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

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LANDING IN AMERICA.<br />

give a general, notice that we <strong>in</strong>tend to hold a day <strong>of</strong> rejoic<strong>in</strong>g on<br />

<strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same, and shall give a general <strong>in</strong>vitation to<br />

our fellow-citizens to attend.<br />

" We have procured a large cannon, and <strong>in</strong>tend to station it on<br />

<strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> thp high peak, to sound on <strong>the</strong> occasion.<br />

" A Steiot Observee."<br />

<strong>The</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g description <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> locomotive Stour-<br />

"bridge Lion and its <strong>first</strong> experimental trip, from <strong>the</strong><br />

pen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hon. John Torry, a resident <strong>of</strong> Honesdale,<br />

and a spectator <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> events on that occasion, we will<br />

present <strong>in</strong> his own language<br />

:<br />

" Honesdale, March 28, ISW.<br />

"Wm. H. BEOwif, Esq.,—<br />

" Deab Sie : Yours <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 16th <strong>in</strong>st., ask<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>in</strong>formation and<br />

particulars respect<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> trial-trip <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>first</strong> locomotive <strong>in</strong> Hones-<br />

dale, came duly to hand. 1 have conversed with numerous persons<br />

who I thought would be likely to remember <strong>in</strong>cidents concern<strong>in</strong>g<br />

it, and have seen my bro<strong>the</strong>r, who kept my fa<strong>the</strong>r's accounts <strong>in</strong><br />

1829 (but who was <strong>in</strong> M<strong>in</strong>nesota when C. F. Young, Esq., was<br />

seek<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>formation).<br />

" <strong>From</strong> his memorandum made at <strong>the</strong> time, <strong>the</strong> precise date <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> trial is determ<strong>in</strong>ed (viz., August 8, 1829). I have prepared a<br />

statement embody<strong>in</strong>g so many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ii^cidents as it seems to me<br />

you would th<strong>in</strong>k <strong>of</strong> any <strong>in</strong>terest, and probably <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g some<br />

which might better be omitted, as well as some which you will<br />

have obta<strong>in</strong>ed from o<strong>the</strong>r sources, and have appended as foot-notes<br />

such copies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entries I have found as relate to <strong>the</strong> subject.<br />

" <strong>The</strong> statements I have made are partly from my own knowl-<br />

edge, partly such as I have obta<strong>in</strong>ed from <strong>in</strong>terview^ with persons<br />

who were present, and whose statements I consider reliable, and<br />

partly from written memoranda, from which I have made extracts.<br />

You can use so much <strong>of</strong> it as you th<strong>in</strong>k advisable, and <strong>in</strong> such<br />

form as you please.<br />

" Dr. Losey, to whom you wrote, died on <strong>the</strong> 9th <strong>in</strong>st.<br />

" <strong>The</strong> <strong>first</strong> locomotive run by <strong>the</strong> Delaware and Hudson Canal<br />

Company, on <strong>the</strong>ir railroad at Honesdale, was constructed <strong>in</strong><br />

Stourbridge, England (a manufactur<strong>in</strong>g town on <strong>the</strong> river Stour,<br />

some fifteen miles westward from Birm<strong>in</strong>gham).<br />

Digitized by Micros<strong>of</strong>t®<br />

85

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