The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-06-23
A NEW RAILROAD OPENED.
The Extension Of the East Thompson
Branch From PaSCOaS Completed.
FORTY THOUSAND new TRADERS
Reached by Competitive Railroad
Providence Nearer Than Boston-A
weII-buiit Road-Ihe New Proposed
mt webster Yesterdays Excursion.

There is no longer any doubt in the
minds OF the eighty gentlemen who yes
terday afternoon took Journey up the
Pascoag valley. that at last the Provi-
deuce and Springfield railroad begins
somewhere and leads somewhere.
Hitherto tho road has had one o: its
termini in this prosperous city of
ours, and it has extended up through
about zen mill villages and ended in
the town of Burrillville. If you hap
pened to be resident along or near its
route you would have ample reason
for satisfaction because OF the facilities
that it offered. But II yeu live IN Prov
idence you would have bad little occa-
sion TO consult its time tables. 1t has
indeed been great boon To the manu-
facturers, farmers and operatives OF the
northwest section of Rhode Island. L.
has saved many n horse hard pull of
twelve or fifteen miles over sandy, hilly
road. it has saved many "A stage coach
passenger from the pangs OF conscience
caused by a too free use OF expletives
while his aching back and tired body
were jolting over the stony ruts. and it
has deprived many village wheelright
and smithy OF an opportunity TO repair
that ancient vehicle as IL made It's semi
weekly trips.
Its records do not note the name Of the
original protector of this railroad. but
its construction and subsequent manage
ment devolved upon William Tinkham
more than any other one man. IL was
begun back in "the sixties" IL was built
during a time when the price OF labor and
materials was enormous BY the time IL
Uad been completed as far as Pascoag
and equipped it had already cost over
81 000,0 000 It's owners decided 20 stop
and wait, aud il they had waited long
enough they would not have waited in
vain.
Time Alone Was Necessary.
The road bed extend d up valley as
fertile as any portion of the state, almost
along its whole length lies a series of
streams and ponds affording water
power for hundreds of mills. Time was
needed 20 develop these latent forces.
That time has passed and today the
thriving valley is third in Importance
among the manufacturing districts ia
Rhode Island, and he STOCK OF the road
which was at one time passed in pay
ment for debs at the rate of $40 per
share now sells at Sl0S and yields 9 per
cent Interest.
Having reached q profitable stage cf
its existence the lessees of the road, the
New York and New England. about two
years ago projected its extension from
Pascoag TO East Thompson. This ex-
tension OF about eight miles IS nov com
pleted. and IL was 10 view IL aud formally
open IL Tor traffic tha6 number OF the
leading business men and city and state
officials were yesterlay invited To become
the guests of the New YORK and New
England for the afternoon.
The guests were welcomed by General
Manager Barton OF the New York aud
New Eagiand, President Is. X. Vaughan
aud treasurer William III. Pope If tho
Providence AID Springfield road. They
were usherel into two passenger coaches
and the private car of SIR. Barton's. Az
1875 O'Clock Conductor George Newton
gave tie sigBa for the start Engineer
Lewis Estcy opened the valve and Ea-
gIne o. began tue journey. Tue driving
rain outside had no effect ON
the spirits OF the company witaiu for CHS
was a company OF business men who
eau calculate tue impJrtaace OF comps-
titiye freights drive good bargains w ca
the railroads aud yei b. joy,al aud social
when occasion r.qnre.. SOae uad taken
tne pr,caati0u ngnt lunch be. .ors
The, started, and they said 30, but the
les groyldent had NO opportunity " re-