The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-06

LII IAlS OAAlCldl u Tile AICulSOI,
Topeka & Santa Fe this contribution
to success in railroad work is especially
noticeable. The latest man to ruin the
pipe dreams of the college bred is L.
M. Jones, who was announced in the
State Journal last evening as being the
new superintendent of telegraph of the
Santa Fe
He Built the Fires.
Superintendent Jones started in
around a little out of the way station
at Creighton, Mo. He was boy of 18
years and always had an idea that he
standpoint of the telegraph key. So ona
day he approached the agent and
operator at Creighton on the old Kan
sas City, Clinton & Springfield railway.
He wanted to help around the station
sweep out in the mornings, build the
fires, carry water, ETC.. and learn to
use the Morse alphabet between times.
1t was during the fall of 1887 and the
spring of 1888 that Mr.. Jones, then
boy of II, learned the art of pounding
the Brass And it was probably be-
cause Mr. Jones started in this way
learning the work from the bottom
that he was given the high position Oh
the Santa F'e that he takes July Is.
After working around the above
mentioned station for eight months
Mr.. Jones accepted his first position
that of operator at Columbus, Kan, on
the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis
railway (now the FRISCO. This was IN
August, 1888.
And what was your salary in this
first position?" was asked of Mr.. Jones.
superintendent Jones stopped for Il
minute looking out of his office window
over the broad expanse of the state
house grounds. 1t was some time be-
fore he answered. Then as a smile
crept over his face, he answered:
Forty dollars a month-and say 1t
did look big.'
This ended the preliminary expert
ence of Mr. Jones-and also the end If
the first chapter.
First Work With Santa F'e.
The second chapter opens up with
the beginning of his real life's work
his first job with the Santa f'e;
One day along about the first or
November, 1890, Operator (for that is
what he was them Jones strolled into
the Santa Fe offices in Kansas CITY,
He said he wanted a job as operator
anywhere would do-just so he had
officials looked him over and asked him
what he could do. He told them that
he thought he was pretty fair opera
tor.
They had been short a night opera
tor at Neosho three or four days. 1t
was absolutely necessary that man
be sent to this place at once.
would you like to go to that place
until we can IND you something pet
ter?'' the Santa Fe man asked young
Jones.
sT'll be glad to go until you find an
other OPERATOR answered the young
expert and he took the first train for
Neosho Rapids.
And here is where Mr.. Jones re-
ceived his first real recognition with
the Santa Fe. In fact he only stayed
four nights as night operator at Neo-
sho Rapids. Then he was called in to
the dispatcher's office in Arkansas City
and with a raise of fifteen dollars a
month took his first responsible posi-
ton with the road.
Mr.. Jones stayed in Arkansas City
from November 8, 1880, to April 80,
1891, when he came to Topeka as
clerk in the office OF superlntendent or
telegraph-in the office over which he
holds command at this time
This is the end of the second chap
ter-and the beginning of the third.
Clerk in Topeka.
with his knowledge and. experience
in the active duties of telegraph
operator, his work out on the road
along this end of the railroad lines,
and his competency in all assignments.
I, M. Jones did not remain as clerk
very long.
After four years in the office under
Sunerintendent r. B. Gemmen. Mr..
tones. was given the position of chief
clerk: and when he had served seveS
wears as head of the clerical work,
he was appointed assistant superin-
tendent of telegraph. This appoint
ment was made August IA. 1902.
Here it is July 6. 1910. and L. NJ.
Jones. erstwhile station handy man.
apprentice, operator, dispatcher and
clerk. is to be made superintendent of
telegraph of the great Santa Fe sys-
tenn with over ten thousand miles
- n