Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-13


nature. He built the first locomotive, ard
built the first coal-burning locomotive in
this State; he also constructed and ran the
first locomotive ever used in Oregon. He
drove
THE FIRST PILES
For the famous long wharf at Oakland,
which was the beginning of what is now
known as the great Oakland mole or pier,
over which thousands of people pass daily.
be selected and had charge of the placing
OF the machinery III the transfer steamer
Solano-the largest ferry-b boat in the world.
He also designed and built the machinery
OF the Piedmont, having an inclined en-
gine, the performance of which has been
the source of admiration to all mechanics
who have seen 1t. Mr. Stevens also recon-
structed the steamer Oakland, and the
work, like all he performed, was thorough,
and produced the very best results. One
OF the finest pumps in the country he built
for the city OF Sacramento, and 1t bears his
name in the city's Water Works. These
are but very few of his grea works and
inventions; indeed, the latter are TO be
numbered by the score.
IN LOCOMOTIVE BUILDING
He was specially successful, building better
engines and for less cost than such ma
chimes could be purchased for and delivered
at Eastern manufactures, not withstanding
the fact that nearly all the material had to
be bought in the East. He built many diff
ferent styles of engines, the designs for
which were entirely new and original.
His locomotives and engines have per-
formed remarkably well, and have effected
a great saving over Eastern engines in the
same class of service. Eel Gobernador. u
the engine named after Governor Stanford.
until very recently was the largest locomo-
tive in the world, and was designed by Mr..
Stevens and constructed under his personal
supervision, for service on mountain di-
visions where great traction power is essen
tlal. he built the entire machinery for the
river boats Modoc and Apache, and also
the boilers for the steamer Soiano, and the
hydraulic machine for operating the i'm
mense aprons in the ferry slips. He de-
signed and constructed
INNUMERABLE KINDS OF PUMPS.
Both surface and deep-weil pumps. 1t was
he who established the rolling mill plant
at the Sacramento shops, which has saved
the company hundreds and thousands of
dollars, all of the machinery being de-
signed by him and built at the Sacramento
shops. The new .boiler shop and new
foundry buildings were erected through
his urgent request, and the engines for
these buildings were designed by him and
built at these shops.
There is perfect hydraulic system for
cranes and elevators in the foundry. roll
ing mill, machine and boiler shops, the
cranes ranging from one to twenty TONS
and all are of his designing. His design
OF a steam coal crane was one of his great
est successes. 1t was first made hydraulic.
but subsequently he found that steam was
quicker and cheaper. This crane is port
able, standing on car and can be run to
any part OF the road. Many Eastern roads
have sent for the drawings of this device.
He also designed and built
USEFUL MACHINE
For testing the quality of oil, and likewise
valuable machine for testing the strength
OF iron. The largest steam hammer here
standing in the rolling mill-in which have
been forged twenty-four shafts, was de-
signed by him and built in Sacramento
under his supervision. After testing four
or i've spike " machines purchased from
Eastern manufacturers. Mr. Stevens de-
signed and constructed two machines.
one Of which more than fills the
place of four of the Eastern make.
His safety revolving switch-stand is
universally used on the Central Pacific
Railroad. 1t was wholly original with
him. and is for day and night service, and
SO arranged that the bolts cannot be picked
by tramps orvicious persons and the switch
thrown out-a liability of the old style of
railroad switch.
Still, there are many other inventions by
Mr.. Stevens that might be named. but
probably none but himself could have cata.
logued them all. Not one of all the works
OF his genius but contributed TO mechanic
progress and economic labor, and hence to
human happiness and the prosperity of
men.
HIS CHARACTER.
He was greatly beloved by all his subor-
dInates, and respected and admired bv his
superior officers, and than this no man
neecs higher testimonial for faithfulness
and ability. AS an instance of the devo-
ton OF the men at the railroad shops in
this city, when the news of his death was
received, 1t seemed as if pail had sud
denly tallen upon the works and many
strong men bowed their heads, and break
ing down, wept. He had ALWAYS required
OF them full fair, honest work and finished
products. He would tolerate no Sinking.
no patchwork; he ahhorred rere devices
when complete remedies could as well be
applied; he knew a good workman and
plued poor one and despised lazy one.
Hewa human and fallible, and men some
times felt his anger, but these were only as
passing clouds. Over and above all was
his uniform kindness, even gentleness.
Men feared him, not for his anger. but be-
cause his displeasure was certain to
be received as deserved and coca
stoned by some construction, some work
not up to his high standard So as they
respected his genius and skill, they looked
up to him; himself a hard worker, he
knew how to spare his men and vet get the
best results; and, moreover, he respected
them they were his peers, his fellows, and
SO they loved while they feared him. He
believed in
THOROUGH, GOOD WORK,
And in good pay for it. When an effort
was made to reduce wages in his depart
ment, it being thought an economic neces-
sity, he put himself in front and resisted
with such firmness and manliness and such
a showing that his men were not touched
and suffered no reduction of wages He
was man of wonderful executive ability.
He could map out the work for and keep
busy thousands of men, and oversee the
whole construction. In fact he was so tire
less q worker that his devotion to duty
killed him. In building machinery he
oyertasked that of his body and
called too heavily upon his mental
powers. He gave himself not nearly enough
of rest. and seldom took what may be really
termed recreation. Many a time has he
been found by his family in the small
hours of the night at his desk, with his
draughting implements before him, fallen
back in the unhealthful leep of utter ex-
haustion. His preoccupation upon the
street in recent years was noticed by all
who knew him, his mind being ever busy
with mechanical schemes and the respon-
sibility imposed upon him. 1t should here
be stated that his employers deplored his
constant devotion to work on his part, and
often begged him to rest At last they
forced him to take a leave of absence, and
did all in their power to give him rest and
save him to still more usefulness 10 his fell
lowmen. But his mind was intent upon
improvements to save labor by perfecting
machinery and to render railroading more
and more secure to passengers and goods.
and more and more economic to its oper-
ators. He was
QUIET, RETIRING, SENSITIVE
Man. He spoke but little, but always to
the purpose. He was deliberate in iudg-
ment and firm in resolves. Occasionally
he was led by all his responsibilities and
the hundreds looking to him for direction
into some heat, as if he was wearied with
the struggle, but these manifestations were
infrequent and but momentary Censure
deserved, however he applied vigorously.