Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-10
,lR \ LANGsTAFF JOHNSTON.

Err. a. LANGSTAFF JOHNSTON,
lrhe Retiring Chief Engineer.)
rarv In addition to Colonel Cutshaw,
-.ns. who occupied seats at the table
wore. President John Shelton Williams,
Hor william Writ Henry. Mr.. John j..
Williams. Mr. j. a. Cook. Mr. Randolph
Williams. Mr. a. Langstaff Johnston. Mr..
s j. Cowar1in. Mr. r.. b. King, Mr.. Lam
.--e- william. Mr. J. Z. Bradley Mr..
W. 81 Jones. Mt. Langburne Williams,
Nr William HabnstOn, and Mr.. l.. j..
Wills
MANY TOASTS DRUNK.
The dinner was served in courses. ana
when the cigars Were brought forth a per-
ftc. love feast ensued Mr.. Johnston. in
whose honor the dinner was given, was,
q course. the conspicuous figure in the
gathering. and I'm al the toasts which
were drunk some allusion was made 10
lm Each toast was drunk In silence
until one was proposed 10 the city I'm
rue.r.' when Colonel Cutshaw. under
whom SIR. Johnston took his first lessons
r practical engineering. arose and most
f.ere.y referring 70 the work of his
PUPIL said that for ideal construction the
Richmond Traction Company's roadbed
stood unsurpassed; that IL was a road the
cities would come and pattern after The
l. DE said. was not only up TO date,
tt surpassed any he had ever seen.
when Colonel Cutshaw took his seat
Pres snt Williams arose and gave a brief
history u the Traction Company from the
moment that Mr.. Phil. b. Shield suggest
al t1 him the pracicability OF construct
.-c such g. road down 10 the present time.
Ia told Of the vicissitudes through which
So had passed. and the obstacles which IL
dad encountered, and during the course
a. ts remarks paid a high tribute to Mr..
J0hrstons fidelity 10 duty and his skin
g. au eneineer. forgetting not to compli-
uent and speak in the highest needs OF
praise ~ each one Of the employees Of the
r1mranv present.
NE. JOHNSTONS REPLY.
ST. Johnston replied % the Presidents
F7each Or a most humorous vein, and after
telling several very amusing stories, as
applicable 20 the gentlemen present eulo-
fz.d President Williams. and spoke high
j. 0f the employees Of the road who, one
ar1 an had rendered him all the assist
arce in their power I'm bringing the line
up t1 the high state OF perfection in which
g. was able 20 turn II over. lie concluded
with rrrr0sing as toast the sentiment
"far~ 1--we the Traction Company" which
vas drink in silence After this a number
O. tons-s were proposed and drunk, but
90 more responses were made.
A BRILLIANT CAREER.
,-~ Johnston IS a native o. Richmond,
sr1 os his picture disele-se' Is. CON-
lrrafi.e'v sneaking. p very young man.
d. is graduate Of the Virginia Mill
farr Institute. lie always had an eX-
c.rfiou4l love for matters electric. and
enjoyed the rare opportunity Of study
under some OF the most distinguished
i.r Ir electrical science. Among these
vae Captain j. NJ. Brooke, who per-
Y.fuafa1 bis name by making the survey
a. 'ha FIRST Atlantic cable. and who IS
Vel known as the inventor of the Brooke
F'r AVID The leep-sea sounder. lie also
i.1 fhe advantages Of the teachings Of
te late savant. Matthew +. Maury. whose
researches obtained for him the sobrlquet
Of "The Pathfinder Of the Sea" and
whose additions 10 scientific lore caused
Sim to he decorated by most OF the for
trn powers
On leaving college Mr. Johnston assoc
Gated himself with the Chesapeake and
Ohio railway. ana undertook some i'm
ioraut tunnel work on that road, which
j.. succeeded In bringing 70 a successful
termination He was afterWard appoint
O. Assistant City Engineer Of the city
O. Richmond IN which field Of useful
hos Do constructed the present water
works system OF this city. He was SUBJ
i1rently Identified with several railroad
projects in Virginia. some Of which have
1 built. and others are sull under
fne'ruofion
Nr Johnston feels deservedly proud Of
uc fact that n was he who formulated
i'r plans and constructed the first rail
ilai in DIS native city. q responsible un-
.eiHNng which was entrusted to him
10y tho promoters Of the enterprise.
li.cate o. New York gentlemen. In adj
.i1n 20 these brilliant achievements. Mr.
Johnston has further distinguished him
l.i hy lnventing a number OF electric ap-
laNces. The most noted Of which, per-
A-ps, is that device by which live cleo
lI..-w.re is rendered absolutely harmless
wherever broken on the circuit