Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-24
A GREAT EVENT.
Early Trains and Incidents of the
r., Il. and l.. Railroad.
(For the Dlspatch.)

QTor the Dispatch.)
In the year 1886 the improvements at
Glen Allen were about thirty years in the
future. Their enterprizing protector had
not appeared among US.
The Mountain road. or Louisa road, as
It was sometimes called, was crossed by
the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Poto-
mao railroad at this point, nine miles
from Richmond, as now, but there was no
building Of any kind at the SPOT which
was surrounded by forest trees with thick
underground on nearly all sides. Just be-
low, on the north side Of the Mountain
road, stood large brick house. known as
"Walkertown," with porches In front,
above and below which extended the en-
tire length of the house, and was walled
up at each end with brick, giving the
house a sombre and prisonlike appearance.
Not so far from the railroad. and on the
south side of the Mountain road. was q
more ornate brick house. not occupied.
owned by Mr.. Lober. At this time, 1870,
the writer's father resided at Walkertou.
In the spring OF the year the railroad
was finished to a point sixteen miles from
Richmond. then known as tho Steam
Saw-Mill." Here the road stopped for some
time. till the completion of the bridge
over the South Anna river, for which
purpose the MILL l presume. was operated
10 prepare timber for that structure. 1t
was at this time that the first train start
ed from Richmond and made the trip TO
this terminus. The train was occupied by
officers, engineers, and various employees
OF the road. 1t astonished the natives.
Never before had l heard such a noise.
Other trains now may make as much, but
to ears unframed this seemed TO shake
ha ~ nd baa viii
uproar.
A TERRIBLE RACKET.
About o'clock that night, when some
OF the family had gone 10 bed. we were
warned that the train was returning. AS
II came nearer the yastness of the sound.
increased by the stiffness OF the night, ex-
ceeded that OF tho morning. Fields and
forest were filled with the wide clamor.
and one not knowing the cause might
easily have reached the conclusion, so
common when great disturbances occur
in nature, that the world was coming to
an end.
But In moment there was a change
and the silence OF night In the country
reigned supreme; there was a great
calm. The explanation was soon at
hand. Many footsteps were heard on
our porch, and doorsteps, and the whole
party was at the door. asking for accom-
modations for the night. Something was
wrong with the engine. The halt was
just at the point where the railroad
crossed the other road. +,
A deep impression was made on the
minds Of the obseryant small boys OF the
family by the preparations for the en-
tertainment ~ that crowd that night;
tho hurried supper, the pallets spread In
the various rooms. after all the beds were
Il. ~ kafaN
sary for the breakfast next morning.
During the forenoon the people gath
cred rapidly from the neighborhood 10
insnect the standing engine and train
before the repairs were completed which
enabled 1t to move. / remember we'll
one gentleman, an uncle; wise man he
was. and one who had succeeded well In
life He opened that little door In the
front part of the engine just over the
cow-catcher, and looked at the interior
works within. and remarked: 1T 10 too
complicated to be durable"
FIRST RIDE.
NV first ride Oh the railroad was from
our home TO the steam saw-mill. / went
ND late In the afternoon and remained
ALI night In the hotel. This was a build
ing which had been put together In Rich
mond and transported on fiat-cars and
set down, where It now stood. 1t was
afterwards removed to Hanover juno
ton, and other buildings added to
IL enlarged II into public house or re-
spectacle dimensions. For aught know.
this original frame Is still standing with
In the addition built around IL.
The early part Of the night. spent at
the saw-mill terminus, Is we'll remem-
bered for the scene which took place
when tho stages were starting of for
washington, or, rather. for Aqua creek.
where they took the Potomac steamer.
sixteen miles by rail meant much In
those days, and the stages now started
from the saw-mill. instead Of from Rich
mond AS the roads leading out from
the new station to the main road were
new and unbeaten. traversing the fields
OF a farm Darracott's. II ! remember
correctly, and the ground was wet. the
wheels and horses sank In deep mire:
thsre was In the dark. which had settled
upon the earth y fioundering. q cracking
OF whips and shouting OF drivers and
grooming OF passengers which made quite
n difference between travel TO WASH
ington in those days. and the luxurious
ease with which so many are now
whirled over these fields on the easy
running cars and luxurious seats Of the
present time.
The night at the saw-Mill Hotel was
spent in the dining-room. where sat up
or lay upon a bench. In company with
plate Of biscuit and other remnants OF