M & I Train Races Mules from Bemidji to Farley (1913)
Trainmen on the M & I road are laughing at the crew in charge of the northbound passenger train last Friday night. The train was manned by Engineer Leak, Fireman George Bridgman, and Conductor Bush. At North Bemidji, a span of mules took the track ahead of the train and in spite of frantic signals from Mr. Bush and raucous tooting of the engine’s whistle, the mules stayed in front until they got stuck in a bridge this side of Farley. From Bemidji to Turtle River, it was a race. In spite of the best efforts of Fireman Bridgman, the train could not gain a foot on the fleet-footed sons of Missouri. When the train slowed down for the Turtle River stop, the mules disappeared around the bend in a haze of flying snow. Near Farley the passenger caught up and found them stuck in the bridge. It took the combined efforts of train crew, engine crew and a few passengers to get the mules out. Fireman Bridgman said that he hated to run second to a pair of mules. Passengers said that the M. & I. reminded them of a “slow train through Arkansas.” (Jan 16, 1913)