The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-16

dent. and such we'll known citizens as
Mr.. Chas. L. Todd. l'r. VIM II. Scott
and Valentine Hechler. Jr., were mem
bers of the board OF directors,
FIRST ELECTRIC LINE.
These gentlemen, in CONNECTION with
the northern gentlemen with whom MT,
Barry had associated himself, p,oouieu
a franchise March %. 1851. and ., III what
is now known as the Richmond Union
Passenger Railway Company. (tht LAY
street line) and thus established IN hich-
mond the first electric railway in 'he
United States.
The pcv er-house was located ON
Seventh street just below Cary, next u
the Allen & Ginter branch OF the Amer
lean Tobacco Companys ware-hoAse'
This read was indeed the first electric
road of any considerable length and any
real difficulty ever successfully establish
cd in the world The combinations or
grades and curves at Twelfth and Bank
and Franklin, were considered lnsupcr-
able. and the average expert electrician
of that day laughed in his sleeve as the
work progressed.
In fact Richmond was the Mecca LOT
months. Of electricians from all over the
| country. who for the most part not only
away. asserting in the most positive
| terms that the undertaking was fore
| doomed TO failure.
All this time. however Mr.. Frank
| Snracue the inventor of the Sprague
| motor and who has since become very
| famous I'm the electrical world, pursued
| his experiments. foT such his euot -
really wer) hopefully and fearlessly. ne
was assisted in this work by Lieut.
| Daniel Green. of the United states NV,
who has since also become very famous
| in his profession.
| The electrical difficulties in time were
overcome. but the people had not yet
| been educated to, such a use OF the street
| car service as would render II CONNER
| ciallv profitable. and so the enterprise
| languishod.
| NTR. FLYNN TAKES A HAND.
F, In 1SSs Mr. Maurice y. Flynn, who hsd
| become associated with the northern
| syndicate. purchased In connection VIII
| several others. from Major {. VI. Eolton'
| the stock of the Richmond city kall"aN
| Company. and reorganized Doth COM
| panies Mr.. w. II. Trigg, Of the Rich
| rnond Looonotive Works WAS r.ade pres
| ident. Mr.. Jno. g. Purcell, Mr. Ashton
| Starke. Mr. H. Sale Watkins and othcr
| prominent citizens were members OF the
| hoard of directors and Andrew tiZzlni,
| Jr.. rccame secretary and treasurer.
| Mr. Geo. W. Burt was made manager
| Of the electric line and Major Charles
| selden. who had been superintendent
under Major &. VI. Bolton, was continued
| I'm his position OF the horse car line IN
| an hc resigned and was succeeded BY Mr..
| Alfred 81. Armand.
| Immediate preparations were made 10
| electrify Main street and the line was
| Iulf0n
aud 4 double track to the loop ut Straw
berry and Main streets. and electricity
WIS used as a motive power commenc-
inc H. July. 1870
| In the summer Of 1889 the Richmond
| City Railway Company and i'm fact both
| lines were in considerable difficulties ow-
| ing to tho illness of Mr.. Flynn, the NOV
| ing spirit in both companies, VINO was
taken sick In February Of that year.
! During his illness Capt. Andrew Pizzini'
| Jr. who was secretary and treasurer.
| ran the properties and succeeded by her
| culean efforts m electrifying the Main
| street line in time TO preserve the fran
| chise rights.
| About this time the future Of our cleo
| trio railways seemed gloomy indeed. In
| August Of 50 Mr.. Flynn died. I'm Octo-
/ Der OF that year Mr. Geo. l.. Fisher came
| 10 Richmond to represent the interests
| of Mr.. Flyrn's widow. with whom he had
! been brought i'm touch by Or. Jno. r..
Mum. who was the family physician Of
| the late Jay could and who had also At
| tended Mr.. Flynn in is last illness.
Mr. Fisher found the properties In bad
| shane. The tracks had been laid by con-
| tractors and without careful supervision
| and were i'm extremely bad order. the
| machinery both NJ the power house and
| i'm the ears was almost totally insufficient,
| and the entire property was at the lowest
| ebb OF efficiency
| Net a day passed al that time without
| frequent and serious interference with
| the schedules, ewing TO the break down
| of cars and other constantly recurring
| troubles When MI Fisher first cook
| charge. Mr.. c. Y. D1bney was appointed
superintendent Of the horse-car line. Mr..
| r. W. Traylor was made superntend-
| ent Of the Clay-street line and such I'M
| provements were made as were posi-
| BILE on short notice.
| THE PRESENT COMPANY.
| In 1890 the present Richmond Railway
| and Electric Company was organized by
| the consolidation of all the electrical COM
| panies I'm the city. including both Of the
lines then i'm operation and the Electric
| Light and power Company. DR.. Jno. II.
| Mum becoming president Mr. +. J.
| Craigie. secretary and Mr.. Geo. T..
| Fisher. treasurer. and the company be-
| gan the permanent Improvement Of all
| its properties.
The whole manner OF propulsion Of cars
| by electricity underwent radical change
| and the motors, which were only about
seven horse power. were replaced by
| larger and more powerful machines.
| varying in efficiency from 80 10 100 horse
| power.
| The rails have been gradually replaced
| by girder rails. with a great deal Of con-
| crnin foundation and The most snhstan-