Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-05-26
HOMAS A. SCOTT.
Early Life and Success ola Won
derlul Man.


Pittsburg Post.l
Colonel Scott was born at Loudon,
Franklin county, in this state, on the
18th OF December, 1924. His birth
place is a small town on the turnpike
leading from Chambersburg to Pitts
burg, which during the early years Of
the present century was the great high
way through this commonwealth OF
the through trade and the travel be-
tween the east and the west. When
Colonel Scott was ten years OF age his
father died, and he was of necessity
at a very early age thrown upon his
own resources. At that time his edu-
cation consisted simply of the tuition
he had received in the common school
of the village of Loudon, but he was
a stndious lad. fond of books, and de-
voted himself to study at home when
ever the opportunity offered. Before
he was twelve years of age he began
his business life as clerk in a country
store, but in 1898 the road was opened
for him to a distinguished career. His
brother-in-law Major James Patton,
was the collector of tolls at Columbia,
on the State road, and young Scott be
came his clerk at a small salary. He
served in this capacity tor several
years. but turned his attention to mer
camille pursuits, and for a period was
a clerk in the extensive warehouse
and commission establishment OF the
Leeches at Columbia. His usefulness
while in the collectors office at that
place had been recognized, however,
and in 1847 he was made chief clerk
to A. Boyd Cummings, collector Of
tolls on the State Main line in this
city-the eastern terminus of the pub
lie works. In this new capacity he
was instructed with the supervision OF
the records relating to the passenger
and freight traffic between this city
and all local and through points west
ward.
About this time Colonel Scott was
married, and a fair conception Of his
fearless, manly character can be
drawn from the fact that when he
took this important step he was re-
ceiving a salary of less than $50 per
month.
HE ENTERS THE SERVICE OF THE
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD.
The construction of the Penn
sylvania railroad was then pro.
crossing. The grading of the
first twenty miles of the road west
of Harrisburg was let on July l6,
| 1847, and on September l, 1919, the
first division, extending from Harris
burg to Lewistown, a distance of six
tyrone miles, was opened for business
in connection with the canal and turn
pike. A year later, on September
II, 1850, the line was opened to the
Mountain house, one mile east of HOl-
lidaysburg, where connection was
made with the Portage road over the
| Allegheny mountains. AT this point
| Colonel SCOTS first service with the
Pennsylvania railroad company COM
menced, as he had been appointed sta
ton agent at D|uncansville, where
freight and passengers moved over the
state linewere transferred to the lines
of the Pennsylvania railroad company.
His previous experience as assistant
clerk in the Office of the collector Of
tolls at Columbia, and chief clerk in
the collectors Office at Philadelphia,
Joined to his administrative capacity,
rendered this appointment peculiarly
appropriate. His promotion vas rapid
and its various steps are well known.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST.
In 1874 Colonel Scott went to con-
gress with a request for aid for his
Texas Pacific road. For the com
pletion of the road he wanted seventy
million dollars, which he proposed to
raise on forty year bonds, the interest
of which, at five per cent gold, he
proposed that congress should guar
antee. For nearly a year this matter
was in committee, and finally, through
the persistent efforts of Colonel Scott
it was favorably reported. On the
22d of February the measure wai
brought to a vote 10 the house, anG
was defeated by a vote of III yeas tC
128 nays. Colonel Scott bowed to the
inevitable, and made DO further at
tempt to secure the subsidy.
Colonel Scott was mentioned in the
campaign of 1871-72 as the democratic
, candidate for president of the United
States, and the Pittsburg Post anC
Cincinnati Enquirer very stroDgl!
urged his nomination. He was alst
indorsed by other leading western
. Journals, but he never secured any
other than newspaper following. Col
onel Scott was appointed a park com
missioner by the common pleas court
to succeed j. Edgar Thomson, anC
remained a member of the board unit
his death.