Wichita eagle., 1890-02-22
AMERICAS FIRST LOCOMOTIVE.
Unique Distinction of Eoratio Allen. Re
Gently Deceased at South Orange.

Unique Distinction of Eoratio Allen. Re
Gently Deceased at South Orange.
Horatio Allen, who died at his home in
South Orange, N. j., recently, was the first
man who ever ran locomotive on this con-
tinent. In the year 1927 Allen was appointed
as an assistant to John E. Jervis, chief en-
gineer of the Delaware and Hudson canal,
and showed such tact for railroad and en-
glneering enterprise that he was during the
latter part of 1927 commissioned by Chief
Engineer Jervis to go to England for the
purpose Of purchasing the necessary iron and
chains for the construction of a rsiroad be-
tween Honesdale and Carbopdale, Pa. a
distance of some fifteen or twenty miles He
was also instructed to arrange Tor the build
ing of three locomotives.
On his arrival in England be sought out
Stephenson, before whom he laid his plans
for the construction of the three locomotives,
but as Stephenson was very busy at the time
he refused the order. Allen, not discouraged
at the refusal, next calied on Foster, Ros-
wick & Co, Of Stourbridge, England, who
finally agreed to construct the locomotives.
Allen remained with this firm, studying the
construction and workings Of the different
parts of the engines, until the fan Of 1seS,
when he returned to America. The first of
the three locomotives was shipped from
England in April, 1922 and arrived in New
York the following May 1t was one of what
was called the ''Grasshoppcr" make, and was
christened the ''Stourbridge Lion" from the
fact of its having had painted in red on the
front of its boiler a fierce lions head.
Soon after its arrival it was set up at the
NaCf Point fOn,Gru foot of Raocb
New York, its body resting on blocks, SO as
to enable the directors of the company to
witness its workings The locomotive and
tender were both four wheeled, with spokes
and felloes of wood and iron tires and wheel
centers. The locomotive was without cab,
cylinders upright, and a walking beam on
each side applied the motive power to the
wheels 1t was not until the following sum
mer that the ''Stourbridge Lion" was re-
moved from New York. The delay in for
warding 1t 10 HoneSdale, Pa, where it was
destined, was occasioned by the canal not
being open. On its arrival at Honesdale it
was placed on the newly constructed track,
alongside the canal, and preparations for its
initial trip were made under the direction of
fir Allen.
On the Sth day of August, 1922 at Homes
Gale, the trial trip was made, commanded by
Horatio Allen himself. The event very nat
urally caused the assembiage of large and
curious crowd, which came from within a
radius OF forty or fifty miles to witness the
interesting spectacle. 1t is said that an old
Queen Anne cannon was brought all the way
from New York to Honesdafe to boom forth
its applause in honor of the great occurrence
The people predicted that Aliens effort TO
successfully operate this engine would prove
futile. most likely by the breaking down Of
the track, the rail upon which was laid on a
continuous trestle of helnlock timber; in fact
few of these present had an inclination to
trust their lives on the Lion. Mr.. Allen, non
apprehensive OF danger, jumped up and took
his position on the locomotive at the same
time declaring that if there was any danger
he was ready to meet il. Pulling the throt-
tie valve open and running few times slow
IL backward and forward, and sending a
cheering good-by to the crowd, he dashed
swiftly away over the swaying trestle and
around the dangerous curve. thus setting in
motion the first locomotive engine that ever
turned wheel in the western hemisphere.
The track over which the engine ran was
of scrap iron, spiked next the inner edge TO
lhi SS HSiiliOCh SiStISiS. az tLe titIc Vi tHS
trial trip of the locomotive the timbers and
ties, although having been securely connect
ed, Rad become warped, and it was marvel
Gus that the engine remained on the track.
The raiiroad crossed the Lackas wanna river
over a treetie. As the locomotive passed
over the road its weight firmly pressed every
thing underneath down TO its place on the
roadbed. Mr.. Allen, after running the
Lion" a sufficient distance to enabie HIM TO
recognize its merits, reversed tie engine and
returned to his starting place al Honesdale,
amid the applause Of hundreds Of sigbtseers.
without encountering an accident Of any
kind. Alien was engineer, fireman, con
ductor, baggagemaster, brakeman and pas
sepger Allen was at one tins president Of
the Novelty works Of New York, aud At the
tine Of bis death wac IN MS rinetieth year
William Morris Hayes in New York World.