Evening journal., 1902-01-27
OLD NEW CASTLE IN THE DAYS
OF THE FRENCHTOWN RAILROAD

New Castle to Frenchtown on the Elk
river in Maryland, sixteen and one
half miles away The place now is a
mere settlement. but it was of sufficient
importance to be bombarded by the
British in the war of 1912.
The line was of vast importance.
connecting as it did, the North and
South. Passengers came from Phila-
delphia by boat to New Castle thence
by rail TO FrenchtOwn where they
again took boats for Baltimore.
Those We're great days for New Cas-
tie. About o'clock every summer
afternoon. just as a balmy breeze
sprang up to ripple the waters of the
Delaware the sight bell would be rung
and all the people of the town would
flock down to the wharf to welcome
the Bobby. "Ohio," or Tom Powell
as the case might be. The big iron
hooks would be thrown out. the heavy
gang planks hauled in and awav would
rush Daniel Webster. Henry CLAW.
Lord Ashburton. John c. Calhoun
Sam Houston. of Texas, Thomos BEN
ton, the great advocate of gold; Fanny
Essler. and many other famous people
who would patrOnize the road. They
would go to the cozy English cars
which would look so queer these days.
the baggage was transferred to the old
red luggage vans. and away went the
funny little old train. The coaches
were somewhat Of the shape of a stage
coach and a man. who now would be
designated as brakeman, sat at either
end. on the outside. The engine was a
queer looking machine, looking not at
all like the engine of today, and was
at first moved by horse power. Then
steam was used. and that was another
great time for New Castle. The en-
gine was built by Stephenson. the Eng
lishman. who at one time was called
the craziest man in England. on ac-
count of his longing to build a steam
locomotive. After he succeeded in his
attempt he was called the smartest
man in England. The first engine over
the line was run by an Englishman
DY the name Of Swanson, who came
here to put up the locomotive
An unsuccessful attempt was made
by one Colonel Long to run an engine
over the road. 1t looked like nothing
in the world so much as a big dry
goods box. so awkward was it with its
railings. But IL would not 20. and SO
ended another mans dream of wealth
and fame
1t is safe to say that the first tele-
graphic service was inaugurated in
the Frenchtown line. but it would
scarcely be recognized as such in these
days Of electricity and modern intri-
cate devices. But the old~plan worked
Just as well for the people of those
times. On the car house in New Castle
there was a cupOla, which was fur
ther adorned with a flag staff. This
was the home station and there were
five in all. The next one was at "The
Bear. and another at Glasgow. Then
came a large hill on this side of
FrenchtOwn. which served the same
purpose. and then another at French
town. At each of these stations was
stationed a man with a spy glass.
When the train started from New Cas-
tie. white ball as big as an every
day barrel was raised. That told the
watcher at the next station that all was
well. and so the news was transmitted
in the same fashion to the watcher at
the next station. However. in case of
accident. or any sort of trouble. black
ball would tell the bad news.
AT first wooden rails were used.
They were Of southern pine six inches
square with thin plate rail. These
were set in square granite blocks,
which now serve paving purposes IN
the streets of the old town. Then, in
1888. these were taken up, and Colonel
.J. Harry Rogers laid the first T rails
ever used in Delaware.
Among the notables who patronized
the road was Louis Napoleon, the
French exile. "Stonewall' Jackson and
Osceola and Black Hawk, the famous
Indian chiefs, who accompanied the In
dian delegates to Washington many
years ago.
The old railroad was successfully
operated until the p. w. & B. was con-
structed. and proved such a strong
| rival. Then it was bought by the lat
ter corporation and the line, except as
far as the Delaware railroad junction,
has been abandoned.
| But despite the advent of a great rail-
road and the trolley cars, and manu-
featuring industries, the old town de-
clines to change its pace of long ago
AT infrequent intervals it may take a
Ispurt, but it is shOrt-lived and then We
ancient city again is enveloped in the
draperies of its fragrant memories.
ELLEN Orr.