[Illustration: Yours truly,
MM Shaw]
Nine Thousand Miles
On A Pullman Train
AN ACCOUNT
OF A
Tour of Railroad Conductors
FROM PHILADELPHIA
TO THE
PACIFIC COAST AND RETURN
By M. M. SHAW
PHILADELPHIA
ALLEN, LANE & SCOTT, PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS
Nos. 1211-13 Clover Street
1898
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1898,
BY M. M. SHAW,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
TO THE TRUE AND LOYAL WOMEN
OF OUR PARTY,
THE BELOVED AND CHERISHED COMPANIONS
OF OUR HEARTHS AND HOMES,
THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
M. M. Shaw Frontispiece.
George W. Boyd, Assistant General Passenger Agent,
Pennsylvania Railroad Face page 6
Broad Street Station, Philadelphia “ 12
A Pullman Dining Car “ 16
C. E. Wyman, Chairman of the Committee “ 18
A Pullman Sleeping Car “ 22
Sang Hollow on the Conemaugh, Pennsylvania Railroad “ 28
At Effingham, Illinois “ 34
Leaving Longview Junction, Texas “ 34
At Fort Worth, Texas “ 36
O. H. Bacon, Conductor Texas and Pacific Railway “ 38
A Group at Van Horn, Texas “ 40
Tom McDonald and Fred Beach “ 40
Myrtle Taylor on a Bronco “ 42
Residence of Jacob Hand, Sierra Blanca, Texas “ 42
Flooded District, Alfalfa, Texas “ 52
Wrecked by Train Robbers on Southern Pacific Railway “ 52
William J. Maxwell, of the Committee “ 56
Col. Si Ryan “ 60
Arizona Landscape “ 66
“Yuma Bill,” Indian Chief at Yuma, over 100 years old “ 66
The California Poppy “ 68
A Cluster of Navel Oranges, California “ 72
Winter in Southern California “ 74
Brookside Avenue, Redlands, California “ 76
San Gabriel Mission, California “ 78
Giant Palms on the road to San Gabriel “ 78
An Avenue in Pasadena, California “ 80
Great Cable Incline, Mt. Lowe Railway “ 82
Echo Mountain House and Car on the 48 Per Cent. Grade,
Mt. Lowe Railway “ 84
Mt. Lowe Railway, California “ 86
Circular Bridge, Mt. Lowe Railway, California “ 88
Ye Alpine Tavern, Mt. Lowe, California “ 90
T. S. C. Lowe “ 92
George W. Brown, of the Committee “ 98
New Cliff House and Seal Rocks, San Francisco, Cal. “ 102
Parapet, Sutro Heights, San Francisco, Cal. “ 104
John H. Reagan, of the Committee Face page 112
Hercules’ Pillars, Columbia River, Oregon “ 120
The Columbia River “ 124
J. P. O’Brien, Superintendent Rail Lines, Oregon Railroad
and Navigation Company “ 126
Mt. Adams, Washington “ 128
Mt. St. Helens, from Portland, Oregon “ 128
Multnomah Falls, Oregon “ 130
Along the Columbia River “ 132
C Street, Tacoma, Washington “ 134
Bridge, Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, Washington “ 134
Latourelle Falls, Oregon “ 136
The Hobo Passenger “ 138
Crossing Columbia River on the Tacoma” “ 138
Elevator A, Tacoma, Washington “ 140
Shore of Lake Pend d’Oreille at Hope, Idaho “ 140
Spokane Falls, Spokane, Washington “ 142
Spokane, Washington “ 142
W. B. Hale, Conductor Northern Pacific Railway “ 144
“Dan,” Salt Lake City Railroad Station, Utah “ 154
Grave of Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, Utah “ 154
The Mormon Temple and Square, Salt Lake City, Utah “ 160
Chas. E. Hooper, of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad “ 166
Bathing Pool at Glenwood Springs, Colorado “ 168
In the Pool at Glenwood Springs “ 168
Waiter W. Terry, of the Committee “ 174
Colonel and Mrs. Mitchell at Marshall Pass “ 178
The “Committee” at Marshall Pass “ 178
The Royal Gorge and the Hanging Bridge, Grand Cañon
of the Arkansas “ 182
Ascent of Pike’s Peak by Manitou and Pike’s Peak Railroad
(cog wheel) “ 184
Gateway to the Garden of the Gods, Colorado; Pike’s
Peak in the Distance “ 186
On Pike’s Peak--Altitude, 14,147 feet “ 188
Bride and Groom at Balance Rock, Garden of the Gods,
Colorado “ 190
Manitou Springs, Colorado “ 192
Bachelors and Burros in the Garden of the Gods “ 196
Who are we? Who are we? P. P. C.! Cooks, Waiters,
and Porters of the O. R. C.!” “ 202
The “232.” McCook, Nebraska “ 202
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.
[Illustration: GEO. W. BOYD, ASSISTANT GENERAL PASSENGER AGENT,
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY.]
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.
[Illustration: BROAD STREET STATION, PHILADELPHIA.]
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
[Illustration: A PULLMAN DINING CAR.]
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.