The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-04-23
RAILROADINC
IN OLD MEXICO
An Inmate Tells of his Expe-
rience as a Brakeman on the
Mexican Central Railroad,
and how he got Away.
By F. j E..

turbances in Mexico brings back
memories of the writer's short stay
in that country.
In 1905 | was on the head end OF
Southern Pacific high balr' run
into Ell Paso, Texas. with nothing
much TO do except sit on the fire
mans seat and enjoy the beautiful
stretches of sand and mesquite which
composes the scenery in that part
of Texas.
Like most of the boomer rail
readers there, we were very indie
pendent. One day we kicked" a
carload of lumber into siding and
off the end through the humping
post, and on our return to Ell Paso,
Mr.. Trainmaster requested our pres
ence in his sanctum Immediately
and at once.
After a very stormy interview
with that gentleman IN which he
gave us his opinion of railroad men
in general and half baked brakemen
in particular. he gave us an order
for our time. and requested us to
stay off of the S. p. right of way
henceforth and forever.
Naturally, after this, ralIroading
in Ell Paso was at an end as far as
we were concerned. and not having
been very provident, the north was
not for us; being winter at the time.
Therefore we decided that we 90 to
Mexico.
On to Mexico
With that end in view we hunted
up Mexican Central conductor and
told him of our troubles, and he
consented to carry us to Chihauhau,
the first division south. Next morn
ing found us bright and early in
the CentraPs yards and found our
friend with train made up waiting
for running orders.
On leaving Jaurez the country was
the same as around Ell Paso, mostly
sand and mesquite but farther south
the scenery changed some what, be-
ing dotted here and there with large
cattle ranches.
There was a vast difference in the
operation of Mexican railroad and
one in the United States. In this
country speed seemed to be the prin-
ciple object in view, while in Next
co speed wasn't considered at all, as
we soon found, their motto seemed
to be. if we can't get there today we
may tomorrow. Fifteen miles an
hour was considered good time.
What interested us most was the
natives Picture a five foot eight
inch native with a hat bigger than a
wash tub, and suit consisting of
overalls and shirt, and every one
smoking cigarette.
Nearly all employees of the Mex
lean railways are from the United
States. Engineers, conductors. and
all responsible positions are held by
Americans. Firemen are Mexicans.
and brakemen consist of both ma
tlonalities.
Arriving at Chihauhau the con-
ductor escorted us to the Superin-
tendent's office. After our talk he
produced switch key and lantern
and we were a full f1edged brakeman
on the Mexican Central Railway.
Our run was local, and had crew
of six men, three Americans and
three natives, we at once took the
hind end that being the safest Job
there of course.
Killed a Native
For several months everything
went fine until one day there hap
pened an accident, in which a native
and his burro disputed the right of
way with the engine and twenty-six
cars, of course the native and burro
were both killed.
AT that time in Mexico whenever
an accident of this nature happened
1t was the custom to arrest the en-
tire train crew and take them before
the Jepe Politco" and it often hap
pened that they were kept six
months or year without hearing.
So when this accident happened
the other two Americans and myself
Immediately had business elsewhere.
We never did learn what became of
the other two, but the writer hid
under pile of ties for five solid
hours, until a train going north came
along, and the crew stored us away
out of sight until we reached the
border. To this day the Mexican
Central Railway still owes us for
seventeen days labor, which we fail
ed to collect upon our departure
from Mexico; nor do we ever intend
go back and collect it.
WORTH KNOWING