Blacksmith
05-22-2008, 10:12 PM
Hello Everyone,
I'm Tracy Derks, and my grandfather, Peter W. Derks worked for the Frisco Railroad for over 30 years (though there was a small interruption called the Great Depression that meant the certification of service from 1955 reads 'Quarter Century" of service). My granddad worked in the West Works (I'm not sure why I say that, I'm not sure, other than my family lived on Elizabeth Street between North and Atlantic and my Granddad walked to work.) as a blacksmith. He also was a scab, being hired during a strike in the early or mid-20's. According to my father (who later became a Union man in the Merchant Marine) my Granddad had to sleep in the Works at first because it was too dangerous to walk to and from work. Also, shots were fired into the Works, because one bullet struck a driving wheel that he was leaning against.
I remember seeing those buildings and knowing that was where my Granddad worked, though this was as a child and I didn't care back then.
My father, Charles Lynn Derks, worked there for a short time, but it was not for him. He told me just today how he had to crawl inside the boilers as men riveted from the outside -- he decidedly did not like it.
I'm a college history instructor and I could not be more proud of Peter W. Derks, who contributed to the history of this country by "working on the railroad."
I am also writing a novel for juveniles that takes place in and around the Frisco Works during the depression. I have lots of questions but I figure first I'll hang out abit and see what I can soak up.
Tracy Derks
I'm Tracy Derks, and my grandfather, Peter W. Derks worked for the Frisco Railroad for over 30 years (though there was a small interruption called the Great Depression that meant the certification of service from 1955 reads 'Quarter Century" of service). My granddad worked in the West Works (I'm not sure why I say that, I'm not sure, other than my family lived on Elizabeth Street between North and Atlantic and my Granddad walked to work.) as a blacksmith. He also was a scab, being hired during a strike in the early or mid-20's. According to my father (who later became a Union man in the Merchant Marine) my Granddad had to sleep in the Works at first because it was too dangerous to walk to and from work. Also, shots were fired into the Works, because one bullet struck a driving wheel that he was leaning against.
I remember seeing those buildings and knowing that was where my Granddad worked, though this was as a child and I didn't care back then.
My father, Charles Lynn Derks, worked there for a short time, but it was not for him. He told me just today how he had to crawl inside the boilers as men riveted from the outside -- he decidedly did not like it.
I'm a college history instructor and I could not be more proud of Peter W. Derks, who contributed to the history of this country by "working on the railroad."
I am also writing a novel for juveniles that takes place in and around the Frisco Works during the depression. I have lots of questions but I figure first I'll hang out abit and see what I can soak up.
Tracy Derks