The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-21

This appointment will be made in a
few days-probably September by W.
F. Buck, superintendent of motive pow
er of Chicago. Circulars have not been
issued and the official announcement
has not been made on account of the
doubt as to just what the new title
will read. 1t is understood that Mr..
Purcell will be either general super
intendent CT shops CT 'esuperintend-
ent of machinery
superintendent PurceII's territory viii
cover every line of the Santa Fe from
Chicago to the Gulf and to the Pa
cidc coast. He will be at the head of
the 15 odd shops all over the 1900
miles of Santa Fe lines.
Superintendent PurcelFs headqusr-
ters will remain in Topeka.
Started as Apprentice.
This is Cne of the most popular ap-
pointments in Santa Fe railroad cir
cles for some time John Purcell is a
railroad man well and favOrably known
in every terminal and station on the
Santa Fe. He is a man who has work
cd his way up from the bottom of his
department and at this time heads the
greatest railway shops In the world.
Superintendent Purcell is a Santa
Fe all the way man. He began work
as an appt entice in the Santa Fe shops
in Topeka in 1884. In other words he
has in 27 years gone through the vari-
Gus departments Of the shops until now
he stands at the head of the entire sys-
tenn of a railroad which is considered
one of the greatest in the world.
After Mr.. Purcell completed his ap-
premiership in Topeka he went right
into the shops. In 1887, only three
made a gang foreman. This record
stands good on the Santa re today
Purcell was the youngest gang fore
man in the history of the road.
Later Mr. Purcell was made foreman
of the east erecting shop. Then as
sistant general foreman and a little
later roundhouse foreman. Then Pur-
cell left Topeka for Argentine where
he was made assistant master mechan-
ic. After a few years he was given
the position of master mechanic and
then was transferred to Fort Madison
to become master mechanic of the Chi
cago divisiOn-noW the Illinois and Mis-
souri, divisions
In April, 1902, 51r. Purcell was made
superintendent of the Topeka shops and
he has held that position ever since.
Greatest Repair Shops in World.
superintendent Purcell has seen the
Topeka shops grow and expand until
they were considered the greatest rail-
way shops in the world. He was one
of the first believers in the apprentice
system and while master mechanic at
Shopton he paid personally 1ar an in
structor to teach an apprentice class
that he organized there and demon
strated the value of the instruction. In
Topeka he has been a strong supporter
of the apprentices. Now the appren-
tice system of the Santa Fe under
Frank Thomas is considered one Of the
most valuable assets to the mechanical
department.
A few weeks ago when Superintend-
ent Purcell went on an extended west
ern tour of the lines with W. F. Buck
superintendent of motive power. it was
whispered around in railroad circles
that something was up Now the
whisperings have been transformed
into well founded rumors and the ru-
rnors have come true.
Superintendent Purcell will remain
in Topeka. Topeka couldn't do without
him He will organize his office force
in this city and supervise the work
from here. The new position has just
been created by the superintendent OF
motive power
None seems to know who will b.
given the position Of superintendent Of
! the Topeka shops when Mr.. Purcell
takes up his new duties This appoint
ment will be made later.