And so the Rail Road became a popular diversion, and the work was
rapidly progressing all along the road toward Frankfort. Judging from an
advertisement in the Observer and Reporter of February 21st, 1833, some
change in construction must have been contemplated for it states "Sealed
Proposals will be received at the Company's Office until the 15th of
April next for laying 13 miles of the Second Division of the Lexington
and Ohio Rail Road with Stone Sills, and 9 miles with Sleepers and
Strong-pieces of wood.
(Signed by) H. J. RANNEY, Chief Engineer."
* * * * *
Professor Muncey says: "In the 'Second Division' of the Road wood
sills--red cedar in most cases--were used in some places."
It is interesting to note here that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
advised our promoters in the first place to use the wooden sills.
Quoting from the Observer and Reporter of March 2nd, 1833, "The first
six miles of the Rail Road is now in successful operation. The Car for
some time past has run regularly three times a day and is usually filled
with passengers. It expedites the progress of mail about one hour each
trip."
Time was become a matter to be reckoned with you see.
* * * * *
And in the same paper appeared the following modest announcement for
which I had searched for days:
"We are happy to learn that the steam locomotive constructed by our
ingenious townsmen, Mr. Bruen, is hereafter to make regular trips on
this road."
The car driver was allowed a salary of $22.50 a month. He and his
assistant were to handle the car and the horses, take up fares, handle
baggage and carry the United States mail.
* * * * *
There is a quaint epitaph in an old Scotch graveyard which says "Good
times and bad times and all times, get over"; and so it was with our
great little railroad. Its Charter had boldly set the Ohio River as
its destination. On October 21st, 1831, it timidly started "towards
Frankfort," and on January 31st, 1834, it reached that fair city with a
sigh of relief after many hardships had been endured and many obstacles
overcome. The cholera scourge of 1833 had halted its progress,
difficulties had arisen through bad calculations of its engineers, and
money was often sorely needed. Louisville seemed indifferent to its
construction, being comfortably "seated" on the much coveted "water
course." So the railroad stopped to rest at Frankfort and stopped
so long it became known as the "Lexington and Frankfort Rail Road."
Its arrival in Frankfort was celebrated by a grand ball at Brennan's
(or Postlethwaite's) which is glitteringly described in the Gazette on
January 31st, 1834, as follows:
"The fete given last night at Brennan's Hotel to the members of the
Legislature and to celebrate the opening of the Rail Road from here to
Frankfort was truly a most brilliant affair. The company bestowed just
praises on the taste and munificence of Mr. Brennan, for the splendor
and profusion of the supper and refreshments, which appeared as if
"earth and sky and sea" had been plundered of their sweets. The company
must have numbered from four to five hundred persons who were
distributed in the various rooms of the basement story where dancing
parties were kept up till two o'clock. Like the Brussells Ball, we too
had gathered from the Capital--
'Her beauty and her chivalry, and bright
The lamps shone over fair women and brave men,
A thousand hearts beat happily; and when
Music arose with its voluptuous swell
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again
And all went merry as a marriage bell.'
A majority of the members of both branches of the Legislature were
present on the occasion it is said, together with the Mayor and Council
of Lexington. For ourselves we did not play a part in the mazy dance but
was content to look on others--
'Steer with care through all that glittering sea
Of gems and plumes and pearls and silks to where
He deems it is his proper place to be
Dissolving in the waltz to some soft air
Or proudlier prancing with Mercurial skill
Where science marshalls forth her own quadrille.'"
The same paper contains an account of an "elegant new locomotive," which
says: