Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-04-24
CONDUCTED HIS LAST TRAIN
Death of the Oldest Conductor
in the World.
Edward Robinson. Sr.-The Veteran
Passed Away at American Fork
An Interesting Sketch Of His
EVeDfful Career.

Salt Lake. April 2o-With the death
of Edward Robinson, who passed away
at American Fork Friday night, there
passed into eternity the man who en-
loved the distinction OF being the first
railway conductor in the world, and at
the time of his death was the oldest liv-
ing employee of any railway.
It was Edward Robinson who, a. an
employee of the Liverpool & Manches-
ter railroad, was the first to put railway
trains in successful operation, who was
called upon to take the place Of Lord
Huskenson, who was killed by the first
train run over the line which had by
his own fundamentally been construct
ed by authorization of an act of parlia-
ment, the passage of which he had en-
gineered to demonstrate the feasibility
of railways
Lord Huskenson, as the chief pro-
moter of the idea, essayed to run the first
train himself, acting as conductor. The
train left Liverpool on the morning Of
September Is, 1880. At P&tricroft the
train met the second one to be run over
the line, which was started from Man
chester. Lord Huskenson, alghting
from his train, stepped in front of the
down-coming train from Manchester and
was killed, and it was then that Mr..
Robinson was called upon to take
charge. He ran the train on TO Man
chester, and on its return trip 20 Liver
pool, and from that time on remained in
the service of the road for twelve years
as conductor. He therefore had the
honor of being the first railroad con-
ductor in the world, and an investiga-
ton made by mis- son, Heber, who lives
at American Fork, and who visited Eng
land last year, proved beyond all doubt
that he was the oldest man living who
had been a railway employee in any ca
pacity.
Edward Robinson, sr., though of hum
BILE peasant parentage and man who
never had the advantages OF an educa-
ton, lived an eventful life and had a
most successful career. He was born at
Little Sutton, Cheshire, England, Octo-
Der 10, 1907. He was therefore, at his
death, IS years and months old. He
worked on farm until ne reached the
age of II. He then became a gentle
mans coachman in which employment
he continued for over two years, at
which time ne engaged himself 10 the
Liverpool & Manchester railroad COM
pany as a guard during construction.
When the time for opening the road
came he was promoted to train man, the
intention being 10 make him conductor
as soon as the road was in successful
operation and he had acquired sufficient
knowledge of the business to enable
him TO successfully handle a train, but
the academic Lord Huskenson brought
that promotion much sooner than he
anticipated.
As stated. Mr. Robinson continued
in the service of the company twelve
years and it was one of his proudest
boasts that ne never in that time missed
but one day, and then he was given a
vacation which, however, he terminated
bv his own volition at the expiration of
the first day of it and went back to
work in preference.
1t was during these years that Brig
ham Young, Orson Hyde. Heber c.
Kimball and Farley P. Pratt began
preaching the doctrines Of the Mormon
faith in England. Mrs. Robinson, the
frs helpmate of the veteran, became
and ne was himself regular
attendant at the meetings. There is no
record Of the time when Mr.. Robinson
the faith but the best informa-
ion obtainable from MS relatives 70
he effect that il was in 1872. Shortly
hereafter, he decided 10 come to Amer
ca, and the same year sailed with his
amily in the ship McHenry.
Arriving in America the family pro-
.eeded directly 20 NauvoO, Illinois, [
where with the wealth he mad accumu- !
ated, he built what was az that time |
considered the finest residence in that I
ocality. He devoted himself 10 farm /
ng and remained AT Nauvoo until IS47, /
when he removed TO Burlington, Iowa,
wing there until IS49. IN that year he
oined the westward movement and
anne 10 Utah. He remained in Salt
AXE that winter and in the spring of
$50 went 10 Mill Greek and took
barge of the farm belonging to the late
PRESIDENT TAYLOR. uron which be re-