The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-05-18

Nhile many people are discussing
proposed changes in the railroad
tracks and the canal at State street,
Trenton, the e are few living who re-
member the time when that section of
the city was we'll out in the country
with hardly any but farm lands be-
You'd it.
James Gordon, the retired Pennsyl-
vania railroad official who resides at
2l5 Perry street. former resident of
this city, is one of the men who recall
the time when the principal railroad
station i'll Trenton stood just east Of
the canal lock.
Mr.. Gordon's first recollection OF
the station takes him back to lS49,
when he came from the west. The
structure, he says, stood until mid
night, April 20, 1868, when it was re-
moved because the line of the Cam
den and Amhoy railroad had been
changed SO TINT it followed the canal
to Deans pond where it Joined the
new line.
A time table yet in Mr.. Gordon 3
possession, dated April %, 1913. nm
nounces that trims leave for Phiadel
phia at 1878 and p M. and that the
fare is 70 cents. The only trains for
New York left at 9:15 n. m. and Z y. IN
and the fare was $3.50.
Another of Mr. Gerdon's relies in
the time table line bears the following
information, some of which will be in.
teresting to the present-day travellers
and shippers
A car will leave the Office in Han
over street, Trenton, at quarter past
9 O'Clock. precisely. and the train OF
cars will leave the canal depot 90 min
utes past o'clock a m., for Borden
town, where passengers will take the
Steamboat Trenton, Capt. p. II Kes.
ter, and arrive in Philadelphia Mt 8
o'clock.
Returning passengers will take the
Steamboat Trenton, Walnut street
wharf ut 2 y. m, and arrive in Tren.
ton Mt 5 o'clock. Fare to Philadel.
phia Soc Break fast and dinner pio-
vided on board at 37t cents
Freight of every description taken
at the usual Sloop rates, viz
Molasses, oil. wine. sugar, per hid
81 90.
Molasses, oil, wine, sugar per Dbl 20
Sugar per hogshead | 90
Flour, crackers, apples, per Dbl. 0 12t
Grain per bnshel 0 Oh
Salt III sacks 0 10
Iron and steel per 100 lbs. OF
Rags per 100 lbs. o.
Factory goods generally, 100 lbs. 0 0S
The Trenton has been fitted up ex-
pressly for the River business las she
will not cnrry the New York transport
tation goods AS formerly and being
large and fast, il well adapted for the
carrying of passengers, marketing
stock aud freight Of every description.
The improvements ut Walnut street
wharf cannot fail to make it "a conven :
lent and pleasant Steamboat landing.
Passengers pass to and from boats
under cover, and are protected from
the annoyances Of porters and cabmen
and good accommodations are provi-
ded for freight, secure from damage.
Merchandise, furniture and all kinds
OF freight will be received on board,
from to 2 o'clock, and in store at all
times, and forwarded daily by Steam
boat Trenton, and arrive in Trenton
with the passengers.
All baggage at the risk of its owner
J. II. SIMS, Agent
Mr.. Gordon entered the service OF
the railroad company as a fireman,
May /, 1868. Later he was assigned
the engineer corps, and after that he
became a conductor. He resided in
Philadelphia until May 1879, when he
was appointed yardmaster and assist
ant trainmaster in Trenton and re-
moved there to reside. He was re-
tired April 1908, with great record
While he was II conductor he never
had passenger killed or injured.
The only serious accident in which he
figured was at Cooper's Hill on the
Pennington branch, when his train
topped off bridge and VIM. Price,
his engineer, was killed, and Ralph
Dilts, his fireman, was badly scaldcd
In Mr.. Gordon's early railroad days
conductors received from $35 to 500 Q
month; engineers, $50; firemen, $35
and they all worked fifteen hours {
day. The engines used wood for fuel
and it was loaded aboard at night, five
cords being required for the trip eact
way. The cars were illuminated by
candles and lard Oil was used in thu
headlights. 1t was rough travelling
for the rails we're but sixteen feet Ions
and there was a hump at every joint
There were no Sunday trains; blu
one mail train each way daily. and til,
train nearest the siding had the RICH
Of way.
Mr.. Gordon is now 72 years old an,