COLLECTION NAME:
NNRy and KCC NMD Employee Profiles
Record
Employee Name:
Vernon Andrew Read
Profile Number:
EP-01-0016
Primary Job Title:
Boilermaker
Division:
Nevada Northern Railway
Years Worked:
1936-1958
Description:
After moving to Ely in 1935, Vernon was hired by the Nevada Northern Railway as a boilermaker in 1936.
His responsibilities ensured that the locomotives, steam wrecking crane and rotary snow plow remained in service and that the shop was maintained. An expert in his field and one that demanded work be completed right, he often returned home complaining about how the shop workers couldn't work without his direct supervision.
He had a small workspace in the corner of the boilershop where he did much of his welding work. In an effort to remove the toxic fumes from the welding rods he built a rudimentary ventilation system with a hood and fan that would send the gasses out a window.
His skills as a boilermaker were also in demand throughout the town including a laudry that was operated off of steam. When their plant would go down, Vernon was the one called to make repairs.
Working with the locomotives he, along with many others, called #40 his favorite, though his children also recall him speaking of #93.
Despite efforts to create a ventilation system, a career breathing in toxic fumes caused his death in 1958, essentially giving his life for Kennecott Copper and the steam engines that he loved.
His responsibilities ensured that the locomotives, steam wrecking crane and rotary snow plow remained in service and that the shop was maintained. An expert in his field and one that demanded work be completed right, he often returned home complaining about how the shop workers couldn't work without his direct supervision.
He had a small workspace in the corner of the boilershop where he did much of his welding work. In an effort to remove the toxic fumes from the welding rods he built a rudimentary ventilation system with a hood and fan that would send the gasses out a window.
His skills as a boilermaker were also in demand throughout the town including a laudry that was operated off of steam. When their plant would go down, Vernon was the one called to make repairs.
Working with the locomotives he, along with many others, called #40 his favorite, though his children also recall him speaking of #93.
Despite efforts to create a ventilation system, a career breathing in toxic fumes caused his death in 1958, essentially giving his life for Kennecott Copper and the steam engines that he loved.
Born:
August 18, 1902
Died:
December 20, 1958
Hometown:
Marshall, TX
Burial Place:
Ely City Cemetery, Ely, NV
Personal Biography:
Vernon Andrew Read and his twin Evans Allen Read were born in Marshall, Texas on August 18, 1902 to Marion and Bertha Read. Their father gained employment with the Panama Canal Zone, moving the family there and enrolling the boys in apprenticeship programs. Vernon received training as a metal worker while Evans received training as a carpenter. Entering his apprenticeship at the age of 13, he was paid 5 cents and hour.
He remained in the service of the Panama Canal until March 15, 1922 when he resigned. By this time at the age of 20, he had been promoted to a boilermaker and was making 79 cents an hour. His service letter notes that his general workmanship and conduct were excellent.
He then traveled to Arizona.
His future wife, Effie Jane Oxborrow, had first married Bert Long, an Ely Police Officer with whom she had three children. Patrolman Long heard several shots being fired into the night and found a bar owner shooting targets in his bar. Long took the revolver and told the bar owner he was giving the revolver to the District Attorney in the morning and turned to leave. The owner took a loaded .25-.35 rifle from behind the bar counter and shot Long in the back, killing him. He was 34.
Vernon had previously proposed to Effie and was turned down. Hearing about the shooting, he wrote a letter to her asking if he could travel to Ely to visit her. She agreed. On the trip he proposed once again, marrying her July 22, 1935. Two more children soon joined her three.
An influential figure in Ely, Effie wrote a book on White Pine County History, assisted in the establishment of the Museum Society and supported numerous causes in the community. A cancer victim from the nuclear testing programs she and her children were included in the "Downwinders" program.
Vernon was a devoted Mason, member of the Ely Volunteer Fire Department and served a term on City Council.
He loved railroading and wherever the family traveled he would take them to visit train stations. He was especially delighted to find steam trains in operation, turn-tables and steam cranes. He lamented the intrusion of "Diesel-electric" engines.
The family home was on Lyons Avenue allowing the family to watch and hear the regular ore trains pass by as well as the occasional freight train.
Wanting to ride steam one last time, W.R. Armstrong wrote to the Southern Pacific requesting special permission for him to ride in the cab of a helper out of Wells on May 4, 1952.
Following a career exposed to welding fumes he passed away at the Steptoe Valley Hospital on December 20, 1958 from lung and kidney damage at the age of 55.
He remained in the service of the Panama Canal until March 15, 1922 when he resigned. By this time at the age of 20, he had been promoted to a boilermaker and was making 79 cents an hour. His service letter notes that his general workmanship and conduct were excellent.
He then traveled to Arizona.
His future wife, Effie Jane Oxborrow, had first married Bert Long, an Ely Police Officer with whom she had three children. Patrolman Long heard several shots being fired into the night and found a bar owner shooting targets in his bar. Long took the revolver and told the bar owner he was giving the revolver to the District Attorney in the morning and turned to leave. The owner took a loaded .25-.35 rifle from behind the bar counter and shot Long in the back, killing him. He was 34.
Vernon had previously proposed to Effie and was turned down. Hearing about the shooting, he wrote a letter to her asking if he could travel to Ely to visit her. She agreed. On the trip he proposed once again, marrying her July 22, 1935. Two more children soon joined her three.
An influential figure in Ely, Effie wrote a book on White Pine County History, assisted in the establishment of the Museum Society and supported numerous causes in the community. A cancer victim from the nuclear testing programs she and her children were included in the "Downwinders" program.
Vernon was a devoted Mason, member of the Ely Volunteer Fire Department and served a term on City Council.
He loved railroading and wherever the family traveled he would take them to visit train stations. He was especially delighted to find steam trains in operation, turn-tables and steam cranes. He lamented the intrusion of "Diesel-electric" engines.
The family home was on Lyons Avenue allowing the family to watch and hear the regular ore trains pass by as well as the occasional freight train.
Wanting to ride steam one last time, W.R. Armstrong wrote to the Southern Pacific requesting special permission for him to ride in the cab of a helper out of Wells on May 4, 1952.
Following a career exposed to welding fumes he passed away at the Steptoe Valley Hospital on December 20, 1958 from lung and kidney damage at the age of 55.
Vernon Andrew Read
