Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-11-13
haoativs. Practical experience Is
essential, most OF all. and IL young

man can have college education in
addition, 1t Is very good thing. but
1t is quite possible for any boy to ad-
vance himself through his own efforts
at self-culture. | continued my work
and studies with such profit, while
was with the company. that. at the
age Of twenty-five. | found myself in
possession of the entire range of
sciences adapted to the highest eff
cheney in my occupation, and by gen
eral reading / had also gained some
breadth OF general culture.
When ! was placed over the de
partment of the mechanical drawing,
| was also made private secretary to
the superintendent OF machinery. AT
the age of twenty-eight, was appoint
ed assistant superintendent of ma
chinery by John Newell, then presi-
dent OF the company. Mr.. Newell
was typical example of self-made
railroad man, and was never slow in
opening the way for promotion to de
serving and energetic employees. 1t
has alwaS been my experience that
railroad officials are willing to advance
their men just as soon as they deserve
1t, and are quick TO recognize young
man who Is really anxious to improve
his position.
A Literary Club was an Early Means
Of Culture.
When I was very young man in
Chicago. was Interested in every
organization which would assist me in
my studies. For several years. | was
president of the Young Mems Liter
AIRY Society. an institution which did
much to foster a literary spirit among
a large number of citizens, and, while
was a member. | used to write
verses and essays. The following
| verses describing the object of our so
ciety, were written by me more than
thirty-iive years ago
OUR DUTY.
The heart that is sad where heart
should be light.
Or false where a heart should be
true,
Let us guide through the darkness OBJ
scuring the light,
And point to the future eternal and
bright,
And teach 1t to dare and to do.
The soul that is darkened by passion
and crime
Let us win from its idols of clay,
And lead to the heroes and sages sub
lime,
Whose names are inscribed on the
records of time;
Undying immortals are they
Let us fight for the right, though the
struggle be long,
With firm and answering desire.
Let us manfully battle oppression and
wrong,
With hearts that are earnest and
trusty and strong;
With God and the Truth to inspire.
Let us dare to be noble men, natures
own pride,
And dare to be true to each other
For the earth is a homestead so fruit
full and wide,
| w Z 'ui iiN - w Van wv W N"' ''''
side by side,
And each unto all be a brother.
SO great was my gain in knowledge
and experience from my connection
with the Young Mems Literary So
ciety that | am sorry such organiza-
tions are not so popular now as they
used to be.
remained with the Illinois Central
Railroad company for a great many
years, and, having started as a chore
boy and mechanics apprentice. | was
able to bring to my duties a practical
knowledge of the details of railroad
management. The three principal
Ideas which governed my actions, dur
ing my official railroad career, were
to establish mutual confidence and
kindly relations between the corpor-
alton and its employees, to gain the
respect of the general public, and
bring about a clearer and more intelli-
gent comprehension of the relations
between the people and the carriers.
and to so conduct corporate affairs
as to secure and retain the confidence
of the financial world
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