1 6 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



can learn from old papers that were turned over to this Company 

 by Jacob H. Vanderbilt, Receiver, it would appear that the first 

 passenger train was run on a portion of the road on the 23d day 

 of April, i860, and the road formally opened on or about June 2d, 

 i860." A copy of this letter has been filed with the Association. 



From the Supplement to Staten Island Names, Ye Olde Names 

 and Nicknames, by Wm. T. Davis (Proc. Nat. Sci. Assoc. 

 Staten Is. 8: 78. Oct. 1903), we quote: "He said he lived be- 

 tween the Iron Spring, and ' Skunks Misery,' and had walked five 

 miles to take a look" (at the locomotive). Richmond County 

 Gazette, March 28th, i860." 



We believe the date and event inscribed on the tablet to be cor- 

 rect and proper. 



The thirteenth date and event inscribed on the tablet is: 

 1886. Inauguration of Rapid Transit Railroad System. 



The committee of 1906 selected and approved the following: 

 " 1886. Rapid Transit Railroad opened for passenger traffic." 

 Morris (2 : 463) states : " On Feb. 23rd, 1886, the Rapid Transit 

 Railroad was opened for passenger traffic," and Mr. S. P. Kretzer 

 states, under date of August 22, 1910, in letter above referred to: 

 "The first train of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad 

 Company, the predecessor of the Staten Island Rapid Transit 

 Railway Company, was run between Clifton and Tompkinsville, 

 July 31st, 1884, and the road was opened up for passenger traffic, 

 as far as Elm Park, on February 22d or 23d, 1886." (See also 

 Bayles, History of Richmond County, 691. 1887, for an account 

 of the inauguration of the Rapid Transit Railroad System.) 



The inscription is, therefore, correct. 



The fourteenth date and event inscribed on the tablet is : 



1889. Opening of Achter Kill Bridge. 



The committee of 1906 selected and approved the following: 

 " 1889. Erection of Achter Kill bridge." 



