Date of Award:

5-1993

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Arts (MA)

Department:

History

Committee Chair(s)

F. Ross Peterson

Committee

F. Ross Peterson

Committee

Peter F. Galderisi

Committee

Leonard N. Rosenband

Abstract

Research for this thesis drew from the records of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, Re-Echo Lodge #195 of Montpelier, Idaho; the U.S. Censuses for the years 1900, 1910, and 1920; and the Montpelier Examiner, 1900-1920. The study focused on the world of railroad firemen and enginemen from the standpoint of the firemen's union members. A special focus examined the locomotive firemen's experiences of working in a predominantly Mormon settlement and the diversity that the railroaders brought to Montpelier.

Locomotive firemen and enginemen who were union members relied on their solidarity as a body of organized labor for protection of life and livelihood. The union provided stability to its members who labored in an uncertain and dangerous line of work. Locomotive firemen and enginemen emerged as a distinct class of involved workers in a society economically and socially impacted by the railroad. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen in Montpelier, Idaho proved to be a valuable constituent of the railroad community specifically and Montpelier generally.

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