The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-26

even in the dryest years between
Canaan and New Milford 10 run all the
trains OF those two divisions.
Il am confident that within the next
ten years will be realized elecuihca'
ton OF the main lines OF railroads
throughout the United States, as indi-
Gated by me in an article published
at the time OF the exhibition OF cleo
tric propulsion In Chicago in 1883
His Early Ideas Copied.
To show how closely ideas embodied
In his trolley patents grsnted in 1889
have been followed in recent develop
ment, Mr. Field said:
Since The opening OF the new tun-
mel between Italy and Switzerland.
where electrical traction was enforced,
the locomotives are almost exact re-
pleas OF the electrical locomotives
waited railroad in 1887. The rails are
bonded with a particular kind OF rail
bond. which introduced in my work
in Geneva. Switzerland. and nav
known as the Swiss rail bond.
Stored in the cellar OF Inventor )
Lodge" at Stockbridge, are remnants
OF the first trolley car ever constructed
in this country. Ii was built in 1880
near the present Stockbridge Casino,
and was equipped with third rail ami
later with trolley. In August OF that
year Mr.. Field invited some follow
citizens to inspect the trolley car
built for two, which moved about the
lawn smoothly and with speed.
Mr. Field next equipped a trolley
road for the business exposition or
railroad men at Chicago, 1888. The
tracks were laid about the exposition
grounds and fare OF ten cents was
charged That was the first public
trolley line in existence. After litiga-
ton over patents Mr Field sold out In
1896 10 the General Electric and West
inghouse companies.
From 1868 To 1879 Mr.. Field was in
California. where the Leland Stanfords.
the Crockers, the Mark Hopkins and
the Huntingtons were building up the
Pacific coast. Mr.. Field secured a
position with the San Francisco Fire
Alarm Telegraph company.
While on an expedition with a party
OF engineers 10 the Frazier river.
British Columbia, in 1865. Mr.. Field
found himself alone in the wilderness
with red shirt. pair OF corduroy
trousers. 2 felt ha, With hole in II
and a roll OF blankets as his sole
earthly possessions
AS Cyrus West Field had not at that
time successfully operated the Allan
tic cable for commercial use the West
ern Union Telegraph company sought
10 extend its lines up the Pacific Coas
To Alaska and across Behring Strait TO
Siberia. Then II was planned TO cross
Asia 10 St Petersburg and run line
10 Paris and London
Objected to Slavery.
Il was inyeigled. with some sixteen
other engineers" said Mr. Field. TO
join the Collins Overland Telegraph
company, which was to build the line
w through British Columbia, on all
engineering expedition.
Il was told one morning TO pack up
the mules for "a trip 10 the mountains
| told the manager ! wasn't hired for
that and didn't propose to be a slave
for any man.
Very wen. YOU may quit, then,
sahl the manager
Il quit on the spot. | was sixty
niles from any sort OF civilization.
without cent in my pocket. ! made
my way through the wilderness ~
sleeping alone under the fir trees at
night. and eating sparingly Of the
lunch that the boys had given me.
down to Victoria, b. c., whence a
rurser OF an old side-wheeled coast
steamer took me down 10 San Fran
cisco"
Mr.. Field says he was never ~ near
death as one day In Smartsville. Cal.
Il was hired" he said, TO fire blast
Of 500 kegs OF powder under a bank
OF gravel Making "A miscalculation
in the conGIctiyity Of the wire en-
ployed. was Obliged TO double the
wire back on itself until | got within
the danger zone OF the blast The
blast was great success, but the
bowlder behind which | was seeking
safety was badly SCARED Ny appar-
a,us Was blown to atoms.
Mr.. Field equipped the first long
distance telephone line into this couu-
.. l. 1. L..