Grand Opening Excursion

Who turned over their subscriptions to the
Chautauqua Lake Railroad

The Trip to Mayville and Return with 500 Passengers

Everyone Delighted with the Scenery, the Road, and Equipment

Two years and more ago Willard White of Boston conceived the idea of building a railroad along the east shore of Chautauqua Lake, connecting Jamestown on the South with the Trunk Line of the Railways of the North. He lived to see his grand scheme carried out, and it would be but scant credit to his wonderful energy and illimitable resources were it not mentioned that he would have had the road completed twelve months earlier than it was, except for the destructive measures of one last owning Corporation. He has lived to give all the citizens of Jamestown who afforded him financial aid, whether it was one dollar or a thousand, and opportunity to ride over the new road on the inaugural excursion train. The building and equipment of the road is an achievement which has called for the highest order of business qualities and an indomitable will, and today all of Jamestown and Chautauqua County congratulates the originator and promoter of this enterprise on the fruition of his plans and labors.

At was about 2.25 P.M. Saturday, when the train of eight cars, drawn by two locomotives left the station at the boatlanding with about 500 aboard. J. K. Orr trainmaster, and George Sipple were the conductors. The locomotive Willard White (No 1) and R. N. Marvin (No 2) drew the train. The engineer of the White was S.D. Nutting, George Hanley was a fireman. The Marvin was managed by Marinda Smith. Travelling engineer of the Brooks Locomotive Works, George Hartson Bremen. The locomotives were trimmed with flags and bunting. In the mail car was the G.A.R. band, which played at every stop both going and returning, and played well. In the cars was a body of Jamestown citizens, (there were a number of ladies) and everyone felt the exhilaration of the occasion. The large number who were gathered at the station to see them leave cheered and waved handkerchiefs, and were answered in a like manner from the cars, ever windows of which was up. The locomotives sounded their whistles and bells, and away the excursion sped. It was a relief to leave behind the heat and dust and pass through the cool and shaded lowland which stretches as far as Spring Grove. At Clifton there was a gathering of admiring men, women and children, and here the Steamer Cincinnati exchanged greetings with the train. At Fluvanna the first stop was made. The Spring Grove there was another clump of waving and shouting beholders.

At Griffith's Point and Point Stockholm the train came to a halt at the handsome new station building, where a score of men came aboard, and after a brief halt the train rolled rapidly over the smooth railroad passed Herbert W. Tews place, Driftwood on Chautauqua, climbed Cheney's Point hill down on the north grade, and along the shore until near Bemus Point, whence it swung across the base of the point, and came again to a halt on the crest of the ridge close by the Assembly grounds of the Lakewood School of the new Theology. Here Life and Jollity enough for half the train came aboard in the form of Jack Pickard who after cutting a pigeon wing or two caught Willard White up in his arms and kissed him to show his delight at the completion of the new railway. Many others boarded the train here. At Long Point a stop of several minutes was made and many of the passengers stretched their legs on the greenward along the track, after taking the switch to permit the passage of a gravel train going south, the excursion train steam through the deep cut of the point and down upon the very pebbles of the beach and on to Maple Springs. Perry Barnes place, here were gathered the Sunday school of the S.S. Peter and Pail School on a picnic, who gave the train a hearty welcome. Again the wheel revolved and did not cease till Point Chautauqua was reached, the train passing Whiteside and Dewitville on the way. There was a large crowd at Point Chautauqua stopping place where a number got aboard. At a place on the track about half way between Whiteside and Point Chautauqua, Amie Starr, who has been a most devoted friend of the enterprise from the inception had raised poles on either side of the track, and the train passed beneath a gay banner. This demonstration was one which the officers of the road especially appreciated. When the train reached Wooglin there were a number of member of the Beta Theta Pi Society by the track and the gave with gusto their class yell, which was responded to with equal heartiness.

Just before reaching the Buffalo, New York and Pittsburgh track, there is a "Y" the east branch of which will be used in the traffic to and from Brockton, the west to and from Mayville, The west branch was the one first used Saturday, and at the junction of the two roads there was a short halt. Here as at the Jamestown Station, and later at Long Point, C.H. Moore of the Eclipse Studio obtained excellent views of the train, making two pictures of groups of the officers of the company with the locomotive in the background. Two hours from the time starting, the heavily laden train drew into Mayville Station. The piazzas of the Chautauqua House were filled and the station platform was crowded with the welcoming citizens of Mayville. After the long ride places of refreshment were naturally the first ones sought by the excursionists and all in the vicinity did a thriving business, until the bells and whistles of the locomotive called the Jamestowners aboard.

On the return trip there was nothing of especial note till Long Point was reached. In taking the Chautauqua Lake track the train backed down in the east end of the "Y" which put the locomotive in front again. A gravel train caused some delay. At Long Point the excursionists busied themselves in seeing the sights of the Zoo and various features of this pleasure resort, made so attractive this season through the liberality of Willard White the owner. Here two speeches were made just before the train started, President Robert N. Marvin in a few worlds mentioned the pride all Jamestowners felt in the completion of the road, how the company had endeavored to show its appreciation of the aid and sympathy by giving an excursion in which all contributors which should take part whether rich or poor. He spoke warmly of Mr. White's courage, ability, and public spirit, and said that to him were Jamestowners and Chautauqua Lake indebted for the new road. Mr. White made a modest response, hoping the line would in every way meet the public expectations expressing his sincere appreciation of the help that the citizens had afforded him and he closed with best wishes for everybody on the train. President Marvin called for three cheers for Mr. White. They were given with all the power of 500 pairs of lungs.

The the trip home was resumed and a little after half past seven o'clock the air brakes were set on the wheels as they rolled over the rails of the Jamestown Station. The welcoming party was nearly as large as the one which saw the train start, and as fully enthusiastic.

Every lip that cheered on the train, now sounds the praises of the Chautauqua Lake Railway, of its fine roadbed and track of the diversity and loveliness of the scenery, of course it takes along the beach of the lake most of the way, of the splendid rolling stock, and of the owner and officers of the company. There was no accident of untoward occurrence from the first to the last on the excursion, and if the party that disembarked was a tired one, it was happy nevertheless. The excursion can be counted a great success without fear of contradiction, and seldom has there been anything of the kind which will furnish more lasting pleasant memories and among the latter will be one of almost continuous "Chautauqua Salute" from the people living along the line who waved linen till their arms were tired. It must have been a cheering sight to the member of the Chautauqua Lake Company to see how hearty and spontaneous was the greetings from nearly all whose homes are within sight and hearing of the train as they pass over the road. Saturday was a memorable day for Jamestown and the Chautauqua Lake Railway.

LINE AND BUMPERS

Everyone remarked how smooth the track was for a new road. Evidently experienced men have built the railway. Willard White, President Marvin, Vice President and General Manager J.C. Williams, Secretary D.H. Post, and treasurer Fay were among the officers of the road who were on the train.

E.L. Robbins of the Boston Herald, and the Honorable William H. Cobb of the Lockport Journal were among the newspaper men aboard.

At Long Point Judge A.W. Tourgees came aboard and made the trip to Mayville.

There were constant ejaculations of delight over the charming bits of scenery along the route. Chautauqua Lake was never so well seen as from the cars of the Chautauqua Lake railway trains.

Several cows disputed the passage of the trains, but the unaccustomed sounds of the locomotive whistle soon sent them from the track. In a few days fences and culverts will keep quadrupeds from the path of the iron horse.

Superintendent C.O. Rowe was in the city Saturday looking after the construction of the Western Union Telegraph line along the route of the new road. It is about completed. The passenger and freight station will be built as rapidly as possible.

Willard White the Vanderbilt of Chautauqua County was congratulated over and over again, Saturday on the happy outcome of all his hard labors in connection with the C.L. enterprise. It could only be a grand day for him, although he gave no outward sign of excitement, and was cordial and entertaining as ever. The Patriarch in years of the party was Judge Richard P. Marvin, he enjoyed the trip immensely.

References: