The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-06-25
RAILROAD BUILDER
CLAIMED BY Deaf \
Thomas J. Fitzgerald, Veteran
Employee of Southern Pa
cific, Passes Away.
Special to The Tribune

Special to The Tribune
OGDEN, June 24-Death claimed one
of the best known railroad builders of
the entire west when Thomas J. Fftzger-
aid, continuous employee OF the. South
ern Pacific company for nearly fifty years
and a personal friend of the late E, H.
Hartman, Julius Kruttschnitt and others
prominent In the railroad world. died at
his home In this city today, The end
came at $40 o'clock this morning. with
ell members of the family, together with
a number Of Intimate friends. at the bed
side.
Mr.. F1tzgerald's death was due to
creeping paralysis, from which he had
suffered FOR the past twenty months
fined to his bed. Nineteen months ago
he was forced to give UP his duties as
resident engineer for the Southern Pa
cifc He failed steadily until a month
only a matter Of days Although the end
was not unexpected, the announcement
OF his death will bring sorrow to a count
less number who have welcomed his kind
friendship in times of trouble.
Born in Waterford. Ireland. January 1s.
1876. Mr.. Fitzgerald came to America
when he was 1S years old. After spend
ing a few years In the east he made his
way TO California and. October Z, 1868,
accepted his first railroad position with
what was then the Central Pacific COM
pany.
He had been with the company but a
few months when his ability as construct
ing engineer brought him the position Of
superintendent OF construction work on
that portion OF the line over the Sierra
Nevada mountains. Upon the completion
of this stretch, Mr.. Fitzgerald was trans
fcrred to this city, being stationed in
Ogden when the final connection Of the
first IRA anscontinental railroad was made
at Promontory
Because OF his intimate knowledge Of
the construction OF the road, Mr.. F1tz-
gerald was made superintendent of the
maintenance OF way department for the
Salt Lake division. which includes all
lines between Ogden and Sparks, New.
OF resident engineer up 20 the time that
Illness forced him TO resign nineteen
months ago He was accorded the honor
Of veteran and pensioned upon his re-
lease from further active duty.
The high regard in which he was held
by the highest officials OF the road to
which he gave the best years Of his life
IS best shown by the fact that the late
y. Fl. Hartman never made a trip over
the Salt Lake division but that Mr., Fftz-
gerald was summoned 10 ride in the pri
vate car and furnish the frst-hand In
by asking Tom" All other officials OF
the road have shared the great regard
for the veteran that was shown by Mr..
Hartman.
so far as my personal knowledge
serves me, I feel safe in saying that
Thomas Fitzgerald did not have single
enemy among the employees OF the road
was the high tribute Of II. l., Bell. as
sistsnt superintendent of the Salt Lake
division and a lifelong friend of Mr., Fitz-
gerald. He was always ready to extend
the helping hand to any employee. from
trackman to superintendent. They all
went to him when they were In trouble
and he was ever ready to go TO the front
In an effort to help
Mr. Fitzgerald is survived by the
widow, two daughters, Mrs. George F |
McCabe and Miss Kathryn Fitzgerald; |
one son, Anthony Fitzgerald. and one |
brother. John Fitzgerald. residing in Ire
land, The funeral Will be held next Sun
day afternoon In St Joseph's church |
The Rev Father P NJ Cushnahan. a |
friend Of Mr.. Fitzgerald for many years, |
will conduct the services.