Greater Astoria Historial Society 35-20 Broadway, 4th Floor | L.I.C., NY 11106 718.278.0700 | www.astorialic.org Gallery Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 2-5 PM Saturdays 12-5 PM Exhibits ~ Lectures ~ Documentaries ~ Books Walking Tours ~ Historical Research Unique & Creative Content For more information visit us on the web at www.astorialic.org This image adapted from an invitation to the Long Island City Athletics 33rd Annual Masque Ball, 1909. 32 DECEMBER 2016 i LIC COURIER i www.qns.com Legends Whose dog are you? New York in 1900 was a tough place for a mutt. A street waif was always dodging wagons and horses, tolerating children’s taunts and the growls of filthy curs. Food was a scrap of meat from carrion found in the gutter, a glimmer of contentment gleamed from the gnawing of a bone that fell off a truck. So it was no surprise that when a woman patted him on the head he followed her onto a ferryboat and on to the warmth of a train car in Long Island City. He fell asleep under her seat. When he awoke, she was gone. Looking for his friend he got off the car at the next stop. It was said that the stationmaster found him cowering and whimpering in the rain huddled next to a wall. Taking pity, he let him inside and fed him. The dog curled up and fell asleep. He was home. The workers on the line adopted him and dubbed him “Roxey” (sometimes spelled Roxie or Roxy). They bought the pooch a nickel plated collar inscribed “I am Roxey, the LIRR dog. Whose dog are you?” Word of the new mascot reached railroad’s president who issued a general order giving the dog rights over all passengers and employees on the system. Although he now officially belonged to the Board of Directors, officials, and employees, it was in the private homes of the trainmen where he always found the latch-string out and a juicy bone awaiting him. While “working”, Roxey’s favorite place was perched on the locomotive fireman’s seat, carefully keeping out of everyone’s way, watching the scenery flash by outside his window. One day the porter assigned to President Theodore Roosevelt’s private car found Roxey curled up, asleep on the bed. He tried to evict the dog. Upon hearing the commotion, the president walked in and inquired about the ruckus. He looked at the collar and backed off. The dog’s privileges on the rail line outranked his. Roxey’s Life Pass on the Long Island Rail Road also extended to the Pennsylvania system (which had acquired the Long Island line.) As with the typical commuter, he would leave Long Island City for Manhattan on a morning train and return later in the day (when he is ready) on a Queens bound train. His favorite destination was the new Pennsylvania Station which he used to frequently inspect. Roxey had never been known to make an error when selecting trains. He always knew where he was going (at least if we accept the serious statements of his co-workers on the railroad). Therefore, it was a matter of wonder to all when he made a mistake one day in April, 1911. He boarded a train for Pennsylvania Station, but instead of stopping in New York, he found himself on a through train that went straight to Philadelphia. Poor Roxey had to go, too. Probably no more indignant dog ever landed at Philadelphia’s Broad Street station. The moment the train stopped and the doors opened, Roxey hopped out and ran down the platform, wheeled about a couple of times, and let out a couple of yelps, which sounded suspiciously like canine swearing. He immediately selected a train headed back for New York and in five minutes was aboard at his usual post of duty. He died in 1914. To this day, his monument is well tended by the employees of the Long Island Rail Road.
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