The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-06
And \ oted

Harry r. Swivel now press tele-
graphic operator for the Troy, n, y :,
Times. but at one time employed under
Superintendent Richard O'Brien. at
the local Western Union Office, writes
q diverting "reminiscences concerning
the forerunner of the celebrated ''No.
90" private car belonging to President
Roberts, OF the Pennsylvania railroad.
The original "No. g. was the prop
erty of President Thomas A Scott,
and was, in its day, thought marvel
of comfort and convenience.
$50
GA one occasion President Scott was
on trip of inspection and stopped at
Huntingdon, Pa. The car was in
spected to see il it was in good running
order and the water tank of the car
was repenished. This latter duty was
assigned to "helper" around the sta
tion, VINO. by the way. was a green
hand and fresh from Erin's soil. The
"greeny" placed ladder against the
forward portion of the car and pro.
ceeded tv climb with large pail of
pure mountain water from the Alle-
ghenies. Inside the car and directly
in the seat next the water cooler sal
the president Of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, conversing with several men.
The man of "all jobs" proceeded with
bis work, and pulling open one Of the
elevator windows, which he supposed
to be the opening to the water tank, he
poured in the water.
NEN
In q moment President Scott was
upon the outside of the car pretty we'll
drenchsd and looking for, as he ex.
pressed it, the "greeny" that did the
work He called to the helper and asked
how long he had been en- ployed In his
capacity, but instead OF an answer the
son Of Erin remarked in an inimitablc
brogue, Sure and | didn't know you
were in the tank, This was too much
for the old president, who, despite his
drenching, burst out laughing and re-
entered his car, leaving the poor fellow
in a quandary, and To-Day the helper
still occupies position on the Penn
sylvania road. only he has risen de-
gree or two above the one in which he
started.
There is probably no prominent ciLi-
ZEN in this section who is more totally
obliyious of the ssasonaDle elsmen ts
than Colonel U. G.. Schoonmaker, the
chief promoter in founding the Subur-
ban Home colony at Elmhurst While
the majority of our well-to- do people
are enjoying the delights of skimming
over the snOw-covered. thoroughfares
to the merry jingle of sleigh bells, and
are participating heartily in other
sports of winter. Colonel Schoonmaker
stays at his office in the Common
wealth building, dreaming Of buds aud
blossoms and broad fields Of green, as
be busily works upon plans to further
beautify Elmhurst during the com.
ing season. The colonel is at prei.
ent engaged in studying plans for
spring tree plating that have been sui.
mitted by William Webster. the we'll
known landscape gardener OF Roches-
ter, N. Y. The designs prepared for
the arrangement OF shrubbery on the
plot upon which Colonel Sohoonmak, q,
ers new residence will be erected, are
elaborate. and when carried out in de.
tail will leave nothing to bs desired In
the way Of artistic effects. Materials
for the elegant stone mansion which
will occupy the cold spring lot are
now being transferred to the ground
and it is probable that the house will
be ready for occupancy before the close
Of the coming summer.
EHH
The bids for the Elmhurst boulevard,
in which 30 many Scrantonians are
taking lively interest, will be opened
on Saturday next, and the specitica
tions call for the completion OF tho road
by August |. The original route Of
the boulevard has been changed in or
der that better grades may be procured
and the road will be about a mile
longer than the first survey indicated.
Owing to the improvements in the
grades by the alteration, the distance
can be made In less time than by the
old route. The trees and brush have
been removed for u space OF twenty.
five feet each side Of tho center line oil
the road from Nay Aug Falls to Elm
hurst and the work upon the driveway
will be pushed rapidly at the opening
of spring.