In the Office

 A tale from Just Around the Corner By Betrande Snell
Syracuse Post-Standard, May 9, 1946

I went over to Oswego one night in August, 1901. I was on my way to Newfane, Niagara County, where I was going to work as telegrapher on the Hojack. As you know, the west end of the Hojack runs from Oswego to Suspension Bridge, following pretty closely the shore of Lake Ontario all the way.

Here at Oswego, was the dispatcher's office, the division offices being situated in Watertown. A new superintendent had just come to Watertown. He was from down New York City way and not widely known in these parts at the time. He barged into the Oswego dispatcher's office one evening for the first time. He walked over to Roy Nutting, the message operator, and asked:

"Anything there for me, young man?"

Roy looked up from his sounder and seeing a perfect stranger before him, promptly remarked:

"I can't say - would they have your picture on 'em?"

Mr. Hustis, being a man with a sense of humor, recovered almost immediately from the shock, introduced himself and was accorded proper service. Yes, Roy was always that way, he had a snappy pick up, and he could let you down easily, or otherwise, as his mood might dictate - a prince of a good fellow!

Railroad telegraph operator A.L. Krenke at work in the Santa Fe Depot