Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 126, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 May 1912 — Train Stops When Monkey Pulls Rope [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Train Stops When Monkey Pulls Rope

DENVER, Colo.—But for the timely discovery of the real cause of the “spook” orders they received to stop the train, the trainmen on the Rio Grande passenger to Montrose would have deserted their charge in a panic and forced the passengers to take charge. Just after the south bound passenger left Whitewater, the first station beyond Grand Junction, the- train came to such a sudden stop as to throw the passengers out of their seats. Believing that ithey had barely escaped a rock Of landslide the passengers and trainmen tumbled out In a hurry-to seek the cause of the disaster which they had so narrowly escaped. When all was found to be in perfect shape just beyond the curve the conductor began an investigation. The engineer declared he had received orders to stop the train and had promptly applied the air brakes. Each trainman and finally each passenger was questioned in person, but no one admitted responsibility. The train started ahead and was rapidly making up lost time, when for a second time the train stopped, the engineer again declaring that ,he had received a signal to stop the train. 4galn the trainmen denied having sent a message along the bellrope and

made a round of Inquiry among the passengers. The trainmen were certain that they had been hoodooed, and some of them declared they would leave the train unless the mysterious spook materializations were stoppfed. Then when a few minutes later the train was stopped for a third time, trainmen and passengers were indignant. This time they declared* that they would find the culprit whoeven he might be, and prosecute him as well. They then began a systematic .search all through the train; not sparing even those in the Pullman car. A few minutes later they discovered the source of all their trouble in a very unspook-Uke masquerade. It was a monkey. His monkeyship was contentedly pulling the bellrope, which hung very close. The animal was the property of J. F. Pickering of this city, and he was advised to cage the monkey, which he did without further delay, and the train moved on.