The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-09
Men OF THROTTLE
Gather With Others to Honor
Engineer Rain.
Benefit Ball Held Last Night a
Success.
VETERAN IS At THE DANCE
He Is Helped to His Feet and
Thanks Friends.
Old Time Engineers Attend the
Benefit.

To the citizen in civil life and to the
hardened raiIroader the ball which was
given at Steinberg's Music Hail IN
honor of the veteran engineer Bill
Rain was a memorable occasion.
Many. people attended the ball who did
nos know Bill Rain but had heard of his
reputation and. ability as a runner
And of course to the men of the rail, the
affair was an occasion by which they
might meet for social intercourse and
renew acquaintance of many years
As q social event it is probable that
II has never been excelle6 in railroad
circles. A large number Of people at
tended who were not connected with
the various railroad companies in any
capacity but who have a large num-
he, of friends who are thus employed
The arrangements committee planned
and we're successful in surprising the
guests by ushering the veteran Bill
Rain for whom the ball was given and
his wife into the largo ball room. 1t
was necessary that he be taken from
his home to the ball room in a carriage
and with the assistance of number
of strong men but the veteran was
there and appeared to enjoy the affalr
as much as any person who was pres
ent.
Following the grand march. he was
assisted to his feet and supported
while he addressed the crowd and
wished them an enjoyable evening His
limbs wobbled under the weight of his
body but the determined will that has
prevailed while guiding the steel mon
ster locomotives over the steel rail for
forty years was sufficient to withstand
the demand that was again required.
Among the guests were engineers VINO
have been in service many years, but
none who have seen TIE service that
had the veteran and honored guest.
Among them was Jerry Shaw, who is
now employed at the s ate heating
plant Mr.. Shaw is veteran 1ocomo-
tive engineer. He began running" on
the Santa Fe in the early seventies but
has retired from the strenuous life and
appears to have retained much of the
vitality which enabled him to follow
the life number of years age
NIyer HurIeys Lead Grand March.
The grand march was led by Mr.. and
Mrs. Myer Hurley of Kansas City. Mr.
Hurley is chairman of the protective
committee of the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Engineers of the Santa Fe s.
tenn The mem bers of Division No. 234
OF the Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers followed and Immediately fol-
lowing them wers the visitfng engineers
with their wives. The remainder of the
crowd then fell in. A headlight with
painted on the glass was located in
front of Hairs orchestra at the west
end of the hall. The headlight was I'M
covered as the grand march turned and
approached the west end of the ball
room It attracted c lsi ,rable at
tention
Among other honored guests were
George Rain of Arkansas CITY. He is
brother of the veteran Bill Rain and
came to Topeka to be present on this
occasion George Rain is familiar
character among the old time rail-
road men of Topeka and is known to
some Of the younger set. He occupied
a place on the platform beside his
AFFLICTED brother and was greeted by
many of his former acquaintances
At least 200 couples participated in
the festivities and much credit is due
the members of the committee who
are responsible for its success The
general committee was assisted by the
members of the ladies' auxiliary or
sanization, which is composed of the
wives Of the engineers. Mrs Amos
Beeler was most active in this work
although number of others greatly
assisted her Among these ladies' were
Mrs G. V. Slanker, Mrs Mary Marker.
who is president of the local oreaniza-
ton, Mrs. W. c. Sherman Mrs George
Metzger, Mrs. Anna Becker Mrs E. s.
Ash and Mrs. c. W. THOMPSON.
The music continued until the early
morning hours and it is believed that
the affair was one Of the most eniov-
able occasions ever given in Topeka
Those Who Wore TT,e~e
The members of the reception COM
mittee were: Mrs. Mary -.vanl1er- nresi-
dent of division No 80. W. C. sherman.
George Metzger, Charles Jewell. c. v.
Slanker, ]. N. Kelley Dan Shannon
Robert Brentnan, Irwin Botkins and
Jerry Shaw.
The members of the general commit
tee were; Robert Brentnan. Dan NJ.
Shannon, Ed Ash. c. w. Tennyson and
HrXvf IN F17a
tee consisted of: Mrs. Anna Becker Of
Emporia, Mrs. C. v. Slanker. Mrs Ed
Ash, Mrs William shannon and Mrs
C. ". Thompson of Kansas City
Mr.. and Mrs. c. V. Slanker Mrs r r
Stokes, Walter MCGEE, Mrs S. James,
Mrs James MCGEE, Fred Siebert, Miss
Agnes Siebert. Miss Anna Siebert Mr.
and Mrs George W. Rain of Arkansas
City, Mrs. Ida Umpleby, Miss Eliza