Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-06-17

No FHills Outside and No End of Comfort
and Elegance In the Interior.
A glance into Chauncey M. Depew's
private travelling car shows that the
railroad magnate lives in comfort and
elegance while on the road. Something
like $40, 900 was expended in making
this palace on wheels one of the best
Apecimens of the car builders art posi-
BILE. Mr.. Depew takes his annual tours
over the railroad systems of the country
In this car, and recently he travelled
about 10000 miles, going twice across
the continent. and when the car was
turned over to the inspectors at the end
Of the journey for an overhauling not a
nut or screw was found loose or out Of
order, and oil that was necessary to pre-
pare the Car for another journey was to
sweep and dust it.
Mr.. Depew is not a great lover Of
glitter and tinsel, and hence the ex-
terror of his car is not particularly at
tractive. When he travels, he doesn't
care to have the people of wayside sta
tions where he may chance to stop flock
ing about and staring in at the windows
to see what great man has come to
town, and so the exterior Of the car pre-
sents about the same appearance as 9TH
er palace cars Of the Wagner company.
One has to explore the interior to find
luxury, comfort and elegance.
The car is "a feet long, and is fitted
with Westinghouse airbrakes, whistle
signal service to the engineer, steam
heat and an instrument which records
the speed of the car. The indicator has
often registered IS miles all hour.
At the rear of the car is the observa-
tory section. 1t is small room, luxuri-
ously upholstered and furnished with
easy chairs done in heavy plush. Large
windows on the sides and rear give a
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 i'll number and contain full sized
beds. Mr.. Depew never sleeps ina berth
when travelling, and the room he occu-
pies would almost swallow two Of the
cubby holes called rooms in some New
York flats Each room is supplied with
hot and cold water and electric call
bells. The draperies and decorations are
fit for Fifth avenue house.
A narrow hallway runs along the
front of these bedrooms and leads to the
main saloon. This is also the dining
room. It is about l 5 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 ap-
.pearance of being much larger than it
really is. The windows are double to
keep out the dust. In one corner, by the
great mirror. is a secretary, supplied
with stationery and telegraph blanks,
and above it is compartment for books.
This holds railroad manuals, reports Of
the interstate commerce and the state
railroad commissions, and other books
of that character for the convenience Of
Mr. Depew. 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 small
section room with berths for use III
emergencies, and then comes the porter S
room, which is as well furnished almost
as 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 is supplied with all the appur-
tenances necessary to model kitchen.
New York Sun.