The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-11
An ENGINEHR TOASTED.
MIR, 4, Langstaff Johnston Given ''""''
nj the Westinorelnnd.

nj the Mestinoreihnd.
Tho officers OF the Richmond Traction
comnanv Monday night rendered am
ner al the Wostmoreland club TO MI
A T.anestaff Johnston. engineer IN charge
~ construction OF the magnificent ROAD
on Broad street who sewers MS conheC-
tion with the new company TO 20 10 1hl-
adclphia to engage In Work upon aiO'h'i
road now about to be constructed. lhose
who occupied seats at the table We're
President John Shelton Williams, Hon.
William Writ Henry. Mr.. John l.. WI
liams. Mr.. j. a. Cook. Mr. Randolph VII
Iiams. MIR. A. Langstaff Johnston, Mr..
: y Covardln. Mr. X. r. King, Mr.. Ian
caster Williams. Mr. j. +. Bradley, MI.
". NJ. Jones. Mr.. Langburne Williams
Mr.. William Hablston, MI. +. ). Wits
and Colonel Cutshaw.
Mr.. Johnston. in whose honor the dinner
was given. was. the central figure IN the
gathering. and in all the tOasts which
were drunk some allusion was mace 10
him Each toast was drunk in silence
until one was proposed 10 the "City En-
cineer" when Colonel Cutshaw, under
whom Mr.. Johnston took his first lessons
in practical engineering. arose ana most
feelinclv referring to the Work OF MS
pupiI said that for ideal construction the
Richmond Traction Company's roadbed
stood unsurpassed: that II was ROAD me
construction of which people from othei
cities would come and pattern after, The
road he said was not only up 10 date
but surpassed any he had ever seen.
President Williams followed Colonel
cutshaw and gave a brief history Of the
Traction Company. lie told OF the VI
eissitudes through which it had passed.
and the obstacles which it had encounter
cd and paid a high tribute 10 Mr.. john
ston's fidelity 10 duty and his skill as an
engineer and complimented each one OF
the employees Of the company.
Mr.. Johnston replied 10 the Presidents
speech and after telling several very
amusing stories. as applicable 10 the gen
tIemcn present. eulogized President VIII
liams. and spoke highly OF the employees
OF the road. who had rendered him all
the assistance in their power in bringing
the line up 10 the high state OF perfection
in which he was able TO turn II over
lie CONCLUDED with proposing as a toast
the sentiment Long live the Traction
Company" which was drunk in silence
Mr. Johnston Is a native OF Richmond,
il graduate OF the Virginia Military IN
stitute lie always had an exceptional
love for matters electric. and enjoyed the
rare opportunity Of study under some of
the most distinguished men in electrical
science AfnpUE lN'rt was captain -
II. Brooke. who perpetuated his name by
making the survey OF the first Atlantic
cable. and who IS well-known as the in
yentor OF the Brooke gun and the deep
sea sounder. lie also had the adVant-
ages OF the teachings OF Matthew L.
Maury, whose researches obtained for
him the sobriquet of The Pathfinder Of
the Sea-
on leaving college Mr.. Johnston asso-
ciatcd himself with the Chesapeake and
Ohio railway. and undertook some i'm
portant tunnel work on the road, which
he succeeded in bringing 10 a successful
termination. He was afterward appoint
ed Assistant City Engineer Of the city or
Richmond I'm which field Of usefulness La
constructed the present watcr-wOrks sys-
TEN Of this city. lie was subsequently
Identified with several railroad projects in
Virginia. some OF which have been built.
and others are stlll under construction.
Mr.. Johnston feels descrVedly proud OF
the fact that II was he who formulated
the plans and constructed tho FIRST rail-
road In his native city. q responsible un-
dcrtakng, which was entrusted to him
by the promoters Of the enterprise, q
syndicate Of New York gentlemen. IN
addition TO these brilliant achievements.
Mr. Johnston has further distinguished
himself by inventing a number OF electric
appliances the most noted Of which per-
haps. IS that device by which i've ciec-
tric-wirc Is rendered absolutely harmless
wherever broken on the circuit.