The Dickinson press., 1904-01-02
Trdinn1aster C.. w. Houston.
Given a Genuine Surprise and Presented
With a Handsome Gold Watch
and locket,

!
form Glendive Sunday morning on his
way to Grand Forks to take up his duti. s
trainmaster, he was met at the depot
by a delegation of railroad boys who
informed him that a party of friends
awaited him in the rooms he formerly
occupied while here. Mr.. Houston as
the stairs in his usual cool, un-
affected way, little dreaming what the
boys had in store for him. There was
little time for ceremony, but H. D.
Stephenson, on behalf of the boys Of the
Ist and end districts of the Yellowstone
division, in a pretty address of we'll
chosen words, presented to their long
honored and worthy trainmaster a beau
titul gold watch, chain and charm.
MI. Houston wa SO completely over
come by surprise, and SO great was his
feeling of appreciation. that his only
reply in thanks was: There are times
in a mans life when his pipe goes out
and this is the time that mines out"
With tears rolling down his cheeks
which spoke volumes, more than words
could yer express-Mr. Houston, the
trainmaster under whose courteous and
efficient supervision this large army of
men labored so tremendously and pleas
antly for SO many years, babe a fond
farewell to the N. P. boys and continued
on his journey.
The watch presented to Mr.. Houston
was a high. grade Riverside Waltham
movement, solid gold case and beauti-
fully engraved, while the locket was a
rich article of gold with a costly dia-
mond setting. The watch engraving
read, presented to c. w. Houston.
trainmaster, by the employees Of list and
End districts Yellowstone, Dec. u, 1908.
Mr.. Houston came to the Yellowstone
division in 90 where he served as chief
dispatcher until 'oI when he was pro-
NOTED to the position of trainmaster.
His departure from this place is deeply
regretted by Mr.. Houston as we'll as by
his large number of friends and CO.
workers, but in accepting this wider field
| of labor, Mr.. Houston did so on account
c. the delicate condition of his wife's
health, with whom the high altitude and
other prevailing atmospheric conditions
does not agree. His jurisdiction ex.
tends from Winnipeg Junction to Penn.
bina, with headquarters at Grand Forks
MI. Houston although somewhat stern
and abrupt in his manner of speech
was ever a friend to the railroad men
and for him a kindly feeling of friend.
ship and esteem will ever live in the
hearts and memories of those whom he
has counseled and guided safely over the
rough places all these years.
Mr.. Houston's knowledge of railroad
ing was broad and comprehensive. His
mind was always clear and his Judge
ment rarely at fault. He possessed ;
thorough knowledge of his work ane
knew when the rigid enforcement o.
rules was necessary; yet SO clever in thu
enforcement of same as not to offend tn.
most sensitive. No cutting criticism
ever fell from his lips, and while thos.
laboring under him felt that his wore
was law and that his orders must b.
strictly obeyed, they also took pleasure
serving n whose superior knowledge
of the work they recognized and whom
they knew at all times-so far as bust
ness rules would allow-was their friend
That the higher railroad officials unde
whom he has been serving fully recog
nized and appreciated his superio
knowledge of the intricate work and hi
faithful attention to duty, can be bes
proven by the manner in which he ha
been promoted from time to time, and i
sufficient evidence that his good wor|
has been appreciated by those bes
able to Judge.
Mr.. Houston was accompanied as ia
as Sims by Yard-master F. D. Wilson
Conductor Sexton, Foreman ALT. Whit
and H. D. STEPHENSON, who invited hi1
to lunch in the dining car and wher
he found his money counterfeit, the boy
gladly paying all expenses and also pr
senting him with a box of cigars. Cor
ductor AL Nichols who was in charge
the train also participated in the festi,
spread.
H. D. Stephenson, better known
Steve, and one of the best fellows c
the N. P. system, came up from Manda
by request to deliver the p%resentatic
remarks, and doing SO in his clever, il
imitable style, made a lasting impressie
upon the minds OF those present, al!
affecting to tears the gentleman
whose honor they were assembled ar
to whom the kind words of esteem we
thus addressed.
Suffice to say in closing this artic
, that MI. Houston leaves in Dickinst
friends without number and carries wi
him to his new field Of work the be
t wishes and never failing regard of eve
!, railroad mar and individual whom it b
been his pleasure to know, and shou
: he ever return to the "old campil
ground" a warm welcome of "real frien
ship" will be accorded him. His pr
motion to a higher position is look
Q forward to in the neal future by t
Dickinson people and the news of SUI
: will be heralded with much pleasul
and especially by those most Interest,"
\ in his future advancement.
The First $500 Bill.
The first $500 greenback issued
our government was in 1862, and ev
e since 1864 has been an heirloom of
prominent family. Its age has incres
ed its value greatly. This is also tr,