The Whistlepunks

A whistle punk was a specific role within a logging crew, often held by young and less experienced lumberjacks, according to the University of Washington. Their main duty was to relay signals using a whistle system between the "donkey puncher" (the person operating the steam-powered donkey engine) and the crew working in the logging area. 

In the days before radio communication, whistle punks used a series of pulls on a thin cable attached to a steam whistle to convey instructions, such as when to pull logs, stop, or change speed. This system was essential for coordinating operations and ensuring safety in the potentially dangerous environment of a logging site, especially when direct verbal communication was not possible due to distance or noise. 

The term "punk" in "whistle punk" sometimes referred to the worker's youth or inexperience, according to the Kelley House Museum. However, the role of a whistle punk was crucial for efficient and safe logging operations in the early 20th century.