Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-18
How a Brakeman Became General
superintendent.

In the carrier years OF my eXperlenc
as printer in Chicago, more than twent
years ago, our firm did good deal Q
printing for the Chicago, Burlington 1
Quincy Railroad, and, because OF this,
came to know young man who is tn
subject of my story He came from Mas
sachusetts, was poor, and had no intiuen
tial friend TO even give him letter O
recommendation. He sought employment
IN the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail
road, and, after waiting a time, at las
secured the position OF brakeman on
freight train-salary about thirty dollar
4 month. He was faithful in his position
md, being both intelligent and industrl
Gus, he was coon made conductor of tn,
rain, with wages nearly doubled. He at
'racted the attention OF his superior Off
GERS who saw in him an honest, faithful ant
conscientious conductor, one not seeking
MS own eese or pleasure, but constantly
,evoted to the interests of the company
that employed him, so that not many
months elapsed before he was made con
ductor of a passenger train--a more com
portable position, and one yielding a so ne
what higher salary. Here first knew
nim, and saw in him quiet, unassum
ing young man free from the popular
vices, and one who tried to be just as
faithful and true and devoted to his work
IS conductor as though the position had
been that of General Superintendent.
One OF the sternest and most exacting
and yet one of the noblest, ablest and
most coust ientious, men that ever filled
a position was then General Superintcnd
mt of the road. This man Col. G. G..
Hammond, watched every employe OF
the road with an eagles eye. He meas
ured every man, knew the ability of each,
md seemed intuitively to know which
we're the lazy shirks. Our young con-
iuctor did not escape the keen eye
When he least thought of 1t his chief was
measuring and sounding him, and find
ing out what kind of install he was made
of; but none ever knew whether he was
approved or not, for the chiefs look was
always stern and cold as ice.
One Saturday morning train No. 4
moved slowly out of Chicago under the
care of nv friend, who, only intent on
doing his work as we'll as he knew how,
seemed to have no higher ambition than
to be good conductor-salary 5000 a
year. About noon, when he stopped at a
station, he ~found a telegram from the
head office ordering him to "leave the
train in the care of-,and take the
first train for Chicago"
This was an unsual thing. Wonder
ing what could be the matter, conscious
that he had tried to do exactly right, and
vet remembering how exacting was the
General Superintendent, he feared that
unintentlonally he had fallen under his
displeasure. With a fearful heart he
presented himself at the office of the
Superintendent.
Good morning, Mr.. Hammond;
have received your tele gram and come tc
see what it means"
GOOD morning." growled the chief
81 see you have, sir, have concluded tt
take your train away from you."
The conductors heart sank lower than
ever. What before was only fearful fore
boding was now painful truth. He hac
served the company to the best of hi
ability. He had kept the affairs of hi
train in complete order, his reports hat
been carefully aud correctly made; ant
vet, after all, lost his position. He daret
not hope to reverse the decision of tn
all-powerful Official, yet in as Calm
voice as he could command he politel.
asked the reason for his summary dismis
sal.
Col. Hammond waited while befOr
he answered. Then the muscles of hi
face relaxed little, and he said; I"
unit an Assistant Superintendent in n
office. and I have called you to tax
the place"
True worth is always modest, and GU
thunderstruck conductor could My STAN
mer: g But am not competent, sir, t
fill the position"
You can do what I tell you; you ca
obey orders, can't you9 That's all yo
have to do, sir. You will begin work thi
morning. That is your desk"
The new duties were not as difficult a
he expected. At first he had only to ODE
orders, and carry out the details OF worl
laid out by the chief; and to these dutie
he brought the same faithfulness an
thoroughness that had made him notice
able as conductor. His elevation di
not spoil him or make HIM VAIN. He wa
as plain and modest and har aa-workin
as before. His salary at first was $1,0O(
After few years service under Co
Hammond, and an advance of salary t
So, 800, the plain young man was invite
, to take the office of Genera. Superinter
lent of a younger road, at salary Of 9
. 600. Distrusting his own ability, br
determined to do his best, he accepte
] the call, and succeeded, until the Chics
90, Burlington s. Quincy, realizin
how much they had lost in parting frol
5 him, invited him to resume his old pos
, ton, and secured his services by tt
} tempting offer of $4,000 year.
: In the mean time Col. Hammond ha
|, become the General Superintendent
. the Union Pacific railroad, running fro
. Omaha to Ogden, where it connects wit
4 the Central Pacific railroad. The Gel
trail Pacific Road was owned by four
J Eve mill1onaires, who built it, one
o whom was its General Superintendent
: However good business man he was
D knew but little about railroading.
e But where could they find Gener
Superintendent who had the ability al
e would dare to reorganize the road al
Il put Its sffairs upon better basis? Tn
9 consulted Col. Hammond and other ra
road men, and the result was that me
y unexpectedly, our whilom modest al
d working conductor one day receiv
e telegram asking him if he would u
> dertake the duties of General SUPERB
q tendent of the Central Pacific railroad,
d salary of 10000. He was satisfied wi
rs and appreciated by theChicago, Burlin
TON & Quincy who propos to incres
is his pay to $1l 900. and as be preferred
he remain In Chicago he declined /
le princely offer maze by the Califorl