The Elbert County tribune., 1903-02-19

| This was .-fven IN few months. and
the practical training that received
In the shops has been OF the greatest
value to me ever since. | acquired
some knowledge OF carpentry and the
designing OF locomotives, and kept my
eyes and ears open 10 learn all ]
could in every department Of the
work.
"on July 5. 1858. Mr.. Hayes gave
me a position in the department of
mechanical drawing. and from that
time | made rapid progress. Mr..
Hayes had warm heart and was most
friendly toward any boy starting in
the world for himself. and. under his
good counsel, l developed an ambition
to fit myself for the complete mastery
Of both the science and art OF me-
chanical drawing and engineering. l
began a course of systematic study.
which l continued for ten years. Mr..
Hayes soon saw that was in earnest.
and he accorded me the privilege OF
studying during ofiice hours whenever
my duties permitted. | also studied
at home in the evenings, and was able
TO make short work Of some books |
Aoos AStAAb tAhPiOy GU 80
the drawing department, | was able
to demonstrate the principles OF my
calling in a practical way. l per
ceived that it is useless to acquire
book-knowledge without knowing how
to put it into operation, and | applied
in my own self-training the principle
now advocated by the most advanced
educators,-that of combining the la
Dor of the hand with that of the
brain. in order to meet the practical
demands OF an industrial calling.
TT is probable that | may encour-
age many young men to study at
home when l say that, at eighteen
years. was on the pay roll of the
Illinois Central Railroad Company as
regular mechanical draughtsman.
This position would not have been
possible for me at that age II had
not used every spare moment to i'm
prove my knowledge of my profession.
When | was twenty years old | was
placed in full charge of the depart
ment of mechanical drawing.
THE question is often asked wheth-
er | consider a college or technical
course essential to success in a me-
chanical career and invariably reply
in the negative. Practical experience
is essential, most of all. and If
young man can have a college educa-
ton in addition, 1t is a very good
thing, but it is quite possible for any
boy to advance himself through his
own efforts at self-culture. con-
tinued my work and studies with
such profit, while was with the COM
pany. that. at the age Of twenty-five,
| found myself in possession of the
entire range of sciences adapted to
the highest efficiency in my occupa-
ton, and by general reading had
also gained some breadth of general
culture.
When / was placed over the de-
partment of mechanical drawing, I
was also made private secretary to
the superintendent of machinery. At
the age of twenty-eight. | was ap-
pointed assistant superintendent of
machinery by John Newell, then pres
ident of the company. Mr.. Newell
was a typical example of self-made
railroad man, and was never slow
in opening the way for promotion to
deserving and energetic employees. 1t
has always been my experience that
railroad officials are willing to ad-
vance their men just as soon as they
deserve 1t. and are quick to recognize
a young man who is really anxious to
improve his position