Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-09-20
THE RIDE TO ELBERON.
What tho Engineer Said About IL.
She Giidcd Away az Gently as "a
Lady,s Mare,
Special TO the Cincinnati Gazette.
WASHINGTON, ScDtembcr z.

WASHINGTON, Septcmbcr7.
The engineer in charge of the Prcsi-
dents train yesterday was Mr. Page,
who has long been regarded among the
most reliable engineer in the employ of
the Pennsylvania Railroad. lie was the
striking figure on the train as it pushed
up in front of Elberon yesterday after
noon. His long beard was floating in
the wind which was blowing in from the
sea, and his swarthy face was covered
with dirt and cindcrs. lie stood erect
and firm, and with an air ofConscious
pride in every feature that showed he
was conscious of Il duty we'll performed.
AS the engine moved from Elberon to
the West. End Hotel station, chat was
had with him about the trip.
"Did she behave well to day on the
trip!" was asked.
"Behave well? | should say so. She
seemed to feel all that was required of
her. When on ordinary occasions | take
her over the road, she starts off with Il
jerk like, and raising herslf, goes gal
loping down putting and snorting, but
this morning she glidcd away as gently
as 4 lady's mare, and even when put
her to her best, and she went on at the
rate of u mile in fifty-three seconds, she
seemed to hold her BREATH" As he said
leaned out Of the cab and looked ut tho
engine as kindly as rider would at his
favorite horse.
"lhen you limited the speed to forty
GGa miles an hour, which was extend
ed?"
ooh, no, that you see would only have
been three quaters of Il mile to the min
ute, and good deal Of the way we made
more than amilc a minute"
"Dld the doctors and the President
know you were going at .hat speed ~
"They did not the first time let her
go, and I'll tell YOU" he said after n
hesitation, "how | came to do
it. We left Washington at G.37 in thc1
We ran down to Patapsco,
thirty.scvcn miles at the limited rate =.
There we stopped three minutes. The
stop, like all other stops made on the
way, was made to change crews, to water
and allow the physicians to attend OH the
President. | saw one Of the attendants, |
| guess it was Colonel Rockwell, coming |
down the platform, and called ont to |
him,
'nOW IS THE PRESInENT|
You see, though | was not sure who he |
was, felt kind Of safe in calling him
Colonel "lIc is doing finely, Page, came |
back the answer. Docs hc feel the |
motion?' asked. Not at all, why, you |
are going Us smoothly rs II Carrige over
an asphalt pavenent} " '..'- '.'l |
"Wus it then you began running lit
tie fasterY' ....tr .'
"Wcll, yes. But MS Bayvicw, our next
place, was only eight miles fur
lhcr | did not try until we started from
Bayvirw to Pcrryvllc, scvcnty-cight
miles out from Washington. They sent |
me word that the President had been
doing better and better rs the distance
from the White House increased. So |
thonght would water the engine, and
if she went smoothly try one mile II lit
tie faster. l.amOkin, the next halt was
miles brther on. The engine
behaved beautifully and half way between
Bayyicw and Lamokin went on with the
trial, and went one mile ifty-threc sec
ouds. did not feel Il jolt or jaras she
went tearing down the track, but
knew then TINT II the President had n
mind he might get n breeze SOON. We
stoned seven minutes at LamOkin, and
called out TO one Of the attcndants,-
Did you notice any extra motion when
we were going lasterY why, no was
The answer; were we travelling any fast
rr than lorty-nvo miles an hourY Yes,
SIR saws |, we went one mile In fifty
three seconds. well, said he, i did
not notice It, and am sure the Presi-
lent did not; III 90 aud ask Pretty
soon saw him coming down the plat
form:
'wIIp HER Ut PAGE:
whip her up, he called ont. The Prcsi-
lent did not feel amy extra motion. They
were all delighted to hear that we were
getting along faster, and the President
said, "ICll him 10 go ahead, | want 10
ret there Does Inc continue 10 im-
1rovcY | asked. 'Ycs; he said,
short time ago, 4 feel as If were on the
road TO recovery
"Allcr these stons," was asked, "yOu
went pretty much at the speed you
thought best, according to your knowl-
,dgc Of the roadY'
"Prctty much as thought best, and
HE engine behaved well right straight
She ran more smoothly than
she is running now, and | warrant you
IRE not being much shaken Ot this mo-
ncnt."
81 suppose after this she will be the
most famous engine on the rOadY'
"Nps, sir, and she ought to he.
guess she earned national reputation
.O-dny.n