The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-10-19
CONVENTION OF NATIONAL ASSO-
CATION OF FIRE CHIEFS.
CHIEF ENGINEER VAN SEWERS
REPORT.
To tho common Council.

which through your kindness, / had the
honor OF attending, there remains for me
to give some report Of my journey and
stay.
In company with Chief John w. Hulse,
OF Freehold, joined the through line at
Trenton Junction and there met the Sec
rotary of the N. ]. 8. A., Horace H.
Brown, President VIM. Exall, of the Ex-
fempts,. and James Davis and wife, of
Newark, who were already comfortably
situated in the sleeper that was to convey
the party to Cincinnati. The train was
the 1920, of Saturday morning, October
1st, 1892.
My father was wont TO say, that, If
every man would faithfully disclose the
marvellous events and dispensations in
which be had been sharer, there would
be no room for the exercise of that spirit
of unbelief as to things Of a miraculous
nature with which the most favored quar-
ters OF the globe, aud in no little degree,
our own land, is SO lamentably infested.
To those who occasionally travel, there
are new scenes aud incidents which come
up to confront them, that those older have
by frequent contact become tired Of, yet
at first sight create feelings OF awe In a
run of about 800 miles of new territory,
especially SO beyond Washington, there
were many points of interest to see and
much to be learned, that the history of
the United States does not give to tho
first reader In geography. All along the
route, wherever stop was made, brief
opportunities were given to study the Pc
cullar features of those who are habitual
freqnenters of railroad stations and only
so far as climate and surroundings are
concerned, do they differ from those
found at our own station 10 L.
One of the features of ride over the
B. & o. from Washington is climb of
seventeen miles directly up the mountain,
until an altitude OF 2,700 feet above the
sea level is reached then after run of
several miles along the summit, the down
ward grade is taken until there is no dan
ger OF falling Off the mountain side and
taking roll.
The route selected by Mr.. Clark, car
RED US through Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio and In
diana, thus giving an opportunity to get a
glimpse of these States, or portions OF
them. One riding up the Delaware from
Trenton, would see quite as beautiful
scenery, but not on such a grand scale
as met our view once in while. A prom
inent feature was the large fields of wav-
ing corn and the fields of corn that had
been already cut and shocked. On either
side of The road, field after field OF this
useful commodity could be seen until one
wondered where the owners would find
sale for 1t. This was particularly notice.
able in Ohio. AS a general thing the
country was without attractions. 1t was
only now and then that some one would
call attention to some particular object OF
interest. From Information received on
the train from citizens OF these particular
States, there are many improvements GO
ing on and developments being made
which will add greatly to their industries
and wealth.
We reached Cincinnati Sunday morn
ing about ~ o'clock. having been delayed
three hours by wreck OF two freigh
trains, which tried the old but unsuccess
full trick Of trying TO pass each other or
one track.
Cincinnati is quite a city, there beinl
about 296, 900 inhabitants. Securing &C
commodations at the Palace hotel and af
ter partaking of a sumptuous dinner, W,
started for the fire headquarters, directl,
opposite, and there met Captain John Con
way, of No. Engine, who voluntarily as
sumed charge OF the party and showed III
the department as far as possible In tn,
time allotted. Cincinnati may well b,
proud OF its fire department everything
In order and everything to fight fire a
hand. The electrical department is "way
up" think on the fourth floor. grher,
is nothing, however, that could be recon
mended TO make 1t more perfect. Ii
this department we saw supply wagon
fitted up in elegant style, with everything
upon 1t that could be possibly needed 70
use at o fire. This wagon answers ever,
alarm, and should anything be required
the man In charge hands II out and n,
one else Is allowed to touch single piece
1t is practical display Of the motto 81
place for everything and everything in II
place"
After visiting everything OF interest ii
the department, the Captain suggested
ride to Walnut Hill and Eden Park, whic
invitation was accepted. This ride CAV
us an opportunity OF seeing much OF tn
lefty that otherwise would have been lei
out. There was parade Of Italian so
cietics this Sunday afternoon and It wa
difficult to get through the streets, eithe
on cars or on foot. A corner stone layin
of new church was the motive for til
parade. We had often heard OF blac
smoke from soft coal, but never encounter
cd 1t to any extent before. On every side
in every direction, could be seen smek
rising In perfect clouds, and as nigh
came on 1t lowered about the city like
pail. Face, hands, clothing, everythin
black, and we wondered IL away bac
there was not some cause for the diffel
ence in color Of the races.
The theatres, concert saloons, hotel
and places Of amusement generally, al
open on Sunday, but with some restraint
Those who have visited this great city
have heard Of "Over the RHINE" Thei
has been and still is desire on the pal