Smyrna times., 1918-04-24
CRAZY JIM'S RIDE
BY L. A. WALWoRTH.
by the Frank A. Munse,
Company

1@,e Chicago & Northwestern rail
"ay built an extension in South Da- |
ECa in 1891 which ~as known as
'Deadwood Hill"
The length of the extension is cbor,
ten miles, with an average grqde ~
approximately one hundred ana fo>r,-
1--WE feet to the mile.
The Deadwood yard was situate! on
an extreme incline; and as cars would
not remain standing unless the hand
brakes were securely set. derail
switch was placed at the lower end of
the yard.
The railroad men immediately called
the extension "DeadwoOd Hill" 1t is
now more commonly known as "the
Hill" soon after it was first operated
the railrOaderS realized the chances Of
accident on the line and many refused
to work on the perilOuS grade AS
result, it was necessary to select
number of reliable men of long expert
ence to run Its trains.
Among those chosen. and he con-
Sented without objection. was Jim.
Sunny Jim. it should have been. for he
was a most genial and optimistic char
acter.
Jim usually reported and waited un-
TIL he was called. When he appeared
he complained that he did not feel
quite so well as usual but he 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 were no cars
to be taken out. he coupled to a way
car, obtained his running orders and
started.
His engine ran to the dprail in the
lower yard, stopped set it clear.
| passed it, set 1t once more to the safe
ty 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 tortuous
track before them, they started down
the steep grade.
A great change passed over Jim as
they drifted down the mOuntalnSide.
| It was remarkable because it was SO
| sudden and unexpected. Perhaps II
was the Illness Of which he had com
planned or the strain of many trips
over the same line; in any event. in a
few minutes Jim's smiling placidlty
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 tC Jim'S side and
seized him by the sleeve.
'WhatS the matter with you, Jim e.
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 ard
grasping Jim by the shoulder, reached
for the throttle. Jim thrust aside hi!
OBTAINING hand and. with a vigorous
push, sent him staggering toward th'
tender
Before he could regain his feet, til,
engineer picked up a wrench ant
waved 1t with a menacing gesture.
"Tn brain you" he grated, "if yO,
try to interfere. I'm running this en-
gine"
The fireman looked at him helpless
ly. Jim was running to the devil an
death, indeed
For a moment he considered tn
possibility of OverpOwering Jim, bu
a violent maniac with a wrench is
dangerous foe.
He glanced out of the gangway an
watched the right-Of-way rush by. TIL
speed was becoming more perilOu
with every plunge OF the drivers.
Jim sat leaning out of the window
The fireman could scarcely stand, S
violent was the lurching of the er
CINE.
He crept forward, but Jim turne
and discovered him.
"Back," he snarled at the fireman
"Remember, I'll brain you If you don
stay where you belong"
The fireman stepped to the tende
cast an apprehensive glance benin
him, and observing that Jim was ono
more intent on his mad purpose,
elambered over the coal and climbe
down the steel ladder behind the tel
der.
Gasping, he burst into the way-ca
On the floor, their faces frozen wilt
terror, was the train crew. At slgl
of the fireman, their mouths gapt
stupidity.
t. Fo,r, xr,or1c ho xxyl1,