Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-13

terror of all travellers of this public carrier
way. Owing to no, box she lost 20 min
utes, and the actual running time was less
than five hours. Even now, with all the
benefits of modern improvements, the fast
est time between these cities Is six hours,
made by the incoming train. Old Harry,
as he was jocularly termed, is our esteemed
fellow-citizen
HENRY ANDERSON, ESQ,
who for long while was the first Superin-
tendent, combining occasionally the duties
of Conductor with this position. While
acting in this double capac ty occurred
THE FIRST COLLISION,
when about twelve o'clock one day. the
Tennessee collided with the W. A. Water
sen at the cut. Mr.. Thomas Webster m de
a narrow escape, and had huge corn on
bis right foot 80 severely bruised that it dis
appeared. The greatest calamity, however,
was that Detailing Old Harry, whose blue
cloak was stolen during the excitement BY
an unknown rogue. Stealing Captain
Harry's blue over-coat, piece OF stuff as
large as circus tent, and endeared to the
owner by long use, in cold, stormy weather.
His only crumb of csmfort was q famous
silver watch, by common consent dubbed
"Old White" Mr.. Anderson saved from
the wreck this old time-cock, and retains 1t
still as a memento Of the past, when be
ran all the trains By its minute hand. For
It is said, on good authority, that bed-5ug
I'D in the mountain country, stole the sec
old hand, and accidentally killed itself By
falling on it. The following eight
LOCOMOTIVES WE'RE BUILT IN THIS CITY
long before the war by the Nashville Manu-
featuring Company, (whose president was
Samuel Morgan, Esq.,): "Gov. Sewer,
"Gov. Robertson "Goy. Blount," "R. /.
Moore" "Gov. Houston" Chattanooga"
and EVANSVILLE" Acother engine was also
built here at the same time for the Mem
phis and Charleston Railroad-all Of them
being made of the best Tenn3ssee iron and
of the same weight and size, which were:
q tons, II inCh cylinder, "A inch stroke,
and Al foot driving wheels. Five other en-
zines, among them the Tennessee, Hugh
L. Smith and W. A. Waterson, had been
used before the company built these loco
motives, two or three of which are still run
ming. One Of these homemade, though
most excellent engines, may be seen now In
the roundhOuse. She has been renamed
ssShoofly," over which some wicked cuss has
scratched in chalk dead Beat" very uI-
generous title, but one that may have been
suggested by the quaint appearance OF this
once useful but now neglected machine.
THE FIRST BLACKSMITH
employed in the shops at this city was
Charles Grant, an ancient ScotchmaD, who
even then was considerably above humid
red years of age. The time Of which we
speak was in 1851, twenty one years ago;
| Charlie was the only blacksmith the compa-
| ny had for long while and is yet in their
| service, being now so old and honest that
no one has courage TO even guess at bis
| age. BE is good for another score, being
stout, jolly aud vigorous. As the bushes
increased the company found 1t necessary
to enlarge their buildings.
THE FIRST MACHINE SHOP
was In a part of the round house, and for
six months only one lathe was Used, and
that was turned by manual labor, the Op-
orator being James Moore, whose arm was
broken by his being thrown from mule
while working at Rains cut. Thos. Web
sier was the first master mechanic, Jno. u.
Eastman, the present worthy superintend
ent of this department being at that time
running the engine V. Z. Stevenson, Chas.
Grant, Jimmy Moore, Neal Hutchinson,
and Alexander Mcdonald who now drives
the 'sOld Hickory" worked on the lathe
and did the general repairs.
THE FIRST STATIONARY ENGINE
was obtained from the Nashville Manufac-
turing Company and wheni it was placed
In the shops to run the lathe with, 1t caused
many hucksters from the country to see
the putting concern. Among the num-
Der employed in the shops was
A sPRIGHTLY APPRENTICE,
who not only startled the country visitors
| by bis wonderful acquaintance with the
steam engine and lathe, but often terrified
the old women with his pranks. As con-
sequence they often dropped their melons
| and apples which always found sn appre'
ciative grasp from the hands OF A. j. Laws.
With all his rollieking fen and irresistible
| droIlery, he has like old wine improved
with age, and is now foreman in
the finishing shop, enjoys the respect
| Of the men, the confidence Of his superior
| officers and the esteem Of his numerOu:
| friends. The Nashville and Chattanooga
| Railroad Co. have ever been just in award
| ing promotion to the meritoyious
of its employees, and most corsiderat'
in caring for its old and crippled servants.
| We truly believe this corporation has more
| of benevolepce in its conduct towards
those needing their aid, and appreciates
more practically the obligations Of gratitude
than any similar corporation in this coun
/ try.