Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-03
A LESSON TO YOUNG MEN.
Sketch OF a Georgia Railroad Ex-
perGs

Editor Morning Ne1Ce: Among those who
have illustrated our State by their practical
achievements in the various mechanical indus
tries Of the period, the name of George Fl. Ha-
zlehurst, Esq, stands prominently forth
Born at Brunswick with whose history he is
so largely identifed) in 1924, at an early age
he was sent North to school at an institution
in the vicinity of Philadelphia. There, pursu-
ing his studies for six years, at fifteen he was
entered at Trinity College, Hartford, Connec-
ticut, joining the junior class, and graduating
at seventeen, in 1S42 returned to Georgia. Two
years afterwards, or in 1874, we find him be-
ginning his railroad career as a chain carrier
in the government survey of South Florida.
Two years did he serve in the mire and morasses
of the Everglades. until exchanging his posi-
tion for that OF rodman in 1916, in the construc-
ton of the Macon and Western Railroad start
ing at LovejOyS Station. Soon, however. he
was promoted to be Chief Engineer on the sur
vey of the road from Barnesville to Columbus
From thence he went upon the Nashville and
Chattanooga Railroad as resident engineer
under MIR. c. Mercer Garnett, remaining in that
position for five years, or until 1852, when the
first passenger train ran through from Nash
vile to MurfreeSborO, Tenn.
We next find young Hazlehurst filling the
important duties of chief engineer in the sur
Yey of the road from Nashville to the Missis-
Slppl river, commonly known as bn0 NaSlVul6
and Northwestern Road, one hundred and
eighty miles in length.
Next, he surveyed a branch road from Tulla-
homa to McMinnville, Tenn. and afterwards
served as principal assistant engineer on the
New Orleans, jackson and Great Northern
Railroad, 600 miles long, which was surveyed
and located The charge was then given him
OF the lower division of that road (907 niles,
which he completed in April, 1858. MIR. Hazle-
hurst then assumed the direction of the rail
road in process of construction from Vicks-
burg to Meridian. and prosecuted the work to
its completion within a short distance Of the
latter place. He now concluded to make a
professional tour abroad, and spent six months
in the study of the railroad system of the Con-
tinent OF Europe, ana q careful examination
of its coal and iron districts, rolling mills ETC.
During these investigations, hundreds of miles
were traversed on foot
In 1859 he returned to Georgia aud was inn
mediately put in charge, as Chief Engineer of
the Macon and Augusta Road. and in 1861 was
appointed to the same Office on the Macon
aud Bruins wick Railroad. When forced to sus-
pend operations by the breaking out of hoStili-
ties, like true patriot he at once entered the
army, and served on General Hardee's staff,
upon the engineer corps, in all the fights from
Dalton to Jonesboro. He was afterwards de-
tailed upon special duty by Gen. Hood and was
present in the closing battle Of the war in Geor-
gia, at Columbus, being quite near Col. @.
A f. Lamar when he fell
The subsequent career of Mr.. Hazlehurst
as the popular President of the Macon and Au-
gusta. and Macon and Brunswick Railroads, is
too familiar to all to require any mention here,
He possesses in a large degree the esteem and
confidence of the public as en- executive officer
and practical railroad expert. Moreover, the
youth of the country would do well to point the
moral of his success and learn what industry
sobriety and integrity can accomplish. From
d chain carrier in the swampS of Florida,
working at twelve dollars per month, step by
step he rose to be the President of two great
roads, with a salary of eight Thousand dollars
per annum. Owing to declining health he has
hQpn f0rna0 To FPtliTQ tn nriVQfa life These
and are simply given as items of general inter-
est. Georgia has cause to be proud of such
son. H. H. J.