The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-11

miles or about seven eighths of the to-
tai mileage of the system, either once,
twice. or three times in various ca
Daeites, either as trainmaster. d.
vision superintendent general superin-
tendent or general manager in charge
Of the various portions OF the line, at
different times.
Yet if the news Of this distinction
depended upon Mr.. Huriey's telling, it
might never be in print. At various
stages of his career or at the times
marked by well earned promotions. re
porters have asked Mr. Hurley for
facts that might be illustrated with
anecd0te an dreminiscence, but to all
he turned a deaf ear He quietly but
firmly declines to talk with reporters
on such topics. All the old reporters
in the towns along the Santa Fe have
come to know the result of errands to
Mr.. Hurley for stories about himself.
They have learned how fruitless those
errands are and never attempt to get
that class of news from him. None
but "cub" reporters unfamiliar with
his mental characteristics ever ask
him for this kind Of information.
Mr. Hurley is an extremely modest
man in regard to personal matters
and IS wholly unos1entauous IN ms
makeup. He has no time to talk
about himself for he is an untiring
worker full of energy, and no OBJ
stacle appears too big to be sur
mounted He maps out campaign
and heWs to the line regardless of
consequences. However, it is likely
that there is not a man on the road
more wholesomely liked than IS Mr..
Hurley and he has received more than
four hundred kilograms and letters OF
congratulation since his recent ap-
pointment as general manager.
How He Was Educated.
Mr.. Hurley is distinctively a self
made and a educated man. The
secret of his phenomenal success in
life is explained in telling of the man
ner in which he acquired an educa-
ton. The story OF his early struggles
for knowledge is full of pluck and
energy. and in this connection it may
be said that Notwithstanding the fact
that Mr. Hurley began to climb the
ladder to success starting from the
very lowest rung as a trackman on the
section he was we'll equipped with an
education when he made that start,
and that fact together with his in
domitable viii. has carried him
through every stage Of his advance
ment.
Mr.. Hurley was the youngest of the
sons of Doctor John Hurley of Wa
pelIo Iowa. The brother next nearest
his age was "a years older. and for
this reason he was somewhat at loss
when boy, for companion in either
of his brothers
Being by himself a great deal in his
home life he developed an exceptional
mental capacity at an early age. and
became a logical thinker His ca
pacity in this direction brOadened as
ne grew older, and he is now reckoned
as one of the broadest and most prog
ressive of the western railroad men,
and his judgment and business acumen
stand him in good stead now that he
will have complete charge of from
four to five million dollars worth Of
Improvement expenditures to make
during the coming summer.
Mr. Hurley completed the school
work as far as it was carried in the
public schools at Wapello at the age
of y years. At that time he passed
the examination given by the county
SUPERINTENDENT and received a GER
tfffeate permitting him to teach school
in Louisa county. Iowa He saw the
necessity of a better education and
decided to strike out for himself and
make his own way through college
and through the world. He decided to
attend the state Normal school of
Iowa at Bloomfield and before he was
/ 3 wears of age he was enrolled as a
student at that institution
When He Pawned His Watch.
Here was where the first real test
of his character came. This is a story
that has never before been in print.
and If would not now have appeared
except that a reporter for the State
Journal was able 70 get II from a close
personal friend who is familiar with
his early life
Young Hurley decided to make his
oWu way through college entirely un-