The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-03-04
THE TIMES, NEW BLOOMFIELD, Pa MARCH 4, 1879.


True worth is always modest, and our
thunderstruck conductor could only
stammer, But am not competent, sir,
to fill the position |"
You can do as tell you you can
obey orders, and carry out the details of
work laid out by the chief" To these
duties he brought the same faithfulness
and thoroughness that had made him
noticeable as q conductor. His elevation
did not make him vain or spoil him.
He was as plain, and modest, and hard
working as before-the salary at first
was one thousand and eight hundred
dollars.
After few years of service under Col.
Hammond, and an advance of salary to
two thousand and five hundred dollars,
the plain young man was invited to take
the Office of General Superintendent of
a new road, at salary of four thou
sand dollars. Distrusting his own ablll-
ty but determined to do his best, he ac-
cepted the call, and succeeded, until the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Rail-
road, realizing how much they had lost
in parting with him, melted him to re-
sumo his old position by the tempting
offer of six thousand dollars year.
In.the meantime Col. Hammond had
became Superintendent of the Union
Pacific Railroad, running from Omaha
to Ogden where it connects with the
Central Pacific road. The latter road
was owned by four or five millionaires,
who had built it, one of whom was its
General Superintendent. However good
business man, he knew but little about
railroading, and under his care the road
was anything but prosperous, until the
owners and directors resolved upon a
radical and sweeping change.
But where could they find general
superintendent who had the ability, and
would dare to re-organize the road and
put its affairs upon better basis They
consulted Col. Hammond and other rail-
road men, and the result was that, most
unexpectedly, our whilom modest and
hard working conductor one day receiv-
ed telegram, asking him if he would
undertake the duties of General Super
intendent of the Central Pacific Rail
road at the salary of ten thousand dol
lars. He was satisfied with his apprecia-
ton by the Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy Railroad, who proposed to in
crease his pay to seven thousand dollars,
and as he preferred to remain in Chicago,
he declined the princely offer made by
the California road. Then another tele-
gram asked at what salary he would be-
come the chief of the Central Pacific.
Almost hoping to discourage his temp
ters, he telegraphed, "Thirteen thou
year in gold" AT once came the an
swer " Accepted"
So, taken in his own trap he had moth
ing to do, but to bid adeu 10 the city
that had served him so well, and turn
his face toward the land of gold. My
story would be too long if L should try
to tell you the unexpected difficulties he
encountered from the old officers of the
road, who had determined that they
would not be superseded, and that the
new superintendent should never enter
upon his duties; how they, before his
arrival, set the whole press and people
of California against him how, sup
ported by directors of the road, he
quietly took control, disarmed preju-
dice, conquered submission and earned
success.
This was nine years ago. He is still
general superintendent Of the Central
Pacific Railroad, one of the most i'm
portant railroads in the world. With
its connections with California, this
quiet man, not yet forty. eight years
old, now superintends 2734 miles of
railroad, and over fifty connecting
steamers, besides debating the tariffs of
the China, the Australian, and the
Panama line of steamships. While
other young men preferred present ease
and comfort to the interest of his en-
ployers, wasted money and time in
billiard halls, and theatres, and drinking
saloons, Albion M. Towne was at work
building up a character as well as repu-
tation, and now fills one of the most
important positions in California, and
instead of three hundred and sixty dol
lars year as brakesman on freight
train, he now draws the comfortable
salary of twenty thousand dollars ayear
in gold.
Lucky man." said one.
Lucky" had but little to do with it !;
modest worth did 1t; work did it faith