The history of the first locomotives in America. From original ...

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HISTOET OF THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVES IN AMEKICA.
Mr. Allen graduated at Columbia College, in tlie
State of New York, in 1823, commenced his professional
life in 1824, as civil engineer with Benjamin "WrigM on
tlie Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. In 1825 lie was
engaged on the Delaware and Hudson Canal as resi-
dent engineer under John B. Jervis, Esq., chief engineer,
in 1827 resigned his connection with the Delaware and
Hudson Canal, in order to visit England in search of
professional information on railroad matters, that new
era in intercommunication and transportation being then
in process of development. During his visit to Eng -
land, he wasre^uested to take charge of the contract
for the iron for the^ Delaware and Hudson Canal
Company's coal-road, and also for three locomotives ,
being the first_ ever ordered and brought to this coim-
tr^ On his return, in 1829, Mr. Allen had charge of
the fitting up and putting in operation the first locomo -
tive, " the Stourbridge Lion," ever put on a^ailroad in
this country , and alone he stood upon its platform on
the first experimental trip, and hi^^and opened the
throttle-valve jupon Jhe_ engine that turned the first
driving-wheeHn America.
In 1829 Mr. Allen was engaged as chief engineer
on the South Carolina Railroad, running from Charles-
ton to Augusta, Georgia, 136 miles. On this road was
pntjhejSrst^ngJLundredmiles of iron in one continuous
line^_the world. Another fact in connection with
this road, and to the credit of Mr. Allen, is of interest
the road was built within the estimate of its cost.
In 1834 Mr. Allen went abroad, and was in Egypt
nearly three years. On returning, in 1837, he was en-
gaged as principal assistant engineer oil the Croton
Aqueduct, under John B. Jervis, the chief engineer. On
completion of the aqueduct, Mr. Allen was one of the
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