(The Southern Illinoisan posted the following story by Jim Muir on its website on February 9.)
DU BOIS, Ill. — In nearly every crisis or disaster — such as the train derailment near Tamaroa Sunday morning where several railroad tank cars overturned spilling hazardous chemicals — there’s always some incident that provides a lighthearted moment.
That moment was found Sunday afternoon at the Mule Barn, a popular drinking establishment in Du Bois, located in Washington County. The Mule Barn is located approximately eight miles north of the site where the train derailed.
Dave Freeman, co-owner of the Mule Barn, was a busy man Sunday afternoon pouring drinks, serving up cold beer and adding a touch of bartender banter along the way. Freeman could have actually used some help but seemed to be taking the overflow crowd in stride.
Freeman said the derailment and evacuation of Tamaroa changed the Sunday morning drinking habits of many residents. In short, Freeman explained, while homes were evacuated so were the Tamaroa watering holes.
“We’ve got twice the business here today that we normally have on Sunday. A lot of our Tamaroa customers will come in early on Sunday morning and then leave and go back to Tamaroa,” Freeman said as he surveyed the inside of the Mule Barn, where nearly every seat was taken.
“I’m sure glad that nobody got hurt, but it sure has been good for business,” Freeman said. “We’ve been busy all day long.”