Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-02

matter for me to hand In my
49, resignation, even though I was
IQ31SI convinced that by SO doing |
- would be enabled to grasp the
opportunity OF my life" said Edward
Dickinson, in speaking Of his resignation
as general manager Of the Union Pacific
to become vice president and general man
ager OF the Kansas City, Mexico e. Orient.
When it is considered that for thirty
three years Mr.. Dickinson had been in the
service OF the Union Pacific 1t will not be
difficult to appreciate the significance Of
his remark, ut was one Of the hardest
tasks Of my life to leave the old road"
Whatever Of fortune, whatever OF mis-
fortune has come to the Union Pacific, has
been shared by Edward Dickinson, insofar
as the relations OF an employe to a
great railroad warrant. For Mr.. Dickin-
son began his service, as he expresses It,
lin the year one, so to speak" The
Union Pacific was completed May 10, 1869,
and the name Of Edward Dickins n was
entered on the pay roll in June OF the
same year. with the exception of two
short periods this service has been con-
tinuous.
The career OF Mr.. Dickinson furnishes
many a good lesson for the youth who
Ito fame and fortune unknown" is about
to embark on life's uncertain voyage. 1t
may not give him the key to the vault Of
riches, for MIR. Dickinson's work has not
been hat OF a fnancier and he has pro-
ceeded thus far in life without amassing
any great amount Of wealth. But for in
dustry. enterprise, perseverance and in
domitable will power, his career is not
lacking in good examples. His rise from
messenger boy at the age of II to general
manager at AZ, is evidence enough Of the
qualities of the man.
Edward Dickinson was born in Cumber-
land, Md, October 8, 1850. His parents
were unfortunate and he was thrown upon
his own resources when IL years Of age.
He secured a position as messenger boy
in Cleveland, o., in the office Of the old
Cleveland & Toledo railroad. While work
ing as messenger boy he found time, now
and then, to devote to Learning telegraphy,
and as early as II years OF age he was
holding a regular operators position in
Cleveland for the Atlantic g. Western.
Evidently the boy had chosen the right
occupation, for he acquired great skill as
a manipulation of the wires and his ad-
vancement was rapid. In June, 1869, at
the age of 10, he came to Omaha and ac-
copied the position OF clerk and operator
for the Union Pacific in the old freight
house which then stood down in the Mis-
souri, river bottoms on part OF the tract
now occupied by the shops. He remained
but a short time in this capacity, how
ever, and soon returned to Ohio, where
he became assistant train dispatcher on
the Atlantic & Western in Cleveland, this
being his first really responsible position.
The western fever again seized him., and
by December, 1871, he was back in Omaha
as night dispatcher for the Union Pacific.
He handled this position so well that in
a short time he was promoted to that of
chief train dispatcher at Laramie. In the
summer OF 1877 he was made superinten-
dent OF the Laramie division. His next
promotion was to the general superinten-
dency of the Wyoming division, which he
held until November, 1884, when he was
sent to Denver and made assistant gen.
eral superintendent of the entire system.
He was appointed to this position by S.
r. Galloway, then general manager of the
Union Pacific, recently president OF the
New York Central railroad, and now presi-
dent OF the American Locomotive works.
In April, 1887, Mr.. Dickinson became gem
eral superintendent of the system, which