Chapter II: Introduction

The writer is not sure that this work will give satisfaction to his many friends who have asked for it; the experience of one is not the experience of all, and many incidents will be remembered, undoubtedly, by different members of the party that are not mentioned in these pages, from the fact that they are unknown to the narrator, not having come under his observation. The difficulty lies in producing an account of our trip from personal notes that will meet the expectation of all. The chief object of this book is to furnish interesting information relative to the party’s whereabouts from day to day, giving the names of many kind friends who did so much toward making our journey an interesting and happy one, and who will ever be remembered with feelings of the highest regard by each member of the party. The writer has no apology to offer to critics. Geographical inaccuracies and grammatical inconsistencies can either be accepted or overlooked, at the pleasure of the reader, whom the author hopes will be charitable enough to believe that he believes what he has written, whether it is true or not.

Shortly after the meeting of the twenty-fifth session of the Grand Division of the Order of Railway Conductors at Atlanta, Ga., in May, 1895, a few of the Pennsylvania Railroad conductors running into Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, got together and started a movement toward the organization of a party to visit the twenty-sixth session, in Los Angeles, Cal., in May, 1897. Mr. Chas. E. Wyman was chosen president and manager and Mr. Wm. J. Maxwell secretary and treasurer of the club. It was known as the _Pennsylvania Railroad Conductors’ Excursion_. Meetings were held from time to time to complete the organization, formulate plans, and perfect arrangements, and George H. Holgate, Esq., president of the Association of American Inventors, kindly gave the use of his large, comfortable office in the Betz Building, on Broad Street, Philadelphia, for this purpose. A friend of Manager Wyman designed an unique and handsome card, which was submitted to Stephen Greene, Esq., who lithographed and printed several thousand and generously presented them to the excursion. The committee called at the clothing establishment of Wanamaker & Brown, Sixth and Market Streets, to purchase tourist caps for use of the party on the trip, and were liberally provided with all they wanted, free of cost, by the kind and generous members of the firm. The officials of the Pennsylvania Railroad looked with favor upon the scheme, and it was largely due to their kindly efforts and influence that the excursion was such a grand success. Mr. George W. Boyd, Assistant General Passenger Agent, interested himself greatly in our trip, and under his direction the Tourist Department outlined and arranged the itinerary, which was printed in neat form and presented to the party by Allen, Lane & Scott. This itinerary is published in these pages in its original form, and while the route was adhered to it will be noticed we ran about three days late, delayed by a washout east of El Paso.

Many of the illustrations in this book were prepared from photographs taken by members of the party, also from photographs kindly presented to the author by Prof. T. S. C. Lowe. We are also indebted to the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company, Northern Pacific Railway Company, and Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company for illustrations of scenery along their lines.

Our treatment by officers of the Pullman Company was extremely satisfactory, their generosity being highly appreciated. To one and all of these gentlemen who so kindly contributed toward our happiness and pleasure the Pennsylvania Railroad Conductors’ Excursion gives, through the writer, a rousing vote of thanks.

M. M. S.

DETAILED TIME-TABLE AND CONDENSED

ITINERARY

OF THE

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CONDUCTORS’ TOUR
TO THE GOLDEN GATE.

Miles SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1897.
from
Philad’a. Via Pennsylvania Railroad.
Lv. Philadelphia, Pa. (_Eastern time_) 10.30 A.M.
354 Ar. Pittsburgh, Pa. “ 8.15 P.M.
“ Pittsburgh, Pa. (_Central time_) 7.15 “
Via Pennsylvania Lines.
Lv. Pittsburgh, Pa. “ 7.30 “

SUNDAY, MAY 9, 1897.

Via Pennsylvania Lines.
728 Ar. Indianapolis, Ind. (_Central time_) 7.00 A.M.
Via Vandalia Line.
Lv. Indianapolis, Ind. “ 7.10 “
968 Ar. St. Louis, Mo. “ 1.40 P.M.
Via St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway.
Lv. St. Louis, Mo. (_Central time_) 8.15 “

MONDAY, MAY 10, 1897.

Via St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway.
1313 Ar. Little Rock, Ark. (_Central time_) 7.10 A. M.
1458 “ Texarkana, Tex. “ 12.35 P.M.
Via Texas & Pacific Railway.
Lv. Texarkana, Tex. “ 1.05 “
1711 Ar. Fort Worth, Tex. “ 9.24 “

TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1897.

Via Texas & Pacific Railway.
2326 Ar. El Paso, Tex. (_Central time_) 9.25 “
(At El Paso Central time changes to Pacific time,
two hours slower.)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1897.

Via Southern Pacific Company.

Lv. El Paso, Tex. (_Pacific time_) 8.00 A.M. 2414 Ar. Deming, N. M. “ 11.00 “ 2638 “ Tucson, N. M. “ 7.00 P.M.

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897.

Via Southern Pacific Company.

3008 Ar. Indio, Cal. (_Pacific time_) 7.00 A.M. 3138 “ Los Angeles, Cal. “ 12.00 NOON. Train to be sidetracked for occupancy.

MONDAY, MAY 17, 1897.

Via Southern Pacific Company.
3138 Lv. Los Angeles, Cal. (_Pacific time_) 2.00 P.M.

TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1897.

Via Southern Pacific Company.
3585 Ar. San Francisco, Cal. (_Pacific time_) 10.00 A.M.

THURSDAY, MAY 20, 1897.

Via Southern Pacific Company.
Lv. San Francisco, Cal. (_Pacific time_) 7.00 P.M.

SATURDAY, MAY 22, 1897.

Via Southern Pacific Company.
4357 Ar. Portland, Ore. (_Pacific time_) 7.00 A.M.
Train to be sidetracked for occupancy.

SUNDAY, MAY 23, 1897.

Via Northern Pacific Railway.
Lv. Portland, Ore. (_Pacific time_) 8.45 A.M.
4501 Ar. Tacoma, Wash. “ 2.00 P.M.
Train to be sidetracked for occupancy.
Lv. Tacoma, Wash. “ 10.30 “
(At Hope Pacific time changes to Mountain time,
one hour faster.)
Stop at Spokane two hours.

TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1897.

Via Northern Pacific Railway.
5283 Ar. Helena, Mont. (_Mountain time_) 7.00 A.M.

Via Great Northern Railway.

Lv. Helena, Mont. (_Mountain time_) 12.00 NOON.
5355 Ar. Butte, Mont. “ 3.00 P.M.
Train to be sidetracked for occupancy.
Via Montana Union Railway.
Lv. Butte, Mont. “ 10.00 “
5362 Ar. Silver Bow, Mont. “ 10.20 “
Via Oregon Short Line Railroad.
Lv. Silver Bow, Mont. (_Mountain time_) 10.30 “

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1897.

Via Ogden Short Line Railroad.
5752 Ar. Ogden, Utah (_Mountain time_) 11.00 A.M.
Via Rio Grande Western Railway.
Lv. Ogden, Utah (_Mountain time_) 11.00 “
5789 Ar. Salt Lake City, Utah “ 12.00 NOON.
Train to be sidetracked for occupancy.

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1897.

Via Rio Grande Western Railway.
Lv. Salt Lake City, Utah (_Mountain time_) 9.00 P.M.

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1897.

6080 Ar. Grand Junction, Col. (_Mountain time_) 8.30 A.M.
Via Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.
Lv. Grand Junction, Col. (_Mountain time_) 9.00 “
6169 Ar. Glenwood Springs, Col. “ 12.00 NOON.
Lv. Glenwood Springs, Col. “ 2.00 P.M.
Ar. Minturn, Col. “ 4.10 “
“ Leadville, Col. “ 6.00 “
Lv. Leadville, Col. “ 6.40 “
6319 Ar. Salida, Col. “ 8.30 “

SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1897.

Via Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.
By D. & R. G. special train.
Lv. Salida, Col. (_Mountain time_) 8.00 A.M.
Ar. Marshall Pass, Col. “ 9.40 “
Lv. Marshall Pass, Col. “ 10.20 “
6369 Ar. Salida, Col. “ 12.00 NOON.
Lv. Salida, Col. “ 1.00 P.M.
Ar. Royal Gorge, Col. “ 2.45 “
6511 “ Colorado Springs, Col. “ 6.00 “
Train to be sidetracked for occupancy.

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 1897.

At Colorado Springs and Manitou.

MONDAY, MAY 31, 1897.

Via Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.
Lv. Colorado Springs, Col. (_Mountain time_) 2.00 A.M.
6586 Ar. Denver, Col. “ 6.00 “
Train to be sidetracked for occupancy.

TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1897.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1897.

At Denver.

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1897.

Via Burlington Route.
Lv. Denver, Col. (_Mountain time_) 12.01 A.M.
(At McCook, Neb., Mountain time changes to Central
time, one hour faster.)
Ar. Lincoln, Neb. (_Central time_) 3.05 “
7124 “ Omaha, Neb. “ 5.00 P.M.
Lv. Omaha, Neb. “ 6.30 “

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1897.

Via Burlington Route.
7632 Ar. Chicago, Ill. (_Central time_) 9.15 A.M.
Via Pennsylvania Lines.
Lv. Chicago, Ill. “ 5.40 P.M.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1897.

Via Pennsylvania Lines.
8100 Ar. Pittsburg, Pa. (_Central time_) 6.10 A.M.
“ Pittsburg, Pa. (_Eastern time_) 7.10 “
Via Pennsylvania Railroad.
Lv. Pittsburg, Pa. “ 7.15 “
8454 “ Philadelphia, Pa. “ 4.20 P.M.

LIST OF PASSENGERS.

MR. G. W. BROWN Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. G. W. BROWN “
MR. P. J. BARRETT Bristol, Pa.
MISS ANNA S. BARRETT “
MR. J. N. CLIMENSON Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. J. N. CLIMENSON “
MR. I. M. COHEE “
MRS. I. M. COHEE “
MR. J. B. CRISPEN Renovo, Pa.
MR. JAMES DOUGHERTY Trenton, N.J.
MRS. J. DOUGHERTY “
MR. T. J. DENNISTON Jersey City, N. J.
MR. G. W. DALE Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. G. W. DALE “
MR. R. T. ELDER “
MRS. R. T. ELDER “
MR. R. J. FOULON “
MRS. R. J. FOULON “
MR. C. E. FOSTER “
MRS. C. E. FOSTER “
MR. J. W. GOFF Camden, N. J.
MRS. J. W. GOFF “
MR. T. B. GILLILAND Harrisburg, Pa.
MRS. T. B. GILLILAND “
MR. M. M. HOUSTON Norristown, Pa.
MRS. M. M. HOUSTON “
MR. W. A. HAAS Allegheny City, Pa.
MR. H. R. HAEFNER Columbia, Pa.
MRS. H. R. HAEFNER “
MR. S. W. HORNER Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. S. W. HORNER “
MR. S. N. KILGORE “
MRS. S. N. KILGORE “
MR. T. J. MCKERNAN Jersey City, N. J.
MRS. T. J. MCKERNAN “
MR. E. A. KALKMAN Baltimore, Md.
MRS. E. A. KALKMAN “
MR. HUGH LEARY Norristown, Pa.
MRS. HUGH LEARY “
MR. J. T. LAYFIELD Wilmington, Del.
MRS. J. T. LAYFIELD “
MR. J. M. MATTHEWS Norristown, Pa.
MRS. J. M. MATTHEWS “
MR. W. J. MAXWELL Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. W. J. MAXWELL “
MR. J. H. MOORE Manasquan, N. J.
MRS. J. H. MOORE “
MR. C. J. MCCARTY Columbia, Pa.
MR. C. R. MATTSON, M.D. Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. C. R. MATTSON “
MR. W. H. MORRIS Wilmington, Del.
MRS. W. H. MORRIS “
MR. ROLAND MITCHELL Baltimore, Md.
MRS. ROLAND MITCHELL “
MR. W. H. POST Philadelphia, Pa.
MISS ELLA L. POST “
MR. J. A. REILLY “
MRS. J. A. REILLY “
MR. J. H. REAGAN “
MR. J. J. RESTEIN Delmar, Del.
MR. C. L. SPRINGER Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. C. L. SPRINGER “
MR. L. E. SHEPPARD Camden, N. J.
MRS. L. E. SHEPPARD “
MR. M. M. SHAW West Chester, Pa.
MRS. M. M. SHAW “
MR. C. H. SLOANE Philadelphia, Pa.
MR. J. G. SCHULER Pittsburgh, Pa.
MR. C. F. SMITH York, Pa.
MRS. C. F. SMITH “
MR. D. R. SPARKS Camden, N. J.
MRS. D. R. SPARKS “
MR. W. W. TERRY Philadelphia, Pa.
MRS. W. W. TERRY “
MR. H. H. TAYLOR Trenton, N. J.
MR. C. E. WADDINGTON Philadelphia, Pa.
MR. OSCAR WILLIAMS “
MR. C. E. WYMAN Moores, Pa.
MRS. C. E. WYMAN “
MR. H. L. WILSON Glassboro, N. J.
MRS. H. L. WILSON “

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

C. E. WYMAN, _President and Manager_.
WM. J. MAXWELL, _Secretary and Treasurer_.

GEORGE W. BROWN, JOHN H. REAGAN,
WALTER W. TERRY.

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CONDUCTORS’ EXCURSION TO CALIFORNIA.

SATURDAY, MAY 8th, 1897.

The hands on the large clock that denotes the standard time in the great corridor of Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, point to the hour 10 A. M.; an unusual commotion is noticed in the mammoth train shed, which in any hour of the day or night is filled with trains loading and discharging their cargoes of human freight, ever presenting a scene of hustling, bustling activity. The unusual commotion referred to is caused by the departure of the _Pennsylvania Railroad Conductors’ Excursion to California_. Fully one thousand friends and relatives have gathered on the extensive train platform to see them off; thirty minutes of promiscuous kissing, hugging, tears, smiles, hand shaking, and good-byes, then “all aboard,” and at 10.30 A. M. the five-car vestibule train rolls out over the elevated tracks bound for a journey of 9,000 miles. The notebook crank and the kodak fiend are aboard, and it is hoped that it will not be regretted that they have come. The kodak fiends are Bros. Ed. Foster, Joe Ristein, and Billy Haas, who succeed in getting some very good snaps at the train before starting, and the Lord only knows what else was snapped at, for the snapping was kept up almost continually for the next thirty-one days. The notebook crank is the writer, who, with the ever-present notebook in hand, starts in after the train starts to make an inventory of the outfit.

The first person encountered is the good-looking and gentlemanly train conductor, W. E. Bostick, who volunteers the information that the train is running as second No. 25 over the Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia to Harrisburg; that it gives him great pleasure to run the train, for he considers it a mark of honor. We are drawn by P. R. R. engine No. 31, in charge of Engineer J. Stroh, and fired by C. B. Lewis. Next to the engine is parlor combined car No. 4808, with baggage end loaded with sixty-two pieces of baggage, two barrels, and thirty-two cases of nourishment, in charge of George H. Anderson, the colored janitor of the conductors’ room in Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, who, because of his well-known character for faithfulness, honesty, and good nature, is taken along, and placed in the responsible position of baggage master and general cork extractor. The smoking end of the car is furnished with twelve movable parlor chairs and two tables, and the floor is covered with Brussels carpet. The Pullman dining car “Lafayette,” in charge of Dining-car Conductor Mr. Tom McDonald, comes next.

Introducing myself to Mr. McDonald, I find him a very agreeable gentleman, who kindly gives me what information I want, also a bill of fare. The latter makes my mouth water in anticipation of what I may expect when the dinner hour arrives. This is what with keen appreciation and fast increasing appetite I read:--

ORDER OF RAILWAY CONDUCTORS’ SPECIAL.

_EN ROUTE_ TO LOS ANGELES AND RETURN.

PULLMAN DINING CAR SERVICE.

May 8th, 1897.

DINNER.

OX JOINTS. CONSOMME.
CUCUMBERS. OLIVES.
BOILED HALIBUT. EGG SAUCE.
PARISIENNE POTATOES.
BOILED LEG OF MUTTON. CAPER SAUCE.
APPLE FRITTERS. WINE SAUCE.
PRIME ROAST BEEF.
ROAST LONG ISLAND SPRING DUCK. APPLE SAUCE.
MASHED POTATOES. BOILED NEW POTATOES.
BOILED ONIONS. BEETS. NEW GREEN PEAS.
TOMATO SALAD AU MAYONNAISE.
BREAD PUDDING. COGNAC SAUCE.
ICE CREAM. PRESERVED FRUITS.
ASSORTED CAKE. MARMALADE. DRY CANTON GINGER.
ENGLISH AND GRAHAM WAFERS. FRUIT.
ROQUEFORT AND EDAM CHEESE. BENT’S BISCUIT.
CAFÉ NOIR.

“Mr. McDonald,” says I, “I do not doubt your ability to feed us as per bill of promise, but I am curious to know where you keep all this material and how you prepare it for the table?” “It is easily explained; I will show you,” is the reply. “Built here in this end of the car is a large cupboard refrigerator in which can be stored a large amount of stuff, underneath the car are two large ice chests in which can be placed several hundred pounds of meat, and on top of the car you will find a large tank containing many gallons of water. In the other end of the car you will find the kitchen, where the victuals are prepared, and the sideboard containing the dishes and other ware belonging to the dining car. If it were necessary to do so, we could stock this car with material enough at one time to last a party of one hundred persons one week; but ordinarily we lay in but a limited amount, as provisions or other material is furnished as needed from the Pullman supply stations _en route_, thus we can always have it good and fresh.”

“You seem to have lots of help,” I remarked, as I noticed nine or ten neat, gentlemanly-looking mulattoes in their snow-white coats and aprons bustling about the car.

“Yes, I am pleased to say that you can expect excellent service from the cooks and waiters in this car. Mr. Martin and Mr. Bostwick, of the Pullman palace car service, have kindly furnished me with men of which it can be said there are no better in the service.” “Can you give me their names?” “Certainly; the cooks are: _Chief_, R. W. Moore; _assistants_, H. F. Robinson, T. Allen, F. L. Litt; _waiters_, W. Hill, A. Beard, O. Fisher, C. Coleman, C. Jackson. We have ten tables in the car, each table seats four, which enables us to accommodate forty persons at a time. Each waiter has been assigned his place, knows just what he has to do, and while there may at times be a little delay in filling orders, there is never any confusion.”

“There is another thing,” continues Mr. McDonald, “which no doubt you will notice, and that is our strict adherence to the law of cleanliness. If there is one rule of the dining-car service more imperative than another, it is the one that declares that everything must be clean. The coats and aprons of the waiters must be pure and spotless as an angel’s robe, napkins and table linen must

never be used the second time, no matter how little soiled. This is a rule that at all times must be rigidly enforced, and it would cost me my situation to allow it to be violated.”

Thanking Mr. McDonald for his kind information, I turn my back on the “Lafayette” for the time being, entirely convinced that a first-class fully-equipped dining car is the greatest wonder that ever went on wheels.

Next to the “Lafayette” I find the sleeper “Marco.” I also find as I emerge from the narrow passageway, which is an unavoidable nuisance in all Pullman cars, the genial, good-natured, and good-looking sleeping-car conductor, Miles H. Suter, who has charge of the three Pullman sleepers that are on the train.

“Mr. Suter,” I said, “the Pullman people have given us a fine train.”

“Yes,” he replied. “There are no more substantial or more comfortable cars in the Pullman service than these. In one of them a person can ride many hundreds of miles and not become fatigued. You will find the motion of these cars very agreeable and easy. They were selected for this trip because of this admirable qualification, and as far as ease and comfort goes I predict for your party a very pleasant tour. Another thing,” continued Mr. Suter, “I have already noticed, which will contribute much to your comfort, and which is lacking in most excursion parties, is that you have plenty of room, and so are not crowded. The gentlemen who have arranged the excursion deserve a great deal of credit for the excellent judgment they have exercised in not having too many or too few, but just enough. There are no vacancies and no one is crowded. It was also wise to have no children along, for little folks often need attention that cannot be given them on a journey of this kind, and their mothers need rest instead of the worriment that comes from having the care of little ones on their hands.”

“Mr. Suter,” I remarked, as a genteel colored man in a neat uniform come through the car, “it must be a very laborious task when night comes for one man to convert all these seats into beds, and in the morning change them back again.”

“Yes, it seems like a great deal of work, but an experienced porter will soon make the change. I have three good men, one to each car, and you have only to watch Dennis Jackson in the ‘Marco,’ Dick Pettus in the ‘Milton,’ or George Custis in the ‘Orchis,’ making up the berths, to be convinced that by a man who understands the business the work is more quickly and easily accomplished than one would suppose possible. Everything must be kept clean and tidy, pillow-cases and sheets changed daily, and towels used but once. Every time a towel is used a clean one takes its place. Cleanliness is an important rule in the Pullman service, and we are obliged to strictly enforce it.”

Thanking Mr. Suter for his kind information I turn my attention to the occupants of the car. State room A is occupied by Conductors Suter and McDonald.

Section 1 by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Horner. Brother Horner is a member of West Philadelphia Division No. 162, and a conductor on the New York Division. Mrs. Horner is a member of Erickson Division No. 5, L. A.

Section 2 by Colonel and Mrs. John T. Layfield. Brother Layfield is secretary and treasurer of Wilmington Division No. 224, and a conductor on the Delaware

Division; he served on the staff of Governor Benjamin Biggs of Delaware several years ago, thus earning the title of colonel.

Section 3 by Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Shaw. Brother Shaw is P. C. C. of West Philadelphia Division No. 162, and a conductor on the Central Division.

Section 4 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Wyman. Brother Wyman is a member of Wilmington Division No. 224, and a conductor on the Maryland Division; he is president and manager of the excursion and has worked to make it a success.

Section 5 by Mr. and Mrs. John A Reilly. Brother Reilly is a member of West Philadelphia Division No. 162, and a conductor on the Maryland Division. Mrs. Reilly is a member of Erickson Division No. 5, L. A.

Section 6 by Mr. and Mrs. William J. Maxwell. Brother Maxwell is a member of West Philadelphia Division No. 162, and a conductor on the New York Division; he is secretary and treasurer of 162, also of the excursion, and works hard in the interest of the same. Mrs. Maxwell is a member of Erickson Division No. 5, L. A.

Section 7 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Springer. Brother Springer is a member of West Philadelphia Division No. 162, and a conductor on the Philadelphia Division. Mrs. Springer is a member of Erickson Division No. 5, L. A.

Section 8 by Mr. and Mrs. George W. Brown. Brother Brown is A. C. C. and a trustee of West Philadelphia Division No. 162; he is a member of the excursion executive committee, and has the welfare of the party at heart. Mrs. Brown is a member and president of Erickson Division No. 5, L. A.

Section 9 by Mr. and Mrs. George W. Dale. Brother Dale is a member of West Philadelphia Division No. 162, and a conductor on the New York Division.

Section 10 by Mr. and Mrs. Walter W. Terry. Brother Terry is a conductor on the New York Division, and a member and trustee of West Philadelphia Division No. 162; he is a member of the excursion executive committee, the heavyweight of the party, whose herculean strength and sound judgment can always be relied upon.

Section 11 by Mr. and Mrs. James M. Matthews. Brother Matthews is a member and a P. C. C. Conductor of West Philadelphia Division No. 162, and a conductor on the Schuylkill Division.