Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-17

yNSU fire Chief c. q. weldman. we're native
born or resident Nebraskans. Not less than 100
minor officials and skilled laborers have also been
contributed to the army of IS ,0eo men with which
e Uncle Sam has undertaken and is rapidly complet-
ing one OF the most colossal tasks of modern times
In 1907 Governor Magoon was sent as minister
OF affairs to Cuba Promotions and changes fol-
lowed and several omahans and many Nebraskans
We're Officially recognized leaders in the work
and advanced to positions of greater authority and
higher salary However. an exodus started the
following year-and the Panamanian zone lost grad
ually the title of Nebraska Government"
George L. Camper, assistant city engineer of
Omaha, began in Panama in 1906 as water COM
missioner, but when he left in 1903 he had been
promoted to superintendent of public works for
the entire canal zone. Harry Bortn, now appraisal
engineer for the Union Pacific, was on the isthmus
from 1907 to 1909 He was In charge of a party
that made complete survey Of the city of Panama
In July, 1907. When this was completed he sur
veyed and laid out the town of San Miguel. COM
pleted typographical survey of Ancon hill and
vicinity and watershed survey Of the Pedro MI
guel valley. Camping with his men in the Jungle.
Bortin began the location OF a wagon road between
Panama and Culebra. In July, 1908, he was placed
in charge Of the department of hydraulics and
meteorology on the Rio Chagres and its tributaries
Later he was at the Culebra cut making surveys
and estimates Of steam shovel performance Here
he worked until he returned to Omaha in December.
1903, to take his present position with the Union
Pacific.
Many dangers lend to service on the canal
hazardous aspect bnt few Nebraskans have met
with serious accidents. H. P. Warren once a resi-
dent Of Omaha and now an inmate of Mercy hos
pital in Chicago, was engineer of construction in
the canal zone until year ago. when both his legs
were broken and he was rushed by boat and special
train to Chicago for treatment The shattered
bones Of one leg have been removed and grated
into the other and his recovery is now certain,
although he is probably destined always to be an
invalid. DIR. j. B. Murphy. an expert in this branch
of surgery. performed the delicate operation of
removing and grating the splintered bones. This
accident was tie sad climax of most promising
career, for Warren wentsto the isthmus as a rod
man and worked his way up until he stood at the
head of his department.. recognized authority.
sgnally honored by the government for a series Of
unusually brilliant services
Tom N. Cooke, formerly Of Lincoln is now
director Of posts in Panama Other Nebraskans now
serving in the canal zone are: C. E. Weidman
chief Of the fire department: CHARLES Logasa
craftsman for the Panama railroad, formerly in
the city engineers office in Omaha; NJ. B. Con-
nelly of Seward, superintendent Of construction on
the Panama railroad; L. X. Needham, assistant
engineer; E. zook OF Nebraska City, once in the
employ of the Burlington. engineer of maintenance;
Charles F. Koerner. assistant fire chief: William
Dotson. superintendent OF masonry.
A. X. Stone, master Of construction on the
isthmus, was formerly an employee of the street
railway Of this city. John Whitmore. now residing
at Los Angeles. formerly travelling auditor for
the Panama railroad. Alfred Larson Omaha
lad. was foreman on the Gstun locks for year
]. ]. Jeffries. once quartermaster in the canal
zone. now with the Gusyaquil Quito railrn-d.