The writer is not sure that this work will give satisfaction to his many friends who have asked for it; the experience of one is not the experience of all, and many incidents will be remembered, undoubtedly, by different members of the party that are not mentioned in these pages, from the fact that they are unknown to the narrator, not having come under his observation. The difficulty lies in producing an account of our trip from personal notes that will meet the expectation of all. The chief object of this book is to furnish interesting information relative to the party’s whereabouts from day to day, giving the names of many kind friends who did so much toward making our journey an interesting and happy one, and who will ever be remembered with feelings of the highest regard by each member of the party. The writer has no apology to offer to critics. Geographical inaccuracies and grammatical inconsistencies can either be accepted or overlooked, at the pleasure of the reader, whom the author hopes will be charitable enough to believe that he believes what he has written, whether it is true or not.

Shortly after the meeting of the twenty-fifth session of the Grand Division of the Order of Railway Conductors at Atlanta, Ga., in May, 1895, a few of the Pennsylvania Railroad conductors running into Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, got together and started a movement toward the organization of a party to visit the twenty-sixth session, in Los Angeles, Cal., in May, 1897. Mr. Chas. E. Wyman was chosen president and manager and Mr. Wm. J. Maxwell secretary and treasurer of the club. It was known as the Pennsylvania Railroad Conductors’ Excursion. Meetings were held from time to time to complete the organization, formulate plans, and perfect arrangements, and George H. Holgate, Esq., president of the Association of American Inventors, kindly gave the use of his large, comfortable office in the Betz Building, on Broad Street, Philadelphia, for this purpose. A friend of Manager Wyman designed an unique and handsome card, which was submitted to Stephen Greene, Esq., who lithographed and printed several thousand and generously presented them to the excursion. The committee called at the clothing establishment of Wanamaker & Brown, Sixth and Market Streets, to purchase tourist caps for use of the party on the trip, and were liberally provided with all they wanted, free of cost, by the kind and generous members of the firm. The officials of the Pennsylvania Railroad looked with favor upon the scheme, and it was largely due to their kindly efforts and influence that the excursion was such a grand success. Mr. George W. Boyd, Assistant General Passenger Agent, interested himself greatly in our trip, and under his direction the Tourist Department outlined and arranged the itinerary, which was printed in neat form and presented to the party by Allen, Lane & Scott. This itinerary is published in these pages in its original form, and while the route was adhered to it will be noticed we ran about three days late, delayed by a washout east of El Paso.

Many of the illustrations in this book were prepared from photographs taken by members of the party, also from photographs kindly presented to the author by Prof. T. S. C. Lowe. We are also indebted to the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company, Northern Pacific Railway Company, and Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company for illustrations of scenery along their lines.

Our treatment by officers of the Pullman Company was extremely satisfactory, their generosity being highly appreciated. To one and all of these gentlemen who so kindly contributed toward our happiness and pleasure the Pennsylvania Railroad Conductors’ Excursion gives, through the writer, a rousing vote of thanks.

M. M. S.

Detailed Time-Table and Condensed
ITINERARY
OF THE
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD CONDUCTORS’ TOUR
TO THE GOLDEN GATE.