The Topeka state journal., 1905-04-25

Mr. Hurley is another example Of
@'self-made" man. The story of his
career and his rapid rise from the
ranks is similar to that OF Mr. Nudge
whom he succeeds, except that the
background and the settings for his
various promotions have been slightly
different.
Like Mr. Nudge, Mr.. Hurley began
his railway career in the employ CT
the Santa F'e railroad and his gradual
but steady rise has been marked.
About 26 years ago he began service
as trackmau. Since that time he
has been in continuous service with
the Santa Fe. He has been success
siVely bagga geman; station clerk; ope-
rator; agent; chief clerk to general
SUI erintendent; assistant superi1tend-
ent; superintendent of the western
grand and the eastern grand divisions
respectively, and lastly has been ap-
pointed general manager.
Mr. Hurley was born at WapellO
Iowa, June /, 1861. He came to KAN
gas and got job at Strong City driv-
Ing a hack He was ambitious anu
finally got a job on the railroad as
trackman. Following this he was en-
plOyed as a freight handler and
baggageman at Arkansas City. That
was quarter of century aso, and
was but comparatively short time
after the time II. L. Nudge first went
to work for the Santa Fe. Mr Hurley
stayed at Arkansas City for year ard
was transferred to Augusta Wnere he
was employed as a telegraph operator.
putting to practical use the KNOWLEDGE
ne was able to pick up at odd mo-
ments while he was at work at Arkan-
sas city. Two years passed and he
was then sent to New Mexico as a re-
lief agent. He returned TO Kansas
and was cashier at the Hutchfnson
station till 1888 when he was made
agent at Florence
1t was while he was agent at Flor
ence that Mr.. Hurley.s first oppor-
tunlty presented itself for him to
make rapid strides in his career
one day George l. Sands who was
men general superintendent of the
santa Fe lines went to Florence on an
inspection trip.
Hurley hadn't shaved for several
Gays ana his face was covered with
heavy growth of whiskers The gen
eral superintendent noticed this at
once and decided to inquire into the
reason for it,
Hurley, it strikes me that the STA
tlon agent at Florence ought to keen
his face shaved" he said.
Agent Hurley who was aIu-a,,s
ready with an answer. no matter, 1,-l1,+
the emergency. wheeled round and ra-
pied IN his characteristic manner
ne saldi We'll, it strikes me that
time to get shaved"
The answer pleased Sands. He be
gan an investigation and found that
Hurley was a worker, and that he be
really didn't have time to get sbsvaS tlg
at all times. iis eo
In a few days Hurley received in
structtons to so to Emporia as train
master. - 9Iii-
Sands kept his eye on Hurley and
Il was not long till he was selected -
be chief clerk to the general s1ner1
lntendent at Topeka. He was 1ext
made assistant superintendent of fbe
Marceline and Fort Madison division
and was next put in charge Of ne
New Mexican and Rio Grande division
which position he held from 1894 to
1901 He was then appointed to he
acting general superintendent of tba
santa Fe Pacific and Southern Cali
1ornla railroad at Los Angeles.
His next step was when he received
the appointment as general superin-
tendent of the western grand division
Of the Santa Fe at La Junta. and in
July 1902 he was promoted to be gen
eral superintendent OF the eastern
grand division at Topeka.
On May ], he assumes the title and
duties of the office of general man
Rger Of the Santa Fe.
AS division superintendent of the