Phoebe
Snow (continued)
You see I always wore a
white dress and it was very important that
when I arrived at my destination, I was
presentable. I don't need to tell you how
stuffy passenger trains were back in 1900.
Remember, this was before air conditioning.
So we had to rely on opening the windows
and letting in the outside air for any kind
of ventilation to happen. Can you guess
what happened once you opened the window?
That's right. Smoke would come in making
you dirty. Then there was always the chance
of getting burned by the cinders that came
flying by, in the window and right to where
you were sitting.
The Lackawanna had great success with this
new coal and I supported them 100%. All
of the other Railroads were dirty and filthy
in comparison. I was fortunate to be able
to ride on the DL&W trains. And was
more than happy to share my great train
travel experiences with everyone.
*Says Phoebe Snow about to go
Upon a trip to Buffalo
My gown stays white from morn to night
Upon the road of Anthracite
Soon the public began to call me the "Maiden
in White". Not too long after it was
requested that I make personal appearances
across the entire DL&W route. Sometimes,
the crowds were in the thousands. Can you
imagine thousands of people coming out to
see me? I was just a young girl who was
speaking her mind about the benefits of
Anthracite.
This went on for about 3 or 4 years. Touring
around the railroad routes, having my picture
taken and having rhymes made up about my
thoughts and travels. It was sure something
and I loved it. People were listening to
me. Women actually started dressing like
me and changing their hairstyles. Some companies
began making and selling exact copies of
my hats, purses and dresses. I was influencing
the fashion world.
But, with all the touring I began to get
tired so I took an early retirement in 1907.
I still had plenty left to say and the DL&W
continued to quote me in rhyme. They even
utilized me for openings and inaugurations.
Though quite often they wrote versus about
the cleanly "Road of Anthracite",
they also quoted me on what I had to say
about the dining service on the trains.
*Says Phoebe Snow,
Now that I see
How spotlessly
Your kitchen's kept
It seems to me
It gives one quite
An appetite
This cleanly Road of Anthracite.
I was there in Spirit to report on many
of the changes along the DL&W. Verses
were written about the rebuilding of stations
and terminals. About porters helping me.
About interlocking towers and switching
techniques. And of course when electric
lighting was brought on to passenger trains,
they rhymed some more about me reading my
book all night…by the light. All of
this lasted until 1914, then WWI broke out.
Hard coal was now needed for use in the
steel mills and no longer made available
for the railroads. So, I decided it was
time to take a break and retired as the
DL&W representative.
A funny thing happened as time passed.
I began to miss all the stories of my thoughts
on travel aboard the DL&W. So, after
40 years of retirement I made a comeback
at the beginning of WWII. No longer was
I wearing white gloves and gowns. This time
I wore an American WWII Uniform. At the
end of WWII it was time for another rest.
And I awaited my next resurrection, which
was in 1949. And believe you me, I was not
disappointed. I received the greatest honor
that can be bestowed unto a railroader.
A train, but not just any train. This was
the latest and greatest, sleekest lightweight
streamliner of its time. And it was named
"The Phoebe Snow". My train traveled
nearly 17 years along the DL&W lines.
Now, 50 years later, I still have a following.
Fans across the world. Who knows, maybe
someday they'll call my agent and bring
me back. MORE TO COME
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