The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-23
WITH a FINGER OF STONE.
a Monument to Commemorate the
First Train Run in New Jersey.
TrOna fhe Vetr York Ey.roId

First Train Run in New Jersey
From the NetC York Herald
BoRDENrowS. N. j., Nov. 12.-This city
took day OFF to-day to attend the ceremo-
MES on the completion of the monument
erected By the Pennsylvania company to
mark the first pie ce of track laid between
New York and Philadelphia, and also to
commemorate the sixteenth anniversary of
the first movement by steam upon a rail-
way in the state Of New Jersey.
The celebration took p ace about a mile
and a half outside the city, at the place
where the track was laid sixty years ago.
The monument is q granite block cut
pyramid at the top. IL stands on a square
base, which, in turn, is on foundation of
the original stone blocks upon which the
track was laid.
In front Of the memorial is a piece of rail
from the original track. On one is a bronze
bias relief made from the working drawings
furnished by Isaac Drip, the first master
mechanic of the Camden and Amboy rail-
road, giving a faithful representation Of
the John Bull
Gen. w. Stryker. one of the vice presi-
dents Of the New Jersey Historical Society,
presided.
Two special trains loaded with guests ar
rived from New York and Philadelphia.
The presentation address was made by
Joseph I. Richards, assistant chief engineer
OF the Pennsylvania company, informally
transferring the monument. MIR. Richards
referred TO the circumstances that led to the
erection Of the monument and then turned
1t over to Supt. +. Walcott jack
son, who on behalf of the united railroads of
the New Jersey division of the Pennsylvania
company made the address Of acceptance.
RAILROADS VS.. CANALS.
Mr.. jackson referred to the rivalry which
existed between the railroad companies and
the canal companies and the devices which
they resorted to in order to make the fast
est travelling. Prominent men who had
been prominent directors and officers OF the
road are still living.
Isaac Dripp, who ran the first engine, was
present at the celebration.
j. Elfreth Watkins, curator of the section
Of transportation in the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition, the next speaker covered very ex-
tensively the developments Of the railroad
and its methods Of travelling from the days
Of the stage coach to the present time.
The interesting part of his speech was
reached when he took up the particulars
relative to the first engine and the laying Of
the first iron tracks in New Jersey. Robert
L. Stevens first conceived the idea of steam
engines by witnessing the trial trip of the
"Planet" in England In 1881.
He at once ordered locomotive Of SINH
lar construction from the same manu-
facturers, George s. Robert Stephensonof
Newcastle-on-Tyne. 1t was completed in
May, 1881, and arrived at Philadelphia In
August OF the same year.
NAMED THE JOHN BULL.
The engine was named the John Bull. II
was taken from Philadelphia to Bordentown
on Sept. 4, where it was transported to the
only piece Of track then completed, which
was about one mile and a half distant from
the city. and the place where the exercises
were held to-day.
1t was put together here aud placed on
the track. There was no tender, 30 four.
wheeled platform car was attached, and
upon this was placed a whisky hogshead.
The connection between engine and tank
was made by piece Of leather hose, fitted
by Bordeatown shoemaker.
The first public trial was given on Nov.
IL. Isaac Dripps acted as engineer, Ben
jamin Higgins as fireman and K. L. Stevens
was general instructor and conductor. The
New Jersey legislature and large number
of prominent people attended the trial trip,
and the running OF the little engine by
steam was pronounced wonder
The engine was then stored until 1888,
when the company began running their cars
by steam, horses having previously been
used.
The original dimensions Of the engine
we're: Cylinders. inches 10 diameter. 20
inches stroke. The driving wheels were 4
feet inches in diameter. In front of these
were another pair Of wheels, not connected
of the same hight.
The hubs of the wheels were of cast iron.
with spokes and rims OF wood, while around
these were tires of wrought iron. The Ell.
tire weight was about ten tons.
WOULD RUN OFF THE TRACK.
One trouble experienced by the engine or
was running off the track at curves, as there
were only four wheels under the engine.
To remedy this defect Robert l.. Stevens
planned the first pilot in 1889. 1t was made
Of oak, 8 by 4 feet, and pinned together at
the corners.
The cars first used were those formerly
drawn by horses The were large and
open, and looked very much like a ba-
rouche.
While the track was in course OF con-
struction the stones used to lay the tracks
upon failed 20 arrive and Robert Stevens
ordered the contractors co lay the tracks on
sleepers placed about three feet apart. This
was found to be even better than the stones,
and all the track was therefore laid with
the wooden sleepers.
The John Bull'' ran for few years and
then three new engines were built 1t was
thought that the John Bull" was toe
heavy. and the engines built later we're
made to weigh eight tons instead of ten.
The monument is the only one of Its kind
in the United States. The idea of erecting
it came from j. Elfreth Watkins. There
are several in England built to commemo.