Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1896 — RAPID RAILROADING. [ARTICLE]

RAPID RAILROADING.

Phenomenal Time Made by the New York Central. An latumtlng Incident of Ksrly Tnnl Kuenlled by a Cotneldene* of Oatci—- ■ DUntwlm of Urwt Importance. ■ The phenomenal time record made by the New York Central & Hudaon Hirer R&lro&d company, on the 11th day of September, 18W, recalls an Interesting coincidence of dates of special interest in the city of Albany. >* On the 11th day of September, 1609, Henry Hudson, after making several unsuccessful to discover a northeast passage around the continent, under the direction of the AngloDutch Kast India company, entered the Hudson river, terminating his trip at the head of the narijgable waters in the vicinity of Albany, which he named “the- New Netherlands.” Hudson did not make the rapid transit of 85 1-3 miles per hour, nor is it possibly that his sailing record compared favorahly with the speed of the Defender or the Valkyrie, but the result of his discoveries was of vastly more importance, as it indicated the route which was destined to be followed in the march of civilization and the development of this, continent, and ,has done more for the advancement of science and the arts than any section of the earth recorded in history. It was here that the first meeting of the colon Lid “representatives was heWi resulting in the preliminary steps for the establishment of the present republican form of government. It was here that Clinton and his coadjutors, taking advantage of the natural topographical route provided by nature, inaugurated the canal system, connecting the waters of the Hudson with the lakes, Which was the pioneer movement for inland transportation, and was followed by the more rapid railroad system rendered necessary by th« demands of commerce. It was here that the first institute for the development of science and the arts and the promotion of agriculture was incorporated by Stephen Van Rensselaer and others, which is still in existence. It was Here that Dr. Nott provided the first plan in the introduction of the grate bar, by which coal could be successfully used as fuel. It was here that Littlefield brought into use the first self-feeding base-burn-ing stove. It was here that Squire Whipple first reduced to science the art of bridgt building, erecting a trapezoidal truss bridge of iron, and presenting formulas for several structures. ‘ It was here that Prof. Henry and Dr. TenEyek strung miles of wire around the walls of the Albany academy, demonstrating the practical use of electricity as a power and in tbe transmission of messages, which was immediately applied by Prof, Morse by the use of his alphabet. ~ And it was here, at the West Albany shops of the railroad company* that William Buchanan, superintendent of motive power, planned and constructed the celebrated engine 999, and others of the same style, which have gained an international reputation, and without which the success attending the phenomenal achievement could not have been accomplished. It is worthy of note that our Dutch ancestors of tho Netherlands, to whom we are indebted for so much, have just launched tho largest steamship now afloat of the twin screw type. May success attend their enterprise.—Peter Hogan, in Ballston Daily Journal.