Elmira Weekly Advertiser
Saturday, September 5, 1868
HORNELLSVILLE
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Its Growth And Improvement
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Indications of great future - Prosperity.
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The Railway Shops and Changes Projected
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One of the most driving villages in the Southern Tier is Hornellsville, the dividing station of the Susquehanna and Western and Northwestern divisions of the Erie Railway. Its situation, in the Valley of the Canisteo, is beautiful indeed, and there is ample room for its expansion to the western bounds of a future city. For, if its growth continues with the same rapidity of the last five years, there can be no question that not many years hence, it may safely aspire to city honors. Five years ago, half the present village was still unbuilt, and the present lots and houses are where the broad acres were subject to a generous tillage.
The growth is apparent in every direction; still there are no houses to be had to rent. Lots are being caught up eagerly, on which to erect future residences, and the prices are quadrupled. The people, appreciating the future interests of the town, are building commodiously and largely. The houses are of generous proportions, and lots tastefully laid out. The streets are wide and roomy. The business portions of the village, scathed by fire, are rapidly building up. Ten or twelve of the finest stores yet erected will be completed in the heart of the business portion of the village, this season.
RAILWAY BUSINESS.
Not a little of this spurring prosperity is owing to the large and increasing railway work, repairing and manufacture done here. We had a full appreciation of this fact as we took a tour of the shops, yesterday, under the guidance of the Superintendent of machinery John Latham, who gave us an excellent idea of the large amount of Engine repairing work done. Every part, that can be possibly wanted, is ready at hand and with its proper finishing ready to take its assigned place. Lathes of the largest size are in use for repairing or finishing off driving wheels, and besides, the running gear for the freight cars of the Western Division, is prepared at these shops. the most commendable order and system are maintained everywhere.
To G. W. Brigden, chief clerk we are indebted for an explanation of the admirable system of book keeping practiced in the shops. The account of every engine is kept, every part repaired, its frequency and cost. The annual expense of each engine can be referred to at any moment. The work of each man is kept with equal accuracy, every hour and day’s work is shown at the close of the year. In a legal point of view, the system of strict inspection of machinery practiced, on this road, is well illustrated.
The condition of the screen or spark catcher over the smoke stack of each engine is inspected on arrival and departure, at the end of each division and recorded. When complaints are brought against the company of fires lighted by sparks, a reference to the record gives the information whether an engine could have been the cause. If the inspection showed a defect in the screen, at the time alleged, the company have paid at once without resisting, at law, otherwise they have stood suit, and in one or two instances, simply by the testimony of this record gained their cause.
The Wood shops at Hornellsville are not on so large a scale as those at Elmira, but a freight car and caboose can be weekly turned out. It is expected that the facilities will be greatly enlarged in the course of time. The Round-house, for housing engines from the various Divisions centered a Hornellsville is, already too much contracted, It will accommodate only twenty-nine, when it is not unusual for forty fiery steeds to require stabling, especially for the night. Ground has therefore been secured, and during next year, an immense Round-house will be built to meet the wants of the road at this point for many years to come.
