The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-16
LUXURY ON WHEELS.
A EIcH MANS EXTRAORDINARY TRIP
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
A Son-in Law OF Vanderbilt Travels In
Style That outdoes Royalty-Inter-
esting Experiences-A Nineteenth
Century Achievement.

Northern Pacific Railroad from Nancou-
yer. The party had lived and travelled
for six weeks in the most complete and
gorgeous railroad train ever put together.
1t was a special train and a special trip.
II made the fastest time ever known in the
history OF railroading, and the party visit
ell more places OF interest aud got over
moro ground than any similar company OF
excursioniss ever did
They have crossed the continent, visited
Canada and gone as far north as Alaska.
They travelled 10000 miles, and the ex-
pensc OF the little jaunt to DIR. Webb, its
protector, is said TO have been 500, 0O0
But he can afford it, for DIR. Webb, who is
! president Of the Wagner Palace Car Com
pany, came into pot of money when he
married the youngest daughter Of William
ii. Vanderbilt Months ago he began
making preparations for railroad tour Of
the United States and Canada which
would be monumental in the history Of
railroading. Four magnificent palace cars
made up the finest railroad train ever
known, and in those DR.. Webb and his
party OF sixteen left New York on the 9th
OF April for a journey Of 10000 miles.
The company consisted of DIR. Webb, his
wife and three children; his brother Frank
Webb, Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Purdy, Mr..
Julien Kean, Mr.. George Bird, DIR. James
w. McLane, and maids, Wallets and other
servants.
There never has been such luxury on
yhaala "a m this irntn IL a lao 10
cided on his trip, DR.. Webb gave orders
for extensive alterations in his private car,
Mariauita, one OF the handsomest cars
owned by the Wagner Company In order
10 adapt Il especially for the use OF tho
children aud their nurses. A nursoy con
eisting OF two rooms was constructed,
stocked with every necessity and comfort
for childron's use, and provides. with wide,
downy berths for the little Webbs. Adj.
joining the nursery was Mrs Wcbb's pri.
waite boudoir, aud next to that, the cosicst
little bathroom in the world, supplied with
hot and cold water and every luxurious
appointment.
In the special dining car the partitions
were removed so that the dining.room ox.
tends the entire length OF the car. On the
floor is the soitesto tapestries OF delicate
blue, matching the prevailing shade Of the
upholstery in Mrs. Webb's car, and the
mahogany woodwork, which il sirikingly
rich Ii set of 10y the subdued light from
the stained Gothic window. Partitions at
either end Of the car provide space for the
kitchen and for the attendants.
The most beautiful car in the train was
President Webb's special car, the Elsmcrc,
recently built 10 his order. At the rear Of
the Elsmerc, which was the last car in the
train, Is an obseryaiion.room, small
apartment, furnished sumptuousy and
containing ease OF immense maps which
move on rollers, and were specially made
for DIR. Webb; cyclomcteT, which con-
stanuy shows the speed at which the train
- moving, and various other devices.
fQry-lrd OF tbs novel apartment are suilcs
Il bedrooms, furnished In the richest style
and then comes the great parlor. The in.
terror work OF the car throughout Is OF ma.
hogany, most deliberately carved, aud all
the upholstery is Of olive colored velvet,
which well matches the tint OF the heavy
tapestry on the lloor The ceiling is beau
tilted with well executed frcscocs; the
lamps are OF Persian brass and nodded
after the Grecian fashion; the washbowls
are Of costly marble, inlaid with mosaic
work In different colorcd marble and there
Il scarcely an inch OF the car that Il not
NlOIntu nAtllt way ~ AhN ANlMNlh Nul
n a room for the conductor OF the train,
and conccaling II Is rich mahogany bul-
iet. on which stands n complete silver
service.
Another noteworthy palace on wheels
Is the combination bullet and baggage car.
One end is fitted up in pale blue uphols-
terry for use ~ a smoking and lounging-
room and the other Ia designed Ms a rcccp.
ton OF baggage and also has n bathroom,
500.gallon tank for warming tho water 10
supply the bathrooms and quarters for tho
attendants aud train hands. In the differ
ent cars there Il no end Of closets for linen
and clothing. and space for the reception
Of provision, wines, rifles, fishing tackle.
etc, IL by tno means wanting. Besides
these convenience there Is a well-assortcd
library OF books on North American travel
and general subjects, electric bells, hand
some piano IN Mrs Wcbb's car, aud, Ia
short. all the luxurios Of Fifth avenue
residence.
In this more than regal style tho Webl
party have rolled across tho continent
since the 9th OF April, when they left the
Grand Central Depot for Niagara Falls
the fSi point Of interest ON their route
by living In the train, stopping but
short imSin resting places, and Ia visiting
rapidly only ,ho most famous attractions
they have seen the most noted places IL
the United States, British America an,
Alaska, and have trayorsod moro than
5000 miles In almost incredibly shor
time.
ID. Webb has been In constant commu
nieaiion with his secretary here in New
York by using a photograph which h,
look with him on the train. lie has ais,
sent letters TO his friends 10y the sam,
method, speaking into the instrument an,
sending cylinders by mail 10 be replace,
In other instruments here 10 repeat tn
messages they had borne thousands o
miles, reproducing tho very tone Of TIN
Doctors voice.
In one Of the cylinders his words ar
mingled with the subducd voices Of hi
children who were singing at the other en-
OF the car 10 the soft accompaniment {
the piano. This cylinder was commence
Just after the party had visited Magyar
Falls. lie added 10 Il In Chicago, Rnisho
Il In Omaha aud mailed Il back from Den
yer. II tells the story OF their runnin
stwoen New York and Buffalo ut dc
al fity-two miles an hour, In Canads
ON st. Thomas 10 Detroit li2 miles /
is minutes, nnd somewhere betwee
Detroit and Chicago the Doctor mad
= himself heard above the roar Of the trait
"Tho cyclometer shows that we are rul
ming slxty.nino miles an hour" m
cylinder was spoken 10 while tho traI
was running, and when one listens 10 /
story no hoara tho rumblo and roar of N