The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-09-07
BY AUTO-SPECIAL
TO ARROYO BRIDGE.


TO ARROYO BRIDGE.
Unique Departure in AutOmObiling
and RaiIroading-SiN Passengers
to Harlingen.
Listen. my children, and you shall
hear
OF the midnight ride of the six in
the rear
Of a spluttering auto flying on rails,
Through hamlets and cities, valleys
and dales.
From Brownsville to the Arroyo.
Apologies to Paul
Something new and unique in
railroading and automobiing, was
pulled out OF the bag yesterday ev-
ening, when the Everson Arroyo
dge-to-Brownsville special made
its initial run as a passenger train.
The trial trip early in the day was
very satisfactory, the converted
buzz-wagon riding the rails grace
fully without the application of tar
or feathers.
At the conclusion of the try out,
word was passed around that regu-
lar trip would be made in the even
ing-welcome news TO half dozen
uneasy souls, who had been chatting
at their continent, here and were
willing to give almost anything to
be on the road. Eating hurried sup
pers, they carted their grips to the
station, prepared 70 bid Brownsville
goodbye The train" was ready
It consisted of two st. l., B. & NJ.
push cars coupled to a converted
Franklin automobile, with fianses
of railroad car wheels fastened 10
the rims instead of rubber tires,
which made it standard guage and
allowed it TO ride easily on the rails.
One of the six, recognizing the gray
ity of the occasion, brought neigh
boring photographer and had pie
ture of the outfit taken. Before
setting out the passengers and crew
were required to sign a paper re-
leasing the railroad company from
all liability in case of accidents.
Finally passengers and crew step
ped aboard and amid. the cheers of
a large crowd, the motor car and
near-Pullmans chug-chugged out of
the station at 6:45
Chief Engineer c. e. EyersOn was
at the throttle. with Conductor l.
H. Hallam besides him and a crew
of three men manning the coaches.
The following made up the passen-
ger list: R. p Boeye, Donna; a.
F. Parker, Chaplin; o. H. Johnson,
Corpus Christi; f. S. Crosby, Lake
Charles, La; o. B. Mcdonald. Hous-
ton and J. A. Navarro, San Antonio.
Out through the yards the hybrid
train picked its way over numerous
switches, until the limits were pas
sed, when the throttle was opened
and the little gas engine given a
chance to speed-up. Twice before
reaching OlmitO stops were made to
oil up the bearings of the coaches.
At the station further stop of five
minutes was made to allow a more
thorough oiling and Olmito was left
at TAB and for the next two hours
theengineer had troubles. After
several stops for oiling and various
other purposes, it was decided to
move all the passengers and baggage
on one car and detach the other, as
the load was proving too much Cor
the engine. One bearing had al
ready burned out, and the machine
was compelled to run into San Be-
nito on three cylinders, arriving
there at 9:45.
For the next three hours, Chief
Engineer Everson and his dusky as
sistant wrestled with the engine
while the passengers repaired to
restaurant for lunch and then went
to LOOK at the break in the big dam
through which the water was rush
ing with roar.
At 1880 the whistle footed, ana
the expedition was off again for the
arroyo About this time, the acety-
lene lamps quit cold, but as a piece
of the moor was visible, no stop was
made 70 relight them. A few hum
dred yards farther along horse
grazing between the rails was
thumped violently ON the flank and
tossed lightly to one side Then it
was thought discreet to relight the
lamps. The rest of the trip was
without incident, the bridge being
reached at 1920 a. m. There the
six passengers shouldered their bur-
dens and with many farewell
moved gingerly across the suspended
ties and passed out of sight toward
Harrington.
Leaving the bridge on the return
at 1870 a. m. the machine stuck
her nose into the side of Levee
St at 1888 On the way in several
stretches were made at the rate of
twenty miles per hour or better,
while on the outward journey six
teen was top speed.