The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-18
THE ENGINEERS SCARE.
Was Distressed Through Fear That He
Had Made Mistake in the Time.

This incident may appear singular
10 some. from the fact that one would
think a person should rot get confused
when looking at his watch to see what
time it is said a pegrimed engineer
at the Union depot yesterday. but
can tell you that circumstances make
all the difference in the world All
people have. at some time in their
lives. and more than once too had in
tuition Of impending danger Certain
conditions. Impressions and happen
ings increase the fear. and until posi-
tive means of proving that the i'm
asined danger does not exist the feel
ing holds one IN state bordering on
terror The bravest persons on earth
have had the experience. The most
intense strain I was ever under I be
lieve- was during five minutes between
I'll and 2:22 o'clock on the morning
Of May II, 1900 1 was pulling No.
Il against No. I on an order TO meet
at Highland Gliding, and at 2:1T L
looked at my watch and noted that I
had abundant time to reach the sid
ing and get in clear for No 4 The
thought occurred to me TO look at my
watch again did so and while I
felt sure il registered 2-17. somehow I
was disturbed In few seconds I
looked at the watch again impressed
with the feeling that 1 was mistaken in
the time. The feeling grew on me and
l found myself in a stew from the
impression that I was not reading my
watch right. The boiIer-head between
the fireman and me. together with the
roar Of the engine. made it difficult to
consult the fireman. and between my
anxiety as 70 the correct time and
watching the track ahead I was some
busy l was running about So miles
an hour. had eleven cars all loaded,
and while I am not easily excited or
upset was under strain that 1 could
not shake off The more I tried to con-
vince myself that I was right in fixing
the time at the minute my eyes showed
It TO be. the more 1 beca ne suspicious
that there was a mistake As re-
placed the watch in my pocket the
thought fitted to ny mind. Was it II
or was II 222 If il was % 1 would
sure be on No As time before I pulled
into the switch 1 looked at my watch
repeatedly in the course Of two min
utes. ~ the same time scanning the
track. fearing the fash Of No. As head
light Finally, I took out my watch
and counted the dots from so. begin
ming I. ,, 3 and 50 on until 1 reached
the minute hand which showed. at the
moment, 2-19. with the seconds hand
just crossing the So This settled the
matter and gave me instant relief
got in on the siding so seconds in the
clear and relaxed from = state of ner-
Vousuess I had not experienced since
the night 1 proposed to my wife You
can call it a 'braiustOrm' or a case of
dense befuddIement if you wish. but
was certainly in a Quandary entirely
foreign to my usual balance I have
heard of many instances in which the
same mistake has been made by
others I knew a brakeman to call
the time as 1877 one day. when he
should have called it 11-422 He was
corrected by friend. but repeated the
mistake and was getting mad because
disputed He got very red in the face
when he realized his error. When
those dfalS came out showing the
minutes plainly and distinctly all
around the face. I got one the first
day I saw them The hand points
straight to the minute in figures. and
there Is no question of a mistake be-
ing made. though a glance be made
in a fash Had I ore Of those diaIs
on my watch the night got the scare.
It would have saved me a whole lot
Of distress No railroad man ought
to be without the Montgomery Safety
Dial because of its dead-sure safe
ness and safety appliances in railroad
work are what the law should re-
quire. Herald