The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-26
RAILROAD NEWS.
r. J. Parker Hard at Work
When Promotion Came.
Received Word of His Good For
tune at K. C. Union Depot.
UP FROM THE RANKS.
New Official Carried Water sto
CONSTRUCTION Gang.
Gossip and Matters Of Interest
in Railroad Circles.

r. ]. Parker, of Marceline, No, di-
vision superintendent of the Santa Fe
railway, sat in his private car at the
Union depot yesterday debating letters
to his stenographer, says the Kansas
City star
Take that string OF empties from
the siding, send those two cripple fats
to the rip track. double back to
he was saying, when a friendi entered
the car.
Hello. ParkerI Congratulations"
The Precipitation was rolling down
the superintendent face, he had dis
carded his coat and a handkerchief
was frequently applied to his temples.
He looked the picture of discomfort.
A sad smile came over his features
as his friend offered congratulations.
Thought 1t Was a Joke.
What are you drivin' in here, con-
graduating me about" he said 'Ain't
1t bad enough to sit here and melt,
with work stacked to the ceiling, with
out having some breezy one blow in
and stick out his hand to congratu-
late you? I don't see the joke
why I'm congratulating you on
your promotion" his friend resumed.
"Glad to see it,"
What promotion q" Parker asked.
TOu-you to be general superip-
tendent OF the western grand division. "
when ?"
July I; Mr.. Hurley, the general
manager, made the order today"
and tell that other section gang to
get into the weeds around Marcellne,
Mr.. Parker continued to his stenog-
Tapher, paying no further attention
to the news of his promotion. Fin
ally he turned and said.
well, it's nice, I guess, to get a
raise in wages. III be glad to try it,
and III do the best I can. Whose
did u 7 fn0IrS Mr. Fox ?
What's become of him ?"
HE goes to Topeka to take the
place held by General superintendent
Cain before he went to the Rock Is
land"
It's ali very nice Mr.. Parker said
1--WE been railroading long time
His First Railroad Work.
r. j. Parker's first railroad work
was carrying water for construction
gang building a section of the Chi
cage, Milwaukee & St Paul railway,
between Minneapolis and La Crosse
His job paid fifty cents d day This
was in 1871. He had come from Red
Wing, MINI, direct from the farm. He
afterwards worked as brakeman and
was given position as freight con-
ductor.
"They tried to pull me off he said.
because / was under age The sup
erintendent. c. A Prior, learned was
only twenty years old, and told c. w.
Case. his assistant that I must go.
But Case lnterceded in my behalf, and
Prior let me stay. 1t came near end
ing railroad work for me, though
Mr.. Parker was given charge Of
construction of the Fargo Southwest
ern railway, a line now part of the
Milwaukee system, running from Or
tonville, Mimi, to Fargo, S. D., 120
miles. In 1884, wishing to get with a
larger system, Mr.. Parker went to
the Santa Fes and began working out
of EmpOria, Kansas, as a brakeman.
He was kept at this just four months
and Santa, Fe officials learned of his
track knowledge and placed him in
charge of a construction train. He
kept this train until 1887, three years
His Recent Railroad Work
He was then appointed roadmaster
of the line from Newton to Dodge
City, and held it six years. or until
January. 1898. He was then trans
ferred to Topeka as general roadmas-
ter of the eastern grand division. In
1897 he went to Newton as division
superintendent, and served in a like
capacity at Pueblo. In April, 1902, he
was transferred to Marceline, as SUI
perintendent of the Missouri division
His territory extended from Kansas
ker is 48 years old He was born on
a farm near Roscoe, MINI.
Railroad men say Mr.. Parker is es-
pecially capable of taking charge OF
the western grand division, as general
superintendent, because of his knoWl-
edge of general railroad and cOnstruc-
ton work. Much territory which has
been devastated by the foods will
come directly under his care.