The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-08-02
A PEARlLOUs RIDE.
The Fast Time Made by the Con-
sulting Physicians to Washington.

Washington Special to Baltimore Gazette oath.
The ride Of the two consulting phy-
siclans to Washington must 60 into
history as one Of the most remarkable
on record. Dr.. Frank Fl. Hamilton re-
ceived the dispatch summoning him to
Washington at his house. 81 West
Thirty-second street, New York, yester-
day. 1t took him only ten minutes to
prepare for the journey. He left the
house at about 2 o'clock, with the re-
mark that be did not know when the
next train would start, but that he
would get carriage and 60 to the ferry
so that he would be ready 10 take it.
The dispatch, which was brief, be took
with him. He FASTENED in a carriage
to the Desbrosses street ferry, where he
learned that the first train for Washing
ton was over the Pennsylvania railroad
at 3:40 o'clock. 1t wonld arrive in
Washington at 1920 o'clock p. m
Some time was spent in inquiries as to
the departure OF trains on other roads.
Then he crossed the ferry and entered
the Jersey City passenger waiting room,
where he was recognized while he was
making inquiries at the palace car win
dow. Superintendent Jackson, who was
in his Office in another part of the de-
pot, was sent for A very brief time
suficed to make him aware OF the situ-
alton. He hurried away from DR.. Ham
ilton, aHd seven minutes later the latter
was rushing out Of the depot on a
special train. 1t was 3 10 o'clock p. m.
when the depot master and the train dis.
patcher received notice TO he spry. En-
CINE 9l5, one Of the best of the ordina
ry engines, with five foot driving
wheel, was hitched to new Eastlake
coach, and at 8 30 it was run out of the
depot. The new Eastlske coaches are
chiefly remarkable for their high cell
ings, their low and comfortable seats,
and for the elegance of their panelings
Of lighfunstained maple and ash. Each
panel is carved after an original design
They run very smoothly.
The freight trains were all out of the
way, one after another on the side tracks
to allow the special to roar past them
without Stacking speed, but two pas
senger trains delayed the Doctor fifteen
minutes. He arrived at Philadelphia at
five o'clock, distance of ninety miles
in 100 minutes. The engineer was A.
Vandergrift and the conductor was H
W. Hcadly. At Philadelphia stop of
but few minutes was made, in which
to change engines and allow DR.. Agnew
to get on the car. From Philadelphia
to Wilmington, with q stop at Chester
and other places, the run was made 10
twenty-seven minutes, the distance being
twenty-six miles. A dispatch had been
sent to WILMINGTON for brakeman, and
a man named Humphreys was detailed
to SNAKE the train" At 5:27 the
special came dashiug through the city al
the rate Of, at least, eighteen miles an
hour, AMI the intrepid brakeman stood
near the track. He made a desperate
grab for the rear platform, and at the
risk of his life succeeded in gaining a
hand and foothold. The Car steps were
protected by wire railing, and he was
carried considerable distance clinging
on to this before she conductor came
back aud unlocked the gate The train
arrived at Washington al I: so p. NJ
an average run from New York of al
most fifty miles on hour, and from
Philadelphia Of over if,y-five miles All
hour. This is the fastest railroad time
for the distance, and considering the
stops, on record.