From the Chenango Union of Norwich, NY
Wednesday, December 14, 1870

   Off the Track - The construction trains on the DeRuyter Branch were detained on their return to this village, on Saturday evening last, by a car on the forward train running off the track, a short distance west of Beaver Meadow. Contractor Williams, who was on the rear train - which is also used for carrying passengers and freight - called upon the hands on the trains to assist in placing the car again on the track, when to his surprise, he found that a dozen or more of his men missing.

   After repeated inquiries, he learned that they had "skedaddled" for Beaver Meadow, where there was a platform car standing on the switch; this they proposed to place upon the main track, and, taking advantage of the down grade, ride into Norwich, without waiting for their friends upon the delayed trains.

   And this they did, arriving in town about ten o'clock in the evening; but the grade through the village was not so favorable for their pleasure trip, and they were compelled to "hoof it", pushing their car before them, over the long trestle, to a place of safety from a collision with the downward trains.

   A couple of hours were passed in this pleasing recreation - a good price for their free ride. About five o'clock on Sunday morning, the shrill whistles from the engines announced the arrival of the belated trains, startling out citizens from their Sunday morning naps, with the idea that it was a fire alarm; but it was substantially explained by Contractor Williams, who upon being interviewed upon the subject, jokingly replied that, as the other roads had recently changed their time-tables, the Branch was not to be outdone: this was the morning train from DeRuyter.