Images de page
PDF
ePub

vert, severely injuring himself. Nearly fainting from the pain of his injuries, he crawled and hobbled back far enough to flag the express in time to prevent serious injury to either life or property. When the express stopped, the tank of the disabled engine was up on the pilot beam of the express engine, while the engineer of the disabled engine was still unconscious in the cab.

I personally investigated this affair and wondered how the fireboy, injured as he was, ever got back far enough to stop that train. My thoughts at the time were that it was about the most heroic affair that ever came to my attention, and I have heard of nothing since that exceeded it. That boy ought to have been pensioned; he got it (in the neck). He was discharged not long afterwards for some minor offense.

Fraternally yours,

J. W. READING, Div. 286.

Carelessness in Paying Dues.

TEMPLE, TEXAS, Oct. 7, 1905. EDITOR JOURNAL: Judging from Bro. Randolph's letter the F. A. E. of Div. 620 must have a very easy time, and the Brothers of Div. 620 must be well drilled in the matter of prompt payment. I would like to exchange desks with him, or, better yet, would thank him to instruct me in his system of collection.

Speaking of the Brothers having but one man to look up on pay-day, I will say my books are in the bank from the first until the last day of each month. This bank is open six hours per day, six days per week, and is where nine-tenths of the pay checks are cashed, and yet I have to use my own funds in order to keep the careless ones in good standing. I have from two to six each month that must be run down and held up to get my money back. Their excuse is they did not have a chance to go to the bank. The real reason is they are too busy making 150 to 250 miles per day; but it is all right for the F. A. E. to lay off a trip and hunt them up or pay their assessments out of his own pocket.

No, Bro. Randolph, I cannot help but

think the F. A. E. earns all he gets. However, I would like to see a plan evolved by which we could save that three per cent, or a great deal of it, and would suggest the following: Handle all the business of collecting direct from the home office. It would not take many more clerks. Take the average monthly assessment for the last ten or fifteen years and levy an assessment on January first for the entire year or, rather, twelve assessments, each of a different number, and mail each member his twelve coupons. He could then remit each month the amount of one assessment, or pay as many as he wished at once. The Grand office could mail him a post card receipt, and this receipt with the additional clerk hire would be the greatest item of additional expense, as all the expense of printing is at present born by the association. coupon to bear the date of the month for which it was issued, and to be payable within thirty days, with a further limit of fifteen days before forfeiture of insurance. Each Brother would then be handling his own insurance and dealing with those to whom he was a stranger and I believe this would do away with a large part of the carelessness which is at present causing so much trouble. The Brothers would realize they must pay up or lose out, and there would be no such thoughts as, "Well, the F. A. E. is all right. He will not let me become delinquent."

Each

Of course, if a Brother could not meet his payments, he could ask the Division to advance him the money and the law as regards being carried by the association need not be changed.

I see by the JOURNAL that Bro. Futch in addressing the Brothers of Div. 1, at Detroit, Mich., September 17th, stated the average cost of insurance in our association for the past seventeen years was $17.79 per thousand. That would make a $1,500 policyholder average $26.89. Why could not a yearly assessment of $27 be levied, to be paid in twelve installments, the amount to be doubled for $3,000 policyholders, and so on? I think we could save two and a half, or at least two out of

[blocks in formation]

Write for the Correspondence Department.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., Oct. 10, 1905. EDITOR JOURNAL: I promised you that I would endeavor to give you a letter for each month's edition of the JOURNAL for the year 1905, and I had two objects in view, the first, because in keeping out the Division Addresses it left a great deal of space for correspondence, etc., which I believe the members should interest themselves in and not expect you to do it all. My second reason was to try to get others interested in writing for this department something that will be of interest to our readers. I have not had the pleasure of ever having met you or any of the good Brothers who have during the year interested themselves in the various subjects in this department, and methinks that if a young fellow can give you twelve letters in one year that surely in this Brotherhood there are Brothers who can write something about the locality in which they live, the road and the various places along which they run, that coming from the north, south, east and west, they would be interesting reading and more instructive than anything I can write about, remembering that the Correspondence Lepartment will be just what we make it.

Now, I want to speak on a subject that so many take very little interest in, and that is the Holy Bible. In all Division rooms I have ever visited, about the first thing I see is the Bible open. In my day I have seen Divisions opened-but it was years ago-by a chapter being read, and I

would like to ask the question how many never read the Book. Upon the table is an air brake book, a book of rules of the railroad, the Holy Bible, and the B. of L. E. JOURNAL. Not one of these dare I go shy on if I want to keep up-to-date on the railroad, or posted in the affairs of our Brotherhood, and such being the case, why dare I neglect the other, for it teaches me how to live, and as we live, generally we die. With your kind permission I would like to give a few reasons that come to my mind why we should read the Bible. Begin at the beginning of it and read it carefully through. I care not for what reason—it might be for fun-it might be because you do not believe it; however, don't go out of the world without having read it through, and as you read it all the surprise will be on your side, not on the sie of the writer, because it is God's Book and written to be obeyed, and it is the Book of books and has forced its way where no other book has gone, for it is the Book of the whole world, and often as I visit homes and see it hidden under a glass case or wrapped up in fancy paper, the leaves yellow with age or having the appearance of having never been opened or read, if makes me ashamed. Why have it about and afraid or ashamed to read it? Better to

Let us own its supremacy,
Bow to its authority,

Confess its sufficiency,

Cling to its integrity,

Walk in its light;

Let us expect every prophecy,
Obey every precept,
Cherish every promise,
Heed every warning,
Believe every fact, and

Be what it demands.

But it is impossible to be what it demands unless we read it, and I appeal to all the members of this Brotherhood to read the Book, and I can assure you that as you read you will become interested and that life will become brighter, and that in time you will become blessed with better thoughts, better and purer desires, old things will pass away and new and sweeter things will appear, as it so often has to Yours fraternally,

C. B. NIXON.

Golden Wedding.

Bro. Solomon Williams, member of Div. 19, and his good wife, celebrated their golden wedding at their home in Joliet, Ill., on Sept. 8, in the home in which they have lived for 36 years. Of the celebration the Joliet News says:

Amid scenes of happiness and good will, so characteristic of their lives, surrounded by nearly a hundred admiring relatives and friends, the center of congratulations on every hand, Mr. and Mrs. Solomo a Williams of 214 Mississippi avenue, celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding last night.

The home was prettily decorated in white and gold for the occasion. Streamers of tissue paper were hung from chandeliers set off by asters and pumpkins. Dinner was served to the guests and the evening given over to renewing acquaintanceship with the bride and groom.

BROTHER AND MRS. S. WILLIAMS.

A pretty feature was the giving of a pot of gold to the happy couple in connection with many other valuable and useful presents. The gold was accompanied by an original poem by one of the donors. The verses were tvnewritten on a broad, golden ribbon. The poem, as follows, was read during the evening by Rev. George McGinnis :

"Accept dear friends, this little gift
'Tis like yourself, of p irest gold;

It comes from friends who know the worth
Of hearts like yours that ne'er grow old.

"Tho' since your marriage, time has gone
Till fifty years have passed away
So tranquillyt e stream has run

It seems but one long happy day.

"In life's fair morning, first you met
And each to other pledged a vow;
You thought you lov d each other then
You know you love each other now.

"May golden autumn days be yours
Each one with life's good gifts be blest
And when life's evening shadows fall

May your last days have been the best."

Among the other gifts received were a goldheaded cane for Mr. Williams and a chair for his bride, four pieces of Bohemian glass, pin tray, two clocks, fancy silverware, candelabra, Brotherhood button, book and table cloth.

Mr. Williams is the well-known Alton engineer. He has been with the road for 42 years, and began railroading in 1849 in the East. He is the oldest engineer in years and term of service on the Alton road, and perhaps in Illinois and the Middle West. In fact, Mr. Williams says:

"I don't believe there are many other men in the United States who began railroading as early as I did and are still at it."

Neither he nor his wife show their years-one is 72 and the other 74. When Mr. Williams was handed the cane he said:

"I shall have to put this away for several years yet. So far I have had no use for a cane."

And his good wife is just as young and spry. Both are members of the Eastern Avenue Baptist Church in which Mr. Williams is a deacon. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Solomon Will.ams and Sarah Stocker were natives of New York Siate. They were married at Elmira, Sept. 8, 1855, and moved to Illinois the next year. They first settled in Peru, where Mr. Williams was in the employ of the Rock Island. but moved to Joliet in 1860 and settled on Scott street between Van Buren and Clinton. Joliet was then a city of 9,000 and Mr. and Mrs. Williams have watched it grow to its present size and prestige. They have 1.veu at 214 Mississippi avenue for the past 36 years.

Mr. Williams began railroading on the old New Yo k & Erie Railroad, at present a part of the Erie system, and later went to the Canandaigua, Elmira and Niagara Falls road. Ou coming West he was engineer on the Rock Island and the Michigan Central, and in 1863 went on the Alton, where he has remained ever since.

Several times he held the record for fast running on the road. In the early days he made the record time from Chicago to Bloomi on. A party of directors including President Blackstone and Superintendent Hale had to make the trip in a hurry and Engineer Williams drew the train with an old Swinburne switch engine.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Seward Dillman, who lives at 214 Mississippi avenue, and Harry Williams, of Pueblo, Colo. James A. Williams, a dentist, died a few years ago.

Among the relatives present at the celebration

[graphic]

last night or who were there earlier in the day were Mr. and Mrs. Seward Dillman and family, Mrs. Harry Williams, who was former y Miss Patterson of this city, Leonard Williams, a grandson of Chicago; J. D. Williams and wife of Chicago, Mrs. Frank Hall and daughter, Marian, and Mrs. Esther Drake and daughter, Mamie, cousins of Mrs. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. William Waddell and Mr. and Mrs. John Frye.

Mr. Williams has obtained a leave of absence from his duties with the road and intends visiting relatives and friends at Glens Falls, N. Y. His wife may accompany him on the trip.

Four Generations of McCalls.

Reading from left to right they are James McCall James M. McCall, Sr.,James

[ocr errors]

could dance." Instantly, or like a flash, he was on his feet, saying, I can't, can't I?" and commanded his granddaughter who was at the piano, to give him something quick and devilish, which she proceeded to do by giving him Fisher's Hornpipe and the Devil's Reel. The old gent went at it hammer and tongs, with his head thrown back and breast thrust out, a youthful fire in his eye, executing the shuffle better than many a man of half his years, and shortly after sang several old Irish songs of a rollicky nature, which proved that dancing did not cut his wind.

[graphic][merged small]

M. McCall, Jr., and John T. McCall, or "Loughrea." The great-grandfather, or the one at the left of the picture, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, nearly eighty years ago, and despite his years, there is not one drop of senility in his whole makeup. On the day this picture was taken while on a visit to his daughter (my sister) who resides in historic Germantown, we had a sort of a family reunion. Someone remarked, "I wonder if grandpap can dance yet." I remarked in a semi-caustic tone, "Naw, he never

The reader can imagine how proud I am of the little one I am holding in the picture. LOUGHREA, Div. 104.

On a Vacation.

CAMAGUEY, CUBA. July 29, 1905. EDITOR JOURNAL: On July 18th at 12:40 p. m., the writer said to Bro. W. Wikle, "Bill, let's go to the United States." "All right," says he, "we will go right now." We immediately walked to the roundhouse, which is a mile away,

secured leave of absence and transportation and at 3 p. m. we were on our way home. We arrived at Cardenas at daylight the following morning and spent six hours there while waiting for the steamer. We had expected to see only a small seaport town there, but instead found ourselves in the midst of a beautiful city of 30,000 inhabitants. It looked like an American city, broad streets and wide sidewalks and beautiful parks, and looks like some parts of Louisville, Ky. Acres of sugar were piled up in warehouses. We did not think there was that much sugar in the world. We saw where Lieutenant Bagley of South Carolina was killed on the Winslow. The sea was smooth and we had a pleasant voyage. We spent most of the time on deck and smoked long black Havana cigars.

66

Approaching Key West we sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee." It makes a fellow feel mighty good to see his native land when absent a few months. We arrived at Punta Gorda, Fla., at 4 a. m., and immediately telephoned to Rickman to let chicken blood flow like wine and beer. We spent three days there, ate chicken and dumplings, and sopped" thick pieces of corn bread in chicken gravy until we could eat no more. We visited the orange groves up and down Alligator Creek and found them in a luxuriant condition and loaded down with fruit. We went in bathing and taught some young ladies how to swim. While rambling around in the woods we met a lonely pedestrian, evidently a victim of " tiger whisky," who hailed us and said he was from Alabama, “Born in the piney woods, with three rows of jaw teeth and room for more and never been curried below the knee." We told him we did not have a currycomb, gave him a cigar, which he bit into in the middle and began to chew and proceeded on his way.

From home we went to Ft. Myers, now the extreme southern terminal for the Atlantic Coast Line R. R., situated in Lee County on the beautiful Calloosahatchee River. We visited the magnificent home of Mr. T. M. Lybass, known

as the Cattle King of Florida; also the winter home and laboratory of the "Wizard of the World," Thomas A. Edison. We also sat on the porch of millionaire Dean's residence, which is in the midst of a 75-acre orange grove, and imagined we were millionaires for about thirty minutes. It's the right kind of a feeling too, if it would only last. From there we drove down to Punta Rassa, made the cable office a visit and found the same operator has been there on almost constant duty for 38 years. He came from Massachusetts when quite young, expecting to die with consumption. He now is hale and hearty and has made a fortune there. I forget his name. We went fishing there and assisted some ladies to bait their hooks. We asked them what they were fishing for and they said “suckers.” We also took a swim in the Gulf of Mexico. Our trip from Punta Rassa back to Camaguey was without incident; in fact we slept the most of the time.

On our arrival we found one of our room-mates and also the most prominent member of the Funmakers' Division had been appointed Traffic Manager of our road. The members of the Division were immediately summoned to a special meeting and the following resolutions were, unanimously adopted without debate:

WHEREAS: Senor J. W. Harwood has been ap pointed Traffic Manager for the Cuba Rail:cad Company, which makes necessary his removal as charter member of the Funmakers' Division, therefore be it

Resolved, That no member shall make, or cause to be made, clowns of themselves or others, and" all the members of the Division will smoke their pipes in silence for a period of two days; but after a period of two days, from 1 a. m. until bedtime. champagne and chicken blood shall flow like Niagara Falls. Be it further

Resolved, That the expense of same shall be de frayed by our departing Brother. Be it further

Resolved, That this action is made necessary to show the high regard and esteem in which our departing Brother is held by all members of the Division. Be it further

Resolved, That this action shall be recorded and the Great Seal of the Division put thereon. (Signed)

BENNIE VANHORNE, Grand Mogul,

H. RAYMOND, Grand Vizier,

P. O. RICKMAN, Grand Keeper of Records and Seal,

« PrécédentContinuer »