Got This Off My MILWAUKEE Yahoo E Group. Stuart Kurth, Wetmoc, died yesterday afternoon peacefully. Stuart has been ill for some four or six weeks, but was talking with friends up to about a week ago. His funeral will be held in Beloit, WI this coming Tuesday at 11:00 am. In only several short months, we have now lost the second of the very last living former Milwaukee locomotive engineers who grew up in the midst of Milwaukee steam. Like Bill Wilkerson, Stuart loved Milwaukee steam, but unlike Bill, Stuart experienced it instead on the old Southwestern and Superior Division lines. His special interest was the Milwaukee's very early steam power, and the rare knowledge that he had of these teakettles probably is simply not not replaceable. He is the only person that I have known in recent years that could relate what it was REALLY like to ride in a class A Atlantic at 103 mph. Stuart told me once that his monicker was earned as a child playing with a long standing Indian friend. They would commonly play in some land back of his house across a water-filled ditch, a barrier that Stuart could never cross without getting his shoes wet. The name "Wetmoc" ("wet moccasin") resulted. Apparently this early friendship also earned a life long interest in the life and culture of the Indians of Wisconsin- a deep interest and respect that seemed to embue a great deal of his non-railroad life and language. I never met Stuart personally, although we certainly talked a great deal on the eMail more off list than on. I recall very clearly when after first mastering his new computer, he asked tentatively whether or not he might participate on the Milwaukee List. For a good long period of time following, he became a major contributor to our knowledge of the Milwaukee operations in Wisconsin and the Southwestern. The banter between he and Al Fickensher on real time Fairbanks Morse diesel operations will remain as one of the best and most entertaining threads on the List. He was always immensely generous with his knowledge and vast materials; he was very loyal to his friends, and the plights of former fellow Milwaukee railroaders; he could be fiercely independent and irreverent, and in this regard could at times bear little patience with authority, or those he thought were simply guilty of being humbugs; he had a very sly sense of humor, and he could be very private about his personal affairs. He loved the Milwaukee Road. Rest in Peace. [ 07 April 2002, 06:21: Message edited by: LadySunshine ]
For the past couple of years, I've been a member of a small circle that are fans of the Milwaukee Road. It's a private little bunch that exchanges serious Milw info, plus jokes, etc., that were not on topic enough for the regular Milw YahooGroup. Stu was an integral part of this. Most of us grew up around the Milw, with family on the RR, worked for the Milw, or in the industry. So we felt a certain bond. We've had a great time. Until recently. When Wetmoc had to sign out as his health was sliding. He was an anchor of it all, and it's been very quiet the last few weeks without him. I cannot imagine how we'll be able continue without this good friend. It's a very sad weekend. BoxcabE50
It really hits home and close to the heart as one of the old crew pulls that last pin. Thankfully he went peacefully. We are getting fewer those of us who are in the Autum of our life's run.
Wayne you are right, I was only two when my Grandfather passed away. He worked for the Milwaukee RR and it would have been fun to hear his stories. I talk to my Mom about her Dad but it is not the same. Wayne have you ever thought about writing a journal about your experiences? I hope you will share your tales of the road with either me or the others. Thank you Wayne and God Bless You and your Family. With Love, Barb