Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-04-12
Tuesday April 10.

\ 1I-The writer of this article has imagined
himself hundred years in advance of thc
presen. time, and is writing of things as they
row exist. We trust that his bright visions
as portrayed in the close, will be fully realized
/ Mr.. EDITOR Permit me through the
columns of your valuable paper, to rescue
from oblivion one of the many reminiscent
fees of our ancient city, which may be yet re-
membered by few of the Oldest inhabi.
tans," and recall to memory the times to
wh:h allude.
Il Once upon time, (f the chronicles arc
corr our citizens were very spirited in
holding meetings, appointing Committees
&c, TO gain information relative to the expe-
diency OF building Rail Road between this
place and the then village of Fall River. A
survey of the route was made, and whether
any estimate of the probable cost, and amount
of business that such a road would have com
manded, | am unable to say, for Icanno, find
IN the archives of the town, any evidence of
the facts, and the few Octogenarians" with
whom ! have conversed, could not give me
the desired information but certain it is, that
the enterprise tailed, owing to the people of
Newport not taking an enterprising part in
the matter, ard it was consigned to the (as a
wise sage of those days expressed it) tomb
of the Capulets." We learn that the Fall
River Steamboat Company, "a Company who
ran line of Boats between that City and
New York. called the " Bay State" and the
" Empire State and said to have hecn GOOD
Boats in theit day, although their speed was
only at the slow rate of twenty miles per
hour) in connection with the Fall River and
Boston Rail Road Company, discussed the
practicabili,y Of such an union, and It's said
that had the people of Newport acted in con.
junction with them, and evinced determined
spirit, that the work might have been accom-
plished ; and 1t is asserted that there we're
those who at the time contended that the COM
pleton Of the road would have been great
benefit, and given to the business of Newpor,
an impetus which al admit she stood in need
of Much of the summer travel between this
place and Boston, by judicious enterprise and
management, was diverted by the way Of
Providence, at a loss TO the Fail River and
Is 'ston road, for had the Newport road been
built, no one would have thought of going bv
any other route. So also was the travel IN
New York turned by the way of Providence
and Stonlngton as the fogs, so peculiar 10
our climate IN the Summer season, detained
the Boats in the river so late at night that
travellers would not undergo the perpleyitv of
waiting on the What, but would leave in the
afternoon Boat via Providence, instead of On.
ing in the Fall River Boats as they would
have done, had they made Newport their
stopping place.
One can scarcely realize who takes a walk
among our wharves, and sees our noble b,,.
bor crowded with mammouth Steam Shin.
bearing The produce of every cline our nu.
merous Manuiactor es, by their smoke obscur.
ing the rays of The sun, and tho numerous
palaces extended far in the distance. combn
ing at once, Bath, Manchester. and Lyernoo
that our splendid city once depended upon -
Rail Road for her prosperity.
AsTIeUARrAs