When he was old enough, Sammie used to go to the Depot every afternoon. He helped tag and load asparagus for the 5 o'clock train. Sammie typed on the typewriter and listened for Elko's call (KO) on the telegraph. At one time, he was also a paperboy for the Augusta Chronicle in Elko. After his father died, Sammie worked for his brother, Dalton, in his general store. Sam started at the Shipyard as a GS-2, Clerk, and advanced to a GS-11, Personnel Staffing Specialist, before he retired in 1978.