The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-15

Robinson has spent from two or three
days to two weeks at home every
never spent more than two weeks at
time in Topeka in the 1917 years
that he has been president of the
Mexican Central.
Mr.. Robinson today spoke to a re-
porter for the State Journal of the
importance of the Santa Fe shops to
the city of Topeka. Topeka should
appreciate to the greatest possible ex-
tent the enlargement of the local
Santa F'e shops" he said THE road
should have the hearty encourage
ment and cooperation of the citizens
of this CITY. 1t would now seem hard
ly likely that the shops would ever be
largement of the shops. more and
moro, should be encouraged in every
manner possible
= remember years ago the building
which is now used by the Santa Fe
for machine shop was originally
built by the King Bridge company.
After the failure of that concern, the
big building was used to house the
negroes during their exodus from the
south. Later it was used as a sort of
camping place by the Mennonites
think it was about 1878 that it was
bought by the Santa F'e and converted
for shop facilities.
newspaper of the republic of Mexico,
has paid Mr.. Robinson the greatest
tribute within its power. 1t says in
part:
NO reason for Mr.. Robinson's re-
tirement has yet been given, and the
announcement is in the nature of bolt
from a clear sky. He returned from a
short trip to the United States two
weeks ago. when lle didsnoSt; .hoowevyer.
turned to the city from a trip to the
work on the extension Of the railroad
toward the Pacific port of Manzanillo,
a work which would have been. in its
completion the last stone in his monu-
mont as a railroad builder in Mexico,
in its linking the Gulf at TampicO with
the Pacific a ManzanillO
Mr. Robinson is identified with many
interests in Mexico outside of the rail-
road AS a. director of banks. an investor
in many enterprises, and a holder Of real
estate. he IS still connected with the city,
and with his continued mem bership on
the board of directors of the Central he
does not expect to sever entirely his bust
ness relations in the republic
''Since May q. 1863 Nj Robinson has
been connected with railroads. Born on
public and preparatory schools
and went through the University of Mich
igan, graduating there in 1863 civil
engineer and in 1871 taking the degree of
master of science. He worked with the
times. and his first railroad work was
done Immediately after his graduation
when he entered the service of the St
Joseph & Denver City railroad as axman
in the engineering corps AS chairman,
leveiman, transit man. office. locating and
assistant engineer he worked, with steady
promotions, in the service of this road
until April !, 1871.
He then entered the service of the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, where he
made his great record as a construction
man Two years after he began with the
Santa Fe he was made chief engineer, a
position which he held until 1890. AS chief
engineer, ne had charge of the construc-
ia re, from chicago to the Pacific In
that time he had direct charge of the con-
structicn of over 4,5o0 miles of road. in
GLIDING in 1887 the building of the Pueblo
and Denver line, 116 miles. in 216 days.
and $50 miles Of the Kansas City and
Chicago line, in 276 days. both Of them
records of construction and management
the latter embracing the permanent
bridges across the Missouri, Mississippi,
Des Moines and Illinois rivers.
" Mr. Robinson was superintendent of
division, assistant general superintendent
re during the time when he was con-
structing engineer and from March !,
sral manager, then second vice president. !
until May. 1SSS. and then second vice |
president and general manager until his
resignation in May, 1893.
ON May 3. 1893. Mr. Robinson became !
president Of the Mexican Central. and the
history Of the road since that time has
argely been a record Of his personal !
as president. and of the
nen who have worked with him and I'M
Ter him so faithfully From the poorly /
quilt. weak road which the Central was /
when he took charge of it, it has now /
crown to be one of the largest and most |
in America. as a broad gauge /
inc extending over seventeen of the /
wenty-seVen states of Mexico
Having achieved this much Mr. Rob
nson has rendered his resignation as the I
PRESIDENT of the Central. to leave his last |
works, and what are in some ways. his /
avOrite plans, the west coast extension /
md the Tampico Short Line, to the hands /
# others
He stole Gold Dust.