Stop Mr. President!! Upcoming events

The above picture is quite old about 1905. The Swarthmore Train Station is in the center behind the trees, the same stone station as today. The red roof building is a real estate office. Rt. 320 which goes thru here today was not there. The crossing was a grade crossing at the time.

 

STOP MR. PRESIDENT!!

 

Note: Before railroad crossings had gates that were automatic, crossings were run by gatemen who ruled each crossing. They stopped people from crossing and raised and lowered gates by hand. Even presidents visiting Swarthmore. The original story was front page news when it happened.

 

CHESTER TIMES – October 29, 1921 –

VETERAN GATEMAN DEAD AT MEDIA

 Michael McCarty, Sr., Man Who Stopped a President,” Dies

                Michael McCarty, Sr., the man who stopped former President Woodrow Wilson from crossing the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Swarthmore, during the Founder’s Day celebration at Swarthmore College in 1917, is dead.  He was one of the oldest residents in Media.

                For many years, Mr. McCarty was a crossing tender at the Swarthmore road crossing.  On the day the Founder’s Day celebration was being celebrated at Swarthmore, Mr. Wilson came to Swarthmore in a big automobile accompanied by a number of secret service men.  Just as the car drove up to the railroad tracks, the faithful Michael McCarty, as he always was, lowered the gates because of the approach of a train.  One of the secret service men jumped out of the car and rushed over to Mr. McCarty and demanded that he raise the gates, informing the gate tender that the President of the United States desired to pass through.  “Is that so,” said Mr. McCarty with a kindly Celtic accent.  “Well, the president and you will have to obey orders,” and holding the secret service man by the arm, he continued, “don’t you dare to go across the track until the train passes.”

                After the train passed, the secret service man went back to the President’s car, thanking McCarty for obeying orders.  Mr. McCarty raised the gates and the former President crossed the tracks waving his hand and smiling at Mr. McCarty as he passed him in his car.

                Mr. McCarty was born in Ireland and came to this country when a young man.  He was about 82 years old.  For many years he was employed as a section hand on the Pennsylvania Railroad.  For a number of years he was a crossing tender.  Ab out two years ago he was stricken with paralysis, and was pensioned by the railroad.  Last Sunday he suffered another stroke.  He took to bed and died about ten o’clock yesterday morning.

                The old crossing tender was well known in Swarthmore where he was held in high esteem by young and old.  He was a particular favorite of the children and mothers.  This was due to his careful and kindly interest in the children.  There was hardly a day passed during his service as a crossing tender, when he did not lead a number of smaller children by the hand across the railroad tracks. 

                For his faithful service, the people of Swarthmore a few years ago presented the old crossing tender with a loving cup.

                Mr. McCarty was a good natured and kind hearted Irishman, and he was endowed with a fund of Irish wit, which helped him to make many friends.

                He was a member of the Catholic Church of the Nativity of Media, where he was a consistent communicant until his illness.

                He is survived by his wife and five children, all residents of Media.  They are:  John, Michael, Jr., Matthew, Thomas and Mrs. Marie Rawson.

                His funeral will take place on Monday morning from his late home on Manchester Avenue.  Services will be conducted in the Church of the Nativity.