The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-08-21

ecy that in the month of August, in
the year of grace, 1896, a fully equip
ped passenger car, propelled by cleo
tricity, filled with an eXultant and en-
thusiastic crowd of progressive citi-
Zens, would start from the junction of
East and Patrick streets and continue
out that thoroughfare to the edge of
town, and then on through fields of
waving headed corn and others plowed
and ready for the fall planting, past
farm house and barn, further around
and up steep grades to the summit of
the mountain, near the famous Brad
dock spring, you might have been JUS
titled in looking upon them as the
Spaniards did Columbus when he pro-
claimed the earth a globe and started
to find westward course to the In
dies. He was considered "off his
trolley" by the knowing ones, Kat the
result of his high strung ambition and
and subsequent discovery revolution
lied and opened up to commerce and
civilization the Western Hemisphere
and his name will adorn the pages of
history as long as mankind is man
kind.
Tuesday last, the people of Frederick
witnessed just such scene of triumph
and enterprise, the highly gratifying
results of ambition and energy, which
promise in like manner to transform
and revolutionize the commerce and
population of section of country, the
equal of which can only be found in
ew other States in he country.
The trial trip OF the first of The long
expected trolley cars over the line of
the Frederick and Middletown Elec-
trio Railway, occurred on Tuesday af-
ternoon last under the most favorable
conditions. TWAS an event of consider
able importance, one that comes only
seldom in a lifetime and the entire
population or those who could leaye
their business and daily occupations
were on hand early to witness the
start. Patrick street was one huStling
mass of humanity from one end to the
other, drawn as if by an unseen power
to the points of the magnet. That por-
ton in the neighbolh hood of the Penn
sylvauia Railroad was perfect jam,
as that was the place advertised, from
which the car was to begin Its journey.
The car arrived several days before,
i'll sections, but by hard and constant
work had been put together and placed
on the track ready for the signal to
move to be given. President Smith
and other officials of the Company, the
electricians and the gang of workmen
were as busy as bees getting things in
readiness for an early start, and about
three O'Clock ali the work was done
and nothing remained but to turn on
the lever Already the cOnmOdiOuS
carriage was flied with Stockholders,
invited guests, newspaper men and the
electricians. The current had been on
for some time and had been properly
tested. Many all anxious heart beat
under its calm exterior at the POSSIBLE
ity of failure, but glance at the firm
but confident face of Engineer Hay
wood gave renewed confidence; nor
was it misplaced. The signal at last
came; three sharp blasts of the loud
whistle at the Electric Power Com
pany's Works, aud, with slow and de-
libeIate hand the lever was turned.
Almost instantly a slight movement
was noticed and then, as the current
was let on stronger the car gained
prOportionate impetus until it was
moving along at fair rate of speed
towards the center OF the town, the
bell Changing loudly all the time TO
warn owners of teams and pedestrians.
With one Joyous whoop and glad cheer
the crowd followed, many on foot,
some OH bicycle and others in teams of
all descriptions. AT Market street a
short stop was made to take on a few
more passengers and then the ride was
begun in earnest. AT the bridge wait
of a few minutes was neceSSltated on
account of an obstruction, but this Was
soon removed and up the hill went the
car, slowly and carefully, but with an
evidence of great latent power ahd
strength that mystified the novice ana
made the electrician eXultant with
success. All of the party were deeply
interested and one question after an
other was answered by the courteous
men in charge. After the Jefferson
pike was crossed perfect stretch OF
road was before them and the speed OF
the car gradually increased. On, on it
went. faster and faster still, while hats
were held in hand and not few faces
revealed unmistakable traces OF fear.
But the motorman knew the road. GA
the car sped, towards the mountain,
now closer and closer at hand, until 1t
seemed only few rods to the top. All
along the line crowds had gathered,
farmers, their sons and daughters ana
the hired men, all lett their work to
see the wonderful car speeding along
without any visible motive power, yet
doing the work of high power loco
motive It was one continuous ovation
all along the line.
When the steep grade was reached
it seemed hardly possible for the heavy
car to make the ascent, but the mar
velous agent, electricity, was equal t.
! the occasion. The speed was dlmln,
| ished and with strong, steady pull
the summit was reached.
The time occupied from start to fin
ish was only about thirty minutes
which, for q trial trip, and distance
of i've miles, is good travelling. Every
one was loud in praise of the way thu
car had done its duty and compliment
ed President Smith and his co-labor
ers on the gratifying and permanen