The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-01

PALMAUR QUI MERU1T.-Wc learn from lct-
ter written by Mr.. James NJ. Eason to the "Rural
Carelinian," that the Scientific American" de-
nies tho truth Of the statement that the late Mr..
Nicholas W. Darrell was the first engineer who
ran locomotive on the South Carolina Railroad.
and asserts that a Mr. Dcgnon twas the man
who took charge of thor Friend on Its way
to Charleston, and ran this locomotive three
months or ihereabout meanwhile giving Mr..
Darrell the necessary instructions to qualify him
for the post. The following year he executed
similar commission with q second locomotive.
In proof Of his statement Mr.. Dcgnon referred us
to IIoratio Allen. and other prominent engineers
and manufacturers Of this CITY,"
Mr. EaSoa in reply sends 4 letter from Mr. ]. D.
Pc.sch, whom he styles ''thc ahlcst mechanic in
our country" Mr.. rctsch says:
will give you tho history Of the "BcSt Frcnd''
in as few words as possible, and is us follows: air.
+. L. Miller, who contracted with the S0utn caro-
lima Canal and Railroad Company to furnish them
with locomotive suitable for their road was De-
hind time in It's delivery. His excuse FOR beng SO
was that he could get no one at That season OF tue
year 10 come ont South with the engine, anu US
there WAS no one in Charleston competent TO put
the engine together lie was forced 10 delay the
shipment Of it until later in the season, when nc
would lie able TO bring a competent person with
him to erect the same. The letter Of Mr.. Miller
was at the time published i'll the daily papers OF
Charleston. lie. however, brought the engine 10
Charleston without his competent man, ana
called on Mr.. Thos. Dottcrer to give him assist
ance in putting it on the road. was at that time
foreman of Mi DIS establishment, and was re-
quested by him 70 undertake the job. 1T hrst
objected, on account OF Mr. Mlller's publlsned lct
ter, but to please Mr. Dotterer. at last consented
took Mr.. Darrell, who like myself, had served
his apprenticeship with Mr.. DOttcrcr, and was
Just out Of his time, to assist me- After erecting
or four days having Mr.. Darrell with me all the
time and then turned her over to him as It's engl-
necr, in which capacity he continued until it eX-
ploded its boiler might mention that previous
to its explosion, Mr.. Dot!erer hal cast anu pus
under her (under my SupeIintendence), pair OF
new driving wheels in place OF the original ones.
which were made OF wood, and Whlcn gave out
after running about week or ten days Inc
was built ut the establishment Of that name in
New York, where the Bost Friend" WAS SlSo
built. Mr. Darrell run the "WesS Point Wilc
the Best Friend'' was being REBUILT. Iae thiru
engine was the "Souh Carolina" all e'ght-Wheel
engine built at the same establishment, on d piai
furnished by Mr.. uoratio Allen, Chief engineer OF
the road, and was the first eight'wheel engine
ever bailt. &r. Degnon came out ,ssta tnre ns en-,
Superintended ITS erection. After nc ioit gave
her In charge OF Mr. Darrell. So you Will perceive
that 80 far from Mr.. Degnon running the ~ Best
Friend" and teaching Mr.. Darrell; that ne qua
not come to Charleston until after Mr.. ID. had run
the "Best Friend" until her explosion, aud han
been transferred to the second engine, the "Wcst
Point.m and had run it for months. You are
aware that from the time OF putting cdSt-t1on
drivers under Best Friend,' until the compe.
ton Of the road, | had charge OF the machinery
department OF South Carolina Railroad: Mr..
Horatio Allen and Mr.. ID. Arnold, his assistant,
can vouch Tor the facts above stated.
You are welcome 10 make any use you may
think proper OF this communication, in vludicat-
ing Mr. Darres claim the first locomotive rum
uer on the South Carolina Canal and Railroad
Company, which was in 1880.