Grandpas name was William Paul Wolfe. He went by Paul all of his life.
A funny story he always told me was that he hired out on the Nickleplate in 1915. He worked there for two months and got fired. ?? I asked why and he said they told him to come back when he was 18. LOL
I guess he went to the Wabash and retired there after 55 years.
I was fortunate enough to have riden on the Cannonball several times. My uncle and Dad were both dispatchers out of Peru. Sometimes I would go to work with Dad on a Saturday and catch the Cannonball on an East bound trip. My other grandparents lived in Andrews, In. so a special stop was made there to let me off. Two blocks down the street and I was at my other destination.
Dad would always give me his company pass to show the conductor when he was checking tickets. The last trip I made the conductor came up to me and asked for my ticket. I handed him that pass and he looked at me real funny for a while. he then asked . how do I know that you didn't steel this ticket? I told him to ask the engineer and he would cover for me. He took the pass and headed for the front of the train. I thought "Oh [not allowed]" what are they going to do to me. In just a matter of minutes he re-appeared , handed me the pass, grabbed my bag and and headed for the door. The train came to a stop, he stepped out , placed the step and said, "Thank you mister Wolfe for riding with the Wabash". At 7 years old, I have never been called mister.
I waived at Grandpa and watched the cannonball speed off into the distance.
To this day I think that unscheduled stop at Andrews Indiana was the last time that train ever stopped there.
This is a memory that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Take Care
Jim
