The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-04-02
CRAZY JIM'S RIDE
BY L. A. wALwoRrH.
CoEnpany.l 49,.


"Deadwood Hill"
4 The length Of the extension is about
ten miles, with an average grade Of
approSilnateir one hundred and forty
five feet TO h4 mile
The Daad ood yard was situated on
an extreme ucllne; and as cars would
not remain landing unless the hand
brakes weJe securely set, derail
switch was faced at the lower end of
the yard.
The rallr q men Immediately called
the extension 'Deadwood Hill II is
now more cpmmonly known as "the
Hill" SOon fter ii was first operated
the railroad realized the chances 0f
accident on Tie line and many refused
to work on ne perllous grade. AS
result IT Was uecessary TO select
number of able men of long expert
ence to rlIn is trains
Among 0e chosen, and he con
sented wit9ort objection, was Jim.
Sunny jim d should have been, for he
was a mos genial and optimistic char
aeter.
Jim usually reported and waited UNI
til he was called. When he appeared
he complained that he did not feel
quite SO well as usual, but ne respond
ed promptly to his call
He performed the routine duties pre-
| ceding, a trip then ran to the end Of
/ the yard; and as there We're no cars
| TO be taken out, he coupled to way
car obtained his running orders and
started.
His engine ran TO the derall in the
lower yard, stopped set it clear
| passed It, set 1t once more to the safe
~ position, and proceeded to the de-
rail beyond the tunnel. Here the op-
Grafton was repeated, and the short
train moved on its way.
With almost five miles of tortuoue
track before them. they started down
the steep grade.
A great change passed over Jim as
they drifted down the mountainside,
1t was remarkable because it was so
sudden and unexpected Perhaps 1t
was the Illness of which he had com
planned or the strain Of many trips
over the same line: in any event. in
few minutes Jim's smiling placdity
was transformed into most irritable
nervousness. He snapped tartly at his
fireman.
At this point of the descent the en-
gineer was obliged to proceed with ut |
most caution. Jim evidently had |
kicked caution out of the cab and was
dallying with death.
The fireman rushed to Jinl's side and |
seized him by the sleeve.
"What's the matter with YOU Jim?" |
he beloved. "Are you crazy?"
Jim turned to him with vicious
leer.
"Matter?" The words rasped through |
his drawn. white lips "Why, we're !
on our way to the devil, and you're
going along"
He laughed harshly, and the fireman
recoiled from him. Then in a flash |
came swift understanding. -Jim's mind !
had overturned.
The fireman approached cautiously. |
"Why, surely, Jim, I'm going along" {
His voice was calm.
Quickly he leaped forward and.
grasping Jim by the shoulder reached
for the throttle. Jim thrust aside his
OBTAINING hand and, with vigorous
push, sent him staggering toward the
tender.
Before he could regain his feet, the
engineer picked up a wrench and
waved it with menacing gesture.
'I'n brain you" he grated, 'ff you
try to Interfere. I'm running this en-
giner'
The fireman looked at him helpless.
ly. jim w running to the devil and
death, indeej.
For moment he considered the
possibility of overpowering jim, but
a violent n MAC with a wrench is a
dangerous foe.
He glance out of the gangway and
watched tpa ight-of-way rush by. The
speed wa hecoming more perilous
with every plunge of the drivers I,
Jim sat leaning out of the window.
The fireman could scarcely stand, so
violent was the lurchlng Of the en-.
CINE.
He crept forward, but Jim turned
and discovered him. :
Back" ne .sparled at the fireman.
Remember, I'll brain you II YOU don't
stay where you belong"
The fireman stepped to the tender
'ast ain apprehenslve glance behind
lin, and, observing that Jim was once
more Intent on his mad purpose, he
'lambered over the coal and climbed
iown the steel ladder behind the ten r
Ter.
Gasping, he burst into the way-car.
IN the floor, their faces frozen with
error was the train crew. At sight
# the fireman. their mouths gaped
tupidly.
In few words he explained what
ad occurred in the cab, and, after
ONE hesitation, they Joined him when
e urged them to help him to overpow- {
T the insane engineer. +.
One by one they made their way In !.
Hence to the cab, and then rushed at
i'm. He turned with an oath and
wung the wrench, but a hand caught n
and held it aloft While the others Il