Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-15
FIRST CAR DRIVER.
He Tells of Rock Islands Early
Street Railway System.
INAUGURATED 81 YEARS AGO.

SySsSss
INAUGURATED 81 YEARS AGO.
George ". Anthony Kpjoys the Distinction
Of Having Been the First to Leave the
Barn In Charge Of What Has Developed
Into Our Present Modern Equipnsat.
Twenty-seven years had rolled
around last November since the be-
ginning OF what is now Rock Islands
present magnificent street railway
system. Many of the advanced gen.
Grafton yet have vidid recollections
of how jubilant the people felt when
they gathered along Moline ave.
nue. to gaze upon the first street car
which logged along behind team OF
horses. That day was an eventful
one in the city's history-for everyone
looked upon the launching of street
railway system as q stupenduous
undertaking as well as an inestima-
BILE stroke of enterprise. And such
it has proven.
Standing on the front platform
with the title of driver of the first
street car which emerged from the
Fifth avenue barn on that eventful
November day in 1868 was George
w. Anthony. then n young active
and healthy fellow. who little antici-
pated that q years hence would wit
ness the wonderful transformation
that has occurred in the supplanting
by electrical power of the horse.
MIR. Anthony is proud of the distinc-
ton of having been the one to guide
the safety of the car which gave the
opening signal to the now finest rail-
way system in any community of its
size in the country.
Eleven Years on the Car.
For about eleven years Mr.. An
thony sat on a seat which used to be
utilized on the little cars of those
days and kept watchful eye for
passengers and another on the lazy
team, which sauntered along be-
tween the two cities at gait which
would remind one now of snail.
From the horses necks hung little
bell which jingled the only warning
of the approaching car. There was
no headlight to speak of, But up in
the roof of the car q small and dim
looking glimmer she'd its rays, but
did not furnish enough light to guide
a man with extra eyes. The cars were
about ten or twelve feet in length,
and although acceptable and indeed
considered something touching on
elegance in those days. their appear
ance alongside q modern motor
would awaken a good many to the
fact that the hand OF progress has
been at work in our midst.
How patient people were in the
days of horse cars. Though an occa-
sional one would have their COM
posture disturbed, the people of today
should give those having the cour-
age to undertake q long ride in a
horse car the credit at least of being
well supplied with patience. gentr-
ally speaking. Once in awhile a
horse would become balky and the
driver would get out in the street
and spend a half hour telling the
animal how obstinate it was. But that
didn't make much difference-pas-
sengers had the privilege Of walking.
| Wins Eleven Premiums.
And there were numerous other
things which did not recommend the
horse car to the person in hurry to
reach his destination on a certain
moment. But Mr.. Anthony says the
system did a good business. He won
II premiums of IS each offered by
the company to the driver carrying
the most passengers.
"But you must understand that
the street car mans life was much
different from that of the present
time. From sunrise until the night
was we'll advanced We stood up be-
hind our old horses. which we .always
took care of ourselves, adding much
more work to our duties. Eleven
Years of it wore on me considerably.
Then in 1871 / went to Texas and re-
manned there but a couple OF years,
when l returned to Rock Island.
Then l held various jobs and in 1916
established the Anthony house,
which was located where Schaab'.
rolling mill is now on Fourth avenue.
ran that house for couple of years
and then took charge Of the Gal,
house in Moline. I ran that until
1881, when my wife died. l have
since been around Rock Island"
Mr.. Anthony is a man Of 81 years
and was born in Erie county, New
York. He has met with misfortune
during his days. having at one time
been what could be considered 8
wealthy man. Now he is employed
at the Reynolds homestead on Moline
avenue. and delights in telling his
early experiences rs street cal
driver.
| DO OF Do This.
Do not be induced to buy any Other
il you have made up your mind tC