Evening star., 1935-06-09

E4SAb sui pPdL OOWH Oh
~ Washington and the air was
~ filled with dust from unpaved
4 "A streets on August 25 of 1895,
but this did not deter the resi-
dents from crowding windows and
sidewalks. where they craned their
necks and stood on tiptoe. For weeks
they and the people Of Baltimore had
been looking forward to this day. II
had been advertised in newspapers,
discussed at home and there had even
been bets 1t would never materialize.
OF course, there are always pes
sin1ists when a big project is suggested
or Is In construction. and this was no
exception, for one newspaper editor
said: Tt is as reasonable to think of
bridging the Atlantic as to dream Of
running railroad from Baltimore to
the Ohio River" The peSSimiStS did
the talking, as they always do, and the
optinists did the work and were now
In 4 position to celebrate great VIC
tory.
The whole population knew the
opening Of the railroad between Wash
ington and Baltimore was an his
torical event which would influence
development Of the entire country,
and they were out to commemorate it.
ON AUGUST "a the Daily Intelli-
~ gencer OF Washington published
the following announcement:
Opening OF Baltimore and Wash
ington Railroad. Two cars will leave
the ticket ONCE, at the intersection Of
Second street and Pennsylvania ave
nue, this day Monday. at o'clock
pm. to convey the invited guests to
Baltimore to join the train from Bal
timore on Tuesday morning.
"A car will leave Washington Tues
dav morning at 10 o'clock to convey
members of the corporations of Wash
lnston. Alexandria and Georgetown to
Bladensburg to meet the train from
Baltimore"
In Baltimore the mayor. president
of the Baltimore & Ohio. Governor of
Maryland. board of directors Of the
road and many gentlemen with their
ladies, almost thousand in all. rode
down the streets in open carriages
while others went on foot.
Ladies' ruff1ed skirts billowed in the
breeze. while flowers and plumes
nodded from tiny hats set we'll for
ward on their heads. as they hurried
along the streets. Mems handkerchiefs
were conspicuous as they endeavored
to make their high stocks more COM
Portable. Many removed their top
hats, swinging them by their sides as
they broke from fast walk into dog
trot, for the time of departure Of the
train was approaching.
Arriving quite breathlessly from
their haste. they seated themselves in
elegant eight wheeled passenger cars,
each drawn by eight splendid gray
horses. There was much chatter1ng,
laughing and waving of handkerchiefs
as they proceeded up Pratt street, ac-
companied by a band playing Hail,
Columbia"
The railroad had ordered four en-
etnes, costing in all $4,000. which
were now finished and placed upon
the tracks. At Mount Claire station
the horses were unhitched and cars
attached to the four waiting engines.
george Washington" John Adams"
HThomas Jefferson" and James Madi-
son" and In this order they took up
the journey.
Some of the women were bored
over being separated from their es-
corts. but as a matter Of precaution
against their fllmy dresses catching
FIRE from sparks from the engines
they were placed in the rear cars OF
each train. Then, too. the men could
not resist smoking and this was not
done In the best society in the pres
ence of ladies.
THIS was in every sense gala event,
L as the carrying Of the branch into
the very heart Of washington formed
another link In the great system Of