The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-11
In Which Our New President
Will Go to Washington.
It Assures Absolute Safety For
Inauguration Trip.
ROBS TRAVELOFPE
Its Top a Double Framework of
Steel.
Its Walls Of Solid Oak, Magnifi-
cent Furnishings.

Canton, o., Feb. 11.-President-elect
Mckinley will go from Canton to Wash
ington in a remarkable car. 1t is pri-
vate car without a name, save that it IL
known all over the Panhandle system as
mo. 49,"
This car is not only luxurious in its ap-
pointments, but remarkably unique in it's
construction. 1t belongs to John F. Mil
Ter, general superintendent of the Pam
handle lines west of Pittsburg- He had
the car built to suit his own peculiar
ideas, and it rolls along today perhaps the
safest and most ingeniously put-up trav-
cling palace known to the railroad world
John F. Miller is known to the railroad
fraternity everywhere. and is exceedingly
popular Some years ago he conceived the
idea of building a private which would
be near proof against accidents as pos
sible. For years he meditated on plans,
last he embodied them all in private car
NO s." 1t took thirteen months to
build the car, but that is no reason why
1t should be considered unlucky.
The walls of it are of white oak. planked
it should roll down an embankment the
sides would not break, and 1t would re-
siSt almost any kind of shock in a coll
lision. The top is a double framework of
steel, and the ceiling is thoroughly cuSh-
and over. those inside would not be SER
iously bruised The floor is four thick
nesses of heavy white oak In fact, the
entire car is a huge indestructible box.
The interior arrangement is somewhat
similar to that of other private cars, and,
of course, Is especially adapted to obser-
walton and inspection. 1t is a business
car, used by Mr.. Miller in his railroad
work, but a generous good fellow he
uses it a great deal for the pleasure trips
of himself and friends. The chief luxury
of the interior is the perfect arrangement
of everything pertaining to human COM
fort. Likewise the trucks were selected
after months of experiment SO as to pre-
vent swaying and jolting. Although
Fashioned log fireplace in which only hfck-
:
seats throughout the car, and the lighting
is with movable gas jets in every con,
bedroom apartments with a brass bed
stead in each and a bath opening from
1t is useless to say that the furniture,
the culinary appointments and other
1utely up to date and elegant. There is
magnificent silver service and a large coll
lection of rare china, for which special
burglar proof safes are provided MI
Miller is remarkably proud of his china,
which he has collected from all parts of
the earth and which is very valuable
1t is in this car, noted principally for
United States will make the most event
full journey of his life. His wife, being an
invalid. and his mother being very aged,
President-elect Mckinley is very fortu>
nate in having this particular offered
him for the trip, and thereby hangs
When Major Mckinley was elected gov
ernOr Mr.. Miller sent the car to Canton
to bring the governor-eIect to his in
auguration Many times during his term
the was used by Mckinley in his trips
about the country. and he became very
much attached to it. One day. when his
presidential prospects appeared very
bright and were being discussed, Ma jor
Mckinley, in a jocular vein turned to Mr..
Miller and remarked: well, if l am ever
elected president / advise you now that
want to go to my inauguration in your
car
Neither Mckinley nor Miller forgot the
remark and the arrangement will be full
filled.
When the Mckinley party leaves Cam
ton, on March 1, mo. 49, will have on it's
Longing room table an interesting relic
of the late campaign. Mark Hanna used
this car in going from Cleveland to the
St. Louis convention with a party or
Cleveland friends On the way to the
train, Howard Burgess, city clerk of
Cleveland, picked up old horseshoe in
the street He brought it on board as an
omen of good luck, and it was securely
tied to the rear gate of mo. 3S''
It was carefully treasured during the
proceedings at st. Louis which made Nc
Kinley the nominee, and brought
back to Chic with great deal of care,
occupying it's former place on the rear
platform. Mr. Miller then took charge OF
it, and Immediately after McKinley's
election had it gold plated and studded
with sixteen silver nails in comm emora-
ton of the famous "16 to l" campaign.
1t was connected with an inkstand, and
as such was presented to Mckinley. who
Will use it on the car going to Washing
ton and then transfer it to the White
house for continual