The Wilmingtonian., 1888-09-01
PRICE TWO GENTS:

eager to finish their run, are held in
check miles away, until the wheels
of their cars begin to rust-or the
other train heard from. From here
issues the imperative order to the
startled train men ON freight at
Delmar to make the run to Whining
ton with but one stop. Through
storms of rain or snow, or shadowing
fog, the DEGREES issuing from here
are frought with significant impor-
tance. Being obeyed without ques-
tioning they are all the more irrevo-
cable. Bidding goodbye to the de-
spatchers office we enter the adjoin-
ing
TRAIN MASTERS OFFICE"
In charge of Mr.. B. Murphey, with
J. b. Book assistant. In this de-
partment trains are made up and
started as the business of the road
may demand. These trains in either
case come under the despatcher's con-
troll while in transit, This is an ad-
mirable arrangement, as it simplifes
the running of the trains, and to a
certain extent divides the RESPONSE
bility.
UP STAIRS
Is located the engineers depart
ment, in charge of Mr.. L. w. Alli-
bone with four assistants. Here are
projected all the plans belonging to
the divisions; switches, curves, bridges,
buildings, and all improvements what
ever are looked upon in embryo in
this department. Levelings, calcula-
tions of cost of cubic feet of dirt to
be removed, are first made here and
determined upon. The work of this
department is best seen upon the
roadway in accurate curves, and a
puzzling labyrinth of connecting
switches, together with the rare
skill that adopts means to an end.
Leaving this department we meet
Mr.. Whaley on the landing, who at
our request shows us in the
"MAINENTANCE OF WAY DEPARTMENT"
In charge of Mr.. J. Mahoney and
three assistants, Mr.. A. Hoffecker,
chief clerk. Here we find out all
about the repairs to the road bed
proper, and the army Of section men
required along the line to make good
the constant wear and tear of the
heavy Uraius hourly passing over II.
This supervising must be continual,
or the whole road may be likened to
chain with one weakened link.
Hence at times, the office of super
wiser is no bed of roses. We pay
brief visits to the master carpenter,
foreman of locomotives and accosn-
tant's offices, and cannot but admire
the admirable system in which every
thing is conducted, at the same time
we become greatly enlightened as to
how work is done at division head
quarters, to make easy business
which is far reaching in results, and
at the same time one that is simplifed
to the most minute details by a series
of controlling checks. On our way
down stairs we pass on the left the
Office and parlors of
SUPERINTENDENT MILLS
On whom everything depends;
While road operations go along
smoothly and without jar, you can
see at any time Mr.. Mills moving
quietly about headquarters CONVEX
sing pleasantly with whoever he
may chance to meet. There is no
mistake however, when an emergen-
cy aris the firm determination
shadowed in that Grant like head.
How many Delawareans know that
the quiet, unobtrusive man, who
superintends their safe carriage up
and down this state when they travel
on his road, had in years agone, the
destiny of this whole republic in his
grasp, on more than one occasion.
The friend Of Lincoln; the strong,
and loyal Unionist, who throttled
treason in Baltimore in 1860 by
sending the troops by way of Annsp-
oils and that saved the Capital at
Washington, before the burned brid-
ges at Baltimore could be replaced.
Theu afterwards when the magnifi-
cent army Of the Potomac was hur-
ried to the front over his road while
he was master Of transportation at
Havre-de-Grace and belongs now to
: the history Of the country, and recalls
another fact, that there yet live other
heroes of the war beside those who
wore shoulder straps
"a LUCKY PLACE"
During certain portions of the day
Clayton presents an animated ap-
pearance. The arrival and departure
of trains on the Delaware & Chesa-
peake r. r., Kent Co. r. r. and
N. Y. P. &c N. r. r., the hurrying
? to and fro of passengers; the putting
of locomotive darting IRON one track
10 another. making up their trains.