Poetry Inspired by Trolleys and Operators 1898-1940

These elegant, high-speed interurbans inspired people to write

poetry. No. 18, Azalea, was a luxury interurban of the

Portland-Lewiston Interurban (PLI). The interurbans would

exit/enter their right-of-way at Deering Junction (near

Allen Avenue) and use the Portland Railroad line from

Forest Avenue, its way to/from Monument Square where

passengers would board/disembark. Occasionally, a PLI

interurban would be chartered by a party to travel to

Riverton Park. The Azalea was used for such an

occasion on June 26, 1914, during an inspection trip just

before the opening of the line. There is an accounting of

the dining service and grounds as described by a

newspaper reporter. Image from the O.R. Cummings

Collection at a Seashore Trolley Museum.

Trolley Parks, like Riverton Park in Portland, certainly

generated many opportunities to experience a variety of

emotions that may well stay with the patron for their whole

life. Trolleys, the trolley ride, the operators, the passengers, the

destination - all were ingredients for the emotional recipe that

each patron and operator would experience every trip, on

every day. The postcard postmarked August 14, 1911, shows a

steamer on a moonlight cruise on the Presumpscot River

next to Riverton Park with one end of a walking bridge

that has bench seats under the canopy. PWM

     What inspires one to become a poet? 

     The inspiration for creating this post was from considering how some select new blog posts could be created to become research resources for students. Students will be conducting research as they complete classroom assignments specified in the companion classroom lesson plans crafted from Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride, and created by the Maine Historical Society (MHS).

  A resource for educators 

Maine Historical Society has created companion lesson plans inspired by Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride - These State-standard-based lesson plans are for classroom use in grades 6, 7, and 8. The lesson plans and companion vocabulary and reading activities are available as free downloads through the Seashore Trolley Museum's website at www.trolleymuseum.org/eleganttide or Click Here.

The eight Social Studies/ELA units were also uploaded to the Maine Memory Network and are available with other statewide lesson plans for grades K-12. 

The audiobook is now available Click HERE to go to the Audible page. The eBook is available Here

    This post is geared toward the lesson plan titled: "Clang, Clang, Clang Went the Trolley..."

As you might perceive from its title, in part, students will be practicing skills involved in researching and analyzing primary sources related to trolley transportation historically used in Maine. This post is about a number of poems written about trolleys. The poet might be a patron or an operator. These poems will represent just one source of information relating to the emotions trolleys may have evoked. As additional works of poetry are located, they too will be added to this post.

The Interurban
The Interurban runs again
Upon its single track;
And operates within my mind
When memory brings it back.

Arbutus, 'nolia, Maine;
Three of the finest cars,
Speed no longer through the night
Beneath the twinkling stars.

An yet, the Road runs on once more,
Past Morrill's, Falmouth, Gray,
Gloucester, Danville, Auburn, too,
Ghosts of another day.

The boys were grand, the cars were, too, 
And though the Road's no more;
Still, I ride on Fancy's wings
As in the days of yore.

C. D. Heseltine, 1933. Lamenting the closing of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban late in June 1933, and presented at the former employees' reunion of 1938/39.

No. 10, Arbutus, running as Train 37, made the last eastbound trip over the Portland-

Lewiston Interurban, leaving Portland at 11:05 p.m. on June 28, 1933. Left to right
are John I. Cluff, William M. Jones, Albion M. Conant, Ralph Shaw, "Joe Happy",

Mrs. Gertrude Libbey Anthony, and Charles H. Mitchell.

Image from O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum Library.

To the Grand Old Interurban

The shining rails are silent,

The sandy roadbed lays

A grim and lone reminder

Of the good old days.

The days when the Interurban
on schedule every time,
Came humming down the railway
Of the Portland-Lewiston Line.

When the sun is slowly sinking
At the close of a busy day,
In fancy, I hear her whistle
In the distance far away.

Even the trees and bushes
That beside the old track grew
Are whispering and sighing
They're lonely for her too.

Tho she's gone forever, her memory
Time never can erase
And the buses that replaced her
Can never take her place.

She served us every hour
Like a true and faithful friend
Wherever we wished to go
On her, we could depend.

There's a haunting sort of silence
Along that deserted line.
That went, a regretful sacrifice
To the progress of "Time."

She's gone but not forgotten
We're proud of the record fine
Of the grand old Interurban
And the Portland-Lewiston Line.        

Written by Mrs. Margaret Turner and read at the former PLI employees' second reunion held on June 29, 1939 (excerpt from the 1967 book by O. R. Cummings, Maine's Fastest Electric Railroad: Portland Lewiston Interurban, Bulletin No. 3, New England Electric Railway Historical Society).

This poem was put to music by Troy Bennett - Click Here to go to the music video

The Narcissus c 1914 with Oscar S. Adkins (left) and

John I. Cluff motorman at Gray. O. R. Cummings

collection

The Interurban Reunion Day
We eager hearts we gather
The happy hours to spend
In wars anticipation
Of the meeting with old friends.
This is the thirtieth anniversary
When we commemorate again
The Road that knew no rival
In the history of Maine.

To its officials  and employees
We will ever grateful be
For the splendid service rendered
And their unfailing courtesy.
What this day means to us
And the happiness it affords,
Can be read in the smiling faces
Around the festive board.

Round the hall together
Our thoughts in happy trend,
Gazing at dear old pictures
Shaking the hand of a friend.
Dancing to soft, sweet music
The hours slip by, and then,
We bid God Speed and Au-re-voir
Until we meet again.

We owe all thanks to the committee
Who have done their very best
In earnest endeavor
To make this day a success.
And the memories old and tender
Will ever with us stay
The keynote to our happiness
on our Reunion Day.

Written by Mrs. E. Everett (Margaret) Turner and read at one of the former PLI employees' reunions held in Gray, Maine. Her reference to the anticipation of war makes it reasonable to consider the reunion on June 30, 1940, as the reunion in this poem presented... Another reference she mentions is the "thirtieth anniversary." The line opened operations in 1914, so her reference is more likely to be the year construction started to build the line.  The ground was first broken to start construction in 1910. So, the 1940 reunion would have been the thirtieth anniversary of the beginning of the construction of what would become the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.

We are seeking donations to have the scrapbook Conseved

The scrapbook has several pages dedicated to reunions of former PLI

employees and their families. There are four reunions specifically

cataloged on several pages; June 29, 1938, June 29, 1939, June 30, 1940,

and June 28, 1941. All four of the reunions were held in Gray, ME.

The 1938 and 1941 reunions were held at the Newbegin Hall. The

1939 and 1940 reunions were held at the Pennell Institute Gymnasium.

It is noted in newspaper articles of the times, that combined, the total of

former PLI employees and their family members that attended each of the

reunions in 1939 and 1940, well exceeded 100 in attendance.

The image above is from the final annual reunion in 1941.

Portsmouth, Dover & York Street Railway

W. G. Meloon, Receiver

Portsmouth, NH

Dear Sir:

I write to tell you with promptness and dispatch

Of the accident that happened to myself and Calvin Hatch

Since I knew you want the details to preserve the same on file;

Please excuse my punctuation and crude poetic style.

This Hatch sir is my chauffeur and a good old soul is he;

A sober steady fellow and as careful as can be.

He seldom jumps a trolley or kicks a breaker out

He's always on his job sir and knows what he's about.

When we left Rosemary and started down the line.

the stars were shining faintly; the evening was fine;

We had two men upon the car I found when I came 'round

To gather up the tickets, that for Saco they were bound.

When we climbed the hill I went inside to turn the seats, you know.

A man said "How's our chances" I answered him "They're fine."

As I drew my watch and looked to see "We'll get there just in time."

Now someone threw in the switch, sir, although I cannot see

Just why he did the trick, sir, or who the chap could be.

The grass and leaves and grease, sir, were spread o'er the rail,

Else I would not at present be writing you this tale.

But Calvin saw the open switch, it happened like a flash.

He threw the lever over and then there came the crash;

We'd run into York Beach Car Barn and butted in the door

'Twixt our car and the mail car, we'd sandwiched twenty-four

I saw when I had looked around it might have been far worse.

We had no need of doctors, morticians, or the hearse.

We backed out from the wreckage and it wasn't very far

To run from there to Short Sands where we met the eastbound car.

Now this is all the story of the mishap that befell

Myself and Calvin Hatch sire as near as I can tell.

I hope it will be long ere we meet with another.

I'm the guy you've often heard no doubt that boys speak of as "Brother."

                                                                                              (Frank Sewall)

The envelope carrying the letter was postmarked York Beach & Portsmouth R.P.O. August 21, 1905

From O. R. Cummings' book, "Trolleys to York Beach: The Portsmouth Dover & York Street Railway," December 30, 1964.

The reference, "When we left Rosemary...", refers to Rosemary Junction in Eliot, seen below.

Rosemary Junction in Eliot about 1903. The car on the left

has arrived from Badger's Island, while No. 20, at right, is

headed for York Beach over what was popularly called,

the "Airline," between Rosemary Junction and York Corner

Junction. Through cars were run hourly between Dover and

the resort in summer, shuttle trips being operated on a

two-hour headway between Rosemary and The Goldenrod

in other seasons.

The South Berwick Trolley

Over this land, I have traveled

For nigh forty years

And seldom get timid

Or troubled by fears.

I've journeyed by auto,

By steam car and boat.

But the South Berwick trolley

It getteth my goat.

Just when it is coming,

You never can tell.

It may be on time,

Or a half-hour late.

It will come when it gets here,

Is all you can say

But often it loses

Two or three trips each day.

It rolls and it pitches

Just missing the ditches

It bounds and it wallows

Then skims like the swallows.

I'd love to possess

And drive a tin Lizzie

And just like a sailor,

I'd never get dizzy.

Or had I an airplane

To sail through the blue

I know that my courage

Would equal that too.

But the South Berwick trolley

Gets me every time.

Though I've struggled to conquer

This failing of mine.

So laugh if you will

At my weakness and folly

I always feel nervous

On the South Berwick Trolley.

By Conductor Frank S. Sewall, 1918.

Passing the Philip Furbish home in Eliot is a 13-bench, open-car

heading for Dover. The tracks would go through South

Berwick and ended in Dover in Franklin Square on Central

Avenue, where they almost, but, not quite, connected

physically with those of the Dover, Somersworth

& Rochester Street Railway. Philip Furbish image

in O. R. Cummings Collection

Nickel Song for the Biddeford and Saco Railroad

At one time a song was written and dedicated to the Biddeford and Saco Railroad. Composed by Alex T. Feenwood of Biddeford, a teacher of stringed instruments, it is entitled "Cares Are Soon Forgot" and went like this:

"Local folks all point with pride

To our five-cent trolley ride,

The cheapest form of transportation.

Drop a nickel in the slot,

All your cares are soon forgot,

While riding to your destination."

Printed copies of the song were distributed on the cars.

From O. R. Cummings' book, "The Biddeford and Saco Railroad," February 1956.

Image of a printed copy - PWM

Portland open-trolley car No. 188 and closed No. 180 and a Biddeford &

Saco open trolley is at the end of the line at Old Orchard Beach circa 1906.

On a busy summer day/night when fireworks were on display, it was

common for there to be 10,000 people visiting the beach.

Postcard from PWM

Since the Trolley's Come to Town

Ring out the loud hosannas and do the job up brown,

For at last we have a trolley a-running through town.

The farmers stop their labors and wonder at the sight.

For the way the cars go scooting is a revelation quite.

Their clanging and their buzzing all other noise drown,

For they make an awful racket a-running through the town.

The old town doesn't seem the same. It's mighty bright and gay,

And everyone can celebrate its resurrection day.

Twas buried many years ago and buried good and deep.

But now it has awakened from its Rip Van Winkle sleep,

And every hour of the day the cars run up and down,

And everyone is tickled now the trolley's come to town.

There's two new barns a-going up, excitement everywhere.

And a mild form of paresles seems to permeate the air.

The benefits to be derived have surely taken root,

While real estate has risen to fifteen cents a foot.

And all the wimmin folks have bought a brand new muslin gown,

For they're bound to cut a figure now the trolley's come to town.

Author unknown - typed poem among newsprint notes of O. R. Cummings' Collection

The reference " two new barns a-going up" might be referring to two carbarns that were constructed in 1903/04 by the Atlantic Shore Railway. One was built at Town House Junction in Kennebunkport, while a new wood frame carhouse was built in Ogunquit at about the same time. See the image below of the Town House Junction.

Left is a 15-bench open car ready to head to Dock Square,

Kennebunkport, from Town House Junction circa 1907. In the

background to the left is the large brick ASLRwy carbarn/

offices. The waiting station in the center of the photo had

a creamery. The combination car on the right could carry

express freight and passengers. That section of the line could

lead to Kennebunk, Cape Porpoise, or Biddeford.

O. R. Cummings Collection

The Cars By Night

The cars they pass my doors

All hours, by day and night,

Sometimes with few aboard,

At others loaded quite;

It's pleasant any time

To see them humming past

In summer's balmy days,

Or in winter's chilling blast.

But the prettiest sight of all

Is on a dark and stormy night

To see them coming thro' the gloom

With their lights all shining bright.

They make clear the darkest shadows,

And brighten the gloomy vale;

And by their light, they cheer us

As they speed along the rail.

They but a moment tarry,

A flash and they are gone;

But their light still trails behind them

As the rainbow follows storm.

And like a ray of brightness

On Life's wild, stormy path,

Shines through the gloom and darkness

And cheers the soul at last.

Author unknown - typed poem among newsprint notes of O. R. Cummings' Collection.

The trolleys were passing by residents' farms in the countryside as well as past apartments in the cities and homes in the towns.

Negotiating the sharp curve at The Willows, York Beach.

O. R. Cummings Collection

The Electric Mail and Express

It's true we've got the mail boys,

   And a car all bright and new.

To take it through to York, boys,

   And bring it back for you.

The steam cars said they'd route us,

   Since the trolley first went through,

But still, we got the mail, boys,

   And think we can keep it too.

We also take the xpress, boys,

   And leave it at your door,

And that is something that in York

   Was never done before.

With Fisher for your motorman,

   And Freeman for his aid,

We'' try to keep the track, boys

   And run the car through straight.

So now we say goodbye, boys

   It's time to run her through;

But if we don't have war with Spain, boys,

   We will show you what we'll do.

Author unknown - typed poem among newsprint notes of O. R. Cummings' Collection.

The references; "a car all bright and new" to a new mail/express car and  "if we don't have war with Spain, boys," to a timeline before the Spanish-American War in 1898. I think the new mail/express car is being referred to:

Text is taken from O. R. Cummings' book, "Trolleys to York Beach: The Portsmouth Dover & York Street Railway," December 30, 1964.

     Early in 1898, the Portsmouth, Kittery & York Street Railway received a government contract to transport the U. S. Mail between Portsmouth and York Beach. For this, it was necessary to provide suitable equipment, and a single-truck railway post office car, "A", was purchased, before May 1.

     The RPO (Railway Post Office) car had an 18-foot body and was divided into two compartments, one 8-feet-long for mail and the other ten-feet-long, for baggage and express.

Original mail car "A" of the PK&Y at York Beach circa 1899.

These may indeed be the "Motorman Fisher" on the right,

with "Freeman for his aid" on the left.

O. R. Cummings Collection

The Electric Trolley

Only one short year ago

On a warm bright summer day

The first electric trolley

Came buzzing O'er the way

And scant were the words of welcome

It received from anyone

Most said it is a nuisance

To be borne as best we can.

But now the tune is altered

In both Kittery and York, too,

And today they speak proudly of it

And of the ones that ran it through.

For Meloon, our superintendent

Is doing all he can

To make the electric trolley

To best one in the land

The motormen and conductors

Have proved themselves worth praise

For their quiet, gentlemanly manners,

Honest and courteous ways.

They came among us strangers

Many friends they have made

In the way, they have run the trolley

Through the peaceful, quiet glades.

Of two of the oldest towns on the coast

Of the proud old state of Maine

Whoever thought that the hum of the trolley

Would ring over the hills and plains.

Long may they stay with us,

And long may the cars run through

Is the wish of all among us

Who to the PK&Y is true.

Author unknown - typed poem among newsprint notes of O. R. Cummings' Collection.

The reference, "Only one short year ago...," refers to the trolley line opening between Portsmouth and York Beach in the summer of 1897. See the image below.

This image was the year before the above poem was crafted.

An enthusiastic crowd greets the first trolley to York Beach

on the afternoon of August 27, 1897

O. R. Cummings Collection

Six Men From Eliot

There were six men from Eliot

One pleasant Saturday

Hailed a passing P D&Y trolley car

And to Dover they paid their way

When they had been there an hour or two

They were feeling rather gay.

                        2.

At ten o'clock they all came round

To take the homeward car

The first walked with a weary air

As if he'd traveled far

Or had been unloading schooners

As they came across the bar.

                       3.

The second one the fender edge

Just chanced to catch his toe

He straightway fell across the thing

And flattened out his nose

His bottle smashed on the street

And there he watched his precious

Liquid flow.

                      4.

The third one just reached the nearest seat

Dropped in it in a heap

His head bowed forward on his breast

He went at once to sleep

And journeyed homeward all the way

In peaceful slumber deep.

                     5.

The fourth one reached the platform

To the brake handle, he hung

And with the conductor, he tried to talk

The jostled was his tongue

And with every motion of the car

He back and forth swung.

                       6.

The fifth walked rather shaky

He seemed weak in the knees

But frankly said, that he that day

Was out upon a spree

Altho needless was such candor

As anyone on the car could see.

                       7.

The six came with an escort

From a dive across the street

A strong man's arm was needed

To keep him on his feet

The bartender helped him on the car

And put him in a seat.

                  8.

The conductor strode among them

With a grin and solemn air

And muttered oft beneath his breath

As tho he'd like to sear

Altho it was nothing new to him

But an everyday affair.

Author unknown  (the poet seems to be a trolley car employee) - typed poem among newsprint notes of O. R. Cummings' Collection. The Portsmouth, Dover & York line went to Dover, NH via crossing a bridge from South Berwick, Maine.

The terminus of the South Berwick village line was at a

Boston & Maine, its Northern Division grade crossing, on Salmon

Street near the east end of the Salmon Falls River bridge.

O. R. Cummings Collection

The Trolleys of York

It was in the month of August

When the days were long and bright;

When the first electric trolley

passed through York one lovely night.

Of course, we girls were anxious

To take a ride you know,

But then our greatest trouble

Was to get five cents to go.

At least when the coveted nickel

Was ours, and we really did go

Our conductor was Jimmie Hogan

And our motorman Frenchman Joe.

Don't speak of Joe so slurring

Our motorman so true;

What if he is a Frenchman

It's nothing at all to you.

But Joe is not a Frenchman

He was born beneath our flag

"Old Glory" is as near to him

As to any Yankee lad.

No matter what his nation

Do not slur our boy in blue.

Who left his home in another state

To run the cars for you.

No matter what his situation,

He is honest, brave, and true

And we trust he'll remain in our town

As long as the cars run through.

Author unknown - typed poem among newsprint notes of O. R. Cummings' Collection.

Motorman Joe may have received considerable attention due to his accent.

Below is a short, but direct, response to feedback received due to attention directed to Joe.

No. 18 at York Beach terminal circa 1915. The Atlantic

Shore Railway car was equipped with a Baker hot water

heater. Notice the stack protruding from the clerestory roof.

O. R. Cummings Collection

Motorman Joe

My friend, don't be so hasty

     To say I slurred Motoman Joe;

I assure you I had not the slightest

     Intention of doing so.

It was purely in fun it was written,

     And since it was not directed to you

I think it would better become you

     To speak when you're spoken to.

Author unknown - typed poem among newsprint notes of O. R. Cummings' Collection.

They Softly Walk
They are not gone who pass
Beyond the clasp of hand,
Out from the strong embrace
They are but come so close
We need not grope with hands.
Nor look to see, nor try
To catch the sound of feet.
They have put off their shoes
Softly to walk by day
Within our thoughts, to tread
At night our dream-led paths
Of Sleep.

They are not lost who find
The sunset gate, the goal
of all their faithful years.
Not lost are they who reach
The summit of their climb,
The peak above the clouds
And storms. They are not lost
Who find the light of sun
And stars and God---.

By Hugh Robert Orr from the First Annual Reunion of former employees of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, on June 28, 1938.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding

the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 the Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive