The record-union., 1895-01-14
THE RETIREMENT OF R. H. PRATT.
Presentation to the Veteran Railroad
Official.
Testimonial From Men With Whom
He Has Been Associated for
More Than Thirty Years.
rs. F.. Call. Janparv7e 7

that position on the first of the year, no
formal recognition of that fact was taken
by the officials of the company until yes
terday afternoon, when that gentlemen
was ushered into the directors room in
the Hobert building, where he met about
forty of the head officials and other at
taches of the company.
The object IN calling the meeting was
to present Mr.. Pratt with a testimonial of
the esteem in which he is held by his
former associates, which took the shape
of splendid tea and coffee service of
nine pieces, all of solid silver, and a
magnificent cabinet containing fine
carving set, two dozen knives, the same
number of forks, three dozen spoons for
tea and table use. and a full compliment
of ladies, ETC., all of solid silver. Upon
the large tray which formed a part of the
set was engraved the words: 40
Robert Henry Pratt, Assistant General
Superintendent OF the Southern Pacific
Company, as memento of thirty years
association and as a token Of esteem
from his fell Officers. San Francisco,
Decem ber 81, 1894"
Besides the articles mentioned an en-
graved testimonial had been handsomely
prepared and signed by all the gentle
1t bore the inscription:
TO Robert Henry Pratt-DEAR SIR:
The lapse of thirty years since you be-
came associated with the Central Pacific
railroad Company and its successor has
but served TO foster the esteem in which
you have ever been held by your brother
officers, and IN your retiring rom the
service in which you have been engaged
curing the greater part of your active
business life the undersigned, your as
soclates, beg you will accept the gift
an expression of their sincere regard and
unqualified appreciation of your sterling
worth, uniform fair dealing and high
sense of honor and JUSTICE
This testimonial was signed by officials
of the road, including the general officers,
their assistants, all division Superintend-
ents, master mechanics, resident en-
ployes and minor other officials.
Upon Paymaster j. n. Hanford de-
Yolved the duty of making the presenta-
ton speech, and his remarks, which fol-
of Mr.. Pratt, which will be found of
interest:
'0ir. Chairman, and FeLLOaU- Officers of
the Southern Pacific COmpdRy: In paus-
ing a while from our daily duties to pay
willing tribute to our friend and busi-
ness associate, who has chosen to sever
his official relations with the officers of
this company, one who has been promi-
nent in the railroad business and has de-
voted a large part of his eventful life to
continuous service in the great work of
transportation, we naturally feel sad
ness akin 10 the feeling of final separa-
tion of friends.
The least that we, who have been CO.
workers with 4. II. Pratt in the corpo-
rate service, can do is to extend to him
an earnest friendship and we'll wishing
evidenced by some little token delivered
in remembrance of his faithful discharge
of duties, his frank and kindly manners,
his honesty and efficiency and his cour-
teous conduct toward all. 1t is not neces-
sary to refer TO the personal integrity of
our coworker, for that is far beyond inn
parchment. 1t may be that passing re-
view through the many years of his
corporate employment will not be un-
interesting.
''In 1860 we find him foreman of con-
struction and superintendent OF the
Dutch Flat and bonner Lake wagon
road, an allied road and forerunner of
the Central Pacific Railroad. When that
wagon road had outlived its usefulness,
We find him in 1865 manager OF supplies,
the most needed being fuel. Some Of
us can call to mind the busy scenes at
Pratt's camp in that uninhabited, desc
late and worthless region, the Peqop
Mountains, where he, with many teams
and hundreds of men, was hauling out
root and branch every tree, bush and
shrub for miles away, bringing them to
the line OF the railroad TO supply the loco
motives.
After that needed service was finished,
we find him in 1869 Superintendent of
track, with a roadbed then laid with 45 to
5O-pound soft iron rail-so different from
Its present condition., with the 70 to 100
pound steel rail.
''As If promotion for him had not yet
ended, we find him in 1872 called to the
train service as Superintendent of the
Salt Lake division. SO faithful were his
services, and with such untiring zeal did
he perform his duties, that in 1879 he was
transferred to field OF greater care and
esponsibllities-the Sacramento division
to do battle with the numerous diff
cuities in rallroadlng over the snow bound
Sierras.
1.-The continuous and rapid extension OF
the railroad Increased the duties and
cares at the general Office, and in 1881 he
was called 10 the position of Assistant
General Superintendent OF the Central
Pacific Railroad, which position he held,
0ischarging' his duties with that same
carnestness and fidelity that had in the
past characterized his business and off,
cal career, until 1885, when the Southern
Pacific Company came into power and
possession OF the many miles of road and
It's equipment, in which company he
was chosen as its Assistant General
superintendent. holding that position un-
lii the close of the past year.
For nearly thirty long years has he
continually aided in the great work OF
ralroading. L well remember about a
year ago a conversation with him, in
which he expressed a desire to discon-
tlnue his railroad service, and there
after / learned that he mad decided to re-
tire from active affairs and rendered his
resignation, which, however, at the earn
li,,iyn ti..s,n nff Z fla dant
of Directors of the company, did not TAX G
effect until Decemb Der 81, 1894. The cir
cumstances recited of the early business
associations with Mr.. Pratt are fresh in
the minds of many OF US, and the later
and more numerous Transactions are
familiar to us all and reviewed with
pleasure, because of that true manliness
and ever helpful and atfable conduct
evinced 10y him under all circumstances
no matter how trying"
Turning 10 Mr.. Pratt the speaker then
said:
'R. H. Pratt, Assistant General Super
lntendent Southern Pacific Company, by
this well-earned official distinction we
take pleasure in addressing you. The
officers of the Southern Pacific Company
have invited you to this gathering TO eX-
press to YOU their sincere regret in sever
ing that long, pleasant business associa-
tion with you and to testify to you and to
The world that you leave behind you an
official record of untlrlng industry, OF
fidelity, honesty and efficiency.
I'm the administration of high and re-
sponsible duties devolving upon you, you
have com mbined firmness with mildness,
courtesy with zeal and patience with un-
remitting toll.
"In the personal intercourse of you
tellow-oflicials you have ever manifested
that thoughtful and pleasant bearing
W oh hos do Z hn nf nt1i al