EJECTMENT OF PASSENGERS AND OTHERS FROM TRAINS
Everyone is supposed to know that neither passengers or tramps should be ejected from a train when it is in motion, and, in the case of passengers, the ejectment must only be made at an open station, so that the person ejected will have a place of shelter if at night or if it is storming; that women and children of tender years must not be ejected at all; and that if a person refusing to pay his fare is in such condition as to be unable to care for himself, he must be placed in custody of the nearest station agent. So says Rule 21, which also tells you to make a report of the ejectment, giving the cause thereof and names of the witnesses on Form 992, a blank which every conductor running a train that carries passengers should have in his set of blanks, and use it when he puts anyone off.
The principal trouble in ejectment cases is when passengers are put off away from a station or when tramps are put off while the train is in motion, resulting often in a serious injury, and, while very frequently the patience of trainmen is severely tried by these "hoboes," don't put them off when the train is moving. After all, they are human beings and we don't want to maim or kill them. So stop the train; and don't shoot them unless in self-defense. I mention the following as a few sample cases:
Charles Williston, while in an intoxicated condition, attempted to get on train No. 16 while same was in motion, at Alger, March 16th. Baggageman and express messenger was standing inside door of car and saw this man getting on; went to the front door, had the cross bar in his hands, and ordered the man off. In getting off, Williston fell and his leg was run over.
Edw. Hock, injured at Smithville, March 25th, by being ejected from extra freight train, while same was running six or seven miles an hour. Hock had got on train, having been told by someone that he could ride on it—having mileage—and conductor made him get off while train was in motion, and in getting off he was injured.
Louis Nelson, colored boy, had been stealing a ride on train No. extra 112; was ordered off by conductor at Avon, May 19th; after he got off conductor shot him in the arm.
James Mills, injured at Pewaukee, October 21st, got on milk train for the purpose of stealing a ride. Was ordered off by brakeman while train was in motion. In getting off he fell and was run over.
When passengers are injured by stones or anything else thrown through or at the windows of cars render them such assistance as you can; have the company's surgeon called to treat them, and if the stone or object which broke the glass or which caused the injury comes in the car pick it up and mark it so that you can identify it in the future and send it in with your report, as per Rules 35 and 40. It is as unfortunate that so many such cases occur as it is that there is no way by which railroads can prevent them, and until the State and municipal authorities take a hand in the matter they will continue to happen and passengers will continue to lose their vision.