Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-12
The Trip to Waco,

As early as q O'Clock people were waiting
along the various street car lines for trans
portation to the depot, and long before
O'Clock, large numbers had cOngregated
there, and crowds were hurrying along
the streets. intent on getting to the depot
before the train left.
1t is an old saying that an excursion train
was never known to leave on time, and it
was $50 when Engineer Emmons pulled
the throttle and the long line of heavily
laden coaches moved ont of the depot. II
was thought i second section would be nee
essary but Dave Emmons had Mogul 202,
and as he climbed upon the huge machine
he said he could pull that train
without any trouble. Many of
the excursiouists, and some of them rail
road men, We're inclined to think the burden
was too heavy for the engine, no matter how
willing she might be. but they didn't know
that engine or tie crew that manned her.
thirty mile an-hour rate while jim Redmon
kept the old girl hot, Dave hooked her
down in the corner got her by the neck and
she walked away with that string of
coaches as smoothly as u boy would trail
Irvine string behind him. Fire
man Redmon didn't have any
time to play marbles He was determined
that train should 20 through all right if il
was only a question of steam, and he
worked like Il hero.
G.. W. Oliver was the conductor IN charge
of the train, one Of those whOle-souled, big
hearted fellows who contribute so much TO
the popularity and success of a railroad,
and he was unceasing in his efforts to have
everything move smoothly. He has an able
lieutenant in his brakeman, l.. a. Harper.
Trainmaster j. j. Gavin of Alvarado was
also on the train, riding in every coach. and
keeping watchful eye on every detail.
lie must have walked forty miles during
the round "trip.
Upon leaving Fort Worth the train
whirled across as pretty country as the
golden sun ever shone upon. mid rich.
rolling fields with their wealth of cotton.
corn and fruits, that give such splendid
promise OF the Texas that is to be and serv-
ing TO show the abundant yield that can be
secured by all residents Of Texas who will
scratch her back.
\ pause of moment was made at Burle-
sou for orders and water. and then no stop
was made until .ilvarado was reached.
Here we were reinforced by 4 large mum Der
of railroad men who were intent on accom-
pauyine the Fort Worth boys on
their outing. Thence on to Hillsboro,
through 4 rarely beautiful and fer
tile region, where some more rail
road men joined the gang. From
Hillsboro on. the face of the country grad
ually becomes more broken as one ap-
proaches the brakes of the Brazos. There
is very little OF the country along this line
that is unfit for cultivation, though less
than one-half of it is now under the
dominion of the plow and harrow.
Descending into the Brazos valley for
eighteen miles the road is down hill.
through the crosS-timbers and with prairie
fiecked with mesquite trees. In the BraZos
valley magnificent liveoaks are seen, with
pecan and other forest trees.
The run from Fort Worth was made IN
good time-three and one-half hours, and
Just before u o'clock the train rolled across
the handsome iron bridge spanning the
tawny flood of the Brazos into the beauti-
full little city of Waco. and the vast crowd
of excursioniSts scattered in the search for
dinner and other Injuries of life.