Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-09-21
THE FIEsr TRAIN
On the Ohio River Road Takes Oat
Free Party.


Free Party.
On Tuesday the first was run over the
track OF the Ohio River railroad at Parkers-
buig.. The State Journal tells the story:
fastening up toward the Parkersburg
mills the reporter saw the new locomotive
coming slowly down the grade from the b.
& o. track. At this time there we're pro-
baby a dozen boys hanging on the tender
aud as many men walking down on either
side of her The huge engine stopped al
the crossing on Green street, where Nj. q.
T. Goldman, the engineer brother OF con-
tractor Goldman, invited the reporter into
the cab. 1--WE always make room for news.
paper men," said he, but we are bothered
10 death by little rascals climbing an over
the tender; its q wonder TO me there are
not more Of them killed. Coming over
from Fort Wayne they Kept me busy hall
the time driving them of; but suppose II
is lot much use to attempt 1t to-day, for
they climb on again as soon as my oack Ii
turned"
How does she work.
"She is little stiff, but that Is hardly
worth mentioning, as all engines are that
wsy when they are frat put up, she will
be all right tomorrow.
He was called off Just then by Mr.. Laird,
OF the B. & o. r R, wis was kindly as
sistipg in getting the new companys en-
eiLe in working order. At signal, Mr.. l..
Durham, the gentlemsnly fireman, started
her ahead slowly. 1--WE have to get those
cars ahead Of Us on the other switch so We
can test this curve, its the worst one on the
road, said Mr.. Durham.
"ls this q new engine" asked the re-
porter.
"Oh, no; it is only to be used as a work
engine; a second hand one answers just as
well, but of course she had TO be over
hauled
Mr.. Goldman again grasped the throttle
valve and started her around the curve
The first attempt proved that the rails were
laid wrong. They were soon fixed by the
track layers and the engine passed over:
Mr.. Goldman then reversed her and backed
up, hitching on to seven loaded box cars
filled with fish plates spikes, and started
for the trial trip around to the pulp works.
BY this time the report that the first train
over the o. +. Il. r. was about 10 start out
had been circulated all over Parkersburg,
and people left their work and came run.
ming down to the track as II they were
gong to a fire. Already the tops Of the
box cars were crowded with men and boys,
while the big chunks OF coal on the tender
OF the engine were held down by Judge
Jackson, Sheriff Smith, +. w. Stork, Ed.
McCreary, Mont Van Wrinkle aud other
prominent citizens. In the cab was
Sentinel and State journal representa-
tive.
Mr.. Goldman whistled off brakes and
opened the valve slowly but surely as il
feeling her way. Like an elephant crossing
bridge the locomotive moved on.
The crowds on either side OF the track as
far up as the curve AT The river bank
strained their necks to get better view OF
the monster moving up the place where
seven months ago steamboats, were putting.
Only this was noticeable. There was al.
most q complete silence, no demonstrations
Of sry kind coming from the crowd; they
seemed TO be filled with awe aud sstonish-
ment
AT Market street a stop vas made, aud
Jacob Il. Jackson, Governor OF We7t Nir
ginis, was assisted into the engineers seat.
He remarked that this was the first time
in his life he ever rode on an engine,
but" said he, I'VE ought to open few
bottles of champagne on her to get her Ia.
bricated properly"
The drip was continued. The engine
passed safely around the river curve and
up onto the treste work, which seemed as
solid as a rock. The branches OF low
hanging locust tree between Second and
Court street compelled the boys on the box
cars 10 lie down. When the engine was
passing Court street in front Of the court
house a salute OF three whistles was blown.
Passing under the B. & o. bridge and up to
the saw mill the engine struck the mill tel.
ephone wire. Before the lever could be re-
verssd the wire broke, one end nearly pull
ng the head light from its place. The mill
whistle set up q great noise which Mr..
Goldman promptly recognized. The cars
were disconnected Just below this point
and the engine kept on up around the
bend as far as the track was laid making
iiminutive scissors OF the crossed pins laid
on the rails by the pretty girls alo:6 the
track. After the end OF me track was
reached she backed down again still follow.
ca by the crowd which had walked along
beside the track from town and took the
cars down the incline TO the river,