The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-09

too old nor too wise, to learn.
Mr.. Plants fest experience In busl-
ness was when a mere oy he secured EN-
ployment on one OF that line OF steamo 1a's
| then running between New Haven ana ne"
| York. Although very young, ne appre
cIated even then that the only way 10 learH
any business thoroughly " as by beginning
at the bottom. Accordingly, he took his
! first lessons in steamboat life IN
| humble position. 1t was only a
| little while. however. before by faithfulness
and efficiency he lifted himself INTO higher
and more responsible places. That hrSt ana
| prompt promotion wa, the initial sign OF
what his life would be, and from then TIL
now, he has steadily marched onward ana
upward, overcoming Obstacles and master
ing difficulties with heroic energy, and win
ming success in the various lines of his
broadening operations with positive brill
| fancy.
While employed by the New York and
New Haven Steamboat company, one OF tho
first express lines ever established III thiS
country was inaugurated between New
Haven and New York, and the enterprise
at once fascinated Young Plant lie bent
his every energy toward the requirement
of "A small interest il the new express com
pany, and in reasonable time accomplished
his purpose. Fom that day TO this express
DuNlDtSS IhN DHHil no bNf'h l''p Ni'i -
out the wide range of his material
interests. Ills first important connec-
ton in that line was with the Adams
express company about lSi7. In that cor
poration he became leading spirit, and
holds such position TODAY. His special pet,
however, amOug tie various express sys-
tens with which he Is Identified is the South
ern express company, which he established
in 1862 This child Of his wisdom has grown
10 hc a giant, and is to-day one of the rich
est. most influential and ably managed cor
porations in this country. 1t traver,es all
The southern states, and is to Gu practical
purposes, permanently established on nearly
every important railroad system in the
south.
OF late years MIR Plant has been giving
much of his attention to the acquisition of
railroad properties, and in admirable con
tiuuance of his previous record he has
crowned this undertaking with splendid sue
cess. He is virtually master aud largely
owner Of the Savannah, Florida and West
ern railway, and likewise Of the Charleston
and Savannah railway This gives him a
direct and popular line ON Charleston, S.
c., to Jacksonville, Fla. He has also
made various branches from his main
line, penetrating the principal dis
tricts of Florida, and by this wise railroad
building las done far more than can be
computed or told toward that marvellous
development of Florida which has been &C
complished within tho last ten years. Mr..
Plant was truly pioneer in his praise
worthy work, and there is probably no man
who deserves more than he does the CRATE
full acknowledgements Of the Florida people,
as well as the hearty gratitude of the count
less thousands who have gone from all other
sections OF the country to enjoy the healing
benefits of that curative climate, and The
sweet reStfulness Of that floral dreamland.
The Plant investment company, of which
II. b. Plant is the head, and in which he
has associated with him several sagacious
millionaires, is a.powerful cooperative which
was organized for cooperation Investment
in valuable southern railroad properties and
advantageous control of the same. This
company is managed with exceptional
ability, and by its vast acquisitions and OK
tensions, has become great power
in the railroad world, and is
rapidly accommodating for its stock
holders untold wealth. This Investment
company is practically controlled by Mr.
Plant, and its entire policy is shaped by his
judgment One of his latest enterprises,
under the auspices of the Investment COM
pany, is the establishment of fast line of
steamers from Tampa, Fla, to Cuba. AT
Tampa Mr. Plant has extended one of his
made it an excellent port for even heavy
draught ships. The whole of Florida bears
the impress of his energy, enterprise and
wisdom.
Mr. Plants homo is New York city, where
he has palatial residence on Fifth avenue
and luxurious business quarters at No l.
West 23d street. Whenever IA man in New
York amasSes fortune he naturally drifts
into Wall street, the financial center of
America. Mr.. Plant is n conspicuous excep
ton to this rule He rarely treads the narrow
golden street leading from Trir ity church tc
East river. There is no speculative element
in his nature. He is conservative to the
last degree, and works ON no plan that Il
not founded in reason and justified by q
positive trend from cause to effect. He has
all the vigor and alertneSs usually to be
found i'll n man of 80 years of age He fl
keenly alive to all the possibilities of affairs
that come under his observation, and quloH
to determine any question that is presented
to him
He is a thoughtful man and extremely re-
served. 1t Is necessary to know him wei
to appreciate the excellent fairue of hi.
mind, and the kindness of his heart He i,
ostentatiOus III nothing, but under all cir
CumStanCcS conducts himself with modes
dignity and irresistible reserve force. IL,
is emphatically what might b,
called an eStractive man. That is
he has inexplcable faculty for
drawing any one out, without ever appear
ing inquisitive, or leading on by talking
much himself. If he has one characteristic,
| stronger tnan all others, it is his wonderful
genius for keeping his own counsel. II,
never lacks cordiality of manner, but il
always gracious and genial. Another
forceful point of his character is that mex
haustlble patience which h1S enabled hin
to hive undiSturbed in the faith thai
'all things come to him who waits.
He thoroughly systematizes every de
partment of his life, and keeps his house in
such perfect order, that if he should shak,
the harness Off and quit work tomorrow
all those tar-reaching plans which have hat
their foundations laid under his wiso direc
tion. would by his faithful followers b,
worked out to rounded completeness anc
finished perfection.
And thus by the mighty working of hi
master brain he has achieved success, wor
renown, accunul ted an immense fortune
done great good and made for himself az
undiSputed place among the leaders of hi.
| day. And, besides all these victories, h,
mas set on FOOT gigantic plans that may moi
luily mature for many years to come
hut In those very plans he ha,
laid the cornerstone of grear
! monument to his worthy memory, anc
those who come after him, if faithful {,
their trust, will build on MS wisely ~ lac ha
planned, until the cap stone of his imper
ishable memorial is fitted i'm It's place, b,
tile final accomplishment Of each and ever,
purpose of his well spent life.
W. A. Lyman of Milford, Conn, is max