Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-04-01
The Freak Of a
Railroad Engineer

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
IA 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 as
smoothly as watch"
One day. however, Ja,,k was per.
manently disabled by being run over
He was standing on side-track. when
a 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 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"
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 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 I
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
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
late train. 1t 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 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 hts way on the side of it op-
posite where the men were standing
by Jove, he's surely asleep" cried
the engineer.
It's almost as strange as to see a
ghost said the fireman. He's 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
Unbelievable, and the engine shot
quickly up the track. AS it started a
long whistle was also given.
Heavens and EARTH" exclaimed the
engineer, as he found himself on the
track, with his engine rushing away
from him.
DO you think mans asleep to run
off with locomotive?" asked the as
tonished fireman
Jack would not have done it other
wise. He is not one to play any such
trick on his old chums. Heaven only
knows how it will end
A crowd soon gathered. Great was
the surprise and alarm when the truth
of 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.
inst then the track was clear for the
train which was soon to go out. Jack
stood up erect and proud in his old
place. and not muscle quivered as he
rushed onward. Sometimes he
checked up, and then awaking the
echoes of forest and valley with his
shrill. long whistle, he dashed forward
at greater speed than ever. He next
stopped entirely, and then started
back at great speed. The crowd final
ly heard him coming Every prepare
ton was made to avoid danger.
Switches were looked to and every