The morning accommodation train on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad is, you may say, somewhat unique, since among its
regular passengers or commuters from Ashland may be found almost every
kind of human industry represented. For instance, there is the lawyer,
and there the judge as well. The representative of the steam and
marine navigation insurance. Also a representative of agricultural
implements. The interests of the tiller of the soil are likewise well
represented, and last, though not least, the grain and feed business
has its agent here, with various other lines of commercial life well
represented, all forming a most pleasant company of genial and
sociable men. The conversation abounds in honest interchange of ideas,
which are both instructive and entertaining. In these cases there are
but little or no egotism indulged in, only a clear-cut discussion of
questions and topics which are daily presented to everybody at this
time. The daily morning and evening newspapers, which are full of all
the stirring events of the day, being perused by all, and thus each
and every man obtains therefrom plenty of information as food for a
general diffusion of thoughts and ideas. Hence this train may be truly
a unique one.
An interesting incident was that of the independent fire department of
Richmond in the days before the war. This consisted of several
companies, between which there existed a considerable degree of
rivalry. The engine and the reel, or hose carriage, were drawn by the
men. Captain John Fry commanded number three engine. Captain Bargamin
was chief of number one. As a matter of course where there was so much
rivalry among them, at every fire there arose a contention as to which
company was entitled to attach its hose to the nearest plug, and it
generally resulted in a free fight between the two companies. Then
fighting was only regarded as a sort of recreation or a manly sport.
But time and the experience in the late war taught them to look upon
it in an entirely different light. Such is the change of sentiment and
morals produced by time and trouble.
Our present splendid fire department, under the pay system, is one of
the city's best assets, presents quite a contrast to the old days.
With the new automobile fire engines, carrying hose, ladders, chemical
apparatus and everything needed at a big fire, capable of throwing
powerful streams of water, the fires of today do not reach often to
conflagrations of the size as of yore. The whole system now works like
a clock. And the employment of the best mechanical skill, in addition
to the use of the motor power to supersede horse power, proves the
rapid and great advance of modern conveniences as contrasted with the
old-fashioned, hand-power machines.
The people of the United States of North America at this time are
confronted with many important and intricate problems of government
for their solution. Indeed, we have reached a crisis in the political
and commercial life of the country. At this writing, the fall of the
year 1912, the country is on the eve of an important presidential
election. Governor Woodrow Wilson, of New Jersey, and Governor Thomas
R. Marshall, of Indiana, head the Democratic ticket. Mr. Wm. H. Taft,
the incumbent, is the nominee of the regular Republican Protection
party; while Colonel Theodore Roosevelt is the leader of the third
party of high tariffites, commonly termed the Bull Moose or National
Progressives.