The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1874-08-23

10 emigrants settling the country. This
isolated condition Of things caused by
the want Of proper facilities for getting
about, was keenly felt by the whole
community, aud remained so until the
energy, the brains aud the determine.
ton OF "A few Of the noblest clilzens Of
Houston overcame NIL obstacles, aud
created from out of their private re-
sources and interchangeable persistence,
the grand aud Indispensable facilities
OF trade and interc0mmunication We
80 proudly bearded throughout this
SUNNY land OF Texas.
The men who had located In
Houston at an early day, and reached
from u wilderness of scrub oaks, frog
ponds and mud, one of the most at
tractlNc, beautiful cities, could not
afford to settle down aud quietly con-
template work yet halt begun, After
maturing their plans, they didnot hesi'
tate to commence, aud spurnlng the
jibes and jeerS and enemies of pnhllc
improvements, created the great net
work Of transportation that has given
Texas theglorlous importanc She proud
~ maintains. lis UNNECESSARY 10 mem
ton to the people ufTeXas the names Of
this honorable company, as they have
become familiar household words In
every community IN the lapd, but ow-
Ing TO personal acquaintance have
the honor 10 possess with many Orthem
take the liberty of calling their
names In this article first had the
honor of an acquaintance with Colonel
A. Gratbrek, n gentleman many
years president and vice president
of the Houston and Texas Central rail-
road company, possessing superior at
tainments MS linancier and business
man, and II noble friend 10 the strug-
Cling, intelligent youths and strangers
IN this land, To whom, with Others of
this noble company, | am indebted for
many gratuitous favors and kindness.
Mr.. Paul Bremond, the father of the
Central railroad, Hon. William II. Ba-
ker, many times president Of the COM
pany, Hon. w. j. Hutchins Colonel
VanAlstine, with, whom, rs agent of
the company at the general Office at
Houston, / associated few of the
pleasantest years of my life, moments
that seem upon the golden sunbeams
Of that happy period to he gems coined
in an orient paradise of pleasureable
"Reminiscences.
TO these noble gentlemen, the peo-
pie of Texas are greatly indebted aud |
instead of abuse and detractlon we |
should endeavor to place their names |
high up the LADDER of glorious fame,
and bestow upon them the enconiums |
of regard they richly merit for the nc
complishment of II work IN public inn
provements cternally beneficial to our !
state.
warranted in saying that In the sue.
cessful completeness of building and
operating of the great Central railroad,
they developed sound Judgment In
their selection of officers to manage the |
destinies of the road, and whenever an
opportunity occurred to promote the
interest of employees meriting their es.
teem the company has invariably |
done so, as they nobly did at honest |
Benchley's death in raising q monu'
ment to his integrity. Among other
officers of my acquaintance i that
prince OF railroad men, Colonel Charles
Burton, assistant superintendent of
the road, a self-made noble, man Of our
times, and the confidential friend and |
employee of the company; Captain
ID. V. Allen, my old superintendent,
and friend, social and kind-hearted,
full of goodness and integrity as mn egg
is of meat; Captain Kossee, formerly
chief engineer in the construction, and
his good hunlored levity is not forgot
ten; Colonel Fuller, my old friend,
the lighting Hugenot of Navasoto, and
demoralizer of DULLES, braggarts and
scoundrels; John Angus, the terminal
agent of many years, retaining his po-
stion by his superior business qualif-
cations and integrity, are not easily for
gotten, for thay constitute, with one
other exception, the principal officers
of my acquaintance retained by the |
company for meritorious conduct.
The other is the Hon. John Durand,
the present superintendent of the
Houston and Texas Central railroad,
who, from his elegant and superior
of that extensive rail-
road, has exhibited qualifications as an
railroad officer, intelligently
the high superiority of in
tellect In railroad matters recommend
ed in his selection from hundreds Of
competitors North. Long may he enjoy
the confidence of his many friends,
health. l.. ~.