Benjamin Franklin Yoakum, a Texas boy, has been described as a railroad visionary, who put together the largest railroad empire under “single control” at that time (1902-1905). The Yoakum Empire included the Frisco, C&EI, Evansville and Terre Haute, St Louis, Brownsville and Mexico, and the Rock Island. The Yoakum Empire lasted until 1913, when it entered bankruptcy. The empire was dismembered and the various roads went their separate ways. I have been fortunate enough to acquire a couple boxes, which contain Mr. Yoakum’s correspondence. The letters are mostly from the turn of the century, and are related to railroad business. I did find one of a more personal note. The wife of one Frisco man, who had trouble with the bottle, and who had taken the cure was in need of work. The loving wife seems to have had some connection with Mr. Yoakum, or perhaps she just rolled the dice with the hope of that Mr. Yoakum would come to her assistance, again. I have redacted the name of the supplicant, her husband’s name and their Springfield address. Even though more than 100 years have passed, there still might be relatives in the Springfield area. After looking through some Springfield newspaper articles, and the Frisco Employee Magazines, I believe that this story has a happy ending. As late as 1924, this individual was still employed by the Frisco, and he was working for Mr Magers, the Eastern Division Superintendent.
Back years ago, the railroad was a place of several chances. Generally if it wasn't a act of mistrust, then chances were given with ease. Being a supervisor, I got to look at several personal records. Lots of Guy's had been fired 4 or 5 times and one guy had the record of 9 times. In 1988 the records was went through, anybody who had 3 incidents, within 5 years was supposed to be let go on the next incident. That didn't last long, but in today's time, Guy's are not as lucky.
