The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-06-10
THE LATE THOMAS A. SCOTT.

The following interesting facts in the
life of the great railroad manager, are
taken from an elaborate article printed
ir the Philadelphia Press, Immediately
after Col. SCOTS dcath
1t was Philadelphia that claimed him
rs the great representative of mctrOpoli-
tan supremacy; Lancaster boasted of
| him us the greatest among her many
SONS that achieved rcnown in the en-
| argCment of the railroad system of the
statc'and the country: but it was in Frank
lin County that he first crOwed and first
witnessed the infantinc efforts of pio-
neer people TO overcome the obstacles of
distance. He was born in Loudon, this
county, on the 28th day of December,
1928.
Two years subsequent to his father
death, he had been living with his sister,
whose husband kept a country store near
Wayn esboro and also short time with
his brother, James ID. Scott, who was in
business in Bridgeport, Franklin county,
and for brief period he was under the
care of Metcalfe ,S Ritche, merchants of
Merccrsburg
In the springof 1889, Governor Porter
appointed Major James Patton, Collector
of Tolls ut Columbia. Major Patton had
married daughter of Mr.. Scott of Lou
don, and when he came to Columbia he
brought with him his bright young broth
er in-law, Thomas \. Scott-having taken
him from Dillar & Bakers storc--and
made him clerk in the Collectors
office.
His duties were of an onerous character
but they gave him clear insight into
the intricacics of the methods of loug
distance transportation. The pressure of
c'erkly routine, however, could not subdue
tie rampant spirits of the lad, and, with
the chccb-rein well in hand, he let com
paniouablc instincts lead him, providing
his desk was always kept in view,and so
it was not long before "Alcck' Scott-ho
was not known rs Thomas \. then--wa,
the most popular young fclowin Coum
bia. His physical vitality and his mental
alcrtness weremattcrs of great comment
lie was n picture of manly beauty. Not i
handsomer young fellow could be found
in the country round. His blonde hail
ignorant of BARRIERS touch, hung ovel
his shoulders, his head being surmounted
by hat of great breadth of brim,of the
sort now affected by Buffalo Bill. lie
was careless in dress, and this trait dis
tinguished him through his after life
His face was round and rosy, and alto
gethcr he presented such strikingly
handsome appearance that Columbia''
pretty girls never thought of the pant'
tucked untidily in his boots. a daring
dashing young fellow, he enjoyed cxis
tence to the utmost, but nothing can bt
recalled concerning him that does no
warrant praise.
In the Office he was spoken ofas phe
nomcnon. His brother clerks looked OF
in amazemcnt while he hastily glance,
over several columns of figures that re
quired addition, and almost instantly
placed the total at the bottom. Sorush
ing were his ways that he inValiabl,
added up three columns of figures at ON
time.
e After the retirement of Governor Por
ter from the Office in 1871, Major Pat
ton, who had in the meantime purchased
the Columbia Spy, left the Collector
i office and was succeeded by DIR, Civ en-
R Young Scott, however, did not go ou
of office with his brother-in-law; Of
the contrary, the new Collector rec
ognized his phenomenal abilities, eleva
J; ted him to the chief clerkShip, payin,
: him the munifcent salary of Si5
. month, He remained in this positio
for two years, when he embarked i'll tn
g g lumber business, in which pursuit, how
d cvcr,he failed About this time, and i
the 23d year of his age, he was Marie
to Miss Margaret Mullison, daughter o
. Reuben Mullison, Esq, of WilkesbarrC
g At the time of his marriage, his ceaseles
activity and constant work had failed S
completely to make an impression on hi
= smooth face, that in the Mullison faml
the bridegroom was generally known a
j. "the boy" Shortly after becoming
Benedict, he made second business ver
ture. He composed one of firm i
n the wholesale ice business, an
u although he scored his second failur,
the enterprise afterward proved the b,
ginning of the Knickerbocker Ice Con
pany, Young Scott now felt renew,
of his love for a connection with til
business of transportation, and he mans
ged to secure a clerkship in the office {
rs A. Boyd Cummings Collector o Tolls
Philadelphia. In avery short time |
was made chief clerk, his great power
as an accountant again having demol
us strated his usefulness,
After remaining in tho Philadelph
Collectors office fortwoyears Young 500
iagaiM made his homo in Columbia, q