Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-30
A JOLLY SUCCESS. :
OPENING OF THE SEw ELEOTRIC RAISWAY,
On The Ohio Side Of the Rivera Large At
tendance Of Citizens Took Part IN
the Ceremonies.

Yesterday was great day Tor the
towns across the river, the events OF
which marked the beginning Of time
when the relationship Of Bellaire,
Bridgeport and Martins Ferry will be
closer and also served to strengthen the
prophecy that they will all some day DO
one.
1t was the grand opening Of the
Wheeling. Martins Ferry, Bridgeport
and Bellaire Street Railway Company.
As stated by Col. Poorman in his
speech no event has excited such pop
ular interest as this since the opening
of the National Pike sixty years ago. or
that Of the Cleveland and Pittsburg
railroad afterwards. 1t was not
long-looked for opening, as
stated by an evening pa
per, for the short space OF five months
since the idea first originated in the
brain of Manager J. K. Jolly to the date
of the opening yesterday, is unparal-
leled In history Of the length Of time
devoted to the planning and building OF
railways. II was only by persistent et-
fort and brain management that the
population of these towns were permit
ted for the first time to see the swift
and easy gliding electric cars run
through their thoroughfares yesterday.
The programme for the day was
-
lowed by speeches by the prominent
citizens of Martins Ferry, Bridgeport
and Bellaire, at the City Hall in Bridge
port, and ended with banquet at the
restaurant of Mrs. l.. Cross.
Hundreds Of people were congregated
on the pavements and in the streets
near the Office on Bank street to wit
ness the departure of the cars loaded
with invited guests and officials OF the
road. The first car was boarded by j.
X. Jolly and family, f. S. Jolly, A. j.
Jolly, Judge ]. B. briggs and family,
K. 7. Howell and Hon. r. j. Alexander.
This car was In charge of G. b.
White, chief electrician of the road
and he was assisted by the two sons of
Mr.. ]. X. Jolly. Eagene, eleven years
Of age, acted as motOrman, and Erskine,
only five years old, was conductor.
The boys were dressed in uniform and
attracted attention. In the second car
were gathered the clergy, press men,
Board of County Commissioners, and
other specially invited guests. Among
those included in this were Rev. J. M.
Stephens, Rev. ]. G. Henthorne, Rev.
Father Joseph WeiRan, M. R. Hart,
SilaS Ballie, w. S. Meecham, Col. j. K.
Poorman and ex-State Senator Wagner.
Six other cars followed these
two about 600 feet apart, bear
ing the councils and city officials
OF the three towns and the general pub
Tic to whom invitations had been sent.
The procession started down the line
about a quarter past eleven and the first
exclamation Of the passengers were OF
the smoothness OF the track and the
ease with which the cars glded along.
The cars were another subject OF COM
ment and considerable praise as they
are built after the finest pattern, and
with the latest improved mechanism.
People lined the track until the cars
passed ont of town. At the Crystal glass
house conspicuous inscription
was seen attached to an outer wall and
decorated by flags, with these words:
"a Jolly Success" The first stop was
made at the power house, where every
person alighted to inspect the inside.
In this are three large dynamos OF $50
horse power, and three engines OF 175
horse power. Two OF the dynamos were
at work at the time. Just above the
power house a large shed is being COM
pleted to shelter the cars. The trip to
Bellaire was resumed, and as the
cars passed along the road and
through the streets of Bellaire the In
terest of the people along the way in
creased. At every house and business
place the households and employees were
all gathered at the doors. Almost every
building was gailY decorated and every
person wore a perpetual grin. Others
more demonstrative waved handker-
chiefs or cheered. The cars went some
distance below the city proper OF Bell
aire, the route being the same as that
of the old horse car line. After reach
ing this point, which is about two
miles above the lower terminus
of the road, the return trip to Bridge
port was resumed. Everything went
along smoothly except cars were some
times delayed by lack Of power caused
great amount Of power consumed
near the one place by the eight
cars and because no feed wire
had yet been erected. The
trip was not extended to Martins
Ferry, because of no connection being
possible at the approach to the new
steel bridge.
The branch line out two miles on the
National road was also gone over, and
on the return the whole party made
their way to the City Hall,
where the first ceremonies Of the
day took place. The audience
was large and enthusiastic, and
the speeches which were made in praise
OF the new road and its management
we're received with hearty applause.
Mr. Edward Trueman called the meet
ing to order and nominated Mr.. Ross
Alexander as chairman. Mr.. Alexander
| took the floor and made an eloquent
speech Of praise to the management OF
the new railway and spoke at some
| length of the development of the mind
of man and his achievements. He told
his hearers that a debt Of graft
tude was due TO the projectors
who had unsuccessfully planned
built this road. They had come there
and without asking for any concessions,
any extravagant franchise or aid from
the citizens of these communities,
| bod ipvastad thir cAnital literally eX-
pecting only fair remuneration. They
deserved all honor sand praise. His
remarks were enthusiastically endorsed,
as also were the words of Rev. Hen
thorne aud Col. Poorman, who follow
ed. Col. Poorman said that 40 matter
| what view people took of the question