The Fort Dodge Messenger: March 4, 1907

Seen and Heard

The way in which ticket agents are pestered by questions is an old tale, yet it does not get exaggerated greatly in being told. The other evening a Messenger reporter sat behind the grating with ticket agent Bert Markin of the Great Western and  heard him carry on the following conversation over the telephone:

“Hello! Why, it’s forty minutes late.”

“Yes forty minutes.”

“No it won’t be here until 8:35.”

“Yes, I’m sure it’s forty minutes late.”

“No! not until 8:35, you see it is due at 7:55. 7:55 plus forty minutes would make 8:35.”

“Well! there’s a possibility of it making up some of that time before it gets here.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“No! its (sic) usually right on time.”

“I don’t know what’s the matter.”

“Yes forty minutes.”

“No! I don’t think there has been a wreck.”

“You’ll have to excuse me a minute, there are a number of people waiting to buy tickets.”

“I think the buses will wait.”

“Yes ma’am, forty minutes.”

“Please excuse me.”

Tags: 1907, Markin