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Uncle Henry Puckett
Life in Service of Railroard Co.
Postmarked Dec 13 1966


To: Mrs. Clinton Waller
From: Mrs. R. O. Waller

Henry Puckett, age 77 and a resident of Lewistown for a period extending back to the close of the Cival War is enjoying life after having spent over 50 years in the service of the Burlington Railroad. A little over two years ago he was placed on the pension list of the road for his long service and was retired with a monthly allowance. In addition to the pension he has an annual pass over the Burlington lines which permits his wife and self traveling if they so desire!

Mr. Puckett came to Lewistown at the close of the war, he came here from Kansas, having gone there from Kingsville Missouri where the war had left things in such a condition that living was next to impossible. The state militia had burned the greater number of the houses, leaving only a few "nigger" huts standing. Mr. Puckett says that about everything in the eating line had disappeared and this caused him to go to Kansas and from there to Illinois.

On coming to Lewistown he secured employment with the Burlington RR working with the men who did the grading of the road from Lewistown to Rushville. He states that the work was started in 1867 and he worked with the contractor on the grading until the work was completed. The Burlington RR had stopped in Lewistown earlier in the 60's, the end of the line on the south being what is now East Milton Ave. The Co. had a turntable near the point where the Standard oil tanks are now located and just a little north of this was the house where the engines were kept overnight. at a point just a little north of what is known as the Charles Dolph property the stock yards were located being on the east side of the track. On one occasion a man driving a team near getting caught between the stock yard fence and a train on the main track and this caused the company to move the yards to their present location A part of the present depot was the one used when Mr. Puckett first came to Lewistown. North of the depot there was a hedge fence and north of that point was a large open space with no houses. When he first came to Lewitown there were many "Dog ? Rangers" here and of course large numbers of Union soldiers lived here and as a result there was more or less trouble. In speaking of open spaces north and west of the depot, Mr. Puckett states that it was a great place for racing horses in the early days. The race would start near the old Bob Pritchard farm and frequently the horses would be run through the hedge fence on the south. As far back as he can remember there were never any Indians in Lewistown or vicinty, but he recalls after leaving Missouri he went to Kansas and there he saw many of the "Red Skins". He tells of the Indians being on a raid and stealing a cream colored pony which he owned. In trying to get away the Indians beat it to death.

On Monday of next week Mr. Puckett leaves for Kingsville Missouri for a visit. About two weeks ago he started for that place but on learning the heavy storms had caused many wash outs he returned to Lewistown. This time he expects to make the trip if his health permits, being his first visit to that place since he left it 57 years ago.

With his years of service with the RR a portion of the time was under contract and the remainder in the employ of the Co. in some other capicity. When it came to putting him on the pension roll he could not get credit for his full service on account of that part spent working under contract. Finally it was agreed that he would come under a 20 year clause. Having been connected for so many years with the Burlington, it is only natural that his interest is in that RR. Tuesday noon, while sitting on a truck at the North End of the station, he was heard to remark that the storms of the last few weeks had caused the Co. a great amount of additional expense. His statement was made in such a way one could tell he personally felt the loss to the Co. With nothing to do but take life easy, his remaining years he spends mush of his time around the depot. Doubtless he lives over and over the years that he can look back upon his early life while in service of the railroad company.