Evening journal., 1898-12-31
RAILWAY CHAPLAIN.
The Unique Office of a scoloradO
Clergyman.
ais DutIe- Arc 70 Attend the sick aud
faJrrch Empioycs and Patrons
of the Road That EN-
pIOys Him.

of the Road That EN-
pIoys Him.
II is perhaps contrary TO the general
understanding of things TO regard a
railroad corporation as interested in
the affairs Of its employees other than
in a strictly secular way. 1t twas, there
fore, with some surprise and not lit
tic misgiving that the delegates TO the
recent roadmasters' convention in Dem
/ vcr received the announcement by the
secretary that the session (then being
called) would be opened with prayer
by the chaplain OF the Denver and Rio
Grande railway. Investigation devel-
oped that the road named has a regu-
larly appointed official, designated as
chaplain, whose duties are more or less
definitely assigned, and whose time is
devoted entirely 10 the service of the
company in line with such duties
| Principal among these duties are at
tendance upon sick or injured en-
! ployes in the hospitals, rendering as
sistance at wrecks, officiating at public
gatherings in charge of the company
and the maintaining of reading-room
for the employees of the company at
Pueblo. Further than this, the spirit
ual wants of the employees are looked
after, so far as circumstances create
4 opportunities. Besides matters like
these, which seem to require the at
tention of the chaplain with some de-
gree of regularity, he divides his spare
time among the employees on the trains,
in the shops and on the track, often en-
tering into the personal affairs OF dis
charged or suspended men, by inter
ceding with the officials in their be-
half. and in cases attempting the refor-
nation of those addicted to uufortu-
nate habits. In addition TO this he sup
plies literature to employees upon re-
quest, and carries in his pocket a sup
ply of tickets good for "a loaf of bread
or n cup of coffee at bakeries or restau-
rants in towns along the line, for the
benefit of persons in Strengthened cir
cumstances. The chaplain's time is de-
voted, therefore, mainly 10 work of
charitable nature rather than 10 the
performance of formal religious exer-
cises.
The incumbent of this position is
Rev. John Brunton, for 30 years q rail-
road conductor and engineer. Former
ly he was connected with the train
service of the Pennsylvania railroad in
Ohio and Indiana; and il may be inter
e,-ing to state that he attended the
first convention of locomotive en-
gineers in Baltimore, in 1855 In 1886
ne came west and entered the service
OF the Denver & Rio Grande road. See
ing the great need of help among rail-
road men, he often gave his attention
to needy persons in personal way,
= until finally he became noted for such
: work. and the value of his services
came to be appreciated by. the com
pany. II was In this manner that he
gradually worked into field OF great
usefulness, and since 1891 he has been
officially recognized as the chaplain OF
the road
Father" Brunton. as he is called
everywhere, is familiarly known among
those of the Union Pacific, Denver &
Gulf and Rio Grande Western roads,
where he pays occasional visits. Since
his connection with the l1nver & Rio
Grande as chaplain he has been or
! dained a minister of the Gospel, in
what denomination Il matters not,
since in his works he is no respecter
Of denominations and is equally popu-
lar with all denominations among the
employees, holding the respect and con-
fdence Of all His long experience as
railway employe and hissknowledge
of railway matters ares of course, OF
+ great assistance to him, and no doubt
account largely for the success with
? which he labors. He makes his head
2 quarters at the library and reading
room in Pueblo, where employees of the
2 road may spend pleasantand profit
. able hour unmolested; the, room for
2 this purpose is furnished by the rail
p way company. We understand that
funds for the charitable Nsork which
he carries en- are raised by personal
solicitation among the officials and EN-
ployes of the company, thus enabling II
10 be carried on entirely without OBJ
r legation to the company, the chaplain
preferring to conduct his work on this
basis. He is therefore removed from
all fear of imputation that his worl
could be conducted in the interests OF
the company to the prejudice of the
employees. in any way.
We have thus outlined in genera
way the manner in which the persor
filling this position unselishly EN-
ploys his time, and the ends aimed at
II is stated that during the time since
this position has existed with the com
pany marked change has been notice
able in the discipline oflthe employees
and that the company regards the
work of its chaplain as highly effee
4 tive.-Railway Engineering Review.
Mushrooms saute.
Cut off the ends of the stalks from
" pints of fresh button mushroom
u | 49,, -, N Ifch 90 xvafqr wit