The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-07
DEPEw'S PRIVATE CAR.


A glance into Chauncey M. Depew's
privato travelling car shows that tue ran
road magnate lives in comfort and ele-
gance while on the road. Something IKE
$4,000 wss expended on making TINS
paIace on wheels one OF the best speci-
mems OF the car builders art possible.
MIR. Depew takes his annual tours over
the railroad systems OF the country IN
this car, and recently he travleed about
10000 miles, going twice across the con,
tinent, and when the car was turned
over 10 the inspectors at the END OF tne
Journey for an overhauling. not nut or
screw was found loose or out OF oroer,
aud all that was necessary TO prepare the
car for another journey was TO sweep anu
dust IL. -,
Mr.. Depcw is not a great lover OF GIT.
ter and tinsel, and hence the exterior OF
his car is not particularly attractive.
When he travels he doesn't care 10 nave
the people OF wsyside stations where ne
NAV chance TO stop fiocking about anu
staring in at the windows 10 see Whst
great man has come TO town, ana SO the
exterior of the car presents ABOUT the
same appearance as other palace cars oi
the Wagner Company. One has To ea-
plore the interior 10 find luxury, conf
fort and elegance.
The car is "A feet long, and Is fitted
with Westinghouse air brakes, whistle
signal service 10 the engineer, steam
heat and an instrument which records
the speed OF the car. The indicator has
often registered SO miles an hour.
. At the rear OF the car Is the observa-
tory section. 1t is a small room, Iuxu-
riously upholstered and furnished with
easy chairs done in heavy plush. Large
windows on the sides and rear give
complete view OF the passing scenery.
Next In order come the staterooms These
in reality, are bedrooms, they are so large
and commodious. They are three in
number and. contain full sized beds. MIR.
Depew never sleeps in berth when trav-
cling, and the room he occupies would
almost swallow two of the cubby holes
called rooms in some New York mats:
Each room is supplied with hot and cold
water and electric call bells. The draper
les and hspgings are tit for Fifth ave.
nue. house.
A narrow hallway runs along the
front OF these bedrooms and leads to the
main saloon. This Is also the dining
room. II is about 15 feet long and the
width of the car. The woodwork is solid
mahogany throughout. An Immense
French plate pier glass at the end of the
saloon gives the compartment the appear
ance OF being much larger than IL really
is. The windows are double to keep out
the dust. In one corner, by the great
mirror, Is secretary, supplied with sta
tionery and telegraph blanks, and above
ii is a compartment for books. This holds
railroad manuals, reports OF the Inter-
State Commerce and the State Railroad
Commissions, and other books of that
character for the convenience of MIR. De
pew. The windows are hung with heavy
silk curtains. and the easy chairs are OF
plush and.velvet. Around the center table
from four to six persons may dine in
comfort.
Next TO the main saloon is q small sec
tion room with berths for use in emer-
gencies, and then comes the porter's
room, which is as we'll furnished almost
as a stateroom in the average sleeping car.
Beyond are the kitchen and pantry, where
Mr.. Depew's own cook prepares all his
meals while travelling. The kitchen IL
supplied with all the appurtenances neces-
sary to model kitchen.
Mr.. Derew's porter is William Patter-
son, coioreu man who has been in the
employ of the Vanderbilts and Mr.. Depew
for nearly thirty years. He has the alb
solute confidence of these railroad mag
mates, and they never journey anywhere
without taking him with them. When
not on the road Patterson holds himself
In readiness for call at any time. His
fellow porters declare he has the best Job
in the gift of the New York Central.
Patterson points proudly to the five gold
stripes on his sleeve which denote his
length OF service. in the employ of the
New York Central Railroad. Another
stripe will be made next Novem ber,
whez he ~ill have completed thirty
years continuous service.