I have recently disovered that my great-grandfather, Emanuel A. Myers, was a fireman with the New York Central & St. Louis Railroad in 1910. He was living at 2421 Spy Run Avenue according to the Fort Wayne City Directory. I would like to find out more about him. Does anyone know if there are rosters or records available for railroad service from this time period -- or where I should inquire to find out? My great-grandfather died in 1952. Were railroad retirement benefits around at that time so there may be some records regarding him? Can anyone tell me whether this address on Spy Run Avenue still exists? Is it a house or apartment? I know next to nothing at all about my great-grandfather. He died in the Lawton Nursing Home and was given a welfare burial -- buried in the Allen County Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Can anyone out there give me a history lesson about the welfare system around 1952? I know absolutely nothing at all about it. I believe Emanuel's father, Israel, may have also been a fireman on the railroad in 1905, but haven't confirmed this yet either. You all have been a great help to me and my father. We both appreciate all the time and effort our fellow listers have given us so far! Karen

Karen, I'll check on 2421 Spy Run Ave. tomorrow. I have to drive past there almost every day. Linda ----- Original Message ----- From: <BeTheBull@aol.com> To: <INALLEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 12:42 AM Subject: [INALLEN-L] Railroad and Welfare Questions -- MYERS > I have recently disovered that my great-grandfather, Emanuel A. Myers, was a > fireman with the New York Central & St. Louis Railroad in 1910. He was > living at 2421 Spy Run Avenue according to the Fort Wayne City Directory. I > would like to find out more about him. Does anyone know if there are rosters > or records available for railroad service from this time period -- or where I > should inquire to find out? My great-grandfather died in 1952. Were > railroad retirement benefits around at that time so there may be some records > regarding him? > > Can anyone tell me whether this address on Spy Run Avenue still exists? Is > it a house or apartment? I know next to nothing at all about my > great-grandfather. He died in the Lawton Nursing Home and was given a > welfare burial -- buried in the Allen County Cemetery in an unmarked grave. > Can anyone out there give me a history lesson about the welfare system around > 1952? I know absolutely nothing at all about it. > > I believe Emanuel's father, Israel, may have also been a fireman on the > railroad in 1905, but haven't confirmed this yet either. > > You all have been a great help to me and my father. We both appreciate all > the time and effort our fellow listers have given us so far! > > Karen >