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

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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

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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 consolidation of various independent lines was followed by the recon- struction of track according to the highest standards, by the establishment of the universal transfer, by an arrangement of schedules and routes, which is as efficient as can be obtained from surface operation, The railway system is managed by men who have received their training in St. Louis and who are looked upon by railway men of other cities as possessing superior qualifications. The street railway system of St. Louis was founded by local capital and is in a large part now owned by St. Louisans. MARJORIE BICK FAREWELL TO SCHOOL lXVi1h apologies to Robert Louis Slevmsonj The bus is al the gate at last: The eager pupils mounting fast And waving hands in chorus sing: Good-bye, good-bye, Io everything' A'To shop and classroom, gym and lawn, To lennis rourls we played upon, To aud and campus, hells that ring. Good-bye, good-bye, to everything! And fare you well for evermore, O blackboard at the Classroom door, O classroom where fond memories cling, Good-bye, good-bye, to ev0ry!hing. ' Toolf goes the horn and ol? we yo: The yard and building smaller grow: Las! round lhe busy lurn we swing: l'Good-bye, good-bye, to everything! Anna Louise Hanish Thirty