The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-12
MISSED HIS TRAIN
And Rock Island Passenger
Was Minus His Belongings.
Former Postmaster General
Picked Up I'm Topeka.

II a former postmaster general mas
any influence with the officers In power
4 at Washington today, the Rock lsiano
railway should have no trouble in keep
ing her eastern mail contract to the
Pacific coast this year. At least r.
II. Hitchcock feels kindly enough tow
ard the road and the Topeka officials
to do anything in his power to return
the courtesy.
s It happened this way:
Mr.. Hitchcock was going through on
the Golden State Limited the other
day. When the train stopped IN 70.
peixa he alighted and without his hat
or coat strolled along the platform to
Kansas avenue where he took q view OF
the Petticoat Lane of the state In the
glory Of a warm MONDAY Jayhawker
sun. Then he walked in the station
and bought one Of Topeka's fragrant
cigars.
former postmaster general was shocked
70 see his train Just rounding the curve
far down in the yards. Rushing to the
ticket window he yelled: What shall
do, what can I do? have missed
my train and my hat. coat and all my
belongings together with my ticket are
In the Pullman!"
c. G. Adams. Of the operating de-
partment, was standing near and heard
sse~>~O@
out on the platform and saw that the
Golden State Limited had gone too Tar
to be stopped. Train No. q was stand
ing on the tracks. Rushing to J. B.
6malley, assistant general manager. he
told him the situation. Chief Clerk
Gilliland Of the passenger department
also was Incorporated into the confer
ence.
None Of these men knew the identity
Of the former postmaster general. To
them he was Just regular Rock Is
land passenger who had missed his
train through no fault Of the road.
But they decided on a plan tmmedi-
ately-and the plan was carried out.
No. q was standing in the station.
The business car Of Assistant General
Manager Smalley was on the rear of
this train. In order to accommodate
the unknown belated passenger. 1t was
decided to telegraph ahead and hold
the Golden State Limited at McFar-
land, 30 miles west Of Topeka, until
No. q could catch up with California
train. Here the hatless and coatless
passenger could be placed in his Pull
man and sent on to the Pacific coast
in peace.
The details were hastily arranged,
Mr. Hitchcock was boosted into the
assistant managers car and No. ~ be-
hind a powerful locomotive left To-
peka on the trail Of the Golden State
Limited.
When the former government off,
-cial had recovered his establishment
and was aware Of the fact that in a
short time he would be back on his
train. he turned to Mr.. Smal1ey and Mr.
Adams, who were occupying the pri-i
vate car at the time and said:
Il guess you don't know who am,
do your
The two railway men admitted their
Ignorance.
well, am F. H. Hitchcock, former
postmaster general" he said. II don't
know how I'll ever be able to return
this courtesy"
The assistant general manager as
-sured Mr.. Hitchcock that it was simply
o. courtesy that the Rock Island al
ways attempts to extend to its pas
sengers, regardless Of their position in
life.
1T they pay their fare, they are in
our care" he said. 1.-THE Rock Island
Is noted for the treatment Of its pa
irons" ~
At Mcfarland the Golden State Linn
tied was taking water when No. n
pulled into the yards. Mr.. Hitchcock,
bowling in. gratitude was transferred
to his Pullman without a minutes de-
lay to the crack California train, al
though orders had been given to hold
the train until No. n arrived.
OF course the Rock Island isn't fg-
uring on any vantage points Of mail