The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-18

So cheer up, We messenger boys of
Topeka railway officeS-tnere are bet
ter times coming!
Then there is another feature in the
Rock Island appointments. George
Hetherington, the newly appointed
chief clerk TO General Manager Sweet
started his railway life as a call boy
a small boy in knee pants chasing
around from house to house in the mid
die of the night rOusing sleepy engine
men and trainmen from their beds, re-
ceiYing the heel of many a flying shoe
on the head, and enduring the hard
ships of typical yard Office.
Once again-better spirits, We call
boys!
The Rise of A. T.. Sweet.
The rise of A. E. Sweet to general
manager of one of the largest districts
of a big railroad is one of the exam
pies of the great chances for a person
with energy and ability iii railroad
work. He started his railroad work as
an Office boy-and in three years he
had gone through all of the desks of
the Office in which he started. His rapid
ascension in railroad circles reads like
a novel.
A. Z. Sweet is of the new type of
railroad mcn-despite the fact that ne
started in the work in 1883. Full OF
good nature, with a Hurley-hand- shake
and with good word for everybody
he is undoubtedly one of the most pop
ular officials with both the officers and
employees of his road.
He started as office boy in the office
of the division superintendent of the
Santa Fe at Las Vegas. After this
work he was made chief clerk to Su-
perintendent Nudge of the Santa Fe
(Mr. Nudge is now president of the
Rock Island) with headquarters in San
Marcial. This place he held for five
years. From here he went to Colorado
Springs as chief clerk to Superintend-
ent Bryant of the Colorado Midland
which was a part of the Santa Fe at
that time.
In 1894 Mr.. Sweet came to Topeka as
transportation clerk which place he
held until 1897. In 1897 he was made
chief clerk to Assistant General Su-
perintepdent Turner holding this place
in Topeka for three years when he was
promoted again to trainmaster of the
Missouri division. Headquarters at
Marceline. Until July, 1892, he was
here and was transferred to the New
Mexico division but he stayed there but
four days when he came to Topeka as
assistant to the general manager. Mr.
Nudge was general manager in To-
peka at that time.
Here is where Mr. Sweet left the
Santa Fe for the Rock Island. Nj.
Nudge vas made second vice president
of the Rock Island lines and Mr.. Sweet
WAS scrt to Louisiana as general man.
aSer OIL 'Ae Arkansas d Louisiana
which was then controlled by the Rock
Island. He was there from 1905 until
1906 when he was made assistant tC
Vice President Nudge. In 1907 April
he came to Topeka as general superin-
tendent OF the southwestern district
December :, 1909. Mr.. Sweet was promo,
ted to assistant to President Nudge al
Chicago and has been holding that DO.
sition until now-and February 1 he
will be officially appointed as genera
manager, headquarters at Topeka
George Hetherington's Career.
George B. Hetherington is another
good fellow" type-a man who mean,
much to a railroad as to its standint
In the community through which i
runs. Always ready to answer cues
.tions, settle complaints and explain tn,
service, he is an efficient man with tn,
operating department 1t has beef
known for some time that the Rock Is