Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-20

William F Fluhrer, a leading surgeon
of New York city. George NJ. received
plain common school education. He
first got position in a store at $40 a
year, and at the end of the first year quit
and went with his brother to learn the
cabinet makers trade, finally going into
partnership with his brother.
Together they conducted fairly pros
porous business, when the death of their
father, Nov. ], 1853, caused a change in
their plans. Upon George, who was un-
narried, ROW fell the care and support
OF his mother and four OF the younger
members of the family. This required
him to get into something at which he
could earn more. The Eriecsnal, began in
1917, and finished according to the origi-
nal plans in 1926. had become inadequate
to the demands made upon it, ard at this
time was being enlarged by the state,
which had advertised for contracts for
raising buildings along the improved
waterway.
He was only %, but he bid for a con-
tract and got it. and so successfully did
he accomplish the work that he was sooE
ranked with the leading contractors in
that lire of business. and found 10 diff
Guilty in getting all the work he could do.
In 1853 he removed to Chicago and en-
gagged extensively in the then novel task
OF raising entire blocks of brick and
stone buildings. That year his attention
was first directed to the discomfort Of
long distance railway travelling. and he
determined, if possible. to offer the pub
lie something better. In 1859 he remcd-
eled two old day coaches of the Chicago
and Alton road into sleeping cars. which
at once found favor and established a
demand inn to
mediation. In 1868 he began the construc-
ton at Chicago of sleeping car; upon
the ROW well-knOwn model, which was
destined to associate his name INSOFAR.
ably with progress in railway equip
ment.
1t was named the Pioneer" and cost
about 600. From this small beginning
he continued todevelop his ideas for COM
Tort and safety in railway travel, till
iullman cars are now known all over
the world. The Pullman Palace Car
company, Of which lie was president.
was organized in 1867. and It now op-
crates over 1,tc0 cars on more than 1OO.-
600 miles Of railway. In 1887 he designed
and established the system of "vestibuled
trains which virtually makes of an en-
tire train single car. They were first
put in service upon the Pennsylvania
II UNI I'IitS, ana are now to be found on
many other railroads.
In 1850, in obedience to the imperative
demand of the Pullman company for in
creased shop facilities. and 20 give effect
to an idea he had long cherished of inn
proving the social surroundings of the
workmen. he founded near Chicago the
industrial town of Pullman, which now
contains over 11,000 inhabitants. 5000 OF
whom are employed in the company's
shops. INTELLECTUALLY the town is
picturesque, with broad streets. hand
some public buildings, and attractive
houses, supplied with every modern con-
Venience, for the employees. According
10 mortality statistics. it is one of the
most healthful places in the world. Mr..
fuliman had been connected with vari-
Gus public enterprises. among them the
METROPOLITAN Elevated railway system CT
New York, which was constructed and
opened to the public by corporation Of
which he was president.
Mission liant c.,,,