The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1896-08-06
RAN THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE
An Iowa Man Who Was Engineer ON the
Rocket CT George Stephenson.

IoA ~ SSoA5 LII "1tIu EICW1SCl0
has had his home on q lot which he
purchased for himself upon his COM
ing to Des Moines.
Edward Entwistle was born in
1915 at Tilsey's Banks, Lancashire
England. At the age of II he was
| apprenticed to the Duke of Bridge
water, who had large machine shops
at Manchester, II miles from the
lads birthplace and home. The
first railroad for general passenger
and freight business was completed
in 1881, between Manchester and
Liverpool, distance of 81 miles.
The Rocket, the first locomotive, or
passenger engine, was built under
the direction and according to the
plans of George Stephenson in the
works where young Entwistle was
serving an apprenticeship. He was
to be an engineer, and he closely
watched the work.
When the road was built and the
engine completed, Stephenson looked
about for man to run the engine.
The foreman of the shops was con-
suited, and after day or two re-
ported that he had no man to recon-
mend, but that if Stephenson would
take the young apprentice, Entwis-
tie, the foreman would recommend
the lad. The dukes steward was
applied to and gave written permits
sion for Entwistle to 60 with Ste
phenson. When he was notified, after
all these arrangements had been
made, it was the first intimation
Entwistle had that he was to be
placed in the service. He did not
finch from it, but rather enioyed
the opportunity.
The formal opening of the road
was to take place on Monday, and
on Sunday young Entwistle and
stephenson took the Rocket out for
a private trial trip. They ran over
about one-half of the track of the
road alone. All worked we'll, and
they had no fear as to the final re-
suit. On the day Of the formal open
ing OF the road immense crowds
gathered, not only at Manchester
and Liverpool, but all along the 81
miles Of track. The Duke of We'll
llngton, many other distinguished
noblemen, members of the cabinet
and stockholders in the new road
were present.
! The passenger coaches were built
IN compartments, somewhat similar
| to the stagecoaohes of those DAYS,
and three of them were attached to
the Rocket. They were filled with
distinguished persons, stockholders
and their personal friends.
| Stephenson and young Entwistle
took charge Of the engine, and q
successful start was made toward
Liverpool amid tho cheers of the
thousands Of observers of the new
wonder. All was we'll until the
train was approaching Grand juno
ton, from where branch road was
building to Bolton. Close to that
point terrible accident happened.
Among the distinguished passengers
was Mr.. Huskisson, member of
the cabinet, stakeholder and pro-
moter of the new road. While bow
ing in response to the cheers of the
multitude he in some manner slip
ped and fell and was run over and
killed by the coach following. The
body was taken up and carried to
Liverpool in the train.
The first trip had been successful
ly made. After an ovation the train
returned to Manchester with Ed
ward Entwistle's hand upon the
throttle. The railway for the trans
portation of freight and passengers
by steam power had become a fixed
and demonstrated fact.
The line being opened for general
traffic, young Entwistle was given
charge of the Rocket and for two
years made two round trips every
day between Liverpool and Man
chester-one in the forenoon, the
other in the afternoon. The work
SO wore on the youth that he asked
to be relieved, having grown nerv-
Gus and unwell. Stephenson at first
said that Entwistle was but an ap-
'prentice and would have to stay
anyway, but Entwistle promptly re-
piled that he had not been appren-
ticed to run locomotive. Through
the efforts of Stephenson he was Sc
cured a place as second engineer on
one of tho coasting steamers of the
Duke of Bridgewater. On that YES
sci he completed the last three of
his seven years apprenticeship and
remained ono year thereafter.
Then, being % years of age, he
determined to come to tho United
States. He landed in New York in
163z.-Chicago Record.