Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1920 — YEARS FAIL TO DIM MEMORY OF PULLMAN EMPLOYE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

YEARS FAIL TO DIM MEMORY OF PULLMAN EMPLOYE

While en route tw Chicago re- । cently, Captain J. L. Hagins, of this I city, recognized in Conductor McLaughlin, .who was in charge of the "train, an old friend of his and a man who had rode daily with'him during the years '•from 1875 to 1880 when he was in the street car service in the city of Chicago. It was a pleasant meeting for the two men and Conductor McLaughlin well remembered Mr. Hagins. Mr. Hagins tendered his resignation to the street car company in 1880 to take employment with the ■Pullman company. Upon his departure from the service he was given many letters of appointment

to the Pullman company by many prominent north side residents of Chicago, many of whom were nationally known figures in their day. The letters came unsolicited, the result of the courteous treatment shown by Mr. Hagins daring the time they had ridden with him. Mr. Hagins took up his duties with the Pullman company toward the close of the year 1880 and continued in their employ until 1908, a period of twenty-right years. He served as conductor, car service inspector and instructor during that period of time. At the end of his twenty-eighth year of service he was retired on a pension by the company, and came to this city with his wife to live. . The subject of tins sketch served in the Civil war with the Bth Indiana Cavalry from August 27, 1861, to July 20, 1865, and was a sergeant at the age of 16 years. His initial engagement of the war was against Morgan’s Raiders in Kentucky in 1861. He also participated in the battles of Stone, River, Shiloh and Jonesborough, as well as many others. It was at the battle of Jonesborough that he received the only wound he suffered during the war. In that engage- , ment he was shot in the right side, as well as suffering from injuries 1 received in a' fall from his horse. Due to these Mr. Hegins ■ was not permitted ■to make the march'to the sea. ’ i, ‘ Mr. Hagins has been a member of the G. A. R. since 1868, a period of fifty-one years, and is very proud of the organization. The venerable old gentleman is enjoying good health at the present time, and is seventy-four years of age. During his residence in this city he has made many friends and has gained the respect of all.

Mr. Hagins at 16 years of age.