CHAPTER IXVISIT TO WESTINGHOUSE AIR-BRAKE-SHOPS. ATLANTA
AND ST. PAUL
THE next year (1890) I was elected delegate to Pittsburg, Penn.,
the conventions still being held annually. We went via Montgomery,
Nashville, Bowling Green, and Cincinnati, after which a twelve-hour
run carried us to our destination. There was one peculiarity about
Pittsburg; it was nearly always raining, not hard rain usually,
but a sufficient sprinkle to make it safest always to carry an
umbrella on going out. Perhaps the dampness intensified the smoky
haze which hung continually over the city. At all events, the
dense, murky atmosphere at once proclaimed it a manufacturing
place of much importance.
An interesting feature was the burning of natural gas for heating
purposes, the grates being filled with round lumps of clay, which
looked beautiful when the gas was turned on. A fire of this kind
can very easily be kept at an even temperature.
Early on the morning of October 22d, we started on an excursion
to Altoona. On the way we passed Johnstown, where so many lives
were lost by the breaking of the reservoir dam. It is a place
of some size, extending for quite a distance along the track,
and though it had been rebuilt, traces of the wreck could be seen
in many places.
It was barely noon when we arrived at Altoona, but we didn't
get our dinner until two o'clock. Our party was estimated at a
thousand, and a hundred of us dined at the Central Hotel, after
which we started out to see the sights. We first walked to the
top of Gospel Hill, where we had a fine view of the town. Some
of our party were attracted towards a brewery near by, and seemed
to enjoy the beer immensely, judging from the way they made it
disappear. We next visited the Pennsylvania Railroad shops, where
we saw a huge engine lifted by a crane and swung from one track
to another. We also visited the old Westinghouse Air-Brake Manufactory
operated by steam, and one of the most interesting sights I had
seen up to that date. There were thirty-six air-pumps running
at one time in the room where they were tested. These pumps are
all built by piece work, and several men are employed, who do
nothing but experiment for the air-brake system. The company had
just completed their new building run by electricity, but had
not transferred their materials. We returned to Pittsburg well
pleased with our visit to Altoona. The convention closed October
31st, and we began our homeward trip over the Pan Handle Route,
where we were forcibly reminded of travel in the Rockies, as the
track faced every point of the compass as it forged its way through
the Alleghany Mountains.
The Grand International Division next convened in Atlanta,
Georgia, May, 1892. The change of seasons had been made because
October was considered too cold in the majority of the cities
where the conventions were apt to be held.
We were proud of our Southland on this occasion, for Atlanta
entertained us royally. The convention hall and committee room
were in the State Capitol, and accommodations were simply grand!
By the way, we were complimented by the janitor on being such
a sober body of men. There were two excursions offered us at one
time; one to Chattanooga, Tenn., and the other to Brunswick, Ga.
We decided in favor of the latter, but as the trip was made at
night, and there was such a crowd on the excursion train and no
berths could be secured for sleeping, we got transportation on
the regular train, which left between seven and eight o'clock
P.M. We travelled in a Mann boudoir car, and were quite comfortable.
Upon reaching Brunswick, we went to a hotel, then made our way
to the boats bound for Cumberland Island, a distance of twenty-two
miles. The officers in charge reported every boat loaded, and
declared it would be unsafe to take any more passengers, so we
accommodated ourselves to circumstances, and took a twelve-mile
trip to St. Simon's Island. The ride was very pleasant and we
enjoyed the walk to the Beach Hotel after landing. Arriving there,
we were delighted with the view from the wide piazza. "Old
Ocean" could be seen in all his majesty, and while eating
dinner we watched the high waves beating and breaking on the shore.
The salt breeze had given us an appetite, so no wonder that we
thought it the finest meal we had ever eaten. Later, we watched
the bathers for a while, and enjoyed the fun. At four o'clock
when we started back to the dock to be ready for the boats, we
found the beach covered by the incoming tide, and had to circle
around and take another route. We again travelled all night on
our way back to Atlanta, but arrived in shipshape, and feeling
that nobody had a better time than we.
A few days later a nice little trip was given us to Stone Mountain,
a distance of eighteen miles. We went in coal cars, which added
to the enjoyment, and lovely views were afforded us from our homely
carriages, as we rounded the mountain. Then came the climb which
was tiresome but jolly, and every one who reached the top felt
fully repaid in the lovely scenery spread out before us. Ice-cream
and lemonade were served to the thirsty crowd at the Blue Ridge
Hotel. The day was pleasantly spent on the mountain, and we arrived
in Atlanta at 8:30, ready for a late supper.
Another interesting feature of the convention was an entertainment
tendered the Brotherhood by the Southern Express Company, which
consisted of addresses, dancing, and the most elaborate collation
ever offered our Grand International Division of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers, when I have had the pleasure of serving
as delegate. The decorations were beautiful and appropriate; in
fact, the praises of that delightful affair have been sung at
many conventions since, when old friends would get together and
compare notes on the past.
The two leading newspaper forces of Atlanta, those of the Constitution
and the Journal, also gave us a barbecue. The food
was served in wooden trays, and there was a bountiful supply of
several varieties of meats, with bread and pickles.
It has always been the custom at the conventions for the whole
body to attend church services on Sunday whenever possible, and
we went several times while in Atlanta. Our youngest daughter
was with us, and she and her mother usually attended prayer-meeting
besides.
The city held many pleasant memories for me, as I had been
there in the early years of my railroad career, when the place
was only a village. I saw several of the old landmarks, although
there had been such an enormous increase in size and population
since then.
Two years later (1894) came the St. Paul Convention. This city
is very near the head of navigation of the Mississippi River,
and its twin city, Minneapolis, is right at the head. I threw
myself into convention work, and was at the Hall whenever business
was going on, but when work was laid aside, I enjoyed the recreation
as much as any one.
We found the aspect of the country entirely new. The timber
is small and different from any I have ever seen, being of a very
close fibre. Foremost of all, I enjoyed seeing the fine stock
farms. That whole region is fertile, and I was struck by a peculiarity
of the soil. It is rich for eight or ten feet, but below that
depth is perfectly white sand, which gave me an idea that all
of that country at one time must have been under water. This theory
is evidently supported by the vast number of small lakes in the
vicinity.
We were given a trip to Lake Minnetonka, which is navigable
for three hundred miles, and on the way saw multitudinous lakes
of different sizes. In walking around there, before we were out
of sight of one body of water we would see another. We were informed
that there were eight thousand surveyed lakes in that locality,
and could well believe it.
We visited Minneapolis, and went through a mill that was said
to turn out a greater number of barrels of flour than any other
mill in the world.
We also saw the famous Minnehaha Falls, and it was a magnificent
sight.
On our route, we took in the Soldiers' Home, which was a model
of its kind. The old soldiers seemed to have every earthly comfort
and appeared to enjoy company.
The convention was given a barbecue at Lake Harriet, a beautiful
body of water, a short ride from St. Paul. As the time drew near
for serving dinner, the delightful odor of the cooking meat attracted
more and more the interested spectators; but soon, an unfortunate
accident occurred. A large, juicy animal over the pit was just
nearing the finishing stage when the saplings broke, and dropped
the nicely browned meat into the fire and ashes. As that made
a considerable difference in the allowance for dinner, it set
things back for a while. This gave us additional appetite, and
what was lacking in meat was fully made up in other edibles, and
the fun we had over the mishap.
We next had an excursion to Duluth on Lake Superior which was
very enjoyable.
Leaving St. Paul on Saturday night, we arrived there early
the next morning in time for breakfast. The weather was cold,
although it was May, and the ladies wore their heaviest wraps.
There were several things of interest in the city, one of which
was a building containing various and wonderful curios. We also
noticed the many fine schools. Visiting the shipyard, we saw them
building steel-clad vessels. The Columbus, which was exhibited
at the World's Fair, was built there. We took a ride on the lake
which delighted all, except those who were seasick. We went quite
a distance, and on the way out, had a race between two of the
boats. I was much gratified that the one we were in won, as it
was the smaller vessel of the two. There was no sandy beach there,
and no shells. Wherever we had been previously, on the ocean and
lakes, we had found shells in plenty. Instead, we saw rocks in
almost endless variety and shape. They had been rolled over and
over by the rough water of the lake until they were perfectly
smooth. My wife collected quite a lot, and took them home to use
as paper weights.
We were charmed with the long twilight, discovering that we
could easily see to read at nine o'clock at night. Our train left
Duluth at ten o'clock, and reached St. Paul the next morning in
time for breakfast, after which work was resumed in the Convention
Hall.
An excursion to Yellowstone Park was offered, but was not accepted,
one reason being that the majority of our members had spent almost
all their money. Nevertheless we realized that we had turned our
backs on a fine chance, and that nowhere else would be able to
see such wonderful sights. Frances wanted me to get passes and
go any way, but our two girls were awaiting our return home to
take a trip to the Mid-Winter Fair in San Francisco, so we gave
up the idea.
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