RAILROAD FACTS 1890

Kinzua Viaduct, McKean County, Pennsylvania.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 15, 1890.

RAILROAD FACTS.

Well Worth Knowing and Pasting in Your Hat.

   The publishers of Scribner's Magazine advertise their series of railroad articles with a catechism of twenty questions and answers, to wit:

QUESTIONS.

   1. How many miles of railway in the United States?

   2. How much have they cost?

   3. How many people are employed by them?

   4. What is the fastest time made by a train?

   5. What is the cost of a high-class eight-wheel passenger locomotive?

   6. What is the longest mileage operated by a single system?

   7. What is the cost of a palace sleeping car?

   8. What is the longest railway bridge-span in the United States?

   9. What is the highest railroad bridge in the United States?

   10. Who built the first locomotive in the United States?

   11. What road carries the largest number of passengers?

   12. What is the average daily earning of an American locomotive?

   13. What is the longest American railway tunnel?

   14. What is the average cost of constructing a mile of railroad?

   15. What is the highest railroad in the United States?

   16. What are the chances of fatal accident in railway travel?

   17. What line of railway extends furthest east and west?

   18. How long does a steel rail last, with average wear?

   19. What road carries the largest number of commuters?

   20. What is the fastest time made between Jersey City and San Francisco?

ANSWERS.

   1. 150,000 miles; about half the mileage of the world.

   2. $9,000,000,000.

   3. More than 1,000,000.

   4. 92 miles in 93 minutes; one mile being made in 60.6 seconds, on the Phila. & Reading R. R.

   5. About $8,500.

   6. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe system, about 8,000 miles.

   7. About $15,000, or $17,000 if "vestibuled."

   8. Cantilever span in Poughkeepsie Bridge, 548 feet.

   9. Kinzua Viaduct on the Erie road 305 feet high.

   10. Peter Cooper.

   11. Manhattan Elevated railroad, New York. 525,000 per day or 191,625,000 yearly.

   12. About $100.

   13. Hoosac Tunnel, on the Fitchburg Railway (4 3/4 miles.)

   14. At the present time about $30,000.

   15. Denver & Rio Grande; Marshall Pass, 10,852 feet.

   16. One killed in ten million. Statistics show more are killed by falling out of windows than in railway accidents.

   17. Canadian Pacific railway, running from Quebec to the Pacific ocean.

   18. About eighteen years.

   19. The Illinois Central, 4,828,128 in 1887.

   20. 3 days, 7 hours, 39 minutes and 16 seconds. Special theatrical train, June, 1886.

Frontenac docked at Cayuga Lake.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   CHENANGO.—Alex Ross of Sherburne has sold his trotter, "Loretta," to Col. Kipp of New York, for $1,000, and has also sold the young stallion, "Dudley Wilkes," for $1,500.

   David Shattuck took possession of the Eagle Hotel, Friday, as proprietor. He is assisted by William W. Clark, long connected with the Eagle, and a popular hotel man. Johnnie Ferguson presides at the bar.

   A turtle weighing 34 pounds is now on exhibition at a Washington street saloon in Binghamton. This turtle was caught in one of the ponds near Smithville Flats, last week, and is said to be the largest land turtle ever captured in this State. This turtle was caught with a spoon hook, and by a fisherman trolling for pickerel.

   Afton was treated to an electrical demonstration Sunday afternoon about four o'clock, the like of which has never been seen in that village. The program commenced with bright flashes followed by heavy peals of thunder like the report of a cannon. The first stroke struck the steeple of St. Ann's Episcopal church, shattering the bell and setting the church on fire. The men fought valiantly to save the building from destruction, but the water supply soon gave out and they were obliged to let it go to destruction. However, all the seats, furniture, carpets, etc., inside were saved and nothing was lost but a few benches and a quantity of stove wood in the basement. The building cost about $3,000 and was insured for $1,500. The church services will be held at Grange Hall for the present. Quite a number residing in the vicinity of the church were prostrated for several minutes by the shock and there is hardly a person in the village but what was more or less dazed. Lightning also struck a hickory tree in front of Charles Landers' residence, tearing off the bark and leaves and making a deep hole at the foot of the tree. Likewise in John Carr's woods and also the horse sheds of the Methodist church at North Afton.

   MADISON.—Usebus Sweet, of Canastota, is raising 7,500 cabbages.

   It is estimated that there are nearly 450 nets in Oneida lake.

   The Canastota Knitting Mill has an order from the Government for 1,000 dozen pairs of hose for the Indians.

   Wilfred Sennecks, a colored barber of Norwich, died of delirium tremens at Oneida, Friday. He leaves two children destitute.

   The DeRuyter Driving Park Association have issued entry cards for their Fall races, which will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, August 27 and 28. First afternoon, 2:50 class, $100; 2:30 class, $150; named race, $50. Thursday afternoon, 2:40 class, $150; 2:25 class, $200; running race, $100.

   TOMPKINS.—An Ithaca merchant serves iced tea to his customers during hot days.

   The Crandall Machine Co. of Groton has shut down the works for a month.

   The katydids have been heard in this locality. According to the old rule frost will appear in six weeks.

   Land along the lake which a few year ago could have been bought for fifty to seventy-five dollars an acre now commands $3.50 per foot.

   George and Charles Hoover, father and son, of Applegate's Corners, were convicted of chicken stealing at Ithaca, Tuesday, and both sent to the county penitentiary for terms of six months.

   A boy teased a ragman at the Inlet a day or two ago by pulling his coat tail, whereupon the ragman pulled a revolver and fired over the boy's head. There was no complaint and the carrier of concealed weapons is still at large.

   A sailboat containing five young men capsized off Sheldrake, Monday, and after they had clung to the overturned boat for over an hour they were picked up by the Frontenac. Two of the men were about exhausted when rescued.

HERE AND THERE.

   The fall term of the Normal school will open at 8:45 A. M., Wednesday, September 3.

   Emerald Hose Company's picnic at Floral Trout Park Saturday afternoon. Admission ten cents.

   Sham Battle at Sylvan Beach, Aug. 20 and 21, participated in by six Separate companies and three batteries of artillery.

   The King's Daughters will meet at the residence of Mrs. Susie Holden, corner of Elm and Greenbush streets, Saturday at 3 P. M.

   Messrs. Hopkins & Son, have a handsome specimen of the Star cactus in full blossom at their green houses, on Groton Ave.

   Messrs. J. L. Marritt and M. Edgcomb will open a shoe store on the south side of the store occupied by Isaac Edgcomb, about the first of next month.

   E. M. Hulbert is making great improvements at his residence on Tompkins street. The new conservatory on the west side, greatly improves the appearance of his place.

   The fifteenth annual picnic of the Hammond family will be held at Freetown Corners, Friday Aug. 22nd, at the home of S. S. Hammond. All the family and friends are invited.

   One of the handsomest blossoms we have seen in many a day is in Mr. M. F. Cleary's yard. Last spring he constructed an artificial pond in his yard in which he planted several Egyptian Lotus, one of which is now in bloom. It is a very rare plant and is handsome and fragrant. Lovers of the beautiful are invited to call and see it.

   The Semi-Monthly Mothers' Meeting, (feast) will be held at the residence of Mrs. Homer Smith, 22 Hubbard street, on Wednesday, August 20, at 3 P. M. Subject: "Character Building, the Mothers' Special Work " The great question, "How shall We Build" will be presented and discussed. All ladies are most cordially invited.

   The open air concert given by the Cortland Hitchcock band in this place

Thursday evening was a very enjoyable one and all who heard the selections given speak in the most commendable terms. The Hose company are also eliciting much praise for their exhibition drill. Come again, boys, our gates are open to you.—Sentinel.

   The latest fad in sociables and evening parties comes from a town in the Keystone state, and is quite liable to be inaugurated in this vicinity before the snow falls. A number of young ladies personate slaves by draping themselves in sheets so as to unrecognizable. They are then put up at auction. It is incumbent upon each purchaser to buy for his slave all the ice cream cake and lemonade she may demand and to escort her home after the entertainment. [Hmmm…seems the purchaser's treat was under a sheet—CC editor.]

   State Firemens' Convention at Watertown opens next Tuesday, and continues for four days.

   Readers who desire to learn the cause of the recent strike on the Central road, will find the alleged reason in an article on our third page under the title "There'll be no Strike."

   Last Saturday night the post office in Homer was moved from the Porter block to the Wheadon block. The shooting gallery that had been occupying the last named location, took possession of the building vacated by the post office. The new location of the post office being more central than the old one gives better satisfaction to the public.

   Last Saturday evening the large farm barn of Geo. M. Trapp, two miles west of Virgil, was struck by lightning and burned to the ground together with its contents. Only a top wagon that stood near the door was saved. The building was full of hay and nearly all the farm tools were stored therein. A lot of fowls and a dog were burned. The building was insured for $500 in the Grange Insurance Company. Loss $900.

Annual Parade C. F. D.

   The annual parade of the Cortland Fire Department will occur Saturday afternoon Aug. 16th. The column will move promptly at 2 P. M. Line of march is as follows: form on Main street, right resting on Clinton avenue, down Clinton to Church, to Port Watson, to Tompkins to Owego, countermarch to Main, to Court (reviewed by Village Trustees from the south front of Court House where the Hitchcock Hose will give an exhibition of their proficiency in drill) to Church, to Railroad, to Main disbanding in front of Engine house.

   JOHN H. PHELPS,

   Chief Engineer.

Floral Trout Park (twin bridges and ponds) was located between East and Owen Avenues, right side of 1894 map.

An Evening's Enjoyment.

   Last Monday evening a small party of ladies and gentlemen of this village, had a very enjoyable time at the Floral Trout Park. An excellent lunch was served by the ladies and dancing was the order of the evening until a late hour.

   Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Wickwire, Mr. and Mrs. Fitz Boynton, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Rogers, Mrs. D. S. Lamont, Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Wickwire, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. H. Turner, Mr. and Mrs. B. A. Benedict, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Stillson, Prof. and Mrs. D. E. Smith, Dr. and Mrs. C. W. Sanders and daughters Grace, Mamie and Ethel, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Duffy, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Hulbert, Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Ballard, Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nourse, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Edgcomb, Mrs. Bryant and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Squires, the Misses Lena, Belle and Maud Fitzgerald, Miss Mary D. Rogers, Miss Mattie Collins, and Messrs. Ed. Stillson, C. H. V. Elliot, Ed. Duffy and Frank C. Leighton.

Balloon farm, Carl and Carlotta Myers, Frankfort, N. Y.

"Carlotta" Myers

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   The first regular train passed over the new railroad from Union Springs to Auburn, Monday afternoon.
   A man in Jefferson county, Pa. has lost his sight from drinking too much ice water while heated. [ice or man heated?--CC editor.]
   Charles G. Cross has been the D. L. & W. station agent at Earlville for 22 years, ever since the road was built.
   A new electric brake recently experimented with in England stopped a car traveling at a rate of 30 miles an hour in 200 feet.

   A new female pursuit in the larger cities is collecting bills. This is encouraging. The old female pursuit in the larger cities was to run 'em up.

   Authorities show that July, 1890, was the hottest month in 25 years. The northern portion of this state was considerably warmer than the lower portion.

   There are 5,000 insane people in the city of New York, and experts on insanity say that the ratio of lunatics is increasing much faster than that of the [general] population.

   Dr. Justin's new gun has been in position, about 300 feet southeast from where the other gun was bursted, and he expects to give it a private test on or about August 20.

   While Thomas Huntley of Manlius was digging a well he found a chunk of hardpan as large as a brick, in the center of which a toad was imbedded. He thought it was petrified, but after lying in the sun awhile it hopped away.

   Carlotta, the aeronaut, of Frankfort, N. Y., made the fastest time on record during her last ascension from Congress Spring Park, Saratoga. It was her 17th flight from the park, and her 350th hydrogenic gas ascension. She rose to a height of about 1 1/2 miles in the face of a thunder storm, and flew eight miles in just six minutes, landing in the Greenland mountains.

   On Saturday last a party of boys while playing at Whitney's Point, decided to make some birch beer, and went to an oil still in the woods near that village owned by W. Howard, and obtained a quantity of the dregs of birch oil. This they took and putting sugar and water with it, drank the same. They were soon after taken seriously ill, and one of the number, the son of James O'Neil, died in less than an hour afterwards. He was the first to partake of the mixture, and it is thought he got most of the birch oil, which floated on top. Another boy, named Beach, it was thought at one time would not recover. The dead boy was about seven years of age.—Marathon Independent.

Highly recommended: http://herkimer.nygenweb.net/frankfort/balloonfarm.html