MR. EDITOR:- Knowing that your columns are always
open for communications upon any subject of importance, I take
this advantage for saying a few words upon the putting in of a
new switch at Strader's crossing upon the Branchville Extension
of the Sussex Railroad, which has been discussed for some time
past, but had not until recently obtained its object. Talk is
cheap, but unless you put greenbacks in the scale, or the shoulder
to the wheel, it availeth nothing. Greenbacks not being so plenteous
in this section as real estate or labor, our people determined
to adopt the latter plan, and push the object under discussion
to a consummation. Thus it happened that the sturdy farmers of
the valley agreed upon a day, and upon its arrival went to work
in earnest with teams, shovels, powder, crowbars, and picks to
force Jack Frost to yield the hold he had taken upon mother earth.
Three days of arduous labor were consumed in the task, and we
found we had as much ground graded as was necessary for the construction
of the switch. But business men seeing our improvement informed
us that we must have a depot, and promised us their aid. As this
would necessitate more switch room, we were compelled to make
another effort, which was agreed on, Mr. Case, the Superintendent
of the road, promising to send a train of cars and a number of
workmen to assist us. But on the morning of the day appointed,
for some good cause, perhaps, the train and men did not put in
an appearance. Undaunted by this mishap, and determined to succeed,
we went to work with about twenty men, with teams and scrapers,
and push cars kindly furnished by the track boss of the road,
soon accomplished our task, and were on our way home rejoicing
in the fact that we had done more for ourselves and the railroad
than would have been done by others.
It
is but simple justice to say of Mr. Case that, with the courtesy
and spirit of enterprise that has always characterized his labors,-hardly
had we finished the grading, when he caused the switch to be laid
by his efficient track boss on this section, and I am now happy
to inform you that the work is completed, and the cars run off
ready for shipment.
Yours
with respect,
A
PARTICIPANT.