JOHN KANE, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
John Kane was a sturdy Irish lad of 16 when he left the "little green isle across the sea" and cast his lot in the land of the brave and free. The son of Michael Kane, a farmer, he was born in 1844, and received his education in his native country. On landing in America he went directly to Susquehanna, where he secured a position as water boy on a construction train. He held this place a year and then was advanced to wiper in the roundhouse. A year later he was again advanced, this time being made a fireman. He served as fireman eight years, seven years and a half of which was on passenger trains 3 and 4 between Hornellsville and Susquehanna. He was promoted to engineer in 1870, and has run continuously for the past twenty-nine years, most of the time as engineer in Susquehanna yard.

While firing on passenger No. 4 he saved a collision with passenger train No. 3 in a very peculiar way. The train dispatcher got muddled and sent No. 4 on to meet No. 3 at a station farther up the line. Young Kane intuitively felt that there was something wrong with the orders, and had a premonition that if they did not stop they would collide with No. 3. He requested the engineer to stop and back up, but that individual was one of those who would follow orders if they took him into the ditch, and so refused. In vain Young Kane begged him to stop, and then, getting reckless, he grabbed the engineer and chucked him into the tender. He then shut off steam, and being before the days of air brakes, whistled for brakes. Just then No. 3 shot in view under full head of steam, but by quick work the engines were stopped with the pilots so close together that a man's hand would have been crushed between them. The Division Superintendent, H. D. V. Pratt, of Elmira, was on train 3 at the time, and he not only personally thanked Mr. Kane, but told him to ask for anything he wanted in the gift of the road. His long career has been one of continual success, and there are none more respected by the officials and railroad men generally than is he.

In July, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Hare of Susquehanna, who died after an illness lasting two years. Three children were born to them; two of whom, Agnes and William, are dead; John Kane, Jr., who survives, is a mechanic and was for some years in the employ of the Erie. In August, 1879, Mr. Kane was married in Susquehanna to Miss Josephine Kenny, a resident of California. They have had three children, of whom Walter Scott Kane is a clerk and machinist in the Erie service; Eva Maria, aged 16, is attending Laurel Hill Academy; Cora Christina died in her infancy. Mr. Kane is a member of C. M. B. of Susquehanna, and Starrucca Division No. 137, B. of L. E. He owns fine property in Susquehanna and is one of the city's most substantial residents.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.