Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-01-24
Montana Man Quick
Change Artist Holds
EUg7y Job ON Railroad

White sulphur Springs, Mont,
Jan. ga lightning change" ar
tist Of rare ability is A. j. Nichol-
son, Of this town, who, almost
single-handed, operates the White
Sulphur Springs and Yellowstone
Park railway system. Nicholson is
director, general manager, superin-
tondent, dispatcher, station agent,
conductor, baggageman, and all
around utility man of the yellow
Streak the winding rOadbed of
which covers 22.8 miles in a round
about journey from here to Helena.
Ambitious residents of this town
who a few years ago participated
in the promotion of the railroad
are now complaining that the serv-
ice furnished is not on a par with
that afforded by the primitive four
and siX-horse stage coaches. They
say it now takes twenty-four hours
on zig-zag course, to go from
this place, which was famed
among pioneers for the medicinal
properties of it's hot springs. to the
state capital, while the stage
coaches negotiated the journey in
twelve hours.
Built by Ringing.
The road was built by John
Ringing, circus man and railroad
magnate, and is known as the
Scenic Limited" and is a single
handed affair from start to finish.
Nicholson is titled superinten-
dent and general freight and pas
senger agent, with headquarters
here, when he is not on the road.
In the course of his duties he has
put many a show troupe to shame
for his ability at rapid changes
When he opens the station here in
the morning he dons the cap, but
tons and authority of superinten-
dent. When he counts the cash
for ticket, throws on the baggage,
distributes the mail and flags his
through train to stop he ap-
pears in overalls, but the title of
conductor blazes in gold cord on
his cap. In the latter regalia he
goes through the train with which
he makes every trip. He also dons
the baggageman's cap and author
ity when he wrestles with farmers
grain, pigs and other produce at
way stations. There are four stops
on the road.
Must Pay Cash.
"Factotum" Nicholson declares
his road is badly in need of the
coin of the realm, and from all who
ride on the yellow Streak" he de-
mands cash. He refuses to take
up any tickets except those he him
self sells at one station or an
other, and the mileage books used
by state officials are courteously
but firmly refused with the ex-
planation that this road needs
cash"
The lone train which operates on
the yellow Streak" is made up
of an engine, a com bination bag
gage and mail car and a passenger
coach. The passenger car is a
left over" from the Milwaukee
railroad, which owns much of the
stock of the W. S. S. and Y. p.
The car is a little the worse for
lack Of paint. Its wooden floor has
worn. and to repair this damage
the floor was given a heavy coating
of concrete and now has all the
of u suburban side
walk.
John Ringing, circus man and
railroad builder, who appears in
the Railroad Guide as coming from
Fifth avenue. New York, appar-
emily has a penchant from these
short haul" railroads. He is presi-
dent Of the Oklahoma, New MeNi-
co and Pacific railroad with 29.9
miles of trackage; is connected
with the St. Louis and Hannibal
rialroad, 1872 miles; the Dayton.
Toledo and Chicago railway. 95
miles. and the Ringing. Eastlaud
and Gulf railroad, % miles.