The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1909-04-08
The Freak of a
Railroad Engineer


while in condition of somnamhular
ton. The facts were told to the
writer by a person living in the sec
ton where the incident occurred.
Jack King is now long since dead, but
many of the early travellers By the
road on which he was employed for at
least 20 years still remember him. he
was what may be called a born engi-
neer. He delighted In all kinds OF
machinery. and especially locomotive.
ITS a pretty thing" he used to say. |
"a thing OF life, indeed. Look At the
wheels and valves-look at every
thing, and see how strong and power.
full 1t Is, and yet It all works -
smoothly as a watch"
One day. however, Jack was pr.
manently disabled by being run oyer.
He'was standing on side-track. when
a locomotive, In passing, got o. the
rails and struck him. He tried to
Jump up. as II nothing had happened,
but could not. Some spectators picked
him up, and It was found that one Of
his legs was badly crushed. Great
was the sorrow OF all the railroad
people. and especially Of Jack hinself.
He sobbed like child when he heard
that an amputation must take place,
Il don't mind my leg" he said. but
I'm done for. A man without . leg,
or with wooden leg, can't be an en-.
gineer. My last trip on the locomo-
tive is made, and now don't care how
soon make the one over the river Of
DEATH" a-s
But old Jack recovered, and was as
good as new, except that he had lost
his right leg. The company In his
case had shown that a corporation
may have some feeling, for every pro-
vision for his comfort during sickness
had been made. He was also presented
with an artificial leg. When he had
fully recovered he was informed that
he would be retained during life as
one of the first-class engineers of the
company to act as superintendent
In one Of the repairing shops. Jack
expressed himself as grateful, but also
remarked, as was reported to the pres.
ident:
I'D rather be spinning up and down
the road on my old engine than to be
the president in his fine office. But
must submit to fate. It's kind, any.
way, in the company to let me live
and die among the pretty things"
| Old Jack from that time lived In a
house near the track and his shop. A
year or two passed. and he began to
fail in health. His former cheerful
ness and love Of joke had gone from
him; but he attended faithfully to all
his duties. After a while It was re.
ported that he frequently had strange
fits of sleep-walking.
One night locomotive was stand.
ing on the track near the door OF
Jacks house waiting to take out q
late train. 1t was in the summer, and
there was bright moonlight. The en-.
gineer and fireman were on the track
for moment, when their attention
was attracted by the appearance OF
Jack King in his doorway.
why, Jack King is up late to.
night" said the engineer.
Perhaps he's sleep.walking," re.
turned the fireman.
AS they both looked toward Jack
they saw him walk down little path,
open gate, and come out on the
track. 1t was only a few steps to
reach the waiting locomotive, and he
directed his way on the side of 1t op
posite where the men were standing
by Jove. he's surely asleep!" cried
the engineer.
TITS almost as strange as to see q
ghost" said the fireman. Hes In
danger Of being run down, too"
At this moment the somnambulist
mounted clumsily upon the locomo
tive. In another his hand was on thu
throttle-valve, and the engine shot
quickly up the track. AS It started. I
long whistle was also given.
Heavens and EARTH" exclaimed tn,
! engineer, as he found himself on tn,
track, with his engine rushing ava,
| from him.
do you think mans asleep to rul
OF with locomotive?" asked the az
tonished fireman.
Jack would not have done 1t Other
: wise. He Is not one to play any suc]