Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-12-10
OF
KATY dies in
ST.LOUIS, MO.
c. N. Whitehead Spent
IS Years in Roads
Employ, Starting as
Office Boy


ST. LOUIS, Mo, Dec. 10.-tP)-C-
NJ Whitehead. 4s, president OF the
Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad, who
suffered nervous break down last
October, died in hospital here early
today.
Whitehead went TO Florida some
time ago in an effort 70 regain his
health, but returned here recently
and entered St. Luke's hospital.
Whitehead who succeeded Charles
+. Schaff as president of the Mis-
souri, -KansasTexas lines last May !.
was a native of Princeton, Ills He
rose to the presidency of his rail-
road from an humble beginning as .
messenger boy for another railroad.
His father was a railroad man
and young Whitehead entered the
railroad service az Cairo, III, rs u
messenger boy in the freight office
Of the ST. Louis-Southwestern at
the age or "a
Came To Texas In 1895
He entered the employ Of the
Katy" IN 1895 when the family
moved to Texas, accepting work NJ
a stenographer. He later served aE
clerk in the superintendent office
NJ Amithvile and Denison. and then
was transferred 10 the general
freight office at Dallas. IN 1900 he
was transferred to the office Of the
general attorney in Texas and came
To St Louis in 1901 As a stenographer
and clerk IN the office Of the general
counsel
In 1904 he went 10 the New York
office AZ assistant secretary OF the
company and remained there until
. tnr
and secretary-treasurer
Following the selection Of Schaff
as president in 1913. Whitehead came
back TO Ct. Louis as assistant to the
president. He advanced to the vice.
presidency in 1914 and served in
that capacity until the beginning or
the receivership of tho road in 1915
when he was made assistant 10 the
receiver.
Managed Roads During War.
During the period If government
control of the railroad in 1918. he
served wy general manager az the
lines north of the Red River. In
March or the next year he became
federal manager wv thc "Retv" Svs-
TEN and served in that c9 Ftv until
the end Of the governm ~ control.
His next position was chief ou-
Grating officer for the receiver. lie
occupied that position until the re-
organization az the Nissouri-Kan-
sas-Texas system in 1922, when he
was made executive ce-president.
Ten years ago, while occupying
subordinate position with the
Katy. Mr. Whitehead was offered
the presidency ~ an eastern rail-
road He declined. explaining that
re preferred to strive some day 70
become head of the road whose
service he entered as a stenographer.
lie achieved his ambition only seven
months ago, III the thirty-fifth year
of this service M the Katy.
As Mr. Whitehead ascended
through the ranks. he never per-
mittod his position ~ blot-out his
Youthful associations. He was known
as "Charlie" to enginemen, section
men and office men.
There was nm omen door policy in
the presidents office.
Mr. Whitehead insisted upon see
in~ MI vho desired to sec him.
His illness started with kidney
trouble. He entered the hosDital
here last Monday on his return from
Florida where ne sought in October
~ regain hiS health
Mr.. Whitehead is survived hv his
widow and 4 son. c. Powell White
head w 81 Louis; his mother. Mrs.
Il. J. Whitehead sister. Florence,
and a brother. Edwin. the latter
three residing i'm Dallas.
Thev arrived here before his
death.
Funeral arrangements have not
been completed.