WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16,1977, PAGE 7 Brian Winter's aa I isLor i Whitby cal A number of olde? residents are likely to remember one of the most memorable events to occur in Whitby during the First World War: the famous mule train wreck. At 4:30 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 2, 1916, a train of nine cars and an engine was eastbound on the CPR tracks, approaching the junction with the Grand Trunk line from Whitby to Port Perry (now the CNR spur line). At the junction stood a switching tower, where the man on duty was supposed to give a signal for the train to stop or proceed. He gave the signal to proceed, but instead of opening the derailing switch on thé Grand Trunk line as a safety measure, he opened the derailing switch on the CPR line and the train shot off the tracks. A protecting rail kept the engine from plunging off the roadbed, but the tender turned over on its side and plowed up the track for some distance. The car behind the tender left the track too, but did not turn over, and the remaining eight cars stacked themselves up behind it like the cars of a model train set. Three of the cars were swung completely at right angles to the track, another turned a somnersault, and another lay with one end high up in the air. Part of the twisted mass lay over a ditch and through a farmer's wire fence. The train was loaded with mules, 20 to a car, that were being shipped, probably to Montreal, to be sent overseas as part of the war effort. As a result of the wreck, these poor beasts were tossed around in the cars and piled on top of each other. A number broke out through holes in the smashed cars, and remarkably few were killed. A number, however, were injured and had to be destroyed. Each mule was valued at $97, and the total loss of animals was estimated at about $1,500. This meant that at least 150 mules were either killed or had to be destroyed, although press reports of the day say many of them were saved. No members of the train crew were injured. When word reached town of the mule train wreck, everybody.who could, dashed up to have a look. Local citizens stood on the crippled engine, posing for pictures, and miitary inspectors came to view the accident. MULE TRAIN WRECK The CPR wrecking crew did not arrive till well on in the morning, and it was 3 o'clock in the afternoon when the line had been sufficiently cleared and a new track laid to allow passage ot' regular trains. The wreck occurred on a Thursday, but it took till Saturday to clear away all the debris. The rescuers broke into the cars to free the mules that were still alive, and although piled on top of each other in one upturned car, the mules scampered out, limping into the nearby fields. Others were not so lucky. Their carcasses lay scattered about the wreck site. A big crane was brought in by the railway to pull the mess apart, and it seemed everybody in Whitby was wandering about the site, examining the wreck or picking up souvenirs. ON C.P.R., NOV. 2, 1916 No record is given of what happened to the careless switchman who caused the whole thing in the first place. An interesting footnote is that this wreck was well documented by amateur photographers on the site, and a number of pictures, like the one above, are in the Whitby Historicâl Society's archives. The writer of this column, a few years ago, found two pictures of the mule train wreck at the Ontario Archives, but the archives staff did not know what they represented. They had the pictures listed as a wreck at Myrtle Station. The writer, recognizing the scene, and the mule standing in front of the train was a significant clue, was able to set the record straight on the matter. Hey Kids - Here's something for you. Tips to help land you a summer job. Now is the time to get your campaign under way. If you are 12 - 16 years give or take a year, read on. If you have kids or know of kids looking for or needing a job this summer -- read on. The first thing you need is a resume. This is a 'word picture' of yourself. Many kids are aware of this but I want you to know just how important this can be to you. It's so important top professionals use them. A IMORTGAGES 1M 1 -r E O lst 2nd Arrang;E Bought ord Soldat Prime Rates c.u Peter Kade 668-1.556 ANUBIS INVESTMENTS Ltd. 149 Urock st. N., Whitby All you need is a regular sized sheet ot paper 8W' x 1 1" and try to keep everything on this one sheet (one side). Write your basic details like this: and print or type. This Is Jack (or Jean) Watson (your own name) Address: Town/City: Telephone No: Age: School: Grade: Major subjects studied: Experience: Interests: References: Most kids have had SOME experience. If you have worked part or full-time previously say so, and what you did. But if you are looking for the first time -- THINK. Have you helped in any of the following and if so -- say so. Shovelled snow, cut lawns and weeded. Washed windows, cleaned cars, babysat, helped out at a church or community halls or outings. Sold raffle tickets, fund-raising items, walk- ed, biked, skated, jogged, or participated in a 'thon. Do you like meeting people or prefer to be a "loner". Are you the indoor or outdoor type. If you are good at one or more subjects i.e. math, english, art, crafts, history, science whatever, SAY SO. I remember a highschool airl I interviewed for a part-time I FARM BUILDINGS HORSE BARNS Featuring -complete turnkey operation - Design - Material - Erection. Standard size designs available at catalogue prices and custom designs to facilitate your individual require- ments, one or two stories. Metal cladding is available in various gauges and profiles, your choice of galvanized or acrylic colour coated rnetal. POULTRY MITCHELL BROTHERS Building Supplies Ltd. Brooklin, 665-4991 office job. She said "I have-no experience". Later I found she had been working each summer, parttime for Becker's Milk. Also, she had played the lead in two school plays. Her interests included furthering her education and travelling. She thought "experience" applied to full-time work only. Employers look for tryers -- plus ability. An excellent job experience is a newspaper carrier routé. Don't be put off with other kids' comments. An employer will see and recognise your efforts for being a carrier. Ambition, drive and perhaps above all desire are the main things. But you will need to discipline yourself. When you've completed your resume, ask your parents and teacher to go over it. Get suggestions. When it's completed it should have a 2" margin all round - like a picture frame. Get about 50 copies made by a copy shop. Check at school for a 'job bureau' and register your resume. Get out and around and be sure to keep a happy attitude with a clean appearance. Try to see the personnel manager. But decide what you would really like and CAN DO. Be truthful. Ask your parents (time permitting) if they will take you to appointments. Remember too - the early bird really does catch the worm, so get at it NOW.