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Milwaukee Road in Dakota by Rick W Mills Hard Cover One of 500 First Edition
The Milwaukee Road in Dakota by Rick W Mills
Hard Cover ONE OF 500 in the first edition of this book
156 pages
Copyright 1998
CONTENTS
Acknowledgmentsiv
Dedication v
Forewordvi
Introduction vii
1. Dakota 1
2. Look West21
3. Dakota Decadence57
4. All Good Things89
5. Reprieve, Rebirth, Renewal 131
Appendix 161
INTRODUCTION
Why does a reasonable person tackle this sort of a project in the first place? With my previous works I had been struck by the rate at which our history is being lost, as many of the people who actually were history are passing on, along with their particular insights and colorful tales of early railroading. The more I work in this field, the greater this sense of urgency to preserve as much information and artifacts as possible.
Having grown up hearing, and following the course of the Chicago and North Western's history more than that of the Milwaukee, I had always focused on that particular branch of railroad history. But the Milwaukee Road, of course, was as instrumental in building the Dakotas as was my first love in railroading. I knew I needed to even the score.
Thus, I started out with the goal of producing a work that represents a coherent sense of the basic reasons the Milwaukee Road was so vital in the creation, development, transportation, and culture of the Dakotas, citing as many folks as possible who were there.
Having Dakota pioneering roots back at least four generations on both sides of my own family who had been involved in some way with the Milwaukee Road gave me a personal reason to record the impressions of people still living who had been influenced by the company; and to try to convey those remembrances to the reader before it was too late.
The people I contacted in the course of this work were very generous in providing me with images of the Milwaukee in photographic and verbal forms; it is a compelling body of historical materials, to say the least.
The Milwaukee Road was a key player in South Dakota history in more ways than this book can hope to portray through historical accounts, photographs, maps, and personal recollections. Whether it be to the good, for the bad, or in a passive sense, the Milwaukee influenced the Dakotas in a multitude of ways. Every person took something different away from his or her relationship with "the Milwaukee."
Employees found the railroad to be an employer as well as a way of life that was always challenging-and sometimes enjoyable. Throughout the pages that follow, Milwaukee railroaders will share some of their fondest, and most troubling memories of the life of a "rail." Like other professions, the good aspects of the work were often tempered with problems created beyond the cab, the crummy, and the ticket office.
The shippers, passengers, and other customers of the Milwaukee relationship with the railroad. As often happens, words go unspoken when things are going fine, but as the railroad adage goes, "If the train jumps the tracks, see who catches hell."
The employees of the Milwaukee often found themselves in a "public relations" capacity as they came into contact with their customer's problems and complaints. But, that was a part of the job on the Milwaukee Road.
First of all, the most fascinating part of the research of this involved project has been in the interviews, which really shouldn't surprise anyone. Railroaders have a bit of wanderlust built into their character, it seems, as well as an even fairer dose of colorful story telling and reminiscing. The oral history of the people who lived this great experience in Dakota, and the priceless photos that have been preserved by individuals, libraries, museums and collectors represent the past.
Secondly, that historical information ties closely into the current railroad and cultural experience we share in the present.
Lastly, I was given a sense of how where we have been is vital to understanding where we must head in the future if we are to continue to live the railroad experience in any capacity at all.
From the recollections of the Moe family about their Milwaukee careers that represent the past-to the railroading legacy evidenced by R. C. Lathrop's bridging of the past and present through his current railroad service and untiring historical preservation; and the actual restoration of a former Milwaukee branch line for profit and fun between Milbank and Sisseton by a group of dedicated local residents and shippers-to the future as is represented by Congressman John Thune's family history with the Milwaukee, which has led in large part to his current commitment to the railroad industry and people of South Dakota-the eras are intertwined in countless ways.
The past, the present, the future. That is what The Milwaukee Road in Dakota came, in my mind, to be all about. It is about our roots, our trunk, and our ever-extending branches as a society. The Milwaukee Road played a large part in the evolution of the Dakotas as we know them today; and through the lives it touched, it will continue its influence into future years.
It is my sincerest hope that this work will be taken as a tribute to the countless employees of the Milwaukee Road and to their part in the pioneering of Dakota.
Let's take a ride on the Milwaukee rails in the Dakotas ..
Rick W. Mills April, 1998
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