El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-08-27
Story of the Rise and the At
tending Tribulations of A.
NJ. Rouit, Now a Division
Chief.

Who is the only French railway man
in the republic of Mexico?
Why, A M Rouit is the only French
railway man in the republic of Mexico
Easiest thing in the world. Just like
that
There are many Frenchmen in Mexico
but there are none, on official record
who have followed railroading as an
habitual livelihood. Rouit is the only
and solitary it, all contradictions not
withstanding.
1t was more than 80 years ago that
A. NJ Rouit came to Mexico from
France He was merely a French adj
venturer, then starting on a tour OF
the world, a young blood with a row.
ing disposition But he has hesitated in
Mexico long enough to become ''jefe de
via lineas nacionales de Chihuahua, "
and SO forth, that is divisional super
intendent Of the chihuahua division Of
the National railways OF Mexico.
Visits Sister City.
It happened that Rouit was in
Juarez yesterday, come to look over
his divisions. for his territory extends
TO the border Of the republic. It also
happened that he told the story OF
his life to a stranger he met. 1t is
a very interesting story, partly because
Mr.. Rouit is the only French railway
man in Mexico, and partly for the story
itself
At the age Of 16 years, Rouit was left
an orphan in the city of Paris. In the
sunny republic Of France. On reaching
that golden age when all the world
seems playground. he started out to
go around the world. The year 1877
found him in Mexico. working as clerk
of a store in q border city of the re-
public.
Wins Enmity of Others.
Now young Rouit's employer was a
Frenchman and all his employees, with
Rouit's exception, were kinfolk, sons,
nephews and cousins. It was the regu-
lar old world apprentice system, where
the employe lived a the home of the
employer. fnd worked for 10 years for
his board knd little pin money now
and then Although Rouit came from
France. he didn't fancy that system.
Within a few months he had reared
ahead in the store becoming head sales
man. All the sons, and nephews, and
cousins didn't like that very well.
strange. but true. and young Rouit
lost his little Joliet.
Undaunted by this. the hero of this
story went to the City Of Mexico and
engaged with q store. also of French
management. After about a year the
same thing happened. Rouit had be-
come head of some department or 9TH
er. and all the others were very angry.
This time il was a plot, a deep dyed
ruse. which elected the wanderer. But
in the meantime he had learned TO
speak Spanish. and also learned some
thing Of the cruel world.
Becomes a RaiIroader.
In the early eighties the Mexico Gen.
trail railway was built. and Rouit was
one of the first to go TO work His
first JOB was 10 keep tab on 1000 men,
enough, no doubt. to stump the average
stranger in a strange land. But not ne.
He kept time on the 1900 with such
ease that he next became clerk TO the
superintendent of bridges and build
ing Through some hocus pocus Of
management. Rouit lost that position.
What did he do? No, not at all He
went TO work as a common carpenter,
building the bridges himself That
won. Soon he was made a bridge
foreman, and then came the rise to d.
visional superintendency. 1t took about
% years but what's that? A mere moth
ing
Now A. n. Rouit has offices at the
city of Chihuahua, and is king boss Of
the local National railway division. Il is
true that he never finished that trip
around the world But if he did, he
wouldn't be any longer the only French
railway man in Mexico, no small fame
u toss away.