The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-11-26
Under the Earth.
A WOman's Ideas of the Subway In Boston.

WOman's Ideas of the subway In Boston.
1t is convenient, gratifying and fashion
able to have fad, and the new fad in
Boston is to invite your friends and ex-
plore the Subway Being withal prac-
teal fad, the writer was glad to ioin
party of ladies and gentlemen and ex-
anime that subterranean passage. Visitors
to the subway, be they rich or poor, are
refused admission to the sacred tunnel
unless they bear the necessary passport,
which may be secured by applying at the
office of the Transit Commissioners, 20
Beacon street. The passes read, 'syou
are hereby permitted to view Section One
Of the Subway. This permit is given you
on the express understanding that you
visit the subway at your own risk but
this intimation of danger only lends
fascination to the adventure. The sub
way is open for inspection on Tuesdays
only, between 8 and O clock and the APP
plications for passes vary from 25 to 100
every week. Armed with one of these,
which bears the name of the visitor, and
is not transferable, the subway explorer
is at liberty to enter the realms of rapid
transit and is entitled to the instruction
and safe plotting of guide. Our party
was fortunate in having Mr. Guy c.
Emerson, one of the Asst. Engineers, to
guide us. We entered the iron gate at
the west end of the Public Garden passed
through the opening in the wooden fence
and walked down the cemented incline to
| the pioneer tributary, in fact the very
source of Boston's pet subway. AS we
advanced the huge granite walls on both
sides gradually grew in height and when
/ the shadow of the steel arch was reached,
they doomed up on either side like
mighty fortress. On entering the tunnel,
which is lighted by electricity, one is i'm
pressed by the finish and cleanliness Of
the place.
Without going into tiresome details q
few facts and figures may be Of interest.
The first spadeful of earth was removed
Mar. %, '95, and there have been but two
fatal accidents thus far. The estimated
cost of the subway is 100000, which
the cont actors confidently place as an
outside estimate. The total length of
track, reckoned as single track, will be
about five miles. Stations, ''island''
platforms, i. e., platforms having a track
CD each side to avoid necessity for cross
ing, and directions for facilitating north
and south bound travel, will be similar to
the elevated railroad in New York 1t is
expected that cars will be running in the
spring. When we reached the end of
Section One, which is completed and
ready for tracks, the engineer opened a
trap and we entered upon actual con-
struction with the Accomplishments of
mud, water, paint and general disorder.
One does not realize the depth of excava-
ton and the danger of possible ''cave-
I'M until he comes upon section of sub
subway, as at the junction of fremont and
Boylston streets, and a sight Of the net
work of underground objects to be met
4 anu replaced. Inc ODJecllOnS maze OF
dampness, foul air, &C., are met by the
use of ventilating shafts and exhaust
fans. which change the air every five
/ minutes and being operated by electricity
instead of steam it is free from the Initiated
air SO common in tunnels. AS regards
temperature, we We're told that pre-
! p9utinnS tn t,,.,,,, nc
from making bedroom of the subway.
| There is a constant roar and rumble from
| the traffic overhead, and the thought that
over us once lay the bones of many Bos-
tonian of the olden time added tinge of
romance to the journey. On the route of
the subway are three burying- grounds,
the Common, the Granary, and Kings
| Chapel; and anticipating that human re-
mains would be found in making the ex-
cavations, steps were early taken for the
proper care of these fragments, and the
work has been carried out in a manner
respectful to the memory of the dead and
satisfactory to the feelings of the living.
S. F. McCleary of Brooklne is authority
for the following story:
The owners of tombs which have been
disturbed by the route of the subway,
were once approached by order of the
mayor with view to improvement. There
was Of course great opposition by such
owners. To appease this feeling the city
constructed the row Of granite tombs
which now skirts the walk running from
Park square to West street. These tombs
were offered at cost to owners of the old
tombs in compensation for the extinguish-
ment of their sacred rights. This plan
pacified all such owners except Samuel
May and Thomas Holland The pressure
of public sentiment on this important i'm
provement finally secured Mr.. Mays &C
quiescence, but nothing whatever could be
done with Thomas Holland. Holland was
a master mason who resided on Carver
St., and was noted for his imperious OBJ
stinacy. He told the mayor who suggested
that the tomb be Theoretically closed with
out disturbing its contents, that che
wOuld stand at the door of his tomb with