Part 7

What a deal of strenuous argument would have sufficed to coax James J. Hill, wizard of finance and foresight, from his art, enriched castle, St. Paul, to the farm near the village of Rockford, Ontario, where in boyhood, he followed the lowing herd and foraged for squirrels. Occasionally he sought denizens of the deep along the St. Lawrence or Labrador Coast, and he reached into fields and factories of the Dominion for tonnage, but the wealth and power he possessed and wielded so astutely behind the scenes for Great Northern Railway, et al, were not stumbled on with energies relaxed. His mature opinion regarding economic conditions and conservation of the country’s natural resources, was the outgrowth of years of watchfulness and a peculiar bent for accuracy in conclusion builded primarily on a heritage of worthy foundations. Like those homespun idols of the people, Presidents Grant, Garfield and McKinley, he lived close to the soil absorbing bodily vigor and clarity of judgment amid homely surroundings.

Biographies of such outstanding characters as Jim Hill make inspiring reading. If this generation’s youthful male population cultivate childhood’s imitative proclivities they could, with profit, emulate the perseverance of another young man from the same neighborhood. Foremost amongst those whose life work in the drama of ever changing railway activities has introduced them to a theatre for energetic effort in the sunny south, must be listed the name of W. B. Scott, President at New Orleans of the Texas Lines of the great Southern Pacific System. Guelph, Canada, with streets named to commemorate many Scottish cities, proudly boasts that he is her son. His success is the concrete result of hard work along given lines, and his journey from the duties of messenger boy in the freight shed of G.W.R.--G.T.R., via the route of C.P.R., Winnipeg, “Union Pacific” Omaha, Santa Fe at Chillecothe, &c., &c., to power and wealth is a fascinating study for younger railway men. He had been Director of Maintenance of Way & Operation for S.P.R. at Chicago, and his present most important position, helping to determine the policy of the vast network which annually transports hundreds of thousands of the world’s pleasure and health seekers, will give you an idea of the calibre of the man. He is modest to a degree, never reads what is printed about himself, is thoroughly inured by long experience, to the “hardships” of a private car and was well known by the late E. H. Harriman.

Close to Niagara Escarpment, at Hamilton, Ontario, where S. R. Callaway won his bride, railroading cast its spell broadcast, inoculating many promising youngsters. Graduates of the “Great Western”, “Hamilton & Northwestern” and “Northern” schools are scattered from Halifax to San Diego, from Vancouver to Honduras. James Charlton, first “G.P.A.” of the Great Western Railway, Canada, was a beacon light in guiding numerous proteges “up and along”. You may wager none of them imitated the behaviour of young Keenedge who, when saluted with “Does the train leave at Eleven sharp?” blandly replied, “Yes, or Eleven slow, if you like!” They all memorized and hummed the motto “Learn to labor and to wait”. John J. Byrne, from the same city, present Asst. Passr. Traffic Manager, Santa Fe Coast Lines, took up the refrain when setting out to contend with life’s odds and handicaps, and by doing the thing to be done with earnestness and fidelity, he also has compelled recognition, a distinguished place among his fellows and Mammon’s silver recompense. Through a similar “course of sprouts” and monotonous introduction to details passed James Horsburgh Jr., Genl. Passr. Agent, Southern Pacific Railway. With canny disinclination to “Bid the devil good-day before meeting him”, he philosophically set the pace in shouldering onerous duties and accomplished important results with the aid of a large corps of efficient assistants.

A contemporary of this trio and candidate for the order of merit is Alexander Hilton, or “Handsome Hilton”, as ladies know him, who also was born at Hamilton because his mother happened to be staying there at the time. He was “captured young” and as a junior developed that moral fibre and eager spirit which buoyed him while climbing the grade to the position of Passenger Traffic Manager, Frisco Lines.

Robert Somerville, a “C. & A.” Chicago veteran, now President Judson Company, was a Hamiltonian; likewise Dave Bowes, their General Manager. So was Harry Jameson, an auburn D.P.A., P.M.R. Harry Parry, indefatigable Asst. Genl. Passr. Agent, “N.Y.C. Lines”, Buffalo, the Jago Brothers, for years with the “West Shore” and A. W. Ecclestone, Dist. Passr. Agent, Nickel Plate, New York, claim the Ambitious City as birthplace. All keep in more than telepethic communication with friends there.

It is chronicled in the log that the bluff, jovial W. F. Herman, former “G.P.A.” of “C. & B.” Line, Cleveland, who takes to water like reynard to a partridge, got a bowing acquaintance with a vessel’s interior economy under W. K. Domville’s tutelage in the old “G.W.R.” shops at Hamilton. To this city, every now and then, comes W. L. Stannard, General Agent, C. & N.W.R., Detroit, on a brief visit to his respected sire, which stimulates the memory of other days.

Over the hill via Caledonia and on to the railroading centre St. Thomas, you hear the homeguard recall with satisfaction the various milestones passed by James A. Stewart, the son of a “Grand Trunk” railway man here, in his march from a minor clerkship to the lucrative appointment of General Passenger Agent, Rock Island Lines, Kansas City. In Kansas City is also J. D. Dewan of London, freight agent of the fine new union terminal. Efficiency is vital at this busy southwestern gateway.

Of such material does the great league of passenger traffic experts consist and their mission has meant an evolution in train growth unprecedented on two hemispheres. To attain high-water mark in comfort, speed and elegance, their eternal vigilance and rivalry has balked at naught that invention could suggest in devices of steel, electricity, rare, imported woods, marquetry and costly draperies to adorn and strengthen the wheeled and floating palaces in which they evince unbounded pride. Youth must have its sway, and because of the wanderlust in their veins, hundreds of these Northern blades, fortified with little but a sound mind in a sound body, elementary knowledge well instilled and an instinctive distrust of luxury’s blandishments, sallied forth to make the mirage, “Green are hills far away” a pulsating actuality. With none of Caesar’s braggadocio and red fire illuminating their advance, a goodly number could well appropriate that old pagan’s slogan, “Veni, Vidi, Vici”.

The operating department of the railroads seems to have had a special attraction for the capabilities of many Canadians, which is born out by the outstanding examples mentioned in this partial resume. Samuel G. Strickland, General Manager, C. & N.W.R., was reared at Lakefield, Ont., in Kawartha Lakes locality and it takes a good man to please the veteran Marvin Hughitt who always expected a high quality of service.

Yet another United States railroader who was cradled in Canada is W. J. Jackson, former Vice-President of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway, and now President and Receiver of this property at Chicago, who has recollections of earlier days when he was “Johnnie” Jackson, working on the “inwards” desk with the “G.T.R.” at Toronto before he went west with the late George B. Reeve when the latter was traffic manager with the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway.

There comes to mind the names of half a dozen operating officers located at different points of the compass beginning at the “Atlantic” with John McCraw, Superintendent, Central Vermont Railway, New London, Conn., born at Craigvale and well trained in all departments by the Grand Trunk Railway. He knows the game from billing express, handling the throttle or shifting a bridge at night, and by his urbanity and quiet effectiveness made a reputation along the Sound. George Reith, Superintendent Virginian Railway at Norfolk, Va., who gravitated from unobtrusive Hensall to scenes of greater scope; John T. Lewis, Superintendent Tennessee Central Railway, Nashville, Tenn., from Hamilton, who did not “pass the buck” but shouldered his responsibilities; A. L. Boughner, a son of St. Thomas, now Superintendent of Terminals for “M.K. & T.” at St. Louis, the road that operates the “Katy Flyer”; W. H. Jones, formerly with “O.S.L.”, Pocatello, at present Superintendent of Southern Pacific Ry., Riverside, Cal., and J. D. Brennen from Brockville, beside the St. Lawrence, Superintendent at Sacramento, for the same extensive system.

Indexed with Uncle Sam’s adopted sons let us register the names of Arthur G. Wells, Los Angeles, California, General Manager, Santa Fe Coast Lines, the son of a Guelph, Ontario, postmaster, whose work in Detroit, Toledo, Cincinnati, &c., helped him to climb the ladder like a fireman at a fire. Likewise, his brother, R. E. Wells, a general manager with the San Pedro System, genial Geo. W. Hibbard, formerly A.G.P.A., C.M. & P.S.R., Seattle, and A. D. Charlton, A.G.P.A., Northern Pacific Railway, Portland, Oregon. There are several others who have found a field for congenial labor along the Pacific Slope where perennial verdancy carpets each beautiful valley and after a business trip in that region Mr. Geo. T. Bell, P.T.M., G.T.R., told me after returning, some time ago, that “the woods were full of them”. No doubt, he had in mind the case of Mr. D. W. Campbell. Born in Hanover, Ont., about 1858, this village boy moved along step by step from quiet surroundings to a place in the sun that demands accurate judgment in conserving public safety and promoting the expectations of capital. Durham was where he learned the difference between an engine cab and a coupe, how to abstract way bills and also prime the telegraph battery jars with blue stone. He dispatched trains with the G.T.R., at Stratford, with the C.P.R. at Moose Jaw, the C.B. & Q.R. at Dubuque and the N.P.R. at Missoula, Montana, gaining confidence and reputation. For some time his headquarters was at Tekoa on the “O.R. & N.Co.” As Superintendent of this line he was transferred to Portland and to Seattle. Later the Southern Pacific Railway engaged his services for executive duties at terminals beside Puget Sound, which were the forerunners of assignments in California, culminating in the berth of Asst. Genl. Manager, Southern Pacific Ry, Los Angeles, as gazetted in the current issue of Official Guide.

The lustre of that becoming virtue modesty, dims not if blossoming in a railroader’s physique, but when a prominent man like John Francis, General Passenger Agent, Burlington Route, side steps a niche in “the hall of fame”, deprecating the reproduction of his photographed features, and explaining,, “Twenty years have elapsed since I faced a machine that would stand for such an operation”, his bashfulness checks “Over” and generates regret. The baptismal archives at Longueuil, Quebec, record the initial appearance of Mr. Francis, but he has been “Present” many times since and proven an entertaining raconteur. Frank F. Barbour, retiring G.P.A., Rutland Railway, was cradled at Montreal, and east of this former possession of King Louis, at Newport, in the maritime “finnan haddie” province of Nova Scotia, Eben E. MacLeod was born. The path he traversed to Chairmanship of Western Passenger Association led through Eastern Canada and eight different ticket office positions in various states. Mr. MacLeod courted responsibilities, always received a square deal under the Stars & Stripes and the end is not yet, as he is in his prime and looks the part.

The hands of destiny which mold futures, often weave a woof of inscrutable, unfamiliar design. Had James Webster, the persistent Owen Sound student, been informed by D. McNicol in olden days when they were together on “Toronto, Grey & Bruce”, that his horoscope prognosticated “Freight Traffic Manager” in 1918, “Jimmie” would have scorned the soft impeachment and played sluggard in swallowing the Scotchman’s capsule. Yet, James Webster, master of detail, the Nickel Plate graduate whom “N.Y.C.” has exalted, deserves a bronze in the gallery of immortals to radiate encouragement for the struggling faithful and confusion to grumblers. Mr. W. A. Terry, Asst. Freight Traffic Manager, N.Y.C. Lines, Chicago, spent some time in his youth in Canada. Minus the sustained efforts of these officials, of their passenger confreres and the gentlemen comprising the solicitation staff identified with the traffic departments, the railways could boast of gilded coaches and a nickel rail and then be doomed to failure, notwithstanding the swan songs sung by some of our operating friends, declared a very prominent traffic officer in the Northwest.

It is estimated by financiers that $500,000,000 were to be spent in Canada during 1910 to meet proposed expansion by the Government, great corporations and railways. Expectations did not bulk so large when W. D. Carrick, who is Genl. Baggage Agent, St. Paul Road, resigned from the Great Western Railroad in 1879 to obey Horace Greely’s command. Excepting five years in “G.W.R.” service, where was laid the foundation of practical knowledge, his career has been one of continuous devotion to a single company. You will observe, if you have seen him, that the cares of state make scant impress on the features of this wholesome looking gentleman who considers riches but the baggage of fortune.

Mr. Carrick came from Galt, Ont., and the brothers Albert and Thomas H. MacRae who manage and edit the popular employees magazine of the Santa Fe Railway also originated there. From prosaic Guelph, where bare-footed boys duck in the deep holes of the Riverlet Speed, came C. E. Dutton, former Genl. Agent at Helena, Mont., for Great Northern Railway. Eugene Duval, Omaha, A.G.W.A., of C.M. & St.P.R., years ago thrived lustily on the ozone of Quebec and Colonel W. J. Boyle, G.A.P.D., Milwaukee, now and then harks back to former days in Chatham, where also Charley McPherson and Geo. J. Ryan--recently Genl. Industrial Commissioner of “Great Northern”, now with the Soo Line--learned their P’s and Q’s. To this incomplete catalogue of aspirants to stellar honors who investigate balances, tariffs and interlocking switches, as bees do the flowers, may be included J. H. Ellis, from Belleville beside the placid “Quinte”, Secretary of “L. & N.”, Louisville, F. W. Main, Toronto, Auditor “C.R.I. & P.”, Kincardine’s standard bearer, W. Hogarth, Auditor El Paso & Southwestern, and Charles A. Gormally so capably representing the “G.T.R.” in the heart of things at Chicago. Affable Alex. Macdougall, D.P.A., I.C.R., St. Paul, John W. Kearns, D.P.A., P.M.R., Detroit, and C. R. Graves, C.P.A., Salt Lake Route, Los Angeles, when punching the time limit at the ticket window in days gone by, may remember the colloquy--“Can you direct me to the best hotel in this town?” asked an unacquainted railway man of another as he stepped off a train. “I can brother,” said he going away, “but I hate to do it.” “Why?” “Because you will think after you have seen it that I’m a liar”.

The proverb “Economy--easy chair of old age”, expounds a cardinal requisite in railway construction. Deference to this admonition spelled marked success financially for Donald and James A. MacIntosh, “Men from Glengarry”, a team of contractors and graders favorably known to western railroad builders. Jealous of reputation, by hewing to the line they made good where others often failed and their forty years of unremitting effort were crowned by enjoyment of the premium. Speaking over the casket of Donald Alexander McIntosh in Forest Home Cemetery Chapel, Milwaukee, 1915, the Reverend James Oastler, D.D., said in part, “These Glengarry men are sons of the men who had come from the highlands and islands of Scotland in the earlier days--and mighty men they were--pioneers--builders of empires. Their manner of life bred in them hardiness of frame, alertness of sense, readiness of resource, and a courage that grew with peril. Fighting was like wine to them, when the fight was worth while.”

We of the United States, can congratulate ourselves that some of the Glengarry men found their way across the border, and brought with them their courage, their resourcefulness, and their love of the open. They did not ask for an opening. They asked this question: “What does the world need to have done?” Then they set about doing it. Donald A. McIntosh was a man from Glengarry.

I very distinctly recall my last visit with him and he convinced me that there was within him a superb nature, a fine generosity--that physically and mentally he was afraid of no man.

Dr. W. H. Stennett was born on a farm beside Lake Simcoe, Ontario, in 1832. When seventeen he settled in Rock Island, Illinois, as a junior with a druggist, meanwhile gratifying his inclination to browse among books. Later he was given charge of the production in a department of a chemical manufacturing company and being an omnivarous reader of publications pertaining to chemical, medical and surgical knowledge, he undertook the study of medicine, graduating at the Medical College of Missouri at St. Louis in 1859. With a partner he commenced practice at Bloomington, Ill., and Miss Clara Hughitt became his wife there. In 1867 Doctor Stennett retired from practice to become General Agent, Illinois Central Railway, St. Louis, and six years later was appointed “G.P.A.” of C. & N.W.R. From 1884–7 he held the position of Assistant to General Manager, afterwards assuming the duties of Auditor of Expenditures with the same company and he retained his supervision of that department for 19 years. While he was General Passenger Agent of C. & N.W.R., his duties required that he travel a great deal. In his later years he preferred to remain at home, and during the last twenty-five years of his life, while working for the C. & N.W.R., he did not take a vacation, nor during that time did he spend a single night away from his home.

He loved flowers, spent much time in the cultivation of many varieties, and carried on regular correspondence with friendly horticulturists. Dr. Stennett was interested in a wide range of subjects and derived much pleasure from discussions with intimates among railway officials and literary people.

He was a man of determination and died practically in harness, having left his duties only a few days before his end, and on July 22nd, 1915, the date of his death, he dressed, bade adieu to his library and conversed with his family two minutes before his spirit took flight.

The Great Northern Railway has at St. Paul an Asst. Genl. Passr. Agent from Sarnia, Ontario, in the person of W. R. Mills; Mr. J. A. Emslie, Genl. Agent Santa Fe at Milwaukee, originated in Canada. John F. Barron, Genl. Agent, Union Pacific Ry, Chicago, came from London, where his after business hours accomplishment as a clever monologue artist and dancer, were perfected with his townsman and associate, the metropolitan star George Primrose. M. O. Barnard, Genl. Agent, N.P.R., Buffalo, N.Y., is a lad from the land of lacrosse and Sid. Dewey representing the “G.T.R.” at New York, is a brother of the Grand Trunk’s freight traffic manager.

So enamored is William R. Callaway, Genl. Passr. Agent, Soo Line, of the scenery and hunter’s paradise adjacent to his line that he dines with implements mounted with buckhorn purloined through a coach window by some friendly sharpshooter. He has ever been a pronounced independent in his methods, basking in no borrowed brilliancy, and as an original and persistent advertiser since the time of his regime as “D.P.A.”, “C.P.R.”, Toronto, this gentleman merits his unique reputation. It is whispered that when “relieving” some years ago at an Ontario hamlet, one seductive spring morning “W. R.” quit angling in the family aquarium, shut up shop and prepared to separate a few shiners from a creek close to the depot. Crawling well out on an overhanging branch he dropped anchor. Being then not versed in the gentle art tight rope balancing, drowsiness or anxiety soon precipitated a crisis. The would be Walton turned a couple of neat flip flaps and straightway “Father William” fathomed the moisture beneath. The fat hotelkeeper’s “Inexpressibles”, as Thackeray terms the garment, was the only alternative afterwards and the “G.P.A.” admits the ensemble would have made a hungry horse turn from his oats.

“If feasting, rise”, saith Opportunity: “Cities and fields I walk, I knock unbidden once at every gate.” Forsooth, the elusive sprite does and sometimes peers into secluded corners. Besides being awake at the psychological moment, a clever quartette who found “Hustle while you wait” their staunchest prop in reaching the plums were Herbert A. Jackson, W. R. Callaway, J. A. Holden and Geo. O. Somers. Mr. Somers started in life with none of the helps designated as luck. No doubt, he thought of ease but worked on through each consecutive group of wearying exactions. As the architect of his own fortune the progress of this village boy may be gauged by his former title, traffic manager of United Fruit Company’s fleet of eighty craft, to which William Mullins, of London and Toronto, promptly succeeded and to-day directs his corporation’s developments in Cuba.