The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-12-20
STORY OF LEW KTTzMAN
LONG IN THE EMPLOY OF THE
NORTHWESTERN ROAD
His Parents, Sisters and Broth
ers All Killed In Indian
Massacre


and sisters, in an Indian massacre, at
the age of thirteen years when he
was thrown or the mercy of an uncle,
obliged to start earning his own liv-
ing at a tender age; now through
diligence and strict attention to his
duties he has climbed iE the service
of the Northwestern railway until as
a reward, we'll earned he has been
honorably retired and pensioned,
makes the life story of Lew Kitzman,
for forty six years and six months q
trusted employee of local railway,
and for many years a resident of
Winona, one of exceptional interest,
says The Wirona Independent.
Native of Wisconsin.
L. Kitzman was born in Princeton,
Wis, August %, 1851, the oldest son
in the family. His parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Paul Kitzman, were farmers. In
1858 the family came to Minnesota,
settling on farm near Faribault.
Two years later they moved to Rem
vile county, where the elder Kitzman
filed or homestead, and then conf
mepced that struggle so well known
to the early pioneers, that of wiring
ing from the raw prairie the means of
existence amid all the handicaps and
privations with which that life has
been so rich.
For two years the family resided
there in peace, and as the prairie,
slowly yielding to the hand and to
the pillow, ard as grass covered hills
and wales were transformed into
fields of waving grain, happiness be-
came an asset in conjunction with
success. The future looked bright
and promising. Years of joy and Sc
rurity were looked forward to, and
that happy family circle did not
dream that great calamity was how
eling over them.
The Murderous Sioux
August Is, 1862, is date well fixed
in the mird of Mr.. Kitzman, because
of the horrors it brought Neither
time nor events will ever efface it..
Hordes ard murderous Sioux Indians,
who. had been restless for some time
previous, ended their war dances by
starting raid on the defenseless and
ursuspectirg pioneers of that section.
Homes were burned and men and
women foully murdered. Among them
were the father, mother. brothers
and sisters of Mr.. Kitzman, and he
was carried o,way q captive, the soul
survivor of the happy circle.
He was carried to Big Stone Lake,
the stronghold of the tribes of the
Sioux, where he was held in captivity
for time. with many other children.
After finally being released, he made
his way to Princeton, to the home Of
his urcle, Johr Kitzman, who later
moved to Rochester, MINI, where he
ard his family bought a farm. Here
again he helped ir. the development
Of the wild prairie iEto a semblance
of home. Many day, he saws he
spent riding the lead OK on the break
ing pillow or. the farm of his uncle and
on that of neighbors.
Lessons Of the Prairie.
The lessons taught by the prairies
and the experiences which came to
hir'r when mere child, endowed him
with spirit of determination ~"
perseverance which in after-life has
proven ar asset of great value in
shaDing his career. In 1872. hGv'n"'
atta'rod his majority, he left The
homestead of his uro'" ~~d started
out to make a fortune for himself; to
carve ar existence ard substance
from the unknown future. There be-
ing ar opportunity to enter the service
of the old Winona and st. Peter rail-
way, he came to Winona, and on
May Is, 1872, made his first trip as
freight brakeman. He had found his
life work. Breaking" those days
was far from what it means to be a
brakeman today. There were no air.
brakes, no automatic couplers, no
accommodations or the many means
of tightening the work of handling
freight which may be found today
The inventor had not invented, and
a "brakie" had to suffer as conse-
quence. Stepping along the top of a
train, perhaps covered with ice, from
car to car to set the old hand brakes
on dark night, was a task which
not only meant much effort, but was
accompanied with danger For five
years he continued in this work,
meaning to make eoch year the last
when one day came letter from the
superintendent which carried the
news that he had been promoted to
freight conductor. This brought a
resolution to stay with the job. When
the Winon6 and st. Peter was taken
over by the Chicago and Northwest
ern, he continued in his capacity un-
der Superintendent Sanborn. Three
years later another promotion was
given him, this time to be passenger
conductor, between Zumbrota and
Chatfield. On March 5, 1888, he was
given the run between Winona and
Tracy on the main line, and this was
his regular run until few weeks ago
when orders came by which he was
retired on pension and excused
from further duty.
Never An Accident Of Consequence
During the years he was conduc
tor, he became a familiar figure
known to nearly every person alone
the line. The name Lew" Kitzmar
is known to hundreds of people who
have had occasion to travel on this
road. He never had an accident oil
any consequence, and was never SER
iously injured during all the years OF
his service. Although it was with
regret that he relinquished his place
to another man next in years of serv.
ice, he says it is the same time g
relief to be released and given ar
opportunity to enjoy his home life
and the company of his friends, with
out being conscious that he is forsak
ing the duty to his employer.
On January 81 1873 he was INIT