Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-01-03
Photo by Graham.

The newly-completed White River
Valley railroad, connecting Bethel and
Rochester. was formally opened last
week Wednesday, Dee. 26th, the first
train making the trip from Rochester
to Bethel and return in demonstration
thereof
The train, consisting Of Engine No.
A. and one combination passenger and
baggage car, duly bedecked in nation
Al colors, left Rochester at 1880 a. IN.
A party OF invited guests had the dis
tinction OF making this first trip, and
their names will 90 down in local his
tory as follows w. NJ. Huntington,
w. d. Huntington, Millett Huntington,
O. NJ. Ford. W. II. Campbell, George
l.. Greeley, Clarence Green, Isaac I.
Hubbard, C. S. Martin, G.. 6. Martin,
o. G. Martin, L. j. Piper, z. c. Tink-
ham, j. o. Robinson, j. S. Nichols, ii.
v. Clifford and G. II. Trask, Rochester;
Louis V. Green, o. j. Richardson, j.
Il. Stafford, NJ. h. Wyman, Jr., and r.
j. Whitcomb, Stockbridge CD. Stock
well, G. +. Marsh, II. II. Perry,
Hancock Photographer w. +. Gra-
ham OF South Royalton was also of
One party and took views. Russell ii.
Sawyer of Maiden, Mass, receiver of
The road, was in charge of the party,
w. A. Blodgett engineer, Charles Alb
kott fireman, Smith Livingstone con-
ductor, and Ed Miller brakeman.
Stops were made at Stockbridge and
Gaysvllle and the train steamed into
Bethel, having made the trip in | hour
and Is minutes-conside faster
than anyone had ever journeyed down
upper White River valley before.
The party repaired TO the Bascom
House, Bethel, where fine dinner
was enjoyed, Mr.. Sawyer doing the
honors. On the arrival of the after
noon mail from the south, the return
was made, the party having been join
ed by Samuel Williams and Frank 4.
Paige OF Boston and James A. Stiles of
Gardner. Mass. The journey was
made with entire success. As the
train approached Rochester, the engine
shrieked the note of triumph, dyna-
mite charges responded in welcome
and the dream had become a reality.
The train came TO a stop at the end
of the track, where the last tie had
been prepared and large crowd was
IN waiting 20 witness the ceremony OF
driving the final spikes.
Receiver Sawyer spoke first, in sub
stance as follows
81 take pleasure in calling your at
tention 10 the fact that Rochester has
become a railroad town. With the
driving OF these last four spikes, | de-
clare the rails OF the White River Val
ley railroad laid the entire distance to
Bethel and announce that the road is
ready for operation, the carrying OF
passengers, mail and express, freight
in bulk and by the carload, 10 any
part OF the United States"
The spikes, which were of silver
were then driven, the first by Mr.
Sawyer. representing the r.ilroad; IN,
second by Mr.. Williams, representing
Boston interests; the third by Mr.
Campbell, representing the merchants
OF Rochester; and the fourth by DIR
William NJ. Huntington, representing
the citizens OF Rochester.
DIR. Huntington addressed the peopl,
briefly, saying in effect
IL have been very much interested
and have spent time and money in tn,
promotion of railroad to connec
Rochester with the outside world. TO
more than 80 years. / have AWAY
declared that | should live to ride ii
from Bethel on the cars aud today
have done so. Il was great pleasure
! assure you"
The crowd responded with cheers 70
DIR. Huntington and others. Mr.. Saw
yer presented the venerable Docto
with a copy Of the first timetable an
baggage check No. |, handsomel
framed in oak, being the first ever 4
sued by the new railroad. Maste
W. +. Graham Of South Royalto
took the above view during the prev
lence OF q snOwstorm. which obscure