Chenango Telegraph, Norwich N.Y., Friday, February 12, 1926
Michael J. Quinn Retires From Railroad
Brother of Mrs. J. J. Dolan Drove O. & W. Engine 36 years
After a service of 36 years as a locomotive engineer with the O. & W. railroad, Michael J. Quinn of Middletown, brother of Mrs. J. J. Dolan of this city, has retired on a pension, effective January 1. Mr. Quinn has been an employee of the O. & W. for 42 years and was never in a serious accident.
Mr. Quinn is an uncle of of Dr. M. A. Quinn, Alfred Quinn and Mrs. May Cox Tuohy of Norwich, and a brother of the late, R. C. Quinn. His wife is a sister of Michael Fenian of this city.
It was in September, 1883 that Michael J. Quinn, then 19 years of age, walked up to Master Mechanic Edward Beales of the O. & W. railroad at Norwich, and asked for a job. He had one ambition in common with thousands of boys - he wanted to become a locomotive engineer.
Beales looked over his sturdy frame and took him on as an engine wiper, the only pathway open to prospective engineers at that time. Quinn gladly accepted and wiped engines until the spring of 1884, when he got his first job as assistant fireman. For two years he “watched” fires until in April, 1886 he won promotion to regular fireman.
The goal of his desire came in April, 1890, four years later, when he was promoted to locomotive engineer under P. H. Mitchell, now a retired master mechanic. Since that time Quinn has handled every class of railroad service between Weehawken and Norwich. For 25 years he handled passenger service and never in all this time has there been a passenger or employee of the railroad hurt on or around a train that he was handling.
“Mr. Quinn’s record is extraordinary. He was one of the best men we every had,” says Thomas E. Brochu, trainmaster, of the O.& W. at Middletown.
George W. O’Neal, of Middletown, who has been road foreman of engines for more than 30 years when he retired in 1923, speaks of Mr. Quinn in glowing terms.
“I remember Mr. Quinn well when he was fireman for me about 40 years ago,” said Mr. O’Neal. “I was an engineer at that time, and I am sure that I never saw a more sober or industrious man. His work has always been highly satisfactory, and he has undoubtedly been one of the best engineers on the railroad.”
Mr. Quinn still walks with the springy step of youth, his carriage is erect, and his eyes are still as bright, alert and fearless as they wee when he thundered down the miles of track with hundreds of human lives depending upon him. Speak of engines to him, and his face lights into a happy reminiscent smile.
“Engines were toys in 1890 to what they are now,” says this past master of the locomotive, the greatest boon to America’s prosperity. And an engineer’s life was far different than it is now. We had to do a lot of looking after the ‘babies’ ourselves. The working day was 16 hours sometimes, and I remember once we were out seven days and nights with but six hours’ sleep. A man simply had to obey orders.
“And when I was one of the them,” said Mr. Quinn said reflectively, “I remember how the engineers would come along and rub the engine with a white handkerchief. If the handkerchief was dirtied the wiper had to do his job over again.
“But I liked railroad work better than anything else. I was never so happy as when ‘funding’ the work out of a locomotive.”
That, undoubtedly, is one of the great reasons for Mr. Quinn’s success.
