Hand Grenades for Passengers? The Perils of Olympia’s Naphtha Streetcar

It is to be hoped that no distressing accident will occur to the Naphtha street car which is to be placed on the Main street line by the railway magnate, Mr. Savage. An explosion occurred the other night on a Naphtha launch on the Wishkah river near Aberdeen, which split the bow of the boat and otherwise damaged it by fire. If the Naphtha motor is to be used permanently, President Savage of the “system” should be compelled to furnish each passenger with a hand grenade to extinguish the flames in case of danger. Frequently the vapor of Naphtha is liable to get spilled, and if it runs along the new patent car of Mr. Savage amidships, there is no knowing how much damage would be done in case of ignition. In addition to the chief engineer of the Naphtha engine, it is highly necessary that a conductor and brakeman should man the new car when it makes its appearance. They should be uniformed, too, and President Savage ought to set the example, as Jim Fisk did when he tagged himself out in blue and gold as commodore of the Fall River fleet of steamboats. President Savage on the front dasher in full uniform would be an inspiring sight to the visitors to the state capital, and it would help the road amazingly. The Adonis-like form of the president of the system in such a rig would make the Naphtha car as famous as the William goat which is in possession of the Tacoma Elks. There is a good deal of speculation as to the appearance of the car and it is to be hoped that the grand opening of the road is not to be postponed until April 1st. That would be too suggestive altogether.