The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-09-13
First Car to be Hauled Was Taken
Over Limo Fifty-one
Years Ago Last
August
]. B. ARMsTRoNG's IDEA
Plan Net Rid1cuIs In Plenty at First
But. Led to Ono Of the
Worlds Greatest
Systems.

i
ice, which has completely revolution
lied the postofiice system of the world,
was flfty-one years old last month.
George B. Armstrong then assistant
pos tmaster Of Chicago, placed the first!
railway mail car in operation on Aug
ust % In the year 1864. Els idea was
rfdtculed by many when he made an
e..ort to have the government ADOPT
the system. Many OF the newspapers
OF the country opposed the idea and
offered numerous objections.
Armstrong; method represented ten
years experience as the supervisory
officer OF ono of the most important
distributing postoflces In the country.
during which he discovered the weak
spots In the postal establishment and
thought out system capable OF elm
mating II when applied and developed
by trained officers and employees. In
years that have passed since those
historic days Armstrong; system has
been applied and developed, the skele-
ton has become robust and vigorous,
mentally and physically, and because
of the great service it has rendered
the commercial, professional and So
cial worlds. IL clothed with the benz
dictions of all classes of men.
His First Trip.
After Armstrong had worked his
plan he sent copy Of it to Postmaster
General Blair who In turn authorized
Armstrong to make an experimental
trip. Upon the receipt Of that author
ity Armstrong and the management Of
the Chicago & Northwestern railroad
arranged to test Armstrong; plan on
the Galena division OF that line. Tho
company remodeled some old cars
after drawings furnished by Arm
|strong, and after these were in readl-
mess Percy A. Leonard and James Col
verse, OF the least room" Of the Cht-
lcago postofice, because Of their famtl-
arity with the eastern distribution,
were detailed to ta.ie charge Of them,
land to run between Chicago and CHti.
ton, Iowa. The route agents who were
ION this route became their assistants.
Everything being ready, on August
l2s. 1864, Mr.. Leonard and Mr.. Bradley
started from Chicago on the initial trip
lof this remarka BILE service. The orig
Iinator Of the system, with few com
lmercial and newspaper acquaintance
and some personal friends, made the
trip. Not all of these guests return
ed from the trip favorably impressed
with the scheme. Many who long aft
erward were visitors in the RAILWAY
postoffice, better equipped, more sikh
led and effective chan this one was, did
not enthuse over the work or its pos
sibilities. It was beyond their COM
prehension just as 1t was beyond tn y
lot many who entered the service but
did not survive the test OF adaptab'i-
ity and fitness.
The trips made over this route reg
ularly thereafter soon demonstrated
to those whose good opinion the intro
duction and fair trial OF the system
depended, that it embraced all the ele-
ments Of success, but like all innova-
tons of the higher order put In opera
ton by the government to ameliorate
the condition OF its people, education
Of special character, financial and
strongest executive support, persever-
ance, faith and time we're necessary to
its development. Following this first
experimental trip. cars were placed on
other roads.
Feared safety Of Mall.
! One Of the chief objections to the