The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-25
"MIKE" O'BRIEN STANDS 0. K. WITH RAILROAD Lampman Who Saved Bos- ton Express Has Been
 Rewarded His Carbolic Acid Stunt a Boyish Prank and Has
 Been Forgotten

Michael O'Brien, the 1ampman whose prompt action and gallantry saved the Boston express from being wrecked on the roller lift drawbridge over the Pequonnock river and saved hundreds has been rewarded by the railroad company and if he cares to he will have a position with the road during life. On August 2 when the story of the lampmans pluck and quick action was told to the public through the Farmer everyone was speaking words of praise for the plucky chap, but when there was no recognition of the action by the company mentioned it was thought that the story of the aampman's courage and coolness was somewhat exaggerated.
 A short time ago O'Brien created second sensation by buying carbolic acid in a, drug store and threatening to take it because his girl had tilted him. His friend Joseph French knock ed the poison out of his hand and a postal card came to the Farmer tell ing of the valiant deed of French. After this OBrien's mother called at the Farmer office and stated that the publishing of the carbolic acid story caused her son to lose his job and that he had never received any official recognition of his act in saving the train
 Freight Agent l.. B. Nickerson was | asked about the matter this morning.
 He said that he had read the state ment in the newspapers to the effect that O'Briens services had not been
 recognized but the statements were
 untrue, as the day after the happen
 ing in which O'Brien had perceived that the lift draw had failed to close down upon it, Supt. c. N. Woodward of the Shore Line had written a con gratulatory letter to O'Brien thanking him in the highest terms for his work and summoning him to New Haven. The young lampman went to New Haven where he was rewarded per- sonally by Supt. Woodward who hand ed him a handsome sum of money and assured him that men of his calibre were sure to retain their employment with the railroad.
 But OBrien either through his ex- trerne modesty or his desire to buy his best girl a handsome present without his mother knowing of it, never said ognition he had received from the company.
 MT. Nickerson said OBrien was not out of the employ of the company and would not be unless there was good cause. After the carbolic acid epi- sode he> talked with O'Brien and De- came assured that it was a boyish prank and that the young lampman is all right mentally
 At the time OBrien saw that the approaching train was goilng to be wrecked upon the raised rails he never thought he was doing anything very great when he seized a flag and rushed down the tracks and signalled Engin- ger Riley Mitchell to stop the train. It was not t<flis business to signal trains and no blame would have been placed upon his shoulders if the train had been wrecked and the passengers kill ed. He simply realized the situation and saved the day. Several men aboard the train cheered him and wanted to take up a collection, but the bashful iampman blusAed and run ming down the tracks disappeared.
 OBrien is between 19 and 20 years of age and never had a word said against him until he and some of his pals rigged up the carbolic acid stunt | to plague the girl who had refused to accept the gold watch bought with the | money he received from the railroad. | He is sorry for the joke and explained l the matter satisfactorily to his boss.