Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-09-04
0BiTl AIRY.
EDWARD II. TRACY.

The death of public man. who, in an
important though modest Junction. has for
a series of years been minstering without
'proach, and often with little praise, to the
wants of the community in which he lives
and acts, deserves special notice. The soldier
who commands a great army and dies upon
the field of fame is sure of his COlrmCmOra-
ton, as is the architect who designs a tom
pie while tie relatively humble engineer
whose pract'Cal genius and instant, constant
vigilance contribute largely to the success OF
the hero and artist, is apt to be forgotten.
Such thoughts, such painful contrasts,
crowd upon us as we record the death and
try to do justice TO the memory of one of
Our fnllow-citizens who, not suddenly, but
by the painful process of slow disease,
which he bore like a hero and a martyr, has
been taken from our midst
Such was Edward II. Tracy, who died at
his temporary residence in Putnam County
yesterday. It was said Of Charles Dickens
that Wlicn he wrote Il description of New
York the only things he did nat mention
were Trinity Churcl-the first approach to
a cathedral place of worship in our country
and the Croton Water Works, of which
as a work of practical magnificencc and en-
cheering skill antiquity has no superior,
1t is with the latter that Mr. Tracy's fame
is indisSoluhly connected.
His life in one sense was uncvcntful, for
the thoughtlcss outcrworld talked not of his
doings. His success Mas in supplying to
the daily wants of Il million OF people that
which is as essential to life almost as the
air We breathe. Such success can be better
measured by fancying what would he the
condition of rhs great metropolis if,
through bad engineering or s!umbcring
vigilance, il were deprived for single day,
or even hour, of the water supply which it
depends on. With this work, in one posi-
ton or another, Mr.. Tracy has been con-
ncctcd for long series of years His mod
est career can he easily described.
Descended from distinguished Connect
cut family, being one of three brothers who
enjoy high professional distinction in this
city, Edward II Tracy was born at W hiIe-
stone, Oneida County, Now York, in April,
1871, making him at the time of his death
ittv-right wears of age. His mother was a
cousin of Huntington, the artist In carly
life Young Tracy removed to this city. He
be g IN his professional career as Il rod-man
ON the Chcnango Canal, under the charge
of j b. JARVIS and so soon as that work was
completed, Mr.. .Jcrvis, Icing the chief en-
ginccr. young Tracy in 1888 became an aSsis
tant ON the Croton works. 1t was his du
ty to supervise that portion of the work
from FOrdham to ManhatanvIllc including
the High Bridge over Harlem River which
lie supcrintCpdcd from its foundation to the
laying of the pipes across 1t. 80 soon as
this WAS completed, ON the resignation OF
Mr.. Jarvis rs Engmccr-in-C Chief, Mr. Tracy
WAS chosen his successor, and continued in
office till the great work Of Watcr1listrihu-
ton was practically completed, when, he
resigned for other pursuits, having been
connected with the works for nearly fif-
teen years.
His resignation was in 1852, and after II
brief period of private occupation rs partner
in the Morgan Iron Works, he resumed ac-
lively the practice of his profession proper.
Mr., Tracy, in employment of the Cana
dian Government, made the surveys and
plans for ship canal between the st, Law
renee and Lake Champlain, and then took
charge for the State of Iowa OF the slack
water navigation of the Dcs Moincs River
He made the surveys for the Rock Island
and Mississippi and Missouri railways of
the rapids of the former river between lie
Glare and Rock Island.
Returning to New York, Mr., Tracy VAS
pat in charge Of the removal of the olstruc-
iiblS i'll INC ILdlItlll hINtl Ill -hi'OIIl
Dam and the building OF he Central Bridge
under Commissioners appointed by the
State The whole cost was less thMn 500
OGO.
When in May, 1870, Mr. Tracy was APP
pointed to the position which he held until
his tcath, there was no dissent in the praise
which was bestowed The selection of
Mr. Tracy" said the Times, "by the Board
of Public Works has added significance
in the comfortable assurance which it at
fOrls TO the taxpayers of our city that the
new municipal regime now being establish
6 will be in the general interest, and that
the policy of the Board of Works, under
Me- Tweed, j will be strictly in accord with
the assurances which We're gwen when the
new charter was adopted. 1t is evident
that the Democratic leaders who have been
with the control Of the City Gov
crnmcnt are disposed tn act in good faith,
and that the confidence which was bcStow-
cd OF them 10y the Republicans in the Leg
iSlatuIe, as well as by our best citizens was
not mispl ii. 1t is Il consolation tn feel
this, and to note such evidence of il as is