PREFACE

Some railroads, like some men, experience many of the ups and downs of life. They have their seasons of high prosperity, as well as those of deep depression. Such a road was the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburgh. In its forty years of life it ran a full gamut of railroad existence. Alternately it was one of the best railroads in creation; and one of the worst.

The author within these pages has endeavored to put plain fact plainly. He has written without malice—if anything, he still feels within his heart a burst of warm sentiment for the old R. W. & O.—and with every effort toward absolute impartiality in setting down these events that now are History. He bespeaks for his little book, kindness, consideration, even forbearance. And looks forward to the day when again he may take up his pen in the scribbling of another narrative such as this. It has been a task. But it has been a task of real fascination.

E. H.

A LIST OF THOSE WHO HAVE ASSISTED MATERIALLY IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS BOOK

Richard C. Ellsworth Canton

Harold B. Johnson Watertown

Cornelius Christie Syracuse

Richard Holden Watertown

J. F. Maynard Utica

Dr. Charles H. Leete Potsdam

W. D. Hanchette Watertown

Richard T. Starsmeare Kane, Pa.

W. D. Carnes Watertown

Arthur G. Leonard Chicago

Robert Ward Davis Rochester

George W. Knowlton Watertown

L. S. Hungerford Chicago

Hon. Chauncey M. Depew New York

Elisha B. Powell Oswego

P. E. Crowley New York

Ira A. Place New York

F. E. McCormack Corning

Edgar Van Etten Los Angeles

D. C. Moon Cleveland

James H. Hustis Boston

F. W. Thompson San Francisco

Henry N. Rockwell Albany

Chas. H. Hungerford Arlington, Vt.

Charles Holcombe Biloxi, Miss.