The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-12-01
THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY.
ITS CONTR WITH THE
CITY COMPLIED WITH.

The Main Line and the Three
Onc-MiIe branches Have all
Been Completed and are Now in
FirstCIass Running Order.
On the Sd day of December last the or
dnance providing for the construction of
the street railway was amended by mu-
tual consent of the Mayor and Aldermen,
representing the city of Asheville, and the
board of directors, representing the OWL
erS of what was known as the Farinholt
charter.
By this amendment the company agreed
to complete the main stem from the de-
pot to the court hous within three
months, and three other branches, each
about one mile in length within one
year; and in spiteo OF manv delays, equally
veXatious, annoying and unavoidable,
the terms have been fully complied with.
We gave an account at the time of the
hand ONE and formal opening of the first
division, and now are happy to state
that on yesterday the Mayor and Alder
men, at the invitation of general mana
ger Arthur, took a car at the public
square, and by actual trial tested the
thOroughncss of the reconstruction of each
Of the extensions, riding first to the cor
ner of Charlotte and Chestnut streets,
then to Doubleday, and finally to the ter
minus of the Patton avenue line. The
track i'll each direction was proven to be
firm and level, and the car glded along
SIN 0othly, filled as it was with happy,
proud and merry company, every one of
whom were rejoiccd at this consumma-
ton of hopes long deferred.
This matter, as all other public i'm
provements, is a subject of great rejoicing
to THE CITIZEN. Its interests are abso-
lutely those of Asheville, and of every
one of Asheviles people When her bus
mess men show the pluck and bravery to
conceive an enterprise like this, and the
energy and perseverance to carry it to
successful completion within the time of
contract, overcoming every obstacle by
their indomitablc industry, this paper
is most proud, indeed to compli-
nent such men, and to believe that
they will acknowledge it as their
CITIZEN. Nor is our pride limited
to our men in this undertaking, but as is
ever the case, our ladies call for warm
tommendation for the public spirit and
interest they ever manifest, as will be
seen by the following communication:
Mr.. w. T. Penniman. President Ashe-
vile Street Railway Company.
Dear Sir:-Although tine Oldest resi-
dent of this town, take sp, cial delight
ind interest in her Youngest improve
nents; and so to-day am charmed to
see the first car at the corner of Charlotte
md Chestnut streets.
AN idea has occurred to me that the
comfort Of your passengers will be much
increased by the erection of ornamental
pavllions al the end of each line and on
| he square, where passengers can have
,omf rtable seats and protection from
sun, wind or rain VIII le awaiting the
cars. If you agree with me, you are at
liberty to place one such pavilion on any
| lJpl lloli vi W lin
Charlotte street extension.
Very respectfully, your friend,
"HENRIETTA X. PATTON"
1t occurs to us that Mrs Patton's sug-
Leston is most admirable one, which
we hope the officials of the company will
soon take under consideration.
Among the many advantages of this
railway, by no means the least has been
the education of many of our men in
what is still quite a new branch of me-
,hanics. A year ago not one could have
been found who would dare go in reach
of a trolley wire, which was regarded as
1t most dangerous customer to deal with,
and it was often asked where can skilled
employees be obtained ?" The necessity
brought our own men to the front and
developed a degree of native talent that
we had no thought we possessed. Ever
with commendable care and caution they
handle the electric appliances with a con-
idence begotten of actual experience
The erection of the posts, wires, ETC., on
the College street line has been accom-
plished without the aid of foreign skill,
and this track, which includes several
short and difficult curves has been laid
in most thoroughly workmanlike man.
ner. This last named work has been ac-
complished by the skill and industry of
track master ] NJ. Brown, of whom man.
ager Arthur speaks in highest praise, as
indeed he does of each and all of his men
but he seemed yesterday especially proud
to call attention to the sharp curves on
steep grade, and to assure his guests that
the large freight car, with nine-foot
wheel base, has passed over them with
perfect ease at the first trial.
How true it is that we do not know
h how much we have to be proud of in our
= men until necessity develops it.
Hospital Donations.
/ The Hospital received thanksgiving of.
{ lerings from all sources-$77.OO in
e money, sugar 90 pounds, rice so pounds,
9 coffee II pounds, tea three pounds, -four
1875 pounds some canned and fresh veg.
!. etables, two turkeys, one chicken, one
quarter of beef one roast of beef