienced eye of the lay
man. A few shadowy figures emerge from the
mist, transfer baggage and then on we fly.
Imagination / had, and plenty But not so
with the master of the engine who is skillfully
and safely guiding the flying train with its hun
dreds Of passengers, Their lives rest in the palm
of his hand yet this idea hardly occurs to one
while watching the cool, thorough and practical
manner in which he manages his machine II is
evident that he has no time for imagination. That
is a luxury he cannot enjoy, nor would he care
to. Unerringly he met every situation with
quick accurate judgment as the giant locomo-
tive dashed from point to point with the velocity
of a mortar ball He knew that all trains must
give his-the fastest on the road-twenty-fve min
utes' leeway.
We reached the end Of our run squArely on
time, and then. tired and somewhat dirty, / made
my way TO the sleeper and soon fell into deep
sleep, which was interspersed with many startling
episodes as my dreams exaggerated the principal
events Of my sensational ride Of over 200 miles
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02


1cation takes the form of fetes which covered
IN this case period of ten days. at the begin
ming 1.-the exposition. "Midways" pixies and
similar features which are regarded as essentials
TO the American show of this character, are to
a great degree eliminated in those which
given abroad.
Milan is regarded as the industrial centre of
Italy and the exposition for this well
as for that it is in commemoration of the open
ing of the great Simplon tunnel, has taken a
substantial character, rather than frivolous
one.
The piercing Of the great snow range of the
Simpon, Se:npone it is known to the Ita
ans, is matter of more than mere engineering
interest to the wellbeing of Italy the tunnel
is actually another gateway through the great
mountain barrier of the Alps which completely
sewers the north of Italy from the rest of Eu
rope. The exhibition is attracting a large
number of visitors from all parts of Europe. In
fact. the capital of Lombardy is drawing to it,
self an amount of attention at the present mo-
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02


rate of speed of so or 100 miles an
hour But how many really understand what
such a tremendous speed means? OF course
there are many persons who have ridden on
railroad trains going mile minute or faster
vet their only experience has been confined to
comfortably watching the mile posts fit by the
window of luxurious Pullman car, in which,
no matter with what swiftness the train may
be moving, the occupant can have not the faint
est conception Of the manner in which he is
shooting through space.
Ennuied the passenger reclines YEARLY among
the soft cushions. The nicely adjusted springs
take from him the slightest jar and jolt. The
.splendidly balasted roadbed and huge steel rails
allow no sensation of speed to be transmitted to
him as. with perfect smoothness the easy7running
car glides through the fastchangng Landscape.
The very perfection of railroad equipment has
nrovided ceaseless ease that for very same
ness becomes monotonous,
But there is one sure and emphatic way of
apprecating a mie-a-minute gait, and that is
Nv taking ride with the engineer in the cab
AZ an enormous, throbbng, swaying express To-
comotive pulling ten or twelve heavy Pullmans,
nile after mile, hour after hour, with the We
locitv of hurricane. Then all monotony will
disappear, for novelties will follow each other
so closely that ennui win form part of his ride.
out in the cramped little cab, in close con-
tact with the great hot boler-on the firing
line. as it were-he will soon understand what
il means for 150-ton mass of iron and steel to
dash like rocket in pursuit of two scarcely
perceptible rails, and then and there will ac-
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

the Brera Gallery, which contains the wonder
full collection of works by Luini; the old
churches of SAINT Ambrogio and Santa Maria
della Grazia, outside which is the Cenacola, or
meeting-house containing "The Last Supper" by
Leonardo da Vinci. To the left are shown the
columns outside the church of San Lorenzo, the
oldest architectural remains in Milan, dating
from the time of imperial Rome. The two areas
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

to the new "lngresso" as the tunnel is called, is
shown in one of the accompanying illustrations
and from a perusal OF the birds eye view the
industrial value of the great work will be real
lied. Some of the main features of the city are
indicated, such the CASTILLO, the castle
of the dukes of Milan and now being very intel
ligently restored by the municipality; the fa-
nous Scala Theatre, the home of Milanese opera;
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

Italian trade than the two previous tunnels of
the st. Gothard and Mont Gents.
The construction of the Simpon Tunnel will
'dnce the distance from London to Milan by
eighty miles, the distance of the Smplon Tun-
mel being oS3 miles against the Gothard route
of 6G5 miles and the Mont Gems route of ESQ
miles.
The location of the city of Milan with regard
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

ment which il has not enjoyed for many cen
tures.
The modern Milan is now regaining its former
position 1t is situated in the centre of the
great plain of the River Po, across which radi-
ate some slx main railway lines to as many
points of the compass In fact Milan is re
,garded as the virtual capital of Italy since IT
easily outdstances Rome, the governmental capi-
tai, in material and intellectual prosperity. The
population is now over 400, 900, and large sub
urbs are at the present time being rapidly built
upon to accommodate the growing population.
The excuse for the exhibition is symbolized at
the grand entrance by reproduction of the
Italian entrance to the great tunnel, the oval
shaped entrances at lstlle being reproduced in a
slightly decorative form.
THE TUNNEL SYMBOLIZED.
Between the entrances symbolic group of
statuary shows an engineer and two tunnework-
ers struggling with masses of rock. A portion
of the tunnel has also been reproduced sho-7ing
the method of construction. The cross-galleries
the actual rock drills, compressed-ar engines
hydraulic mac lnery, and other implements used
in piercing the mountain range all put be-
fore the public.
The tunnel has taken eight years to construct
and has cost $l5000,000, but there can be no
doubt that it will confer even more benefit on
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

ROM the accounts of returning tourists
who have visited the Milan exposition.
it is evident that the foreigners take
the exposition business more seriously
4 ha.a d Ela... a.la H. Ill.
Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

IAIE and again has come the announce
ment of record-breaking run on some
railroad, during which for moderate
intervals the train has maintained a
rate of speed of 80 or 100 miles an
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08
ORDINANCE NO. l.
BOUNDARIES AND WARDS.

An ordinance dividing the City of
Leon into wards for the purpose of
holding the first election under city
OF the second class, as provided in sec
ton $40 of the code.
Be it ordained by the Town Coun-
Gil OF the City Of Leon, Iowa.
Sec. l. That the boundaries of the
City of Leon shall be the same as the
present boundaries of the Incorporate
ed town of Leon, Iowa. as heretofore
liked and established, and as the same
now appears of record, and the force
and authority of all ordinances and
the jurisdiction of all city officers
shall be co-eXtensive Herewith in all
cases, as may be provided by the laws
OF the State.
Sec. 2. That the first ward of said
City OF Leon shall consist of all that
part OF the City lying south of line
commencing at the intersecting of
the center of Sth street, with the
center OF Idaho street and extending
east through the middle of Sth street
to the corporation limits and east of
a line commencing at the same point
and extending south in the center of
Idaho street to where the center of
Idaho street intersects with the CEN
ter OF 10Th street, thence east in the
center OF 18th street to the center of
q street, thence south in the cen
ter OF q street to the center of
10th street, thence west in the center
OF 10th street to the center of Idaho
street, thence south in the center of
Idaho street to the corporation limits.
Sec. 3. That the second ward of
said City of Leon shall consist of all
that part Of the city lying south of a
line commencing at the intersecting
OF the center of Sth street with the
center Of Idaho street and extending
west through the middle of Sth
street to the corporation limits and
west OF a line commencing at the
same point and extending south in
the center OF Idaho street to where
the center of Idaho street intersects
with the center of 18th street, thence
east in the center of 18th street to
the center of @ street, thence south
in the center Of g street to the center
10th street, thence west in the center
OF 18th street to the center OF Idaho
street, thence south in the center of
Idaho street to the corporation limits.
Sec. 4. That the third ward of said
City OF Leon, shall consist of all that
part OF the city lying north of line
running east and west through the
center OF oth street and extending to
the eastern and western lines of the
corporation.
Sec. 5. This ordinance shall be in
full force and effect from and after
its publication in the Leon Reporter
and Decatur County Journal, weekly
newspapers published at Leon, De-
catur county, Iowa.
Attest Approved
a. S. THARP, V. r. MCGINNIs.
Recorder. Mayor.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08

An ordinance in respect to the cleo
tlon, appointment, duties and com
penSation Of officers.
WHEREAS, The Executive Coan-
Gil OF the State of Iowa, have declared
the incorporated Town of Leon to be
City OF the second class, and have
ordered the Town Council of said in
corporated town to take such steps as
are by law required to change the
SAID Incorporated town into City of
the second class, and in compliance
with such order and the law. now.
therefore, be it ordained by the Town
council OF the Incorporated Town of
Leon, Iowa.
Sec. l. OFFICERS OF CITY. That
the officers Of the City of Leon. Iowa.
shall be a Mayor, City Solicitor
Treasurer, Assessor and six Council
men, who shall be elected as provided
oy the Statute of Iowa: Also. a CITY
Clerk and Street Commissioner
VINO shall be appointed by the CITY
council as hereinafter provided.
Also, a Marshal and deputy Marshal
When deemed necessary, and special
ponce When emergencies require who
shall be appointed by the Mayor. All
OF whom shall qualify according to
law. ~
MAYOR.
Sec. 2. ELECTION BOND. The
mayor Shall be elected on the last
MONDAY IN March. 1906, and biennially
thereafter and shall hold his office
until MS successor is elected and
qualified, and shall give bond in the
sum of Five Hundred Dollars TO he
approved by the City Council.
Sec. 3. OFFICE. CUSTODIAN or
SEAL, ETC. The Mayor shall keep an
Office at some convenient place in the
City to be provided by the CITY Coun-
Gil, and shall keep the corporate seal
OF the city in his charge And all
books and records required by law. or
the ordinances of the City, to be kept
by him, shall at all times be open to
Ihe inspection of the public.
Sec. 4. PRESIDING oFFICER-voTE.
He shall be the presiding officer of
the Council and shall constitute a |
member thereof and shall have the
right to vote in all cases in which
there is tie.
Sec. 5. EXECUTIVE OFFICER. He
snail De Che CltyS Chief Executive
officer. and it shall be his duty to en-
force all the regulations and ordin-
ances of the City.
Sec. 6. CoNsERvAToR OF THE
PEACE. He shall be a conservator of
the peace, and within the limits of
the City, shall have all the powers
conferred on sheriffs to suppress dis
orders.
Sec. Z. MAY MAKE ARREsT-IssUEl
PROCESS. The Mayor may, upon
view, arrest any person guilty of VIC
aation of any regulation or ordinance
of the City or of any crime under the
laws of the State, and shall upon in
formation supported by affidavit, is
sue process for the arrest of any per-
son charged with the violation of any
ordinance of the City.
Sec. s. SUPERVISION OVER OF
FIcERs. He shall supervise the con-
duct of all corporate officers, examine
into the grounds of complaint made
against them and cause all neglect or
violation of duty to be corrected, or
report the same to the proper tribunal,
that they may be dealt with accord
ing to law.
Sec. 9. OFFICERS APPOINTED. The
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08
STREET COMMISSIONER.

Sec. 50. APPOINTMENTS TERM OF
OFFICE-BoND. The Street Commits
sioner shall be appointed by the CITY
Council at the first regular meeting
OF the newly elected Council in each
year and shall hold his office until his
successor is appointed and qualified,
and before entering upon the dis
charge OF his duties shah execute a
bond to the City in the penal sum of
5000, with sureties to be approved by
the City Council, conditioned that he
will faithfully and impartially per-
form the duties of his office as pro-
vided by law and the ordinances of
the City.
Sec. 60. DISTRACTIONS AND TRES
PASS PROHIBITED. He shall see that
the ordinances in relation to the OBJ
struction of public streets, alleys.
sidewalks and public grounds are
obeyed and that no trespasS is com
mitted thereon, and shall report all
infractions Immediately to the Mayor.
He shall superintend all improve
ment OH the streets, alleys and public
grounds within the City; and in the
discharge of said duties he shall act
under the direction OF the City Coun-
Gil or the committees on streets and
alleys as to time and manner, and
place of expanding work. on the streets
and alleys and subject to the super
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08
CITY MARSHAL.

Sec. At. APPOINTMENT BOND. Upon
the organization OF each new CITY
Council, or at any other time that
there is vacancy, the Mayor shall
appoint ~ City Marshal, who shall
serve until his successor is appointed
and qualified. or during the pleasure
of the Mayor. Before entering upon
the discharge of his duties he shall
execute to The City of Leon bond in
the penal sum of $500 with sureties.
to be approved by the Council, condi-
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08
SPECIAL POLICE.

Sec. So. APPOINTMENT CoMPENsA-
TIoN. Special police shall be appoint
ed by the Mayor when special emer-
gencies require it as provided by law
and shall receive such compensation
as is fixed by the Mayor at the time
OF their appointment, not to exceed
one dollar and fifty cents per day of
ten hours each
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08
DEPUTY MARSHAL.

Sec. So. ADMINISTRATIONS. The
Mayor may, at any regular or special
meeting of the Council, appoint a
deputy marshal whose term of office
shall be at the pleasure of the Mayor.
Before entering upon the discharge of
his duties the deputy marshal shall
execute to the City his bond in the
penal sum OF $500 with surety. Said
bond to be approved by the City
Council.
Sec. Sc. DUTIES. 1t shall be his
special duty, under the direction of
the Mayor or City Council, to perform
the duties of Marshal during the
night time. He shall be clothed with
the same power as the Marshal and
be required to assist him in the per-
Torrance of his duties, subject how
ever to the control and direction of
the Mayor or City Marshal. He shall
perform such other duties as the City
Council by resolution may require of
him.
Sec. 81. SALARY. The night watch,
or deputy marshal, shall receive $50. 90
per month, payable monthly.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08
ORDINANCE NO. ,.

An ordinance in respect to the cleo
tlon, appointment, duties and com
penSation of officers.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08

Sec. 81. SALARY. The City Mar
shall shall receive salary of $685. per
month, PAYABLE monthly.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-08

Sec. 2. ELECTION BOND. The
Mayor shall be elected on the last
Monday in March. 1906, and biennially
thereafter and shall hold his Office
until his successor is elected and
qualified, and shall give bond in the
sum OF Five Hundred Dollars to be
approved by the City Council.