The Prescott daily news., 1909-05-15
The Freak of a Railroad Engineer

WhiiC III d COnultlOil Ol tion. The facts were told to the writer by person living in the sec tion 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.
 It's pretty thing" he used to say, "a thing of life, indeed. Look at the wheels and valves-look at every full it is, and yet it all works as smoothly as a watch"
 One day, however, Jack was per manently disabled by being run over. He was standing on a side-track, when locomotive, in passing, got off the rails and struck him. He tried to jump up, as if 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 himself He sobbed like a child when he heard that an amputation must take place.
 T don't mind my leg,9 he said, but I'm done for. 4 man without leg. or with wooden leg. cant be an en- gineer. My last trip on the locomo- tive Is made, and now don't care how soon l make the one oyer the river of death"
 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 idept:
 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 a joke had gone from him; but he attended faithfully to all his duties. After 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 a late train. It was in the summer. and there was bright moonlight. The en. gineer and fireman were on the track for a 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 lack they saw him walk down a little path open gate, and come out on the track. It was only a few steps to reach the waiting locomotive. and he directed his way on the side of it op- posite where the men were standing.
 By love, he's surely asleep!" cried the engineer.
 Its almost as strange as to see 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 the throttle-valve, and the engine shot quickly up the track. As 1t started a long whistle was also given.
 Heavens and earthl" exclaimed the engineer, as he found himself on the track, with his engine rushing away from him.
 Do you think a mans asleep to run off With locomotive?" asked the as tonished fireman.
 Jack would not have done it other wlse He is not one to play any such trick on his old chums. Heaven only knows how it will end"
 crowd soon gathered. Great was the surprise and alarm when the truth or the case became known. Mean. while, the locomotive, directed by the hand of the sleeping engineer, was driving up the road at the rate of at least 90 miles an hour. Fortunately just then the track was clear for the train which was soon to go out. Jack