The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-14
WICHITA is PLEASED
Russell Harding to be General
Manager
MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILWAY
Brief Sketch of Career of
Railroad Genius.
MISSOURI PACIFIC RAIL WAY

An announcement of the selection Of
Russell Harding as general manager OF
the Missouri Pacific railroad made in the
columns Of the Eagle over two months
ago was verified yesterday. ". B. Dodd-
ridge. general manager OF the Missouri
Pacihc-Iron Mountain systems, resigned
and Russell Harding. vice president and
general manager Of the Cotton Belt, was
appointed to succeed him
f. H Britton, general superintendent Of
the Cotton Belt, was appointed acting
general manager Of that road.
Circulars announcing these designations
and appointments have been issued sim
uItaneously from the respective general
Offices Of the company, signed by George
J. Gould, president Of the Missouri Pa
Ci6c system, and Edwin Could, president
Of the St. Louis Southwestern.
At the time the Eagle made the an
aouucement It was denied here by Mis-
souri, Pacific officials and even by Mr..
Harding himself. though it is quite ap-
parent now that the Gould interests had
concluded To make the changes and only
awaited the annual meeting 70 put their
desires into effect
Mr.. Doddridge's resignation, it is an
nounced, means his retirement from the
Missouri Pacifc-Ir1n Mountain systems.
Russell Harding was born at Spring
field, Mass. IN 1886. and began railway
service in 1870. For three years he was
Office boy and paymaster for his father,
who was then contractor for the Portland
and Ogdensburg railway. From 1873 10
1916 he was in the engineering department
and was station agent. operator and tick
ct seller for the same road from 1877 TO
1850. From 1855 10 1888 he was assistant
engineer Of construction of the Interna-
ronaI and Great Northern of Texas.
From 1854 70 1856 he was resident engineer
IN charge Of tracks, bridges and buildings
OF the same road. From January l, 1855,
to August q, 1854 he was superintendent
and engineer Of lines in southern Kan
sas OF the Missouri Pacific system, with
headquarters at wichita On September
/, 1854. he was made superintendent Of the
Dakota division Of the Great Northern.
Subsequently he became superintendent
Of the Western division. and then general
superintendent Of the entire division.
position he held when he was called to
the Cotton Belt as vice president and
general manager
IN the time that Mr. Harding was d. /
vision superintendent at Wichita OF the
Missouri Pacific he won the whole COM |
munity Of business men as his fast /
friends. and Wichita has not been more (
gratifed in irs history than 10 learn that (
Mr.. Harding is-to be general manager Of 1
the great Missouri Pacific system. In /
Mr. Harding Wichita viii have a greater /
friend than even in the genial and pleas 4
ant Doddridge, for Mr. Harding. in sew .
erai years business life here in this COM (
munity. viii understand and appreciate /
its needs. When ne left here 70 90 to
the Great Northern his friends predicted /
he would soon become the active head OF
a great railroad system. for it was ap-
parent that he was a genius in railroad
work Wichita threw hats in the air .
when it learned that Russell Harding had /
been finally selected as general manager /
OF the Missouri Pacific.
William 3. Doddridge was appointed /
general manager Of the Missouri Pacific F.
In May, 1898. and held the position con- (
until Monday. He has had an 1
extensive railroad career, having entered I.
Service IN 1855 as telegraph operator on T.
the Pittsburg. Columbus and Cincinnati. /
From 1851 to ISIS he was with the Union ,
Pacific as agent
In ISIS he was advanced 10 the impor- I
tant position Of division superintendent /
of the western section OF tbs Union Pa /
ciic railroad. IN 1851 he was made gen .
eral superintendent Of the Idaho division .
ot the same properly, with headquarters .
az ogden. Utah, and had charge Of a /
large part in the construction of the Ore .
gou Short Line and Utah and Northern .
railroads.
On account Of changes in the Union 4
Pacific management in 1874. he resigned .
his position with that company and en-
gagged with the Anaconda Copper SmeIt- +
ing company e Montana As business .
10 which territory be removed. (
In 1916 he again returned to railroad.ng. /
becoming superintendent Of the Central .
Branch Union Pacific railroad az Atchi- .
son. Kan. "a property controlled by The
Missouri Pacific company. Almost i'm
mediats,y his jurisdiction was increased +
b. the addition of the western division OF
the Missouri Pacific railroad IN 1883 ne
was made general manager of the s..
Louis Arkansas and Texas railroad. AZ
tina. time an ins0Ivent and broken-dovn
property.
For years Mr.. Dod5ri5se has been wei
known IN railroad circles in the west and .
had the credit OF very. great efficiency.