The Railroad Builder - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

The construction of a new railroad, designed to bring prosperity to a section of the country, brings sorrow to one home. An aged invalid finds that his home must give way to progress, as the line is designed to cut through his homestead, ...See moreThe construction of a new railroad, designed to bring prosperity to a section of the country, brings sorrow to one home. An aged invalid finds that his home must give way to progress, as the line is designed to cut through his homestead, which has been in his family for generations. He fights, of course, but the property is condemned and a legal battle ends in defeat. The old man's grief arouses the sympathy of his daughter, who tries to succeed where he has failed. She visits the railroad president, and makes an appeal to him, but he curtly rebuffs her, and she returns home, thoroughly despondent. A young farmer, who has vainly sought to win her, sees a chance to win her gratitude and perhaps her love. He arouses the neighbors, and brings them in a body to the girl's home. There they promise their aid, and start off determined to drive the construction gang away from that territory. Their anger is more fully aroused after the girl has told them how she has been warned away when she told the workers to leave the property. When the farmers arrive at the spot they find that the workmen have knocked off for the day. They wreck the work already done, and seeing a big pile of railroad ties, set them on fire. The young engineer in charge of the work arrives after the blaze is well underway, but speedily sees that he and his men cannot hope to cope with the flames. He rushes to a horse and decides to ride to a nearby town, where there is a fire department, and summon the aid of men who can really aid him. But the farmers seize him. Then they leave him in the woods. The girl has seen this action. The conduct of her neighbors, a surprise to her, causes her terror. She never contemplated arson. And then the young engineer is the only one of the invaders who had spoken pleasantly to her when she had ordered his party away. She decides to save him, and to bring assistance. She mounts the horse, and gallops away, arriving in the town, exhausted but still in time to bring the engines before the flames have swept everything away. The engineer realizes that he owes everything to the girl. She sees that her father's objections to a public improvement were uncalled for, and induces him to withdraw his objections. And the fire that was lighted as a torch of vengeance becomes the beacon light of a happy love. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less