Fastest time ever made on the narrow gauge system.
Alamosa Independent Journal June 5, 1902
MADE HIS LAST RUN:
“Tommy” Barton, a Rio Grande engineer, has made his last run. His engine of life has ceased to work; the brakes have been set, and last Friday night at 12 o’clock Tommy was signaled by the red light in the hands of the Silent Messenger, and he stopped, there to find “orders” awaiting him that gave him a clear track to the meeting point beyond the grave.
Tommy Barton was an engineer on the Fourth Division and had his home in Chama. He had been complaining for two or three months of severe pains in the lower abdomen, but considered them as probably the result of constant riding in his engine. He was warned as told that there might be such a thing as his having appendicitis and that he had better consult a doctor. He continued to work up until last Thursday when he was brought to Alamosa from Tres Piedras on a special train. Dr. Orr was summoned and pronounced the sickness the result of appendicitis. Friday about noon Mr. Barton was sent on a special train to the Salida hospital and was operated on shortly after his arrival. But it is presumed that the appendix has become so putrid that even an operation was of no avail, and the patient died at 12 o’clock. [He was only 32 years old]
The remains were brought to Alamosa Saturday night and sent to Manassa, the home of his wife’s parents, Sunday morning for burial.
The dead engineer leaves a wife and three children; also two brothers. He was well and favorable known on the Fourth division, where he was a favorite with all the railroad boys, and was a brave and trusted employee.
AIJ June 12, 1902:
A Remarkable Run:
The fastest time ever made on the narrow gauge with a 30-inch wheels for any distance, was made between Alamosa and Salida last Friday by the special which carried Tommy Barton, wife and child, with Dr. Orr, Barton’s physician. Mr. Barton, 32, who suffering with appendicitis, was in the last stage of the disease and it was necessary to get him to the hospital for surgical aid, which proved afterward to be too late, as he died a few hours after the operation. The run was made between Alamosa and Salida, a distance of 88 miles in exactly three hours.
Counting the mountain mileage, this was the fastest time ever made on the narrow gauge system. The special was in charge of Conductor Twitchell and Engineer Martinez.
