A diamond studded pin denoting 50 years of service in the company has been awarded to Clarence C. Halphide of Mason City, agent for the Railway Express agency, it was announced Monday by express company officials.

Mr. Halphide, 1108 Adams avenue northwest has been the Mason City agent for the past 17 years. He started in the express business at the age of 19 as a clerk for the Adams Express company at Mitchell, S. Dak.

The local agent and his mother, Mrs. Mary Halphide, were the first persons to enter Mitchell, S. Dak., on the first Milwaukee train carrying passengers to that town.

The award was presented by J. F. Glover, general manager of the company, Chicago, Ill., at the Central Iowa division meeting dinner in Des Moines Friday which was attended by 138 Iowa agents. J. A. Anderson, Des Moines superintendednt, was in charge of the meeting. C. F. Custer, Chicago, Ill., represented E. M. Whittle, vice president, and W. H. Dresser of Mason city, traveling auditor, attended the meeting.

Submission by Kay Ehlers, July 12, 2005