The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-04

One OF the most prominent persons
now before the public is President Debs
of the American railway union. who is
at the head of the present strike Of the
employees Of the Pullman company.
Mr. Debs is a native of Indiana and
has lived in Terre Haute throughout his
life, having been engaged in the railroad
business for a number of years He
has served in many departments and has
always been a faithful and efficient en-
ploye. He possesses executive ability Of
a high order and is fearless in carrying
out plans. With such man at the head
of the strike it seems probable that If
will prove more serious than others with
no determined plan of action.
Eugene V. Debs, president and founder
of the American railway union, was born
in Terre Haute, Nov. 3, 1856. His father
is now a highly respected merchant in
that city. Mr.. Debs is of quiet dispOsi-
ton and talks but very little. He has
friends everywhere and is a thorough
gentleman and man Of the very bright
est intellect He is not of an eXCitable
nature and so far all his undertakings
have been successful. he is seldom in
the wrong and does everything with re
rather slender, Weighing about one hun
dred and eighty pounds. He has dark
eyes, fine features, dark hair and mus
tache. He is a fine speaker and never
writes a speech, but speaks eXtempor-
aneOusly. The words seems 10 be always
at his command. His speeches are inter
esting and TO the point.
In Terre Haute he attended the public
schools and the high school. He also at
tended the commercial college. where ne
was Industrious and quick to learn He
attended the college at night while dur
ing the day he assisted his father in his
store. 1t was in 1870 that he began work
in the Vandalia paint shops in Terre
Haute. He worked there until 1871 ana
then accepted a position as fireman on a
Nandalia locomotive. running between
Terre Haute and Indianapolis He re-
manned on this road until 1874. He was
an excellent and trustworthy emplOye.
He then left the railroad and accepted
a place in the wholesale house OF HUI
man & Co, where he remained until 1879.
He was so we'll liked that he was called
upon to accept the nomination for city
clerk on the democratic ticket. He DID
not desire to enter politics. but the public
called for him and he accepted the nomi-
nation and was elected by a majority Of
LOO over the republican candidate. He
served two terms, being the only man
elected on the ticket the second time,
with one exception.
When he took charge of the office the
books were in bad condition, but he
worked night and day until everything
was put in complete order. While city
clerk he assisted in founding the Occi-
dent literary society. He was also an
active member of the Knights Of Pythias.
In 1877 Mr.. Debs was connected with
the Brotherhood of locomotive fremen,
being a member of Nigo lodge, No. 16,
and represented it at the convention held
in indianapolis. In 1878 he was appoint
ed associate editor Of the locomotive
firemens magazine, which was the Off
cial organ of the order. Grand Master
T. w. Arnold of Columbus, O., appointed
him secretary and treasurer of the order
in June, 1880. He was the man needed
in the place and it was but a short time
until he had the brotherhood on a frmer
basis than ever before. For his good and
faithful work he won the esteem Of
everyone.
He was elected in 1885 to the house of
representatives on the democratic ticket
and his service rendered was highly
creditable to himself and party.
After serving in the house of represent
atives he was made editor Of the Rail-
way Magazine which he edited until
short time ago, when he organized the
American railway union. Whatever the
position a man holds in railway circles
he is not excluded from this association.
From the very first the association was
a success and it is today one Of the most
powerful in the country. Mr.. Debs is still
devoting all his time and attention to
the organization and expects to make il
the most powerful combination Of union
workmen in the country. The future Of
the union, he appreciates, will largely
depend upon the outcome Of the present
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