St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-09
Westerneps Who are Rustling
for Railroad Business in
New England.
MacGregor, Of the Minnesota
& Northwestern, the Most
Popular.
Charlie Brown, of the MilWau-
kee, and Charlie Wise, OF
the Northwestern.
C. 0. Gwatkin a Rustler--The
Truth Handled With
Economy.


dess "to weigh my eyelids down and
sleep my senses in forgetfulness, IL
occurred to me that probably the GLOBE
people would like TO know something
about the men who represent Mime
sota's railroads in New England. Act
ing under this impression, determined
to make few inquiries upon the street
to see what 'the boys'' thought. was
not little surprised to find that Mac
Gregor of the Minnesota 81 Northwest
ern, was the most popular. This was
surprising, because "Mac" has been
here but month or two, figuratively
speaking, and is in every sense OF the
word a "Westerner." The idea that he
should so soon overcome staid old New
England's prejudice, is something to
be wondered at. MAC" won't believe
it himself, but nevertheless it is true.
PROFESSIONALLY it is his very pro-
nounced Western traits which have
gained for him this popularity. His
actions now are precisely what they
were twelve months ago. He leaves his
Office for tour of the street, OF short
tip in the country in just the. same
spirit as he would in days of yore mount
a bucking cayuse for a tifty-mile
ride across Montana's ranges. "Mac"
still hangs on to his Western
idioms as well as his mannerisms.
When he is through his days work he
does not, like the cultured New Eng
lander, go to his home. He gees to his
shack" 1t amused me greatly to see
the expression on mutual friends face
when "Mac" recently asked him ''out to
the shack to spend Sunday" The
idiom had to be explained before the
invitation was understood. Then, again,
he does not secure business, but
''sinches" it. l shall never forget the
first time he met
OLD JOE BASsETT,
of the West Shore, Hoosac Tunnel,
Nickel Plate and a half dozen other fast
freight lines, and, by the way, one of the
very best posted men on the street. The
first thing MAC" said, after the formal
ity of introduction was over: wont
you join myself and friend in little
drink?"
Bassett could not at the time. and eX-
pressed his sorrow, which | am positive
Was llOU dSouulCu, UuU otllo 1O AopOu w
another time.
s'Mac's' reply was, swell, 1 hope
you'll not catch me with my boots off,
we WesternerS don't always have the
price of drink about us, but l reckon
if you'll give me five minutes notice, :; !
can easily raise the necessary two bits"
Bassett promised to do so, and the
two parted. Since then they have been
warm friends.
While MacGregor is the most popular,
the most unpopular is probably Charlie
Brown, of the Chicago, Milwaukee d
st. Paul. The street sees very little of
Mr.. Brown. He keeps himself in his
Office and his home. 1t is probably be-
cause he is so little known that he is so
little liked. He has the reputation of
being cross and crabby, but as it is only
by reputation l know him, of course
cannot youch for this.
Charlie Wise, of the Chicago & North
western, is well liked by everyone; but
Charlie is thorough New Highlander,
so far as prejudlces and everything else
90. He has been New England freight
agent for the Northwestern for nigh on
to twenty years. He has seen all the
newcomers come in and share his once
large business, and consequently he
feels sore that his tonnage is not what
it once was. He tries hard not to show
this, but occasionally it will crop out,
despite his efforts. However, Mr.. Wise
is we'll liked, and is well-poSted Off
clal. His worst trait is disposition not
to give to his competitors the credit due
them.
William Gardey, the New England
freight agent of the Chicago, Burlington
e Quincy, looks after the interests of
his company'S Minnesota adjunct, the
Chicago, Burlington 81 Northern. Gar
dey is
A vERITABLE DUDE.
He is always we'll dressed, and his
clothes are always cuti full accordance
with the latest English pattern. He is
an oily and fluent talker, but not one to
readily make friends. He has large
circle of acquaintanceS, but / think very
few of his railroad associates have been
invited to gaze upon and admire his
"lares ct penates." els man who i'm
presses you rather favorably while you
are talking with him, but once you are
free from the magnetic influence of his
large and luStrouS blue eyes you
wonder whether you can rely upon what
he has told you. He labors under the
SIcdI ulluCulGy VI uOb hIlOWlHS buC
Northwestern country, a thing which |
one soliciting Northwestern business.
II. D. Corbett, who looks after the
Chicago, Milwaukee & ST. Paul's freight
business, follows MacGregor as a
hustler. He is worker, says very
little, and is always posted on a ship
ment moving northwestward. He has
large circle of friends, and uses them
whenever the opportunity presents it
self. He and MacGregor are members
of the executive committee of the Bos-
ton Railroad and Steamboat AgentS'S
association.
James II. Mills, who for years has
been the New England freight agent of
the Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific,
looks after the interest of the Well-ad-
vertised Albert Lea route. Mr.. Mills is
very
QUIET IN DISPOSITION,
and very much of a gentleman. He is
well posted and well liked, and purSues
the even tenor of his way unmolested.
g. o. Gwatkin (the watkin spelled
with a big G. is the New England rep
resentative of the Wisconsin Central al
lied lines. He is the most pompous man
in the whole outfit; but his pomposity
does not make him unpopular. He is
considered harmless, and for this reason
is permitted to go his way unmolested.
He covers more ground than any of his
competitors, and has thoroughly adver-
tised the Wisconsin Central throughout
New England. In every little town you
will find something with G. o. GWatkin
printed thereon. He at one time trav-
eled for the Lake Shore, and probably it
was then that he established such
wide circle of acquaintance throughout
New England. Gwatkin with big G
has tendency to handle the truth with
economy, but as it is as natural for rail
road men to lie rs it is for them to eat,
probably this is blessing rather than
otherwise.
There is one other whom must men
ton. He is Royal Wilton. the recently
appointed Eastern agent of the $500
line. He is the only official in Boston
having this title. Ali the other Eastern
agents are located in New York city.
hoo