It was an exciting day for one train conductor this particular harvest. Harvest brought on much activity, and usually, it also brought thousands of transient workers. Hoboes and tramps often traveled with these workers, looking for a free ride on the train. This was the case as reported by the Rutland Leader today in 1908.

Fifty crooks and hoboes, eager to go to the fair, jumped a train traveling from Fargo to Grand Forks against the wishes of the conductor. The conductor was ordered to kick them off, and was able to do so at Hillsboro with the help of officials, much to the hikers’ dismay. The hoboes were determined to reach their destination and were inclined to violence to do it.

The cunning conductor of the train, however, had other plans. Pretending he was moving to a sidetrack to make way for a passenger train, the conductor backed the train several hundred yards from the platform. Then, while the transients stood unaware, the conductor pushed his train full speed ahead. He passed the hoboes at too fast a pace for them to climb on board. The train continued to Grand Forks, but without its previous intruders.

By Tessa Sandstrom

Source: “Run gauntlet of hoboes,” The Rutland Leader. August 6, 1918: 3.

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