Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-06-18

ing July, 1860, Mr.. Swopes parents
moved to Harrisburg, and Carl Swope,
as he was more familiarly known. re-
sumed studies, taking a course at the
old Lancastriah High School, in Wal
nut street, on the site of the present
Technical High School building. 1t
was later known as the Dewitt school.
An Early Graduate
Mr. Swope studied under the late
Daniel Burns. at that time principal
of the High School and was later su-
perintendent of the public schools of
Harrisburg. He was one of the first
graduates of the Harrisburg High
School, graduating during the year
1861. For nearly one year Mr.. Swope
was employed at the old Harrisburg
Car Works, where he helped to build
wagons used during the War of the
Rebellion. For a short period previous
to taking up his trade with the car
company Mr.. Swope was employed at
the Harrisburg Cotton Mills, now the
Harrisburg Silk Mill.
When the call came for volunteers
Mr.. Swope enlisted in the First Emer-
gency Company under the late Captain
L. A. Awl, which was organized in
August, 1862. Later Company A, One
Hundred and Twenty-s Regi-
ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, was
organized with Captain Awl in COM
mand. This company was in service a
short time, and on being mustered out,
Mr.. Swope enlisted in Company l, of
the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
serving as commissary sergeant. He
was also a member of the Harrisburg
Rifles, Harrisburg's original military
company, which later was known as
the First City Zouaves.
Promotions Came Fast
Mr.. Swope's rise with the Pennsy
was rapid and merited. He entered
the service February l, 1864, securing
position as a freight brakeman. On
his first through trip to Huntingdo
he was injured while making coup
ling. Upon his recovery he was trans
ferred and was given the appointment
of door lock inspector in the Harris
burg yards. 1t was while working in
the yards that he suffered the injury
which resulted in his foot being am
putated.
Upon his return to work after the
accident he was given the position of
yard clerk at Mifflin, assuming the
duties on March Z, 1865. He was trans
ferred on October l of the same year
to assistant yard clerk at Harrisburg
He held the position until November,
1869, when he was further advanced
W tht ppSlllOu VI WelS nHldSleT ana
yard clerk in the Harrisburg yards In
addition to the above duties, Mr..
Swope was given charge of paying all
the Middle division train service en-
ployes in Harrisburg. With the ad-
vent of the pay car he was relieved of
the latter duties.
On April l. 1883. Mr.. Swope was
given his final promotion, when the
late Superintendent o. E. Mcclellan,
of the Middle division. advanced him
to the position of timekeeper. He has
held the position since that time.
Prior to the removal of the Middle
division headquarters to Altoona, Mr..
Swope was identified with school work
and was member of the Harrisburg
School Board for several terms, start
ing during the year 1877. Mr.. Swope
has also been identified with the Ridge
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church
and for twenty years was general su-
perintendent of the Sunday school. On
hs retirement Mr.. Swope will reside in
Harrisburg permanently.