Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 198, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1912 — ROADS SHORT OF CABOOSES [ARTICLE]

ROADS SHORT OF CABOOSES

In Early Day* That Happening Wa* Frequent, and Conductors Had to Stand for IL **l sometimes wonder how railroad men of the present day would like to take a train out in the winter time without a caboose,” mused a veteran railroader. “I have seen a great many trains started out when it was necessary for the conductor to put on two heavy overcoats and ride on the rear car of the train, simply because the road did not have enough cabooses to use when it was necessary to run extra trains. All offices on the road were during the old days closed at night, and it was impossible to send a message in any direction after nine. One winter evening I happened into the office of the Daily Dispatch, of which the late George Moss was editor. The Daily Dispatch was a morning paper, and there was great interest all over the country in the famous trial of the late Henry Ward Beecher in the Tilton scandal. That evening the case was in the hands of the jury, and Mr. Moss wanted their verdict to publish ahead of the afternoon papers. “Suddenly he turned to me and offered me ten dollars if I could get it for him. I said the chances were mighty slim, but I would make an effort In company with Edward G. Webb, Billy Buck, a reporter on the Dispatch, and others, I'went to the Junction and called all the terminal officers on the road for a long time. Omar A- Hine was the agent at Potsdam Junction (now known as Norwood) and the railroad wire ran into his house. After repeated calls, he awoke, having retired, and answered me. I told him what I was after and asked him if he kney of kny way he could help us out I will never forget his answer; it was, ‘The only way that I can think of is to go to the station, one end of which was used by the O. & L. C. R. R. (now known as the Rutland railroad), the other by the R. W. & 0., break into the office of the Rutland road, and try and get the information from some office in Vermont. I wouldn’t do this for the preeident of the United States, but will do it for you.” Mr. Hine succeeded in opening a window of the Rutland office and raised the St. Albans office, and was told that the jury had disagreed, which was true.” —New York Evening Post.