Fairmont High School - Maple Leaves Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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hoards. Throughout the journey, collisions were frequent occurrences. The passengers took gr»at interest in watching these. Of coures, at times, some were injured, hut it was very seldom that these injuries proved serious. Although sleepers were not connected with the trains, several found it possible to sleep in tin-day coaches. They were not encouraged in this, however, for tin conductors «lid nothing in favor of such practices. There were many smokers connected with the trains throughout the run. Kach on was well equipped for smoking, but to many this was not an added attraction. It was thought a long time ago that the steam engine had out-classed the stage- coach ponies of pioneer days, in respect to speed. But tltis was proven erroneous «luring this journey, for in certain instances the ponies offered much quicker means of trans- l» .i tat ion than the regular trains. However, the com- pany objected strenuously to the passengers using ponies as a means of travel, and as a result it was finally considered a dis- grace even to be seen with a pony. Safety first was always the motto of the company. Special pre- caiitiom: were taken against fires, wrecks, landslides, and all other things that might be unfavorable or disadvantageous to the run. High System, like all other railroads, had the usual number of evils. rou Vt 2i yuht e « But even with these careful precautions, the Fairmont rodriders” or bums who came to be regarded as necessary Toward the latter part of the run, several realized that good grades had been made in the past journey. Of course, i:II were E-bound, yet some,—the freights, were so slow that they did not get very far along tin way and were consequently left behind in the run. Although the journey as a whole was pleasant, yet there were a few decidedly unpleasant features about it. These were those dark and forbidding places called the tunnels. When the conductors announced that a tunnel was not far ahead, unmistakable signs of nervousness could be noticed in the passengers, for many feared lest they were not prepared to pass through safely. During this long journey the passengers passed through many beautiful and interesting places. But all the while they were receiving instruction from the things they met along the way,—instruction that made the journey only the more pleasant. And when at last it had ceased for a time, all were tiuly sorry. But the journey had not been completed. Only one more part of the great run had been finished. It still goes on. The passengers are ever traveling with all speed toward the goal of knowledge.

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FOREWORD The railways of the United States have had a wonderful part in the development of this country. The 190,000 miles of railroad.—enough to reach more than seven and one-half times around the world,—have made possible the union of the states from ocean to ocean. Fairmont has recently been fortunate in securing a modem railway, a division of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie line The new road has aroused considerable interest on account of the increased business which its modern means of transportation is bringing to Fairmont. One morning last September another system by its renewed activities began to attract attention. This was the Fair mont High System. The passengers of this road were soon assembled in the union station prepared for a long jour- ney. From the laughing and talking, one would judge they were expecting pleasant experiences along the way. However, it.out of the passengers were experienced travelers und were not worrying about the future. But a few it was later were unusually quiet. These found, all had tickets for the accommoda- tion. Soon the porter announced by sig- nal the arrival of the trains and the trav- elers departed on their respective ways. For a while the Division Superintendent found it necessary to have information agents in order that the less experienced travelers might inquire where to find their trains during the change of cars. After traveling for some time the pas- sengers found they were greatly hindered on account of lack of baggage. Strange as it may seem, the conductors were par- ticularly anxious that the passengers should be well equipped in this respect just as soon as possible. One would sup- pose. judging from appearances, that many were carrying excess baggage. But in truth such was rarely found to be the case and it was seldom indeed that the passengers asked permission to carry extra baggage. On the contrary, it seemed difficult for them to take care of what they had, for many times complaints were received from the passengers about lost baggage. But little could be done in such eases except to con- sole the losers and show them that the loss was not the fault of the company but was due to carelessness on the part of the pas- sengers themselves. It was not long before many of the trav- elers began to appreciate the dining cars where they might eat their lunch without leaving the trains. In like manner, the bulletin board was found to be indispensa- ble. For a while it was the means of in- forming the passengers of the time of ar- rival and departure of trains. A change of schedule, which was necessary for a short time, was also announced here. De- lays and all other interruptions were posted on the bulletin 6

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