Cadillac News Jan. 14, 1931
Thieves who broke into the Ann Arbor depot at Luas obtain about $7 and some small change. The money belonged to the Ann Arbor railroad company although there was about $70 in another drawer, which belonged to the post police department. Martin Elenbaas, who is the postmaster and also the agent for the railroad company in Lucas had the money the money in drawers, which were in a roll top desk. When the the top of the desk is down all drawers, which were in it are locked.
It is believed by officers who are investigating the robbery that that the thief or thieves were frightened away as the drawer where the post office money was located could have been opened as easily as the other one. Top of of the desk was opened by a screwdriver. One of the windows opened and tracks were found outside of the depot. The Officers are not able to find how many people took part in the robbery. Lucas is a small farming community located in Missaukee County. It is about eight miles southeast of Cadillac. The robbery was reported to Sheriff Burkett of Missaukee County, who who with the assistance of Sheriff C. H. Nixon, is now investigating.
The Owosso Argus-Press July 23, 1931
Edward Titus went to Whitmore Lake this morning to complete arrangements for the annual picnic of the Ann Arbor railroad employes.
The Owosso Argus-Press July 23, 1931
The Ann Arbor railroad shops are closed today, and, until further orders are received from President Joseph Ramsey, the men will work only five days a week. Although the facts were not definitely known at the local offices, the belief was that the order was put into effect as an economy measure.
The Owosso Argus-Press Sept. 17, 1931
ANN ARBOR HAS NOT BENN TAKEN OVER BY PENNSYLVANIA, SAID
Craighead Brands Rumors Afloat Here for Several Days as False
“There is absolutely nothing to the rumor that the Pennsylvania Railroad is taking over the operation of the Ann Arbor,” declared A. C. Craighead, superintendent of the Ann Arbor this morning.
“Probably this rumor started, due to the Ann Arbor's efforts to consolidate certain work with the Pennsylvania at Cadillac, where we have direct connections and certain facilities that can be easily operated jointly, and in this way save considerate expense,: he explained. “This is nothing more than what has been done all over the country wherever it is possible.”
Similar to Durand
Mr. Craighead pointed out that the consolidation is nothing more than was has existed in Durand for many years, in the operation of the Grand Trunk and Ann Arbor, to the extent that one station, freight house, and a single staff of operators serves both organizations.
“There is such a consolidation with the Pere Marquette Railroad at Clare and several joint arrangements with other railroads are now in effect at Toledo,” Mr. Craighead said.
Resignation Starts Rumors
It is the belief of Mr. Craighead that the rumors started with resignation of J. E. Taussig as the president of the Wabash and the suggest that President Franklin of the Pennsylvania would be appointed president of the Wabash and Ann Arbor. The assumption was ventured by some that the Pennsylvania was also to take over the operation of the Ann Arbor.
“H. Williams chairman of the board of directors, has been made the president of the Wabash and has assumed those duties,” Mr. Craighead said. “Mr. Franklin has not been appointed, to my knowledge.
“The Ann Arbor will continue to operate as heretofore, as far as I know, without further changing in its personnel.
“I have no knowledge of being transferred or leaving the Ann Arbor,” Mr. Craighead concluded.
“I hope to continue in my present capacity.”
The have been rumors that Mr. Craighead was to go to Chicago as superintendent of the Wabash.
The Owosso Argus-Press Oct. 15, 1931
ANN ARBOR, WABASH PRESIDENT STRICKEN EXPIRES IN ST. LOUIS
William H. Williams, Who WAS Here Monday, is Victim of Heart Attack
KNOWN THROUGHOUT U. S.
Rail Executive Started His Career as Freight Cashier in Toledo
William H. Williams, 57 years old, of New York, president of the Wabash and Ann Arbor railroads; chairman of the board of the Wabash, and one of the most widely known railroad executives in the United States, is dead. He died in a hotel in St. Louis, Mo., yesterday afternoon, after having suffered a heart attack on Tuesday night, shortly after his arrival in St. Louis after completing his first trip of inspection over the Ann Arbor Railroad.
Mr. Williams passed through Monday afternoon with a group of other Wabash and Ann Arbor officials, the train stopping here while they changed engines. They were southbound, the inspection trip ending at Milan, and had taken them to Frankfort, thence across Lake Michigan, on the Ann Arbor ferries. Mr. Williams appeared to be in the best of health when he was here.
Refuses to Talk
During the brief time that Mr. Williams was here, he adhered strictly to the trait for which he was widely known among newspapermen of the county, talking very little. An Argus-Press reporter asked him about the employment situation, as regards the Ann Arbor shops, a reported increase in freight business over the Ann Arbor,
his opinion as to whether the coming winter would see conditions improve, and a comparison of business on the Ann Arbor with that of other roads. Courteously, but firmly, he declined to make any comment.
“i cannot see that the expressed opinion of any one man means anything at all,” declared Mr. Williams. “I do not care to make any statement in relation to to other railroads.”
When the reporter approached him in his private car, he was engaged in studying various reports.
Had Good Reason
It is said of Mr. Williams that one reason of his steadfast refusal at all times to talk for publication was that he had seen and heard too many men, successful in one line of business, become imbued with the idea that they knew everything about all other lines of business, and talk too much. He talked only on the business that he knew the railroad business, and only among his intimates, and not to reporters.
Mr. Williams went to St. Louis to attend the national dairy show in which his herd of 40 Guernsey cattle was the largest entry.
Started in 1890
Mr. Williams was born in Athens, O., and was educated in the public schools at Toledo, and at the Beavery Valley Pen Art Hall at Beaver Falls, Pa.
His long and successful career in railroading began with the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1890, when he became freight cashier in Toledo. He held various positions with that company and with many others, until he became assistant secretary of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in 1901.
In his nearly half century of railroad life he had been connected with many large roads. Besides the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore & Ohio, he had been associated with the St. Louis, the San Francisro and Eastern Illinois railroads.
He became the manager of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce in 1905 but a few years later returned to railroad, becoming chairman of the board of directors for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad.
Following the reorganization of the Wabash Railroad in 1915, Mr. Williams became the chairman of the board of directors of that organization.
In 1923 1923 he became chairman of the executive committee of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, without relinquishing his position as chairman of the board of directors of the Wabash, which he held until his death. A Year later, 1924, he was made the chairman of the Missouri Pacific directorate.
It was not until 1930 that Mr. Williams gave up his position as chairman of the board for the Missouri Pacific. In May of that year he was replaced by O. P. Van Sweringen who, with a group of associates, had secured the control of the road through the Allegheny Corporation, a holding company.
Mr. Williams became president of the Wabash and Ann Arbor on September 10, after James E. Taussig of St. Louis had resigned.
The Owosso Argus-Press Oct. 16, 1931 (Twenty years ago column)
The Ann Arbor railroad is constructing three new sidetracks between Clare and Alma to accommodate the sugar beet industry in the section.
Lewiston Evening Journal Dec. 4, 1931
NAME RECEIVERS FOR ANN ARBOR RAILROAD
TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 4 – (AP) – Receivers for the Ann Arbor Railroad were named in Federal court here today on application of the Jennison-Wright Co. The Ann Arbor is a part of the Wabash Railroad which was placed in the hands of a receiver Monday.
The Jennison-Wright Co. of Toledo alleged in its application that the railroad owes the firm $17,169.48 for ties and materials and cannot pay.
