New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-01-04

insignificant sum Mr. Bishop made such good
showing that there rush to buy stock in the
road. a company organized with a capital
stock of ss00G00. which subsequently increased
TO 81 300 900 and then to 81 100000 A contract
made with Mr.. Bishop whereby he was to receive
100000 in cash and $4,000 in bonds upon the COM
pletion of the road. Within year after the work
was begun a train from Naugatuck juno
ton to Derby, a distance of nine miles. and six
months later the entire line in operation. Mr.
Bishop did live to witness the full realization
his cherished project he died from sudden illness
on the very day the last spike was driven on the
section of road between Derby and Waterbury.
Almost from the first the Naugatuck Railroad
was a profitable enterprise Despite the fact that
the expense of repairs annually absorbed a large
part of its income its stockholders received divi
dends with gratifying regularity. For forty years
its managing mead was George w Beach. OF
Waterbury, to whom of the credit for its
prosperity is due Ten years ago the road was ac-
quired by the New-York, NewHaven and Hartford
Railroad Company, becoming one of its branch
lines Mr. Beach continued to hold his old position
as superintendent until this year when he resigned
because Of his advancing years.
The Naugatuck Railroad affords of the
beautiful and varied scenery TO be found in
New-England. and. indeed. in the whole country
east the Rocky Mountains From Winsted to
Derby the road follows the rocky bed of the turbu-
lent Naugatuck which. but for the intervention of
man. would be a series of rapids. Between high
covered hills and precipitous ridges rock
and through gorgeS Of great depth the river flows,
with the railroad than a few rods away
Every clearing is occupied by an Industrial town
which has De such since the railroad was
built. and both banks OF the river hum with the
sound OF industry from one end to the other
Nearly 80 per cent of the manufacturing tablish-
ments in the valley have sprung up since the con-
srucion of the railroad. Here is brass pin and
clock centre of America, and here are a quarter
Of a million people dependent upon these mills and
factories for their livelihood As the traveller is
swept around the numberless curves of the tor
tuous river, he sees almost unbroken succession
of rosy red brick factories and of tall chimneys
mourning forth smoke.
Floods have nterfered greatly with the opera
of this road in the late winter and spring
and the first twenty-five years fatal disasters
from this cause infrequent. Cloudbursts
also have occurred at other seasons of the year
and the sudden rush of water down the face OF the
precipitous rocks many washouts. The
clouds sometimes settle below the hilltops and
empty a flood water into the river, which quickly
becomes a surging torrent. Bridges and massive
masonry have been swept away and trains have
plunged into the river with frightful results. But
sin - the Newly York. New-Hsven and Hartford
company acquired the road no serious accident has
occurred and a large part of the millions now being
spent has been used TO assure the safety of the
thousands of passengers who are daily carried
this road