Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-03-10

gineer. He sacrf-
feed one career that held high promise
and oyercame an initial failure to
achieve his ambition.
This genius In the construction held
was born In Crac0w, Poland. In l8td.
He was the son Of Nine. Helena Mod
jeska, famous tragedlenne. His IA
Their was 4 director of theatrical COM
panies. AS lad he Travelled with his
parents through the country sections.
Often the troupe made its journey In
wagonA
It was hard but an enjoyable and
instructive life. Young Ralph. like 20
many children of theatrical folks, was
4 juvenile actor OF ability. He played
children's roles In either German or
Polish In his fathers companies.
He was taught by tutors while trav-
cling about the country. He didn't
enter school until he was over nine.
Then he took up his studies In Ora
COW. There he became piano pupil
OF CazImir Hofmann father OF JOSEF
Hofmann. Young Modjeski possessed
such high musical talent that friends
OF the family were certain he would
become as famous a pianist as his
mother was on the dramatic stage
But when Madame Modjeska came
to this country in 1876 and brought
her son with her. Ralph was think
Ing Of other things than music. While
he did not neglect his piano prac-
tice. he was beginning to think In
terms of construction and to dream
his dreams OF becoming an engineer.
The artist In music WIS making way
for the artist In steel.
The newcomers to America lived
In Hohoken for time because ex-
penses were less there. Then they
went to California and bought farm.
They knew nothing OF agriculture
Their savings dwIndled fust. Their first
income from the venture was obtained
when Ralph lasooed neighbours CALI
that had gone astray. His reward
amounted to three dollars.
Madame ModJeska learned English
She made her American debut In San
Francisco to which she and Ralph
moved. There he, too. quickly learned
the language OF his adopted land. All
the while his mother insisted that he
continue with his music. He practiced
much while he was acting as advance
agent for Madame Modjeska on her
first tour Of the United States In the
year 1877.
But his dreams we're becoming more
insistent. While he liked the life OF
travel, the atmosphere OF the theater,
the company OF artists. there was
something lacking His own career as
a musician seemed promising enough
yet he finally cast 1t aside to take up
the profession OF engineering.
He sailed for France In 1878 to
study for the entrance examinations to
the famous Ecoe des Points ct Chaus-
| sees fSchoo of Bridges and Roads,.
| He worked hard on his books. Still
| he failed In the examinations and
| didn't qualify for entrance. 1t was
bitter disappointment to the young
| ster.
| Out OF that failure grew a deter
mination to conquer the task he had
| set for himself. He stuck to his
books, definitely deciding to pass up
= musical career for that OF engineer
ing-bne of the hardest and most ex-
acting of the professions. His perse-
| yerence was rewarded. When next he
| tried the examinations he stood fourth
on the list. Before the end OF the
/ year he reached the top of his class
/ In scholarship He maintained that
standing throughout his course.
Graduating with honors from the
Ecole des Points ct Chaussees, he was
q marked young man in the engineer
ing profession from the outset Of his
career as a bridge builder. He has
lived up to his early promise and
today Is rated as one Of the greatest
engineers In the world.
1t is estimated that Ralph Modjeski
had been the directing genius back Of
almost S20O,OO0,000 worth OF bridges.
The structures he has designed span
mighty rivers in many parts OF the
i world.
The Ambassador bridge, connecting
Michigan and Ontario, Canada, the
greatest suspension bridge In the
world, Is monument to his ability.
He built the Delaware River bridge.
supervised part OF the construction
OF the Manhattan bridge and the Que
bee bridge over the st. Lawrence.
With these and many other great
structures to his credit, Ralph Mod.
jeski has accomplished what so many
OF us fail to do. He has, indeed, made
his dreams come true to the great
benefit OF the travelling public.
C. by The North American Newspaper Alliance J