Graham guardian., 1895-11-29
RAPID RAILROADING.
Phenomenal Time Made by the
New York Central.
An Interesting Incident of Early Travel
Recalled by Coincidence of Dates
Discoveries of Great Inn
portance.

The phenomenal time record made by
the New York Central & Hudson River
Railroad company, on the 11th day of
September, 1895, recalls an interesting
coincidence of dates of special interest
in the city of Albany.
On the 18th day of September, 1909,
Henry Hudson, after making several
unsuccessful attempts to discover a
northeast passage around the conti-
nent, under the direction of the Anglo
Dutch East India company, entered the
Hudson river, terminating his trip at
the head of the nayigable waters in the
vicinity of Albany, which he named
"the New Netherlands
Hudson did not make the rapid transit
of 65 1-3 miles per hour, nor is it pos
sible that his sailing record compared
favorably with the speed of the Defend
er or the VallSyrie, but the result of his
discoveries was of vastly more impor.
tance, as it indicated the route which
was destined to be followed in the march
of civilization and the development OF
this continent, and has done more for
the advancement of science and the
arts than any section of the earth re-
corded in history.
1t was here that the first meeting OF
the colonial representatives was held,
resulting in the preliminary steps for
the establishment of the present re.
publican form of government.
I4 o,,1
adjutors, taking advantage of the nat
ural Typographical route provided by
nature, inaugurated the canal system,
connecting the waters of the Hudson
with the lakes, which was the pioneer
movement for inland transportation,
and was followed by the more rapid
railroad system rendered necessary by
the demands of commerce. 1t was here
that the first institute for the develop
ment of science and tie arts and the
promotion of agriculture was incor'
porated by StepheD Van Rensselaer, and
others, which is still in existence.
Itwas here that DIR. Mott provided the
first plan in the introduction of the
CRATE bar, by which coal could be sue
cessfully used as fuel.
1t was here that Littlefeld brought
into use the first self-feediing base-bur
ing stove. ~
1T was here that Squire Whipple first
reduced to science the art of bridge
building, erecting a trapezoidal truss
bridge of iron, and presenting formulas
for several structures.
1t was here that Prof. Henry and DR.
TenEyck strung miles of wire around
the walls of the Albany academy, dem
onstrating the practical use of elec'
tricity as power and in the transmits
sion of messages, which was immedi
ately applied by Prof. Morse by the use
of his alphabet.
And it was here, at the West Albany
shops of the railroad company, that
William Buchanan, superintendent ol
motive power, planned and constructed
the celebrated engine 900, and others Of
the same style, which have gained an
international reputation, and withou,
which the success attending the phe
nomenal achievement could not hav,
been accomplished. 1t is worthy o.
note that our Dutch ancestors of the
Netherlands, to whom we are indebted
for so much, have just launched the
largest steamship now afloat of the twin
screw type. May success attend theil
enterprise.-Peter Hogan, in BallstoI
Daily Journal.