HENRY CHAPMAN
VETERAN RAILROADER
Published by THE LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River,
St. Francois Co. MO, Fri. Oct. 3, 1952.

RETIRES AFTER 41 YEARS
OF RAILROADING

By Howard Robertson

      Another veteran of the rails, Henry Chapman, conductor, has completed the final chapter of his railroading career and accepted his retirement. Chapman was born at Argentine, Kansas, February 9, 1885. His parents moved to Iron Mountain when he was two years old, later moving to the Lead Belt area in 1894. His first job was with the Desloge Lead Company. On March 1, 1905 he was married to Miss Kate [Katie] Aubuchon of Desloge. Hearing his father tell of his experience as a switchman at Kansas City aroused Henry's ambition to some day follow in his father's footsteps. This ambition became a reality on December 10, 1906 when he began his railroad career as switch lamp lighter, between Desloge and Doe Run, for the M.R. & B.T.

     It became necessary to take a leave of absence from July 1 to September 22, 1910 to take his wife and son to Colorado for health reasons. On returning, he was promoted to brakeman September 26, 1910, and to conductor in 1916. He made his last run March 14, 1952 on the Bonne Terre-Leadwood yard crew, thus rounding out more than 41 years in train service.

      The following Monday, Henry entered Missouri Pacific Hospital where he spent several weeks during which time he had three operations. He had hopes of returning to go to work but on his physician's advice he decided to retire, making application for his pension July 16, 1952. At present, he is enjoying good health.

     Chapman, like all other railroaders, even those on the M.R. & B.T., had a colorful and interesting career. Many long, hard hours, days, months and years were devoted to the job he loved. Even though it meant being called for duty all hours of the day and night, sunshine and rain, snow and cold, no regular rest periods and being away from home much of the time, still there was something about it he loved and was proud of his job, and he says if it was all to do over again, he would still choose to be a railroader. He attributes much of the credit for the love of railroading to the splendid loyal men with whom he worked.

     While never being involved in any serious accidents, he recalls many narrow escapes and thrilling incidents throughout those many years. Having worked on every run on the line, his longest period of service on any one run was that of brakeman on the St. Louis-Doe Run passenger train, with Walter Palmer, conductor, J. W. (Jack) Bowman, engineer, and John Manwarring, fireman.

     Typical of most railroaders, he and his family lived up and down the line, from Doe Run to St. Louis, wherever he could be nearest his work. They lived in Doe Run 19 years, several years in Bonne Terre, Herculaneum, St. Louis and Farmington, and in 1937 built them a beautiful home at 103 Branch Street, Bonne Terre, where they plan to spend the remainder of their days.

     It would be a grave injustice not to pay tribute to Mrs. Chapman, who, Henry says, deserves much credit for his success through the years. They are the parents of four children, John Henry, Farmington; L. J. [Lester], Carlinville, Ill.; Mrs. Barbara Ellen Fasnut, Festus; and Fred David, Oklahoma City, a Captain in the U.S. Army, having recently returned from service in Korea, but serving as recruiting officer in the Oklahoma City area. The Chapmans also have seven granchildren and one great-grandchild. They have been devout members of the Methodist Church for many years. Henry enjoys fishing and tending his flower gardens and shrubs. Mrs. Chapman's hobby is caring for her beautiful flowers, doing crocheting and fancy work.

Their many friends extend them best wishes for many happy enjoyable years.

Published by THE LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO, Fri. Oct. 3, 1952.

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