YOUNG TELEGRAPH OPERATOR Fred Spellman

[Janet Harrington]

YOUNG TELEGRAPH OPERATOR

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  Frontenac, Kan.  January 5. - In the absence of Frank Piaro, the regular third trick operator at the Santa Fe depot here who is sick, Fred Spellman, the youngest operator, has been called upon again to fill a vacancy.  Fred is but thirteen years old and won the distinction of being the youngest operator in the Santa Fe service two years ago, at which time he was also named as the youngest operator in the United States.  Having been raised in a railroad office and instructed in the work under the careful supervision of his father, Mr. F. E. Spellman, the agent here who is also an operator as is his wife, it seems a sort of second nature for the lad to handle wire work.  According to his parents he has been sending and receiving competently for a number of years and learned the telegraphic alphabet shortly after his A. B. c.'s.  It has often been remarked by the road officials that Fred has a good job awaiting him when he arrives at the right age.
  Young Fred is the son of Fred E. Spellman, formerly Santa Fe agent at Elk Falls, and for a number of years correspondent of the Citizen from that place.