Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-12-14
e. T.. v. Randall,

e. f. v. Randall
| When an individual who has been
prominent and successful in any of the
great divisions of human labor, closes his
record on earth and passes onward, prop
er notice of his achievements should be
placed before the public, not only as 3
token in memory of the dead. but as an
ensample for those who are to come after.
perhaps in the same line of duty. Such
An individual the late Mr.. Randall of St.
Albans seems to have been, judging from
the record that is given us by the many
notices of bis death already published.
| All these have paid fitting tributes to him
as a man, and as one foremost in bis chos
en- work. Among the tender tributes that
have been lain as wreath upon his cof-
| fin, none have been more peculiarly ap-
| preciative than one from the pen of Col.
Albert Clark, editor of the St. AlbAns
| Messenger, who knew him well, and CRATE
fully paid eloquent tripute to his life and
l4bors, from which we shall make liberal
extract in this noti7e.
The particular phase of Mr.. Randall's
genius, to which attention will be called,
is the man as an organizer, his peculiar
work as dispatcher of trains and as
telegraPher, leaving to others who knew
him to record his virtues and character.
He commenced learning telegrsphy at
the age of ffteen years, and has boen con-
ne oted with the business, on the Vermont
Central Railroad, since he became familiar
with the science, and has gradually risen
from one position to another, gaioiug the
confidence of those with whom he was as
aocisted, until he stood the chief manager
Of the telegraphic dispatch Office at St.
Albans, which position be has occupied
FOR several years. He perfected the pres
ent system of running railway trains,
which has proved so successful on the
Central road.
The position he occupied involved inn
prrtant duties and responsibilities which
Il has fallen to the lot OF few men to fill.
and perhaps none before him in the his.
tory of railways or telegraphy, has had
such grave accountability assigned him.
involving the safety of propertyand life.
To him was committed the entire run
ming and management of trains in transit
on the Vermont and Canada, Vermont
Central, Lake Champlain and Ogdens-
burgh, Montreal and Vermont Junction.
Stanstead, Sbefford and Chsmbly, Mon
treal and Plattsburgh, Whitehall and
Pittsburgh and Missisquoi Railroads
stretching over seven hundred miles of
railway, and had his life been spared.
within few days, would have been add
ed the New London Northern and Ware
River. and the Addison Railroad, which
would have placed under his control
nearly thousand miles of road.
When it is taken into consideration that
the roads enumerated have single track,
engaged in a vast amount of passenger
and freight traffic, and running hundred
trains daily, slight idea may be formed
of the skill and care requisite to keep each
train in its proper position and all run
ming in harmony. For instance, the sys.
tenn is snch that no train can leave a sta
ton until go ordered by the Office at st.
Albans, and the progress of each train is
reported from station to station as it ad-
vsnces, and the points of meeting and
passing are designated in all cases by tel
egraph, so that at all times the position Of
each train is known at the head Office.
Hence it may be said that during the
years which MIR. Randall has filed this
important post, he has held in his hand,
as it were, all these trains and the lives
and safety of unoounted thousands Of
passengers for single mistake or the
issuance of a wrong order, might at any
time have brought two trains into collis-
ion with fearful consequences. 1t is note
worthy, almost wonderful, that during all
the time he had charge no such mistake
has been committed, and it may be doubt
full if parallel case of extreme accuracy
in any department of life can be cited.
This fact it is desirable to impress upon
the mind, for the reason that it is not
generally understood or appreciated by
the public. We do not reflect on taking
a seat 10 the railway car that the train
has been guided by the still small voice
and unseen hand of him who has so un-
ostentstiou,ly watched their progress
from his Office at ST. Albans. In ordinary
times when the track was clear and every
thing running smoothly, this duty was
only a continued routine of issuing
orders, and the system of Mr.. Randall
was so concise and simple, that only care
and accuracy were required. But in the
snow blocksdes of winter, and in time of
accident and the Irregularities and confu-
sion incidents thereto. several trains
became irregular and get into "a drove"
-as for instance they did on one occa-
sion when Mr.. Randall plsyfully remark
ed, he "had the track full from Essex
Junction to Williston," great tact and
skill were required to manage them and