Cayton's weekly. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1916-1921, 1918-02-23
CHAPTER XIV.
THE TWO GREAT EVENTS In The
HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

tive power for transportation uPoH lolA
roads and the invention OF the locomotive
engine. comprehended only one branch OF
the labor exerted by men to increase the
opportunity and extend the means Oh
travel and transportation. Other interests
also were demanding it's adaptation and ap-
plication. Other currents of industry were
staonant in the old streams OF production
and required a greater than man power to
move them out of their stagnant condltloh
and place them on a more prosperous
stream of activity. Other men both pro
fessional and mechanics were devotlng thelr
time and money to adapt this new power
to their special work.
Robert Fulton, an American and noted
inventor was one among those giving their
attention to the application of steam power
for other purposes than railroad transpor-
tation He spent some fourteen years OF
very active life in Europe-seven years IN
London and seven years in France. Inc
reason for his going to London was Tor
the purpose of studying the art OF paint.
mo nnder West. a celebrated painter Of
the time: later he abandoned painting and
entered the pursuit of mechanics and was
admitted civil engineer in 1875. LII 1876
he went to Paris, and in 1903 constructed
small steamboat, frail affair, and made
successful experiments upon the Seine. but
received little or no encouragement from
the people of France, on the contrary, the
French turned rdicule and sarcasm upon
him. and Fulton and his steamboat were,
the "laughing Stock of the community.
Fulton left France in 1906 for his home
country, landing in New York he devoted
his time, his talents and his energy IN
building another steamboat much larger
than the experimental boat with which ne
had demonstrated the fact to his own salts
faction that a vessel could be so constructed
that it could by the proper application OF
steam power, be propelled in the water
upon any stream Of sufficient depth to float
such craft. This boat was designed to
carry passengers and freight upon the Hud-
son river between the cities Of New York
and Albany These cities were not then the
same in size and commercial Importance
they now are though they were already old
cities in America
Fulton met with no more encouragement
in New York than he had formerly re-
ceived in France The whole thing was
looked upon as visionary and wild scheme,
doomed to failure He had many difficult
ties with which to contend some OF them
natural to new undertaking, and others
the result of skeptcism. His encourage
ments by the public generally was mani
rested Dy SCOTS ana JeeiS. 1He Illho LndIly
arrived when he announced the day of his
departure, which was set for August, 1907
A large party Of prominent people, his
invited guests, was on board to make the
start with him, many Of whom had their
doubts and fears. Fulton was not I'M
mindful of the situation. He knew and
realized that it was a day Of success or
failure, a day Of triumph or defeat. He
was everywhere attentive, calm and conf
dent. A vast throng was there watching
the proceedings and to see the start; some
jeering and scoffng others expressing doubt
and sympathetic fears, while some were
nearly silent listeners and nearly all ex-
pecting failure, not success. It was not
without some difficulties and mishaps be-
fore the final and successful start was
made. Then the people were astonished,
surprised, they could hardly believe what