Roosevelt High School - Bwana Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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Y .ad A ,W af C V 4. Twenty -eight REETS, I 8 7 0 ST NUT ST CHE AND URTI-I FO fLooking north J

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The entire duration of the operation of horse-cars was from l850 to l895, a period of some thirty-six years. The first horse railroad put in operation had its motive power changed in 188 7, after a period of twenty-six years. The last horse-railroad, the North Central lines, having operated as a horse-railway for ten or eleven years, was changed for electric operation in i893 and IS94. Thus the horse-car-the most modern method of intra- urban transportation in l859-was left behind in the forward march of progress. JEANNE NIEARS CLOUDS As the end of the day draws nigh, And the soft. while clouds in the billowy sky, Like Angel pillows as soft as the down Float on, and on. and on. Soon the while and billowy sky Unnoticed by the human eye, Takes on a darlz and dreary hue. And little raindrops pitter, patter through. Betty Jean Mohn -f Twenty-seven

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THE HISTORY OF ST. LOUIS STREET-CARS .pf HE history of St. Louis street cars dates back to September, l843, when Erastus Wells came to St. Louis. For S75 each, Wells bought two horses and began the first omnibus line. The omnibus of that clay was an open one whosesides were protected by curtains to be removed or rolled up when thei weather was fair. Two rather high steps in the rear enabled people to get in or out. The driver was obliged to alight and walk to the rear and collect fares from those passengers who had not tendered their bit before entering. About a month after the line had started, the horses were frightened and ran away. The damage to the omnibus was so great that the line had to be suspended for about three weeks. This suspension was perhaps the best thing that could have happened: for, while people did not take enthusiasti- cally to the omnibus line, they missed the convenience while repairs were in progress. On July 4, IS59, the first car-driven by two horses-left Fourth and Olive Streets for its initial trip. There was another style of car, the body of which was on a pivot in the center. At the end of the line the pivot was raised and the car-body swung around, the trucks remaining on the tracks. Then came the adoption of the bobtail car drawn by one horse. This car was ten to twelve feet long with a platform in the front and a step in the back. ln I874 a two-story car was put on. A spiral staircase on the rear platform gave access to the second story. This was a fair weather car which clidn't last long. Steam dummies were tried, but, since they frightened the horses so much, they were prohibited. ln i885-i886 St. Louisans began to ride on the grip and trailer of the cable car which was, for a while, well liked. Within five years it had fallen into such uncertain ways that advantage was taken of a permit to turn the line into an electric road. ln l89l the cable tacks were torn up, the conduits were filledg and trolley wires were strung. The trolley car was then put on probation for twelve months. The average citizen looked with distrust and foreboding on that naked overhead wire carrying certain death if the circuit was made through a human link. It was even contended by some theorists that the wire would kill the trees. Some St. Louis people predicted that so much electricity in the air would cause much sickness, especially nervous ailments. The first electric cars, sixteen feet long, had seats on either side. Later a car twenty- eight feet long with cross seats arranged upon a center aisle was used. At the present time we have street cars which are run by a motorman and a conductor, or by one man who has charge of both jobs. ln the newest cars some seats are on the side: others, upon a center aisle. The universal transfer came into use by lS98. One passenger out of every four, on lines granting this privilege, made use of the transfer to continue his journey. Twenty-nine