Re: Coal Tipple lean - Skunks Part 2

The very next year (1981) Doug Stamps and I were out trying to raise some coal, and here was a skunk (might have been the same one!) floating on a board down in the pit. Eventually a couple of other shop hands showed up to give advice/supervise. Apparently inspired by Mark's genius, Doug when to the enginehouse and came back with 50' of bell cord which he fashioned into a noose. Most of the shop hands then stepped way back as Doug managed to lasso the errant skunk, and begin hoisting it up over the railing. It landed and took off, only to find one of the shop guys though it would be funny to tie the other end to the nearest switch stand. Well Mr. Skunk reached the literal end of his rope, made a big fuss, reversed direction and headed straight for the originators of the prank. Ran out of rope again turned made a big spray at them, changed directions again. Someone produced a big buck knife and cut the rope and Mr Skunk hightailed it toward the river.

Doug was most pissed off. He lost 50' of bell chord. I heard he was later seen tromping through the willows, .45 cal pistol in hand in search for his lost bell cord....

Of such things are legends made.