Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1877 — A Brave Conductor—An Incident of the Strike in Pennsylvania. [ARTICLE]

A Brave Conductor—An Incident of the Strike in Pennsylvania.

Conductor Frescoln, in a long conversation with a reporter' of the Pottsville Miners’ Journal, gives a detailed account of the trouble he had in getting his train through from Philadelphia to Pottsville on Monday evening. On leaving Philadelphia, he said he had intimations of probable trouble on the road. At Birdsboro he received a dispatch from Mr. Eltz, at Reading, warning him to run slowly on nearing Reading for fear ot obstructions. Below Eckert’s furnace his train had to cross over to the down track, as the up track was obstructed by coal trains which had been stopped during the day. Coming up into the city, Engineer Savacool saw that there was an immense mob gathered along and on the track. Nearing Penn street, the track was seen to be solidly packed with people, He took the only course possible for him—he opened his throttle wide, put the whistle on, and dashed right at the mob. They saw he meant business, and got out of the way. The train passed Penn street at the rate of forty-five miles an hour. Just before reaching that point a car-load of coal lying on the track, where it had been dumped by the rioters, had to be passed. It is a wonder the train did not jump the track; but, fortunately, the engine threw the coal in every direction and passed on. While going through the crowd the train had to ruu the gauntlet of a shower of stones. One of these entered the parlor car, but without doing any damage. Several stones struck the fireman, William Blackburn, of Schuylkill Haven. One o f these, as large as a man’s fist, he saw com ing, and grabbed for it. The stone struck bis hand and ribs at the same time. He was badly but not seriously hurt, and came up on the train to his home—not, however, doing duty from Reading up. James Fish, of Reading, volunteered to fire for Cassidy, and performed that duty satisfactorily. When the crowd separated and let the train pass, it sped on to the depot, where everything was very quiet. Thapassengers, especially the ladies, wera In a panic. Conductor Frescoln here took charge ot several ladies to escort them into the waiting-room. He had not gone far when he became aware that the mob had followed the train from Penn street. Their first act was to attack Engineer Savacool, whom they dragged from his caboose, knocked down and beat very badly—perhaps dangerously. One scoundrel struck him with a large stone. He saved bis life by making a desperate effort and getting on his feet. He ran, bleeding and bruised, into the depot, about fifty of the mob in hot pursuit. The doors of the vestibule were closed on the pursuers, and the engineer was saved. The crowd then rushed back to the train,some of them dashing into the cars and ordering the passengers out. They said they were going to upset the cars and set them on fire. Here it was that women fainted and children screamed, A party of the rioters mounted the engine and tender, and one of their number, who knew very little about an engine, started to back the train, with the intention o f running it into the coal cars on the up track to wreck it. Fortunately, the amateur engineer put on the air-brakes, and stopped the train. He did not know how to hft them, and so the train escaped that danger. About this time half a dozen police, supposed to be members of the coal and iron police, appeared, armed with Winchester rifles, and charged the mob from the platform. They aid not dare to fire for fear of hitting some of the passengers. They were urged to stand firm and keep the mob back, but were unable to do so, the rioters surging back and regaining their lost ground. Conductor Frescoln was at this time in a desperate position. He took up a position on the platform of the mail-car, and was sirrounded by the mob, some of whom began to say, “ He’s the fellow who urged the police to fire on us,” etc. Mr. Frescoln said they were mistaken in their man, but thev insisted that they had the right man. Things were looking very squally, when a man named Graeff, a pe'rsonal friend of Mr. Frescoln, came up and said he didn’t think Fretcoin was the man; that he was friendly to the men, and Was only on the train in the discharge of his duty. Mr. Frescoln then had a talk with Graeff, who was formerly a Philadelphia & Reading Railroad engineer. He told Graeff that he and the mob were stopping the United States mail, a serious offense*. Graeff said that he had not suspected that fact, and told the conductor that he could cut the mail car off and proceed with that. This did not satisfy Mr. Frescoln, to whom we take the liberty of saying, great credit is due for coolness, bravery and persistence in the discharge of his duty. He asked whylt was that the mob wanted to stop passengers. Their detention could not harm the company, as they had already paid fortheir tickets. There were ladies and

children there who wanted to get Io their homes. The representations had the desired effect, and Graeff said the train might go. The question of an engineer then arose. Baid Mr. Frescoln, " ou’ve killed my engineer and you’ll kul any other.” Graeff said he would guarantee the safety of an engineer if could be obtained. The man desired was found in the person of Peter Cassidy, of Mount Carlton, who had taken a coal-train down and been prevented from going further. He expressed himself as ready to bring the train up. and did so, leaving Reading at 6:40 o'clock.