Obituary of Carl Gray, Pulaski County, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bill Bogges <billboggess@webtv.net> Date: 20 Feb 2006 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** Son of Colonel Oliver Crosby GRAY and Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY (transcribed 02/20/06) Copy courtesy of Colo Sprgs Public Library COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE Wednesday May 19, 1939 p 9, c 3 C R GRAY, RAIL EXECUTIVE DIES Resigned Vice-Presidency of Union Pacific Year Ago: Had Relatives Here WASHINGTON, May 9 (AP) -- A heart ailment caused the death today of Carl R Gray, 74, whom youthful enthusiasms for railroading carried him to top positions in the industry. Gray was vice chairman of the Union Pacific railroad, whose presidency he resigned more than a year ago. He was found dead in bed by his secretary, Chris Rossworm. ***************************** Carl R Gray, vice chairman of Union Pacific railroad who died suddenly in a Washington, D C hotel Tuesday night, was brother-in-law of the late Dr W W Flora of Colorado Springs. Mr Gray was married to Dr Flora's sister. Mr Gray had visited in Colorado Springs frequently in years past. He was former president of the Union Pacific railroad. ******************************* Two sons, Russell Gray of Wellesley, Mass. and Carl R Gray, Jr of St Paul, Minn were with their father on a visit here. He lived in New York. Gray was born September 23, 1867 at Princeton, Ark. the son of a mathematics teacher at the University of Arkansas. Because he appeared to be in weak health Gray ended his formal education with preparatory school and began working at the Fayetteville, Ark station of the Saint Louis and San Francisco railroad. [located on property formerly owned and next door to Gray's home, with first train arriving 8 June 1881] Money was no immediate object. Gray got no salary, but instead paid a telegrapher [W P McNair] $5 a month to teach him the trade until qualified as a relief operator. [1st paid job at Rogers, AR, 20 Mar 1883] From that post he advanced quickly and became a division superintendent; at the age of 30. Subsequently Gray became president of Spoken, Portland and Seattle line and the Oregon electric railway in 1911, president of the Great Northern line in 1913, president of Western and Maryland in 1914 and president of the Union Pacific in 1920. His interest in better railroading grew with the years and made him a leader in development of streamlined trains [Feb 1934, U P's 1st on U S soil] and fast freight service. Mrs Harriette Gray, the widow was honored as the "American Mother of 1937" by the Golden Rule Foundation of New York. A third son surviving is Dr Howard K Gray of Rochester, Minn. Additional Comments: Awarded honorary LL D degree from University of Arkansas in 1929, found in Who was Who in America and other notable books. (transcribed 02/20/06) The Courier-Gazette Rockland, Maine Thursday May 11, 1939 front page "GRAY OF THE UNION PACIFIC" Former Railroad President and Cushing Summer Resident Found Dead in His Hotel Carl R Gray, 71, vice chairman of the Board of the Union Pacific railroad and its former president, was found dead in bed Tuesday at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D C. Discovery of Gray's death was made when associates went to his room to awaken him around 10 a m. A son, Russell Gray of Wellesley, Mass. said his father was feeling well when he retired Monday night after having dinner with another son, Carl R Gray, Jr, of St Paul, Minn. The elder Gray's home was New York. The three Grays were in the city on different matters. Russell Gray said his father was there on "national transportation matters." Carl Gray, Sr, had served on President Roosevelt's joint labor-management committee appointed to work out a plan for reviving the nation's railroads. Few called him Carl Raymond Gray, for 17 years president of the Union Pacific system and later vice chairman of the Board of Directors. He was, as he wanted to be simply -- "Gray of the Union Pacific." Death was attributed to a heart attack which came after six strenuous months as a member of the President's Committee of Six---a group appointed to make recommendations for the rehabilitation of the nation's railroads. He had taken part in frequent conferences with President Roosevelt, a close friend and Congressional committee in an effort to work out a program to help the railroads. Gray's death was marked by a singular coincidence -- a coincidence of honor. Within a few hours after his death the historic Union Pacific train which had been used in exploitation of the motion picture "Union Pacific." was scheduled to arrive for exhibition in the Capital. This picture was being shown at the Strand Theatre in this city when news of Mr Gray's death came. "Gray of the Union Pacific" had expressed keenest interest in the filming of the saga of railroad --- a saga in which he played a long and real role. Gray joined the Union Pacific system in 1920 as president, He remained in that post to see it turned into one of the most modernized lines in the country its snub-nosed streamliners streaking across the plains at record speed. In 1937, he became vice chairman. Though he remained active until his death today, Gray was concerned deeply with the plight of all railroads. He could have retired to an easy old age, but he gave long hours to the President's Committee. Gray's acquaintance among railroad men probably was widest enjoyed by any railroader in the Country. He had served from [picture] telegrapher to president on any of the chief railroads systems and his activities had taken him from coast to coast. Beginning with the old St Louis and San Francisco Railroad, he rose from station master to senior vice president. Next he went to the Chicago and Eastern Illinois, next to Spokane, Portland and Seattle Electric Railway, and in 1914, he became president of the Great Northern. Coming East, Gray became chairman of the Wheeling Railway then president of the Western Maryland Railroad. Then unfolded for him the great career of his life --- the presidency of the Union Pacific. At the rime of his death he was one of the directors of Maine Central Railroad [also a Trustee of his fathers college, Colby College, Waterville, ME] Summered in Knox County Mr Gray was a summer resident of Pleasant Point, Cushing never so happy as when vacation time came and he could retire to the Maine coast to enjoy the charming scenery and dlightful climate which it afforded. Mr Gray never failed to indentify himself with civic undertakings in Knox County, and his benefactions were as liberal as they were almost unknown to te public at large. He was extremely democratic in his manner, and a delightful companion at any gathering. He had spoken occasionally before service clubs and on some public occasins after the World War told of a fascinated Rockland audience some details in connection with the railroads co-operation during that crucil period in the nation's history.He spoke very modestly, however, about the important part which he played in handling the railroads at that time. Mrs Gray, who survives her husband was designated in 1937 as "The American Mother." after search for somebody who typified the ideals of American motherhood. Like her late husband she has greatly endeared herself to residents of Knox County for her work in behalf of the churches and civic interests. (transcribed, 02/20/06) Copy from Ft Myers (FL) Public Library THE NEW YORK TIMES Wednesday, May 10, 1939 CARL R GRAY, 71, RAILROAD LEADER Vice Chairman of the Board of Union Pacific, Head of Line 17 Years, Dies ROSE FROM STATION AIDE Stricken in Washington Hotel While on Trip Concerning Pending Legislation Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. WASHINGTON, May 9, . --- Carl R Gray, veteran railroad executive and vice chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, was found dead in his bed at the Mayflower Hotel here today. Death was attributable to heart disease. He was 71 years old. Mr Gray was in Washington in connection with pending railroad legislation, having served as unofficial chairman of a railway legislative board of executives and union leaders who made a report to President Roosevelt last December. He had not been in ill health. His railroad career covered a period of more than fifty-six years, during which time he rose from a place as helper to a smaller-town station agent to the presidency and later vice chairmanship of the Union Pacific. In the interim he held various executive posts on half a dozen railroads which operated in thirty-nine of the forty-eight states of the Union. President 17 Years For seventeen years president of the Union Pacific Railroad, Mr Gray payed an outstanding part in the councils of railroad operation. He had started his career as a station sweeping boy. When he retired as president of the Union Pacific on Oct 1, 1937, he became vice chairman of the board of the system and continued to take part in the work of the railroad. ************** PICTURE ************** Mr Gray was born in Princeton, Ark, on Sept 28, 1867, the son of the late Colonel Oliver C Gray, educator an Confederate veteran, and of the late Mrs Virginia Davis Gray. When he completed his course in the preparatory department of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where his father was a professor of mathematics. Mr Gray, although only 15 years old, was ready to enter the university. However, members of the faculty, asserting that he was "six feet tall and thin as two clapboards nailed together." suggested he remain out of school for a time. [1929, universirty bestowed an Honorary Degree of LL D to him, as had three other like institutions] The St Louis and San Francisco railway ran through Fayetteville [tracks and station on land furnished by Carl's parents, from their 2-1/4 acre, 1877, homestead, 1st train 8 Jun 1881] --- and so fascinated was the youth by it that he began, while still 15, to work for the road on March 20, 1883. The Fayetteville station staff then comprised an agent telegrapher and helper. [1st paying job at Rogers, AR] Four years after he joined the railroad force he was commercial agent and district freight agent for the "Frisco" [Wichita, KS]. When he was 30 years old he was division superintendent [Neodesha, KS]. In 1900 he became superintendent of transportation and general manager, [Monett, MO], and 1909 he was named senior vice president[St Louis, MO]. For eight months he served as general manager of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and in 1911 he was picked by James J Hill management to become president of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railroad and the Oregon Electric line. In 1912 he took the post of president of Great Northern and in March 1914 he came East to assume the presidency of the Western Maryland. President of Union Pacific On conclusion of his government service, Mr Gray returned to the Western Maryland for a brief period. In 1920 he was made president of the Union Pacific, one of the leading systems of the country. In April of 1937, when Mr Gray's impending retirement in October was announced, W Averill Harriman, chairman of the board of the Union Pacific, announced: "In order that the Union Pacific may retain the benefit and value of Mr Gray's lifelong experience in the railroad industry and his knowledge of present railroad problems, I am gratified to state that Mr Gray has agreed to continue in the Union Pacific service and will assume post of vice chairman of the board." In 1938-39 Mr Gray was active as a railroad spokesman in connection with governmental and railroad efforts to rehabilitate the railroads of the nation. Early in 1938 he was the only railroad executive on the list of those invited by president Roosevelt to a White House conference to discuss the railroad situation. He served that year and this on the President's special committee of railroad management and labor executives. The committee consisting of three management and three union leaders, was named last September to study the railroad problem and draft a program for rehabilitation. Upon his retirement as president of Union Pacific Mr Gray moved to New York, after living many years in Omaha. His residence here was ar 1035 Fifth Avenue. Surviving are his widow and three sons, Carl R Gray, Jr of St Paul, Minn, executive vice president of the Chicago, St Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway: Dr Howard K Gray, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, who operated upon James Roosevelt, son of the President, last year, and Russell D Gray, Wellesley, Mass, who is connected with the New York, Ontario & Western Railway. <>-------<>-------<> Additional Comments: Additional documented facts inserted "[ ]" by Bill Boggess Carl, as stated, son of O C and Virginia GRAY, married 6 Dec 1886 at Oswego, KS, Harriette Amanda (Flora) GRAY d/o John Andrew and Mary Elizabeth (Shults) FLORA of Kansas, she the 1st white child born in Montgomery county, Kansas 17 Sep 1869. 50th wedding anniversary party given by friends with 1400 attending at Omaha, featured in "Life" Magazine, pages 68 through 72, 21 Dec 1936 issue. See booklet "Carl Raymond Gray, Foot Prints on the Sands of Time", filed at: Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Arkansas History Commission, Special Collections, University of Arkansas, Rogers Historical Museum, Nebraska Historical Society, and Minnesota Historical Society, Thomaston Maine Public Library, Colby College, Waterville Maine(where he was a member of Board of Trustees, 1938 to death) (transcribed, 02/20/06) Contributed: B Holt Author; Mrs Madeline Stimpson Publication: Unknown (The Courier-Gazette?) Date: Unknown, (Shortly after 9 May 1939) CARL GRAY The friends and relatives of the late Carl Gray [1867AR-1939DC] were much shocked to hear of his sudden death. This community feels that it has lost a great member in one who held such an honorable and high position in life. His congenial spirit and friendliness will always be remembered by everyone who knew him. Mr Gray's mother, Virginia Gray [1834ME-1886AR], daughter of Capt George Davis [1798ME-1870AR], was born on the estate now owned by Alva Carle. After the death of Mrs Davis, Mr Gray's grandmother(sic, grandfather) Capt Davis married the widow of Capt George Young (Elizabeth Young) thus uniting two large families. The former Mrs Davis and Mrs Young were sisters and relatives of Davis and Young families before their first marriages and second marriages brought the two families into close relationship. At the time of Capt Davis' second marriage he made his home with his wife on property owned by her and through heirship now owned by Capt Lesile Young. Therefore it will be seen that the deceased leaves here several elatives. Mr Gray's mother Virginia Gray resided here [incorrect, but often visited] and Mr Gray himself therefore spent a great deal of his boyhood here. In later years [ca 1919], because of his relationships he tried to buy his mother's birthplace [Davis Point], but being unable to do so, he bought the property of a Mr Payson, which had been his summer home [Gray Rocks, on Stoney Point Road] for many years [1919-1943]. It is thus seen how closely he was affiliated with this community, and how residents feel that they have lost a great friend and relative. However they hope that other members of the family will continue their residence here as they have in the past. Survivors in immediate family are: Mr and Mrs Carl Gray, 2d, Mr and Mrs Russell Gray, and Dr and Mrs Howard Gray, grandchildren, Carl Gray, 3d, Gladys Gray(now married) Eleanor Howard Gray, and Howard and DeWinter (sic) [and] children of Carl Gray, 3d. --- by Mrs Madeline Stimpson.