Ft. Smith/Van Buren Railroaders

Contributed by John Dill

Louis A. Marre Photo, Mike Condren Collection
Frisco roundhouse crew Ft. Smith: 1. laborer, 2.Paul Lasley, hostler, 3. Charley Snydow, car foreman, 4. Lee Hart, machinest, 5. C. J. Sebourn, electrician, 6. Johnnie Maldon, machinest, 7. Mac Sexton, electrician, 8. Guler Worden, roundhouse foreman 9. John Sayler, machinest, 10. Lonnie Hope, Clerk, 11. W. C. Wilbourn, electrician, 12. Cleo Moss (Front) engineer, 12. Harry Hall (back) Machinest, 13. Blacksmith, 14. Warren Wilson, machinest. Can you identify any of the other men in this photo?

Mike Condren Photo
MP Brakeman Oscar Whitson, March 27, 1960

Mike Condren Collection
The last crew on a Missouri Pacific passenger train on the Central Division, Wagoner Subdivision, March 28, 1960. The photo was taken at the Yard Office, Van Buren after the completion of their last rip. Left to right: Earl Hollaway, engineer; Vernon Muck, fireman; Paul DuVal, conductor; Oscar Whitson, brakeman; and Emory May, porter. The position of porter on a passenger train fullfilled the Arkansas Full Crew requirement. North bound, the porter worked from Van Buren through Greenwood Jct.,OK to Ft. Smith and back to Greenwood Jct. This was a total distance of less that 20 miles. The porter would then wait for the next south bound passenger train, deadhead on a freight train, or call a taxi. For freight trains, the trip was shorter, more like 5 miles from the Van Buren Yard Office to Greenwood Jct.

H.E.Huber Photo
KCS kept their engine on South D, between Wheeler Ave and South 7th St. The engine number is 605. The date was prior to the May 1943 when the Spiro-Ft Smith was washed away. Pictured, left to right: Dan Roberts, conductor; Tommy Moore, head brakeman; H.S. (Jack) Foster, engineer; S. A. Sonagerra, fireman; Bill Brown, rear brakeman; and A. C. (Charlie) Washburn, engine watchman.

FSL&T Photo, H.E.Huber Collection
Edgar Harvey Huber is on the left. The location is possibly on Greenwood Road. just west of the Oak Cemetery where the Greenwood line dead-ended.

Cy Martin Collection
Midland Valley Shops, Excelsior, AR, 1906

Cy Martin Collection
Midland Valley Shops, Excelsior, AR

 
Midland Valley Shops, Excelsior, AR

Contributed by John Dill
John Dill writes, "the man on the left is Everett Pogue, my grandfather, who was a long time MoPac employee there. The man just to his right is probably John Phillips. I believe the man on the far right is probably Edwin Crutcher."

Contributed by H. E. Huber
Although I do not believe either of these fellows ever worked for a railroad in Ft. Smith, they deserve to appear on this page for their contribution to the preservation of railroad history. Here we see life-long friends Charles Winters and Herb Huber. Charles worked for the Wabash Railroad in KC after returning from WWII.

Contributed by H.E.Huber
An earlier shot of Charles Winters in his office in Kansas City, apparently working on a Fort Smith & Western porject.

Kansas City Star death notices: Published in the Kansas City Star on 3/1/2006.
Charles Edward Winters, IV, passed away February 24, 2006, at Liberty Hospital, surrounded by his family and holding the hand of his beloved wife, Ann. He was born to Charles Edward Winters, III, and Janet Lamina Matlock on March 8, 1927. He married Ann Kathryn Pollard in 1947. Charles served in the Army during WWII, and worked as a switchman for the Wabash RR, which later became the Norfolk & Southern. Receiving his BA in history from UMKC. Charles was an avid opera buff. He photographed steam locomotives throughout the Midwest in the 30's, 40's, and 50's, and had an extensive collection of steam locomotive negatives and memorabilia. He has performed extensive research on the Ft. Smith and Western Railroad, and has authored scholarly treaties on steam locomotive and trolley history. Rail historians nationwide commonly reference his works and compilations of steam locomotive photos usually include at least one of his shots. He was a founding member of the Ft. Smith Trolley Museum. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Charles Edward Winters, V; his granddaughter, Elizabeth D. Winters; and his grandson-in-law, Nicholas Eugene Lane. He is survived by his wife, Ann; his daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Joe Garrett; his daughter, Carolyn W. Poulin; his grandchildren, Charles Edward Winters, VI, and wife Katie Lane of Kansas City, and Luke Garrett and his wife Crystal of Olympia, WA; and great-grandchildren, Tommy, Nickie, Mark, and Kelly. The family suggests contributions to the Ft. Smith Trolley Museum, 100 South 4th, Ft. Smith, AR 72901.

This page was designed and is maintained by Mike Condren. If you have materials
that you would like to contribute, contact me at mcondren@cbu.edu