The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 58, July 1954 - April, 1955 Page: 237
650 p. : ill., maps (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Austin's Streetcar Era
passed into the hands of Dr. J. J. Tobin, a physician and business
man. Prior to the streetcar venture, he owned a bathhouse in Hot
Springs, Arkansas, before the United States government took
charge of the resort. In addition to his medical practice in Austin,
he owned a wholesale and retail drugstore, the streetcar system,
and other enterprises.
Tobin improved the streetcar service and had the goodwill of
the public, but there were discouragements. When the Capitol
burned on November 9, 1881, for example, the transit business
was hurt. After about six years Tobin sold the company to his
brother, Dr. William H. Tobin, who also was interested in many
activities, including a real estate firm, to which the streetcar
proved an asset.
There is a bit of human interest connected with the fare
system of the mule line. The cash fare was a nickel, but a slight
reduction was made for the bulk purchase of tokens. A brown
vulcanite or hard rubber token was sold at ten for forty-five cents.
So widespread was the use of the tokens that practically every
store in town accepted them as cash in payment for purchases.
The customers, in turn, willingly accepted them as change.
Wallace 'Tobin, son of Dr. J. J. Tobin, relates an instance when
the tokens were not accepted. As a small boy he took a handful of
tokens to a circus, expecting to use them as cash. To his disappoint-
ment, the out-of-town circus declined to accept them.8
These tokens, long since obsolete, have become rare, and de-
mand a premium from transportation token collectors, selling
for two dollars each.
Austin celebrated a gala day on May 16, 1888, when the new
capitol was dedicated. Many persons thronged the streets, and
the little mule cars did a splendid business.
On March 25, 1889, Dr. William H. Tobin sold the mule car
system to a group of capitalists from Boston and Chicago for
$120,000 in cash. The plans were to convert to electricity, extend
the line, and buy new cars. The improvements were to cost an
additional $2oo,ooo. The improvements were delayed, however,
and the mule cars continued in operation for two more years.
The first electric streetcars in Austin resulted from the tireless
8Wallace Tobin to A. T. J., personal interview, April 1, 1952.237
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 58, July 1954 - April, 1955, periodical, 1955; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101158/m1/278/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.