Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-28
Alexa,;saria 5azstte;.
TUESDAY EVENING JULY Is, 1886
RAN The FIRST LOCOMOTIVE.

Rocket OF George Stephenson.
For 40 years Edward Entwistle
has had his home on a lot which he
purchased for himself upon his com,
ing to Des Moines.
Edward Entwistle was born in
1915 at Tilsey's Banks, Lancashire,
England At the age of II he was
apprenticed to the Duke of Bridge
water, who had large machine shops
at Manchester, ! miles from the
lads birthplace and homo. The
FIST railroad for general passenger
and freight business was completed
In 1881, between Manchester and
Liverpool, a distance OF 81 miles.
The Rocket, the first locomotive, or
passenger engine, was built under
tho direction and according to the
plans OF George Stephenson in the
works where young Entwistle was
serving an apprenticeship. He was
TO be an engineer, and he closely
watched the work.
When the road was built and the
engine completed, Stephenson looked
about for a man to run the engine
The foreman Of the shops was con-
suited, and after a day or two re-
ported that he had no man to recon-
mend, but that if Stephenson would
take tho young apprentice, Entwis-
tie, the foreman would recommend
the lad. The dukes steward was
applied TO and gave written permits
sion for Entwistle to go with Ste
phenson. When he was notified, after
all these arrangements had been
made, it was the first intimatlon
Entwistlo had that he was to be
placed in the service He did not
finch from it, but rather enjoyed
the opportunity.
The formal opening of the road
was TO take place on Monday, and
on Sunday young Entwistle and
Stephenson took the Rocket out for
a private trial trip. They ran over
about one-half Of the track of the
road alone. All worked we'll, and
they had no fear MS to the final re
suit On the day of the formal open
ing Of the road immense crowds
gathered, not only at Manchester
and Liverpool, but al along tho 81
miles of track. The Duke of Vel
lington, many other distinguished
noblemen, members of tho cabinet
and stockholders in tho new road
were present.
The passenger coaches were built
in compartments, somewhat similar
to the stagecoaches of those days,
and three of them were attached to
the Rocket. They were filled with
distinguished persons, stockholders
and their personal friends.
Stephenson and young Entwistle
took charge of tho engine, and a
successful start was made toward
Liverpool amid the cheers of the
thousands of observers of the new
wonder. All was we'll until the
train was approaching Grand juno
ton, from where a branch road was
building to Bolton. Close to that
point o terrible accident happened.
Among the distinguished passengers
was Mr.. Huskisson, member of
the cabinet, stakeholder and pro
moter of the new road. While bow
ing in response to the cheers of the
multitude ho in some manner slip
ped and fell and was run over and
killed by the coach following. The
body was taken up and carried to
Liverpool in tho train.
The first trip had been successful
~ made. After an ovation tho train
returned to Manchester with Ed
ward Entwistle's hand upon tho
throttle. The railway for tho trans
portation of freight and passengers
by steam power had become a fixed
and demonstrated fact.
The lire being opened for general
traffic, young Entwistle was given
charge of the Rocket and for two
years made two round trips every
day between Liverpool and Man
chester-ono in tho forenoon, the
other in tho afternoon. The work
so wore on tho youth that ho asked
to be relieved, having grown nerv-
Gus and unwell Stephenson at first
said that Entwistle was but an ap-
prentice and would have to stay
anyway, but Entwistle promptly re-
piled that no had not been apron
ticed to run a locomotive. Through
the efforts of Stephenson ho was Sc
cured place rs second engineer on
ono of tho coasting steamers Of tho
Duke of Bridgewater. On that YES
sci he completed the last three of
his seven years apprenticeship and
remained ono year thereafter.
Then, being % years of age, he
determined to como to the United
States. He landed III New York IN
lS37.-Chicago Record.
Business Is Business
1L 4;.,,o e,;,,oo a workman p0-