The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-10-24
WAS BUT A BABY ROAD.
THE BEGINNING OF To-DAY's
GREAT TRUNK SYSTEM.
From sehonoctadf 10 AiAnv--uow
People Were Educated Up 60 tho
Idea Of u Railroad aud
How this, Idea Grew.

human life. says the New York Re-
corder. that IL Is somewhat difficult 10
realize that they haze only existed In
the United States since 1891. For
several years before that time. how
ever, the newspapers had discussed
the subject OF railroads and IN 1912
Mr.. Stevens OF Hoboken had advocated
their construction. but nothing prac-
teal had been done until then.
In the Utica Sentinel and Gazette OF
August 2S. 1925. appeared letter
signed Improvement. In which the
writer said: IL intend 10 show the
probable expense OF single-edged
railroad constructed for horsepower
from this village to Albany. with con-
veniences for passing teams
The writer then treats OF railroads
historically. and estimates that the
cost OF single track road from Utica
to Schenectady would be- about So. $50
per mile. He also declares that the
whole road could be constructed for
$500. 900. After various attempts and
failures the first railroad called the
Mohawk and Hudson, between Alba
by and Schenectady. was constructed
and opened for traffic in 1881
All the newspapers OF tho time had
much to say OF the new wonder. The
American Railroad Journal Of Septem-
Der 10. 1882. said: The Mohawk and
Hudson Railroad connects the city OF
Albany with Schenectady. The length
Is fifteen miles and sixty-nine chain
The delay and embarrassment results
ing from the numerous locks and very
circuitous course OF the great Erie
Canal between these towns Ca canal
which Is moreover. navigable only
22O days in the year. even when no ac-
cidents occur). induced n company TO
obtain an act OF incorporation for the
purpose OF forming railroad 10 ~.
percede the grand canal within one
year from the completion OF that far
famed enterprise The work was
commenced on August = 1880, by
the Hon. G. G. Cumbrelcng. -Four
hundred and eighiy-ihree thousand
two hundred and fifteen dollars and
forty-slx cents have been and 1886.
693 will be expended in eompl citing
the work according 20 the Official re-
port made in the Legislature OF New
York in January, 1882
Governor Seward rode over the in
FAINT road soon after It's completion aud
described his trip in this way; I'VE
arrived at Schenectady ats this morn
ing. and Immediately were carried In
post coaches. distance OF a mile and
a half. 10 the present termination OF
the railway There were In waiting
three large cars. which the passengers
entered. These cars differ not much
as 10 the construction OF the body from
stage coaches. except that they are
about one-third larger. and have seats
upon the top The body Is sot upon
very short springs, which cause but
little elasticity OF motion. But the fore
and hind wheels are equal in size
made OF iron. and are about two and
half feet in diameter. They have
rims Al inches wide with a projection
on the side next the carriage which
serves 10 keep the cars secure upon
the rails, not suffering the wheels TO
vary from the track. The car Is d.
vided into two parts by high. though
not entire partition In tho centre the
door admitting into the forward COM
partment being on one side OF the
carriage. and that admitting into the
other on the other side. In each OF
these compartments were six passen-
gers On the top was tho drivers
seat and one other, each holding three
persons; SO that the car carried eight
cen passengers with all their enor-
nous bulk OF baggage.
"IIaying mounted our vehicle, a fine
large gray horse was attached TO IL by
shafts exactly like those OF one horse
wagon. Ready" said the stage mar (;
the driver whistled TO the gray; away
went tho car through hills and over
valleys. Before we had done looking
nj our novel vehicle the car was stop
ped TO water the horse under bridge
and. on inquirIng. we found that we
had come four miles In less than twen-
~ minutes. The horse drank and
away we went two miles further. and
thon a fresh steed was Immediately
put in place OF our gray. mounted
| the ton OF the car. and standing up
there. looking over upon tho mountains
beyond the river was driven in forty
minutes more 20 the present termina-
ton OF tho ruilroad thus accomplish
! ing the journey Of twelve miles in
eighty minutes including stoppings.
In brief this was the beginning not
only on the New York Central but OF
the great railway system Of tho coun-
I try. Much OF the text Of this article