An old mule was reunited with an old friend and coworker Aug. 7 with help of a retired teacher, the county historical society and the Harvey County Road and Bridge Department.
Put into place using a county crane, the mule — an old tractor-type vehicle — was hitched up to a former railroad cart used as a luggage rack and more in the heyday of passenger rail at the Newton train station. According to Jim Meier, superintendent of the Harvey County Road and Bridge Department, a search of the mule’s serial number showed a manufacture date of 1949.
At the time, the mule still ran — though the clutch needed repairs. Mills put some work into the mule, including repainting it. His students at Newton High School ran the mule in the homecoming parade, pulling a trailer with a coffin labeled for the visiting team.
When the mule was in use by the railroad, there were passenger canopies over the tracks at the Newton station. The mule pulled a trailer, filled with whatever needed to get on, or off, a train while parked at the depot.
(Read more: Newton Kansan)