From the Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph
of Norwich, NY - Wednesday, June 13, 1877

(ITEM # 1)

The Railroad Court

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   John G. Stevens, General Manager of the Midland Railroad, as a wind up to his tour of inspection, held a court in Oswego in the waiting room of the depot, for the trial of John Minshull, Master Mechanic of the road, the charge being the misappropriation of material and labor; the labor as alleged having been expended in the construction of a house in Oswego for the father of the Master Mechanic, and at his instigation. Some thirty witnesses were examined and able counsel appeared on both sides. The judge, "a most noble one", reserved his decision. The end is not yet.

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(ITEM # 2)

Railroad Depot Burglarized

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   The depot of the U.I.&E. Railroad at Cortland was entered by burglars on Friday night and the ticket cases of both that road and the Auburn Branch of the Midland taken away complete, together with about one dollar and eight cents in money. The thieves first entered the ladies room by forcing open a door then finding that the ticket office door contained a patent lock opening from the outside by key, and inside by only turning the knot, cut a hole through the panel and reached inside easily turning the knob and giving entrance.

   The cases secured contained only passenger tickets to all points, and these will be perfectly worthless to the burglars. Every one is numbered and registered so that in case any person presents one on a train, detection and of course they cannot be sold by the burglars. There is no clue as yet to the thieves but it is believed that the tickets will eventually lead to their detection and arrest.

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(ITEM # 3)

That "Steam Hand Car"

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   On Friday Supt. Lanpher telegraphed to us from up the road, an invitation to make an excursion on the new steam car constructed for his, and Supervisor Babcock's use. We were a little behind the time appointed and awaited the return of the Chenango Union special which had gone to North Norwich. On its return, Supt. Lanpher escorted our Editor in chief to the post of honor - the revolving backed seat on the front - and Mr. Babcock assisted the local to the engineer's seat and pointed out to him the throttle.

   His right hand had not forgot its cunning, and with assistance of Richard Reddin, who has charge of the mechanical portion of the car at present, we ran out north, slowly until the straight good track beyond the bridge was reached, then we skimmed along toward North Norwich, at the rate of about twenty-five miles an hour, or more, until the Supt. raised his hand in a manner suggestive of a reduction of speed and a stop.

   The steam break works like a charm and brought us to a stand quickly. Then turning over the seat and facing Southward we again tried the speeding qualities of the machine to the bridge, the exhaust, the breeze and clatter over the rail joints, almost making us believe that we were running the Ulster County Express, and expected Duffield to pull the bell. The stop was made at the depot as easily and nicely as though a Westinghouse air brake was attached.

   Then Master Mechanic Williams ran the car to the shops, gave us a tour through them, exhibited the finest model in New York of his new valve motion, and sent us back again by rail to East street. The car is all that it should be, mechanically, and will be of great service in the examination of the road or bridges. It can be run for a dollar a day, much less than would be required to pay men to "pump" a hand car over the road in case of a tour of inspection by officials.