Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1957-05-22
Arthur
Says
By-Billy Arthur


The two favorite targets
were the Raleigh and CASTOR
and the GAINESVILLE and WASH
ington Railroads, although
others came in for considerable
gagging
A correspondent to the Fay
etteville Eagle in 1869 COM
planned that he left Tarboro
and took the raildoad for
Rocky Mount. This road vies
with any other as to the slow
ness of time. 1t is even slow
ness Of time. 1t is even slower
than the Raleigh and CASTOR.
A wag said some time ago that
the R. & G. was the cheapest
in the United States, for, he
said, a man can ride on il all
day for $3.50"
And the Scotland Neck DEM
ocrat in April. 1890, reported
the following conversation hav-
ing been heard on the Scotland
Neck and Greenville Railroad:
Travelling Mani want 10
move on. I'm about 10 go
crazy
COMMUNICATION will not
have 10 60 far, sir
Travelling Man-'But i'll
still take ne long time to get
there if l have to travel on this
roadxx'"
Editor H. A. Latham of the
Washington Gazette had .
feud with the GAINESVILLE &
Washington Railroad that last
ed for years. He dubbed it the
"Jolter and Wigglcr" and told
the public that lit eventually
gets here if il has 10 come in
on a hand car"
Latham also maintained the
jaw had "a one sided engine.
She comes in like lame duck.
Oh, no, not every night. but
some nights.
1T is the train for your
money if you wish TO ride a
long time on a little capital.
Boss Wannamakcr sent a
man down here 10 find out if
the complaints against the j.
& w. RR. were true or fan
tastes. True TO her erratic prin-
CipleS, the train came in ahead
of time on the very night the
agent arrived. and We suppose
will keep II up as long as he
stays ...
The conductor stepped off
the train and il left him. His
absence was not discovered for
an hour, and the engine backed
up TO find him some miles
back, brea;nleSS but making
pretty good time ..
"A gentleman called on
Tuesday and requested us q
give the J. & W. he'll. said Il
pulled out at 4:35 when il wa
advertised To leave at 5 O'Clock.
We very politely informed him
he haad witnessed an unwanted
scene, for it was seldom that
the J. & W. pulled out at all.
and his wrath was somewhat
appeased."
Apparently the Seaboard
was held in higher reput. Polk
Miller, the popular 18th cent
ury minstrel man, wrote a tri-
butte ITO The Seaboard Air
Line" for the Henderson Gold
Leaf in 1897 that even toCay
recalls fond memories to old
time travellers:
why should people stop 10
think by what road
They'll go to the south of bus
hicSS VI pleasure,
When no other line can touch
the Seaboard
For luxurious cars and good
eating beyond measure?
The route is well known TO
tourist and drummer
AS the safest, shortest nd
quickest Of all.
And whether in winter, spring,
fall or summer,
She goes in on time like a
creased cannon ball.
when once you've travelled oy
this pleasant line
And taken your meals with due
regularity.
You'll never forget old Jim
MaSScnbIrg's wine,
Which adds TO your comfort.
likewise dilaritv.
Jim is an old Virginia gentle
man by birth.
Has been on the road in the
garb of a drummer:
And when he gets hold of you.
unfastcn your girth.
For knowing a mans wants
old Jim's hummer.
Backward, turn backward, oh
time in your flight
And take me to Hamlet again
If just for a night. |
on | am so weary of sole
leather steak.
Petrified doughnuts and vul-
canizcd cake,
Oysters that sleep in a waterv
bath