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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 20, 1908)
unday Bee A Papar for th Horn THE OMAHA DEC Best West PART III. HALF-TONE SECTION PACES 1 TO 4. VOL. XXXVIII NO. 14. OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 0, 190!?. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS. WILLIAM L. PARK PRACTICAL RAILROAD SUPERINTENDENT Youngster Who Decided Many Years Ago to Be a Railroad Man Grows Up to Realize His Ambition and Makes Good As General Superintendent of the Great Overland System.- The Omaha THE REMARKABLE FEAT OF THOMAS A. SCOTT in mov ing Hooker's army from the Potomac by rail to Chat tanooga, 1,200 miles, in twelve days, in tho face of Hal lack's pessimistic opinion that it could not be done in three months, with the rescue of Rosccran's army, first attracted the attention of William L. Park to railroading. Many a time as a small boy he sat and listened to his father tell the story of this greatest military move in history, and heard him give the credit to the railroad men and it made a deep impression on his youthful mind. While still a small boy he determined to adopt a vocation that could do greater things than an army, notwithstanding the fact that his father had outlined a West Point education for film. Such was the impetus for a railroad life which was early given to W. L. Park, general superintendent of the Union Pacific railroad, which, with its 5,000 miles of tracks, has thousands of men In tho operating department and the maintenance of way department who are under his direct supervision. The superintendents of the five divisions report to the general superintendent and the operation of all trains is handled from his office. All trainmen and engine men and operators report all their grievances to the general super intendent, who makes their scales of wages and handles all matters In connection with the men employed in operating the road. ,Xqrk Hill, near Elmira, N. Y., Is the scene of the early child hood of W. L. Park, his ancestors having obtained from the govern ment a large tract of land in Chemung county, through the con struction of military roads in the latter part of the seventeenth century. A portion of this land is still retained by the Park family. Colonel Joslah B. Park, father of W. L., moved with hla family to Ovid, Mich., in the lats '60s, where he engaged In civil engineering and the construction of railroads, until the breaking out of the civil war, when he was elected and commissioned captain of Company D, First Michigan cavalry, August 22, 1861. Colonel Park was soon promoted to major of his regiment and February 18, 1862, was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Michi gan cavalry, retiring at the close of the war as colonel of a regi ment of engineers. Family Comes to Omaha v The Fourth Michigan cavalry was distinguished by the capture of Jefferson Davis, president of the confederacy, May 10, 1865, near Macon, Ga., Lieutenant Colonel B. O. Prltchard being in command at the time. Colonel Park was on the staff of Generals Sheridan, Stanley and Thomas, was post commander and superintendent of fortifications at Franklin, Tenn., during the battle at that point and was with General Thomas at Chickamauga The Fourth Michi gan, Seventh Pennsylvania and a squadron of the Fourth United States cavalry held a part of Bragg's army, consisting of 16,000 men, from crossing Reed's bridge on the 18th for several hours and made a spectacular crossing of the creek on a narrow bridge to the federal side. They were highly commended and given the credit of saving Rosecran's army from being more seriously com promised. After the close of the civil waif Colonel Park moved his family to Omaha, arriving on a steamboat at the foot of Douglas street In August, 1866, there being no railroads across Iowa at that time. He formed a partnership with Henry C. Campbell of Fontanelle, and engaged In the survey of government lands In Nebraska until his death In June, 1873, which was prematurely caused by wounds re calved at Winchester while reconnolterlng on General Stanley's staff. Arriving In Omaha at such a youthful age W. L. Park can truthfully be said to be a product of the west, as he gained his early education In snch schools as the west provided at that time. He first attended Mrs. McCullun's private school and later went to Beagrave academy, which was located at Thirteenth and Far nam street. , While at this school he had as his playmates the chil dren of the leading families of Omaha and still numbers among his Omaha friends a number of men who were boys in school at that time. Later, when, Colonel Parle found it more convenient to have his family near his work, he moved to North Platte, at which time young Park attended publlo school, and later took a course In Bay He's Commercial college at Keokuk, la. Colonel Park was associated with Guy C. Barton in several business ventures, and one night they were called upon to rescue from the hands of an Indignant mob, the editors of a pioneer news paper that had become too personal. During the period when Colonel Park retained the newspaper, which extended over several years, young Park obtained a good knowledge of the prltner's craft and newspaper work. It Is conceded that Mr. Park's ability to put his Ideas on paper In magazine or newspaper work, as well as In busi ness letters, has been a strong factor In his success. He looks back with much satisfaction to his apprenticeship as a "devil" and the print shop as one of the best schools he ever attended. Training for the Future Ever mindful of his chosen profession railroading young Park took up, among other studies at Baylle's college, a course in telegraphy. Although attaining the ordinary proficiency of a be ginner, he decided to take up train service as affording tho most advantages In acquiring a thorough knowledge of railroading from the ground up. Entering the service of the Union Pacific as a brakeman, he rose rapidly to a position as freight conductor, In which capacity he was employed at the age of 18, and as a passenger con ductor at 22, running between North Platte and Laramie, Wyo. .There was at this time but one Overland passenger train across the continent and Its charge was considered one of great responsibility and no little honor. Mr. Park was transferred to the Denver line at the opening of the Julesburg cut-off in 1882, and returned to the main line when the first Overland Limited train In the west was Installed, running from Council Bluffs to Cheyenne, Wyo. While In the train service Mr. Park took up the reading of law and employed his time generously In other studies, In the ac quirement of general knowledge, as well as a more extended knowl edge of railroad work. The new standard rules for the operation of railroads came into effect in 1886, and after an examination of Park by the superintendent, the latter walked into the office of the chief dispatcher and throwing the book on his desk, said: "If you lose that book, Park can write you another, he knows the whole thing verbatim." Mr. Park was married to Miss Laura Frances Dill at North Platte, December 24, 1882. Three boys. Edward A., P. Jay and W. Lee, and two daughters, Evalyne and Myra, compose the family, all residing at the Park home In the Hanscora park district, with the exception of the oldest son, who Is married and lives at Sterling, Colo. . Mr. Park was one of tho youngest officials of the Union Pa clflo, having been appointed assistant superintendent of the Ne braska division at the age of SO. In 1900 he was transferred to the Wyoming division as superintendent, some very difficult operating problems having arisen through the reconstruction of the line in that territory. In June, 1904, Mr. Park was made general super intendent of the Union Pacific, which position be now holds. Originator of Mileage Pay While employed as conductor W. L. Park, as chairman of the gen eral committee, representing the conductors and brakemen, arranged with 8. T. Smith, then general superintendent, the firslf' mileage basis of pay for trainmen. The brakemen of Wyoming repudiated the settlement, and went out on a strike, which was quickly settled by showing the men Interested the advantage of this method. Em ployes of other roads saw the advantages of this system and it soon spread over all the railroads of the United States and has been Satis factory to both the railroads and the employes ever since. Having thus represented the men and the stockholders as well and sat in conferences on. both sides t the table, Mr. Park has ac quired an expert knowledge of wage schedules and the adjustment of differences. His fair dealing endears him to the men in his service and it is said that no employe has ever been dismissed unjutsly by his direction or consent. While a strict disciplinarian, and believing In military application of the rules of safety, he is extremely well thought of by the rank and file. He Is constantly hunting out those .- ' - . ., .. .. ..... ., ; " rm WILLIAM L. PARK. who show a capacity for increased responsibilities and encouraging them to climb. Many have gotten out of the ranks through hla kindly assistance, and no railroad in the country can boast of greater loyalty or a better esprit de corps than the Union Pacific, which is reflected in its efficiency and safety In travel. The feeling of the men toward him found expression last week when two men, representing the largest bodies of employes of the road, happened to be in Omaha. W. A. Jameson, general chairman of the conductors of the Union Pacific, said: "The men always feel they have a friend in the councils of the officials when W. L. Park is there. He Is a broad-minded man, with a thorough and practical knowledge of all railroad questions. He rose from the ranks and understands the needs and desires and requirements of the men in the employ of the road. He Is always willing to meet with the men and settle differences in a satisfactory manner." A. L. Konald, general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomo tive Engineers, said: "I have known Mr. Park over ten years and have heard of him for a much longer time. He is certainly one of tho brightest railroad men I ever met. His consideration for en glnemen, when they are asking for reinstatement, borders upon gen- Annual Festival of the Oireachtas DUBLIN, Sept. 1. The Oireachtas or national Gaelic festival given heie recently is the chlnf annual event of the Gaelic movement which at present is stimulating all Ireland, and reaching out its influence to every land wherein the exiled Gael has made his home or abiding place. Founded by seven men In 1892, the Gae lic league Bet itself to carry out a task which to many seemed hopeless, "the preservation of Irish as the national language of Ireland and the extension of its use as a spoken tongue; also the preservation of existing Irish literature and tne production of a mod ern literature in Irlbh." A second clause declares it to bo nonpolltical and nonsec tarian. This latter fact Is of extreme significance In a country where for generations the peo ple have been divided into distinct groups of politics or creed without common ground for meeting or communion. In the Gaelic league all party has been swept aside and for the first time in many centuries the sons and daughters of Erin have found themselves united by a common thought, a common Ideal, a common bond of brotherhood. In the Gaelic league all Ireland is ap lied to the support of the national language, pealed to, and every type of citizen has ral the restitution of native culture. Here are banded together rich and poor, high and low, merchant and mechanic, law-giver and coun try gentleman. It includes Catholic, Protes tant and dissenter; unionist, nationalist and parliamentarian; Milesian, Gael and Croni welllan planter. And even the barriers of sex have been demolished, for men and women alike vote at its councils, debate in its. parliament and hold office under its constitution, while in the work of propaganda the league points with pride to the achievements of such women as Miss Agnes O'Farrelly, M. A., head of the Gaelic Industrial school at Cloch aneely, and of the Misses Gleeson and Yeats, whose Industrial guilds at Dundrum have given a new impetus to the higher forms of craftsmanship and who are employing dozens of girls to whom they have taught rug and tapestry weaving, printing, embroidery, etc. It Is this industrial phase of the league's work that Is of especial interest and Import to the outside world. It matters little to people of America whether tho Donegal farmers and the Dublin shopkeeper salute 'each other in Gaelic or In English; it matters much that in the family of nations one more land is awakening to a sense of national self consciousness and is reaching out toward the things which make for national, and as a di rect outcome, international prosperity. Remote as may appear to be the connec tion between language and industries In Ire land, it has been demonstrated to be direct and vital. The spirit of a nation lies im bedded in its tongue and its traditions. Re vive that tongue, that spirit, call out the na tional pride which hangs upon national tra ditions, and a new racial vitality ensues. A true Gaelic leaguer not only speaks Irish, but thinks Irish, feels Irish, exploits all that is Irish. Every member of the Gaelic league is pledged to give preference to Irish manufacturers so far as is reasonably possible, and this action has materially as sisted, and may even be said to have largely contributed to, the groat industrial revival that is at "present going on In Ireland. The cry everywhere is "Irish manufac tures for the Irish consumer," and it is due to the efforts of the league that there has re cently come into being an Irish trademark which bears the Gaelic legend, "Deanta in Eirlnn" (made in Ireland). This Increased demand for Irish products bids fair to re alize the dream of the instigators that a flourishing commerce may soon be reared in Ireland; while already existing plants are finding themselves taxed to their utmost to fill the orders which come pouring' In and new industries are springing up everywhere. In America the results are likewise ap parent, for the tide of emigration, which has been annually sending 40,000 exiles from Erin to this country, is being stayed. No longer do the tenants of small farms, too small to support an extensive family, and the underfed population of Dublin or Belfast look to America as their only hope, Work is everywhere about them, whether at tweed, linen or carpet loom, at press, desk or coun ter, or in fields rendered doubly arable by a newly awakened intelligence. It is a healthy, normal employment, growing out of the normal needs of the coun try, and not, like lace-making and embroid ery, dependent upou the prosperity or the whim of a foreign purchaser. I The Oireachtas, or great festival, held annually in Dublin, is the outcome or climax of a system of minor local festivals held throughout the year all over the country. Partly social and partly educational, they serve the double purpose of keeping alive the spirit of the league and of resurrecting, th? gay and festive social life once so char acteristic of the Irish people, but which had begun to languish for lack of stimulus. These local festivals consist of three parts, tho Feis or literary festival, the Culrm Ceoil or concert and the Aeridheacht, which, as a leaguer has put it, "la neither so solemn as the Olympian games nor so trivial as an Anglo-Saxon picinc." There are contests in singing the Gaelic or traditional singing of course, in dancing the national folk dances or "rinees," in oratory and story-telling and In playing Irish airs, ancient and modern, upon the pipes and fiddle. The prize win ners in each group are delegated to attend the Oireachtas and carry off, If possible, the honors from the assembled heroes of Felses In other districts. The Oireachtas, like the els, also con sists of three parts. There are competitions In the different branches of Gaelic study, in singing, dancing and playing, meetings of various kinds and an industrial exhibition. There Is also the Ard Fhels, or parliament of the league. The opening event this year was the re ception to tho delegates to the Ard Fhels given by the lord mayor or DubHn, Hon. Mr. O'Reilly, at the Mansion house, his official residence. The evening was opened by a traditional Gaelic custom, relic of the days when Irish kings, with their chiefs and war riors, assembled with brilliant pageautry at Tara. A band' of pipers In the green kilts and "brata" paraded around the hall playing an cient martial muBic on the Luge war pipes. They were headed by Ireland's champion piper, Francis Power "An Paorach" (the power), as he fondly was known to all Gaelio leaguers. This young man, who has dedicated his life to the cause, is a fair example of the spirit of devotion-and self-sacrifice which is animating the league workers. Born in London of Irish parents and educated at the (Continued on Page Three.) eroslty, tempered with Justice. His requirements are sometimes exacting, but they always tend toward the betterment of the service. I look upon him as one of the ablest railroad men in the world today. . lie Is a progressive man In the broad sense, a man valuable to the world at large, a man who from his experience and ability would be difficult to replace. He may bo hard and exacting at times, but Is always fair, and the most harmonious relations exist between the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Union Pacific." Once Had a Holdup Before going to the Wyoming division Superintendent Fark experienced a holdup In his Jurisdiction of one of the Overland trains at Brady Island. Within an hour Mr. Park was out of North Platte with a light engine and a sheriff's posse. They picked up the trail before daylight, which resulted In the capture of the outlaws, their trial and conviction and Incarceration In the Nebraska penitentiary for ten years, all within less than a week. Several events of this character had previously occurred In Wyoming and Mr. Park made up his mind It whs better to prevent them altogether, so he Imme diately organized a well trained force of both guards and horses. With Inside Information and quick communication with all parts of the "get away country" everything was held in readiness at all times to go at a moment's notice anywhere on the line and as far Into the mountains as the "holdups" could. His lieutenants. Canada and Keliher, entered into the spirit of the plans and since its Incep tion the Union Pacific has been free from depredations, as this "wild bunch" have means of knowing of such preparedness and hesitate to go up against a sure fight or a never ending and relentless chase. It Is said that no train robber has ever escaped the Union Pacific. The horses assigned to this service were used in accompanying President Roosevelt from Laramie to Cheyenne on. Ms sixty two mile horseback ride. Mr. Park was selected as one of the ten per sonal guards of the chief magistrate on that occasion. Mr. Park has taken more than an ordinary interest In the wel fare of Nebraska, particularly in tho western portion, where he is Interested In several Irrigation canals, having promoted one of the larger ditches and assisted others in the formation period. He owns the third water right In the oldest ditch from the Platte river and is very proud of his success In bringing under a high state of culti vation a fine body of land In Lincoln county. He has some thirteen miles of apple trees now eleven or twelve years old which are JuBt beginning to bear and which will soon yield a large Income. Mr. Park Is perhaps one of the best posted officials In the his tory of the Union Pacific and has a fund of historical and Interest ing events in stock. One, which has never been In print, Is as follows: "In the earlier days of the Union Pacific the operation of trains was frequently interfered with by hostile bands of Sioux Indians, making it necessary to carry guns and ammunition in the cabooses, at stations and on the handcars of the Bectlon laborers. "A treaty was made immediately after the close of the civil war, confining the white men to the country south of the North Flatte river and the red men to that north, with the object of stopping Interference by the aborigines. Notwithstanding the treaty, maraud ing parties of young Sioux bucks frequently Invaded the white man's territory, committing various crimes, which consisted generally of a raid on some Isolated ranch, the running away of stock, and, quite often, the killing of unwary travelers In the prairie schooner, which were at this time wending their way westward In great numbers. Squaw Men and Operators "The 'squaw men among the Indians were the remnant of th Trench trappers, who had married Indian wives, remaining with the tribes when their fellows had drifted to the north in search of mor lucrative fur fields. These 'squaw men' were the Instigators of most of the serious depredations, the natives not having the Ingenuity necessary to accomplish anything moro conspicuous than murders or horse stealing. When the telegraph wire was discovered cut and fastened together with a buckskin string to stop the flow of elec tricity and at the same time puzzle the linemen, It was known that the 'squaw man,' or his progeny, the half-breed, was about. "In the summer of 1868 the spikes were pulled from the rails several miles west of Plum Creek (now known as Lexington), the rails lifted on ties high enough to permit their ends to enter the cylinders of the engine and a moat complete wrecking of a freight train was accomplished, the engineer and fireman were killed and the conductor scalped by the Indians. The train was plundered and then set on fire, the Indians riding around the conflagration with long strings of silk and other costly clotn streaming from their horses' tails. Shortly thereafter another train was wrecked near Old Alkali, thirty-five miles west of North Platte, but they were driven off be fore they had secured tho coveted booty. By reason of these oc currences the dispatchers, agents, train and enginemen were very much on the alert and extra precautions were taken to safeguard themselves and others. "J. K. Painter, then chief dispatcher of the Lodge Pole division, was sitting at his desk in Cheyenne one morning when he heard the operator at Pine Bluffs frantically calling 'N office. Painter went to the key and answered the operator, who Informed him that a large band of Indians could be seen on the hills south of town and asked that help be sent immediately. "A messenger was quickly dispatched to Fort D. A. Russell, an engine ordered and a special train gotten ready to transport the troops as soon as they reached the depot. After arranging these preliminaries, the chief dispatcher again called up Pine Bluffs. The operator informed him that the Indians were moving In the direction of the station, and a little later that they were riding In a detour around it, probably reconnolterlng. The troops having arrived af Cheyenne, they were hurried aboard, and, the superintendent ac companying the train, It pulled out to the scene of the trouble, forty miles distant. Rescue at Pine Bluffs "The operator at Pine Bluffs began another frantlo appeal for assistance, his sending was erratic and disconnected; for short In tervals the key would bo left open all indicating either great fear or intense excitement At last his sending became somewhat mors Intelligible and Painter drew out of him that the Indians were within a short 'distance of the building, were becoming more bold, having probably satisfied themselves that they would meet with little or no resistance. The operator was quiet for a few minutes; then commenced sending rapidly: 'They are on the depot platform! Some are looking in at doorl They are coming in! My OodM" then all was silent; the wire was dead, and despite the efforts of the excited office force, nothing could be dono or suggested other than to await developments upou the arrival of the United States troops. In the meantime the operators along the line bad given the "O. 8." for the special at Hillsdale and Egbert, and they would soon reach the sctne. "Stopping a respectable distance from the depot, which, much to ' the surprise of the captain In command and the superintendent, had not been burned, the troops were disembarked and marched cau tiously In its direction, prepared for an ambuscade, not understand ing the unearthly quietness and absence of the usual scene attend ing such depredations. Reaching the platform, the superintendent and commanding officer walked along to the open door. Upon the floor, with his face upturned to the sunlight, which was streaming through a broken window pane, lay the poor operator dead drunk." Times have changed aud It is now understood that drinking is not tolorated among the men w ho have anything to do with the hand ling of trains. "Bill" Park, as he is called by his hunting com panions, Is a great lover of the outdoor life and each year he takes his vacation either in hunting or fishing. Last year he fished for tarpons in the Gulf of Mexico, the year beforo he hunted bear in the mountains and this year Is liable to be found looking for chicken on the prairies of Nebraska. Park Is a powerfully built man, over six feet tall and a tireless hunter. Just as he is In his everyday work. Mr. Park is a member of the Order of Elks, a Sbriner and Knight Templar and a member of the Loyal Legion.