The Civilizing Machine: A Cultural History of Mexican Railroads, 1876-1910

Acknowledgments

a c k n o w l e d g m e n t s The completion of this book would have been impossible without the support and guidance that I received from many people. And attempting to acknowledge all the personal and intellectual debts that I have incurred along the way seems as challenging as writing this entire book, maybe more. That said, I will try anyway. My initial interest in Latin American studies and Mexico more specifically began at Simon Fraser University, where Richard Boyer provided incredible encouragement when I was an undergraduate and incredible feedback and friendship during my first forays into graduate work. Also, while I was an undergraduate , Edward Ingram and Terrance Ollerhead at the International History Review offered me a job as assistant to the editor, a job I was lucky enough to keep for five years and that piqued my interest in the study of history. I am thankful for their support at such an early stage in my academic career. Research for this project began at the University of Arizona where my adviser, William Beezley, always provided unwavering support and invaluable advice. Kevin Gosner, Bert Barickman , and Linda Green all shared their vast knowledge of Latin America with me and, in so doing, shaped my approach to the study of history and culture. The Barbara Payne Robinson Research Grant from the History Department at the University of Arizona provided funds for archival research in Puebla, Zacatecas , and Mexico City, and the Tinker Foundation Summer Research Grant provided funds for archival research in Querétaro ack nowledgmen ts xii and San Luis Potosí. My graduate school compadres cultivated an intellectually stimulating environment and a profound sense of camaraderie and community. I would like to thank Ageeth Sluis, Amanda López, Jeff Bannister, Karin Friederic, Erika Korowin, Robbie Scott, Vikas Rathee, Ryan Kashanipour, and Sigma Colon for their support and friendship. ¿Cómo no te voy a querer? William French, Stephen Neufeld, Tracy Goode, James Garza, Victor Macías-González, and Áurea Toxqui offered wonderful advice while I was either researching or writing this book. Taking time out of his busy schedule to read the manuscript, Patrick Eberlein offered feedback from a refreshing perspective as someone outside the field, far outside the field. Ernesto Lundsford unwearyingly worked with me to translate numerous poems in this volume, although any errors in translation are mine and mine alone. I am thankful to Bridget Barry and many others at the University of Nebraska Press for their fine expertise, making it possible for this book to be published. The archivists and staff at the Nettie Lee Benson, Archivo General de la Nación, Hemeroteca Nacional, Colección Porfirio Díaz at the Universidad Iberoamericana, Centro de Estudios de Historia de México, Archivo Histórico del Estado de Querétaro , Archivo Histórico del Estado de San Luis Potosí, Archivo Histórico del Estado de Zacatecas, and Centro de Documentaci ón e Investigación Ferroviarias in Puebla were all extremely helpful and supportive, often demonstrating considerable enthusiasm for my project. Most of all I would like to thank Emilio García Teja, Carla Sánchez Gómez, and Magda Juanchi Gómez at the Biblioteca Lerdo de Tejada, who patiently catered to my (what I’m sure seemed like) endless requests and patiently endured my initial fumbling through the catalogues and document request forms. Also, while in Mexico City, Alma Bustamante helped me to navigate the city and showed me the routes to several archives. She also introduced me to the Pumas de la unam, and for that I am likewise truly grateful. ack nowledgmen ts xiii Elon University and the Department of History and Geography provided two things usually in short supply for young professors : time and money. The Hultquist Award and the Elon Faculty Research and Development Grant allowed me to undertake further research in Mexico City and Austin, Texas. Generous course releases offered me time to complete my writing and undertake the revisions that transformed my dissertation into a book. I thank my colleagues at Elon for promoting such a collegial environment, making it a superb place to work. At Elon I have benefited from the advice and support of David Crowe, Clyde Ellis, Mary Jo Festle, Charles Irons, Nancy Midgette, and Kirsten Ringelberg in preparing this manuscript. Finally, I wish to thank my parents, to whom this book...