Train past Port Deposit Station

The incredible tale of
How a Clothespin Stopped a Train
research by Al Bruno

     You have probably heard this tale as a child and just never knew where it came from, well it happen in the early spring of 1905 along the Susquehanna River  in Port Deposit, Maryland. The local train station master had a daughter, who happened to have a fancy for the train conductor who handled the 4:00 PM train into the Port Deposit Station.

     This particular day was exceptionally warm and had melted vast amounts of snow that had been collecting from around mid-March. Now high water had filled the street by 2:00 PM. By 3:00 PM an alert went out for all able hands to help evacuate those people trapped out to higher ground.

     About this time the daughter thought of her beau coming in to Port and wanted to warn him of potential disaster. So took the keys to her fathers Jalopy and drove north to try and meet the train outside of town.

     As the train was coming close, she thought of a way to signal danger. In the back of the rumble seat was a clothespin bag. She grabbed a clothespin and turned on the vehicles gas head lamp. As the train passed by the conductor noticed clothespin being dangled back and forth in front of the Lamp. He immediately put on his breaks and stopped the train avoiding any  disaster.

     Later that evening back in town the river began to settle and the story was told. And most all asked how he knew?"
It was easy," he said "once I saw the clothespin I knew that there must be wash out on the line somewhere!"

According to Audrey Abrahams (Ward Abrahams the photographers daughter). The conductor of the train was a Mr. Strickland and the stationmasters daughters last name was Townbridge. and yes love prevailed and they were eventually married.