Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-09-24
For the SPECTATOR.
Gen. John d. ImbOden.

There is en- appropriateness in my
sending to you, as the Editor of the
oldest paper in the county of Augusta,
the subjoined article from an Altoona,
Pa., paper. Gen. Imboden is a native
Of your county, where, on the farm set
tied by his grandfather on Christians
creek. he was born on the 18th Februa-
~, 1872. OF his efforts to obtain an ed
ucation, and his success at the bar, as
well as the confidence reposed in him
as member of the Legislature for sew
eral terms and Clerk of the County
Court, 'tis unnecessary to speak. The
war came on, when he promptly took
sides with the South, and no officer OF
he attained, could recur to the high
confidence reposed in him by his chief,
| Gen. Lee, than he could.
At the close of the war, left bankrupt
\ in fortune, as his confidence in our sue
! cess induced him to dispose of all he
had for Confederate bonds, he found
| himself, like many others, with large
| fancily to sustain, and nothing to depend
\ on hut brains or muscle. He abandon
\ ed Law. and determined to seek a sup
port in Anechanical enterprises. AS the
best fielG to this end, he selected Rich
Rmcnd. He showed himself to possess
! Inventive, faculties of the highest order.
| All of his inventions were in the inter-
est of RAILROADS., either one of which,
1 but for the terrible crash that eDsued
| about the time they frst came out, would
have made his fortune. The Reading
Railroad, which stood out pre- eminent
Ily over all others, not excepting the
Bait. & Ohio, for the skill with which
/ its operations were managed, and whose
stock attained the extraordinary figures
\ Of SITS per share, under the direction
! of President Gowan. had contracted
with him for the introduction of his
| improved coal car when the crash
came He then turned his attention te
the construction of a street car engine
That he has succeeded, the confidence
which some of the largest capitalists in
Philadelphia have reposed in him, in
backing him up with means, the seque
will show. Because of his impecuni-
q sity, those among whom he was raised
n. It only lost confidence in him, except
a n lere handful of devoted friends, anG
not satisfied with this, have hunted
him with detraction and calumny.-
Now. that he is on the high-road to sue
cess. there will soon be found those wht
will "be ready to bend the pregnan
hinges Of the knee, that thrift may fol
low fawniag." Let them bide theil
| time. He has been often heard, by hi,
/ few intimate friends, to remark, tina
4 the happiest day in his life will be tn,
II one that will enable him to return t,
\ his native county and pay off every
i cent of principal and interest that b.
4 owes. He has struggled and toiled sew
n enteen hours day for years, separated
\ from his family, who have been subjected
to toinconvenience, almost to want, buoye(
up with the hope of eventual success
Now, that success seems assured, an(
l. vt us hope prosperity to the general bu
81. aess interests of the country bright
en-. the horizon. we look forward, will
bri yht tanticipations, to his soon attain
| ing the ''goal of his ambition" If h
is benefactor of his race who causes
two blades of grass to grow where on
grew before, how much more will b.
deserve the need of praise who will
i substitute steam for horse-hesh in tina
hardest service, street cars, where thre
wears is the maximum life of the horse
tits not to this particular service is thi
engine alone adapted, but for all loca
purposes, such as saving, threshing
drawing mines, &C., as well as for US
on canals and turnpike roads, it has NJ
\ equal. Let us appeal, Mr.. Editor. t.
those of your people who are unfortu
nate enough to be numbered amonl
Gen. Imboden's creditors, to knot thei
patience yet a little while, as "
feel well assured he will soon have it II
his power, as we well know it will b
his greatest pleasure, to pay to the ut
termost farthing. M.
Richmond, Sept. 18th, 1878.
A NOVEL INvENTION-THE NEW EN-
CINE FOR STREET-CAR USE, INVENT
ED BY AN EX-CONFEDERATE CAvAI
RY GENERAL, BUILT AT THE GAYS
8 PORT FoUNDRY-A DESCRIPTION o
THE MACHINE. -..l..-
Messrs. McLanahan, Stone & Bailey