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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Dec 10, 1897
Page
6
Rail news reports chairmen Walker asserting his suitability amid optimistic talk on Ripley era economics. Coverage highlights Welker and Welker era directives, with praise for earnings strategy and allied executives.
The first passenger car fitted with the Axle Electric Light system was tested in Los Angeles for instructional purposes. President Max Setmidt of the National Car Electric Targntine company described the run, noting the system uses axle power for lighting, with batteries and generators in the car, and that several cars carry different numbers of lights averaging 18. The Santa Fe and Western railroads are considering electrification as a result.
Fragmented account describes a supposed dark planet sighting near New York with mentions of trains, timings, and a conductor named Bain preparing to depart to Newton amid atmospheric disturbances. The text blends weather, engine troubles, and a speculative omen with unclear dates and events.
Dec 10 reports from Chicago and Kansas City indicate Burlington had a notable cut or decline. The dispatch notes a color context and references multiple regional observations about the Burlington movement yesterday.
The article reports tentative first class rates from Chicago and the Mississippi River regions to Colorado, with Chicago at 44 cents and Mississippi routes at 16 cents lower than Kansas City. Burlington begins Colorado pricing, facing rivals ready to respond quickly, while Missouri and Rock Island issues complicate the fare dispute.
Baltimore and Ohio railroad receivers decide to adopt double conductor system for all excursion traffic to reduce accidents. The plan splits running and braking duties between conductors, aiming to improve passenger comfort and safety. Trials from September through November 188? show the method effective with no passenger injuries on Sunday excursions among Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and Atlantic City. Revenue loss noted as $6,000 in penalties.
The Watrut Varey Times notes Lew Bird, a Missouri Pacific engineer with a long service history. He began as a fireman at Atchison after six years and rose to engine status when the Ft. Scott, Wichita and Western division expanded. Bird’s record is clean with no serious accidents and no alcohol incidents yet.
A woman awaiting a train in Ottaway learned her $200 diamond was missing from her luggage. J H Pulliam of Laws Kansas, then a worker on the line, found and returned the gem to the owner through conductor Plumkest. The case ended happily as the stone was recovered by a trustworthy railway employee.
Dec 10 report from Fansas City notes twenty two Kansas City members led by the Coriune company. The party split from the city, Chicago lines offered incentives, and rival fare arrangements were discussed with trips valued at about 10 dollars, while regular fare stood for travel between Kansas City and Chicago.
Santa Fe company tests in Kansas yards an attachment for wind dampening a semaphore lamp. The device fits over the chimney with a belting draft opening and side openings to prevent wind from blowing out flames. Past accidents from cross lanterns and blurred color prompted the testing and potential adoption by the company.
A Santa Fe project advances a hot water reservoir described as thirty in diameter and ten feet long with a box sunk to about ten feet. Progress has stalled due to frozen ground and a shortage of machinery, delaying the overall construction.
The text describes a shallow pit with frozen mud and a bee like cover. A derrick hoists earth in a large bucket to the surface via a Molsting engine. Heavy timber tracks support a hand car and bucket transfer, with steps to prepare the pit for use.
In Santa Peewitching yards a small red steer wandered among cars as a switch engine whistle blew. Foreman Milton Player confronted the steer and was struck by its head, toppled to the ground, then retreated behind cars as the bull contended. The steer wandered off after a brief stand, while Beeler and others assessed the scene.
The court acquitted Alex Shields in Perry of passing a forged discharge check dated June 36, 1854, at the Perry depot. Testimony tied Shields to travels for Alexander Aline Co in Wine Field and a carload sale at Perry, with broader hoax checks under inquiry by Santa Fe secret service. Authorities cited additional forged discharge checks across the southern division as part of the scheme.
Chicago reports the Western Freight Association debating a 3 cent per hundred pounds raise on Minneapolis and St Paul to western territory shipments calling for unified action. Trunk lines resist, Western roads vow not to concede if export trade is affected, plan through billing to push charges to consignors if trunks insist.
Detectives hunt the Rock Island wreckers after a trolley thrown across the track between Wellington and Catchwell. A freight train barely escaped derailment as the engine escaped by stopping the carriages at the obstruction, allowing the train to continue with minor damage.
In St Paul a telegraph picture transmission device was tested successfully. Inventor Ernest A Hammell and Joeat Jewel describe a system combining several motive powers. The transmitter and receiver need only a small space, with a diminutive electric motor to move the copying pen across the image area.
A detailed description explains a projecting arm device using a platinum point to trace and etch onto paper via shellac insulation. The mechanism, driven by an electric motor and clockwork, relies on a drop switch and a series of ratchets to regulate line spacing. A separate reminiscence recalls the old practice of the “drop” switch and a manager’s insight into rule changes over time. Marketing and operation notes touch on railroad equipment, civic improvements, and stock figures in various stories and notices from Peoria to Santa Fe.
Rail switch es beginning in Newton yard with a new turntable to replace the worn one. New boilermaker Thomas Swayne transferred from La Junta. Roundhouse walls torn for flat road and brick pavement added at the main platform. Machinist Hebert Wyllie back after a fall. Extra Fireman Hardman first run after transfer from Arkansas City. Steam heating lines inspected by W S Lawless of Topeka. Steam pipes nearly finished in roundhouse. two bays remain. Engine 186 rebuilt and to be sent out next week. Foreman Hebert Shisser reports crew efficiency. box cars assembled quickly. The new time card No. 1 takes effect Sunday December 13 at 12 05. Amos Beeler tests engine 752 between Topeka and Meriden. Conductor J G Martindale treated for tumor under left arm. Engineer Wir Reln to Marcelline tomorrow. Engine 85 ready to leave shops. another damaged engine from last summer awaiting repair returns next day. Sixth Street roundhouse electric cell odors cause coughing for visitors. Train Lodge 260 AOUW postpones meeting due to overtime. Mr Geo T Beck promoted to general superintendent of Santa Fe at Needles. Engine No Ti to leave paint shops tomorrow to enter service. seventh consolidation engine produced at Tope.
Private cars are a status symbol among rail magnates and elites. The piece notes owners such as Huntington, Stanford, Depew, Webb, and the Pennsylvania Railroad president, with the presidential car likened to a private executive car used by multiple administrations. It mentions wealthier men owning private yachts and Pullman’s luxurious car as a hallmark of refinement.
A January 10 dedication date is set for the Santa Fe Depot at Dodge City with a depot hotel opening nearby. December 1 notes the project move toward completion and a grand celebration appears likely. Kinsley anticipates continued operation of its eating house and hotel despite other openings.
Two Santa Fe officials completed a 121 mile round trip from Newton to Topeka in 3 hours 35 minutes. The train departed Newton at 7:06 and arrived Topeka at 10:40. Engineer Rain and Freman Crawford completed the Topeka trip, leaving Leavenworth Topeka line at 2S o'clock this morning.
Peka shops report 125 tons finished this year with 44 tons more to complete before year end. Seagunduliar began work Saturday with brakeman duties. Fireman McQuidy from Las Vegas visits Emporia friends. Engineer Andy Neugebauer, formerly here, visits. Conductor W D Crowder from the Superior branch moves his family back to Emporia and will live at 127 South Rural.
Improvements at the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company exchange in Topeka place a new switchboard on the building’s third floor with capacity for 1000 telephones. The old board, now in a rear room, handles about 700 wires. The changeover will occur Sunday with double staffing, while users notice no disruption.
Cincinnati report of Mrs Frank Nether, a Sohn Etrewing collector, dying after a minor injury at a theater rehearsal. A decayed tooth worsened into swelling and blood poisoning. Dr. Grimm operated, with possible arm amputation if fever worsens.
Frances Willard accepts Miss Josephine Rotier s resignation as Purity leader in Chicago in a move tied to recent reform efforts. The report notes the Toronto regulation and urges clear stand against licenses tied to social evils while promoting merit in remedies like Chamberlain s Pain Balm.
Local classified blur of housing and employment ads plus disjointed notes about migrant workers and scam warnings. Mentions rooms for rent, furnished and unfurnished, store space, millinery sales, and job postings. Contains garbled text. overall tone resembles an early 20th century town newspaper classifieds page.
The Cremerie unveils a new location at 726 Avenue with Scott in charge. Patrons are invited to explore the updated shop and its offerings as the establishment shifts to its expanded premises.
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