Box, Train - Passenger Conductor's

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Box, Train - Passenger Conductor's

Object number1985.052.05

Dateca 1908-1930

MediumWood, Metal

DimensionsOverall: 12 5/8 x 28 3/4 x 10 5/8 in. (32.1 x 73 x 27 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection

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DescriptionIn the early years of the 20th century, the train box was a fixture on all passenger trains. These boxes were the property of the conductor, and held his uniform cap, his reports and whatever necessities he might need on the trip. Not all, but most train boxes had the conductors name and his train number on it. William Henry Church, the original owner of this box, was a native of Missouri, born 13 March 1862 at Farmington, Missouri. He started his railroad career on the St. Joe Lead Railroad at Bonne Terre, Mo. (Later the Missouri Pacific), leaving the St. Joe in 1893 to become a conductor on the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Asouthern at Desoto, Mo. When Louis Houck, the famous Southeast Missouri railroad builder started to build from Kennett, Mo. to Leachville, Ark., William Church became a passenger conductor on the Houck Line (later called the Frisco RR) running passengers between Kennett, Mo. and Leachville, Ar. When the Cotton Belt opened up their St. Louis Terminal, Mr. Church left the Frisco and became a passenger conductor there. He ran passenger trains in Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois, mostly between Jonesboro, Ark. and Illmo, Mo. Mr. Church died in North Little Rock, Ar. in 1930. His service on the Cotton belt was from 1908 to 1930. Oak stained and varnished decorative plated metal brackets on corners of the lid, body and bottom. "W.H Church" engraved on the front of box. Hinged lid with locked clasp on the front. Three compartments on the inside.

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