HE WAS ASLEEP-"Matt" and Lorenz Eberhardt 1901

EBERHARDT, ZOLLICOFFER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 1/4/2017 at 17:46:51

Dubuque Daily Herald, July 1, 1901

HE WAS ASLEEP
~
“MATT” WHO DRIVES FOR
ZOLLICOFFER’S DAIRY HAS
AN EXPERIENCE
~
WAS SLEEPING IN HIS WAGON
~
Oblivious of the Approach of a Streetcar,
He Slumbered Along and Then Gets a Jar
~
It is not good policy for milk peddlers to go to sleep in their wagons on warm days, especially if they happen to have a streetcar in their wake. This was evidenced yesterday on upper Jackson Street near the Dubuque Malting Company.

“Matt,” who drives for Zollicoffer’s dairy, was driving leisurely homeward after his hard day at work, thankful that there was no more milk to peddle. During the day he had dampened his thirsty throttle with several generous bowls of “booze” and the good liquid had a twofold effect; viz, it quenched his thirst and it put him into a very sleepy mood. So without calling on “nature’s sweet restorer” “Matt” quickly folded his arms, laid back in his seat and was soon in the realm of bliss, dreaming of the peaceful scenes of his childhood’s happy days in the Fatherland.

All went well for a time, the horses were tired, too, and walked peacefully on, thinking no doubt of the sweet hay in the manager that rewarded them on their return home.

But it was too good to last, “Matt’s” restful sleep was soon to be shattered. A streetcar, heavily laden with passengers came along. The motorman thundered his gong as a warning to the milkman to get off the tracks. No response came to the bell’s angry clanging. Everything in the milk wagon was as quiet as a deserted Cathedral. Again the bell beat out its warning. Still no response. Then the motorman lost patience and turned on the lever. “Biff, bang, bum,” - right in the middle the car struck, and struck hard. When the dust cleared away, “Matt” was lying on his back with his mouth and eyes full of dust. “You dirty -----------why did you run into me? I will have you arrested, every one of you. You too, Lorenz Eberhardt, you know that you owe me $10.00.” The passengers roared at the milkman’s outburst and goaded him on with jests. What’s my name? My name’s “Matt.” Asked his surname, he said he had none. “Matt” was not hurt by the experience. The horses, however, did not fare so well. The harness and collar was torn off one of them, and the other received a bad cut in his left hip. The wagon was not upset so consequently no milk was lost.