The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-08

When General Stuart was with him on
one occasion the general placed two OF
his hatte-fags on the Flagstaff OF the
engine In recognition Of It's having becn
named after him. In those days engines
were named and not numbered. Gen
ersl Stuart rode on the engine with the
driver and enjoyed himself whistiing
Sweet Eva Lena" his favorite tune.
When the train would reach a station
General Stuart would get down and kiss
the ladies, young or old, who were wait
ing to see the soldier trains pass The
| general was extremely fond of music.
| and had Sam and Dick Sweeney. broth
| ers OF old Joe Sweeney. the noted banjo
| list along with him TO play on the violin
and banjo when in camp. They would
sometimes give minstrel performances.
A CONDUCTOR MUSICIAN.
In this connection it will he stated that
Captain Fitz was passionately fond OF
music himself He was an excellent per-
former on both the violin and banjo.
Some time after the war his fellow-em-
ployes presented him with a violin
made ia the Alps i'm the sixteenth centu-
~. as a token Of their esteem and friend
ship. On II he has played tunes from
Hanover Courthouse to the White Sui
phur Springs for the benefit OF churches
having been assisted by musically-in-
clined and gifted friends from Richmond.
Charlottesville and Stanton. At these
concers handsome sums have been real
ICED for the benefit Of churches.
AFTER THE WAR.
At the close Of the war. in 1865, Cap
tain Fitz was appointed psssenger-train
conductor. and held that position up
TO the time Of his death.
In 1873. when the Chesapeake and Ohio
railway was completed TO Huntington.
w. Va. Captain fitz was honored by
the superintendent of the road. who Sc
lccted him TO take charge OF the train
carrying the officials and invited guests
from Richmond 10 the western terminus.
1t was the first train over tho entire line.
and was n delightful and successful trip.
Returning many Of the products OF the
great Kanawha Valley were brought -
Richmond and the captain. with tho idea
Of uniting two great rivers. 4D miles
apart. brought a domijOhn Of Ohio river
water back with him and poured it into
the noble James. with suitable cere-
monies. On this occasion. which was an
auspcuous one. hundreds Of persons
gathered on the bank and witnessed the
ceremony. the GROWING feature OF which
were orations by notable men Of the time.
The captain also enjoyed the honor OF
having been selected 10 conduct the spe-
cial train conveying the Marquis OF
Lorne and the Princess Louise from elf
to Forge 10 Richmond when they came
through Virginia many years ago. lie
dined with the Marquis on the train. ana
played with his elegant banjo. When
Richmond was reached Captain Fitz had
the honor OF conducting the Princess
t,s., no fpuf 20
was driven TO the Exchange and Ballad
Hotels.
BEAUTY IN HIS CARE.
Many other honors were conferred upon
the veteran railroad conductor. but none
that have given him more delight than
having charge of specials laden with love
~ institute girls, by request of principals.
on excursions TO the Blue Ridge Noun
tains. where they would picnic at Groen-
wood and Alton. Returning they took de
light in decorating him and his engine
When the destination was reached they
would give him rousing cheers To repay
him for his untiring Efforts for their sole
ty and entertainment
In closing the "reminiscences some
mention should be made of the caDi4ins
watch. which has timed him safely
through his long railroad career ana is
considered the finest one on the road.
10 was made expressly for Captain >.
-. GoOch, Of Louisa Courthouse. who
used TO be a conductor on the road. 10y
r. r. Adams q Sons. Of London. This
firm were noted chronOmeter makers in
their day. The timepiece was Imported
by Mitchell & Tyler. Of Richmond. in
1861. In April 1866. Captain Gooch Jet
Captain Fitz have it. as he had ulit rail
reading 1t cost $lS5 in gold. II has
silver case and has varied only .nirty-
two seconds in q year. There Is not q
ticker" on the road that can peat his.
HAS LEGIONS OF FRIENDS.
Captain Fitz numbered as his friends
thousands Of people. The ladies' plrticu-
larry liked 10 be I'm his charge. lie has
had on his train more bridal couples than
almost any other conductor. The ladies'
had a feeling of complete security when
on his train. As for the men. they are
glad 10 see the veteran conductor come
along punching tickets.
Captain Fitz was ideal conductor. crd
thousands of people will miss bis smiing
countenance on the trains. lie was q
true gentleman. I'm every sense Of tie
word. The company loses a valued
officer and the public true frisli