The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-27
TINSMAN MOVES UP.
WIN Be General Manager Rock Island
Lines In Oklahoma.

w. 3. Tfnsman. who has for the
past year been assistant general
manager OF the Rock Island lines
| with headquarters In Chicago, and
who was previous to that time gen.
| eral superintendent OF the southwest
| district with headquarters in Topeka,
| has been appointed general manager
| Of the ChoctaIw southern districts of
the Rock Island. By this appoint
ment Mr.. Tinsman loses jurisdiction
| of the central. southwestern and east
ern districts. which districts have re-
ported to him in his capacity as as
sistant general manager. These three
districts will report directly to f. O..
Melcher, general manager.
The news Of the new appointment
was received in Topeka late yester-
day, although it had been rumored
in official circles for several days. A
circular bearing the signature of F. o.
Melcher. general manager Of the sys-
tenn and H. y. Nudge, second vice
president, reached the general super
intendent's office yesterday afternoon.
The appointment will take effect
March /.
The change in the operating de-
partment Of the Rock Island is
necessitated by the radical legislature
of the state of Oklahoma. At the
present time there is a bill in the
lower house which provides that every
railroad operating over thirty indies
within the limits of the state must
maintain offices and a. general mana
ger must also reside within the state
This bill Is still In the Legislature OF
the new state having as yet failed
to reach the upper house. However,
there is not the least bit of doubt of
bill OF this kind passing the Okla
homa legislature. 1t will be but
short time until the other roads will
follow the lead of the Rock Island.
Mr.. 1insanan's new headquarters
Will be at Ell Reno. In his jurisddc-
ton over the Southern and Choctaw
districts Mr.. Tinsnan will become
general manager over the Rock
Island proper from Memphis to Sayre,
Okla; the Trinity s. BRACES Valley,
the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf. and
the new branch under construction
from 81 Reno to Tucumcari, N. M.
Mr.. Tinsman arrived here yester-
day on the train following the circu-
lar. He was on his way to his new
home in FL Reno and was accom-
panied by ]. A. Stewart, district pas
senger agent and H. H. Embry, gen..
eral freight agent of the lines west
Of the Missouri river Mr.. Tinsman
stated that he would take his entire
office force from Chicago owing to the
abolition of his present position and
have the Same force lin his new posi-
ton. mt
The rise of Mr.. Tnsman in rail-
road circles has BEEN a remarkable
one. His first railroad position was
as call boy in the round house Of the
Rock Island at Trenton, Mo. His odd
time was improved by the study of
teiegraphy, so that It was not long
until. he handled a key. From opera
tor he rose by successive stages until
he became a chief dispatcher.
He has held at various times posi-
tons as trainmaster on the different
divisions of this district Of the Rock
Island His ability in this position
secured for him an appointment a
few years ago as superintendent of
the Rock Island on the Oklahoma
division shortly after this line was
opened up. His headquarters were at
Chickasha in INDIAN territory. His
next position was superintendent of
the Missouri division with headquar-
ters at Trenton, Mo. In 1905 he was
appointed superintendent Of the
Choctaw division at Little Rock.
A few months later Mr.. Tinsman
was transferred to Topeka as gem
eral superintendent. He continued
here until April a little less than a
year ago when he went to Chicago as
assistant general manager.