The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-21
MAI BFLKNAP DEAD.
He is Taken OF by Heart Disease in
Louisville. KV.


Morris S. Belknap, formerly general
manager Of the Central Railroad Of Geor-
gia, died in Louisville, Ky, day before
yesterday from heart disease. A Louis
vile dispatch 70 the MORNING News yes
terday announced ms death. and kilograms
were also received by friends Of Maj. Bel
knaps family.
Mai. Belknap was one of the best known
railroad men in the south prior to his re-
tirement from the railroad business, less
than "a year ago, TO become manager OF the
International and Mortgage Bank of
Mexico. He was a son of J. L. Belknap,
and was horn in New Orleans III lS47.
He received his early education IN
the city Of his birth and afterwards went
10 France TO study engineering. He grad
uated at the government engineering school,
Ecole des Points, at Chaussee, in Paris. After
returning to to this country he was APP
pointed assistant engineer in the depart
ment of maintenance Of vay OF the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad.
The CITY Of Louisville, KY, desiring
competent city engineer, secured his serY-
ices shortly afterward. He remained in
this position until he was offered the gem
eral superintendency Of the Mexican
n
Headquarters in the City Of Mexico.
That position put him IN charge Of the con-
struction of the entire Mexican National
system, An accomplished linguist, speak
ing French. Spanish and German, he
readily adapted himself 10 the country, and
by energy. perseverance and hard common
sense ne gained wide reputation in that
country as a railroad manager. Desiring
to return to the states, his recognized ability
secured for him the responsible position Of
superinteudent Of the lines of the Louisville
and Nashville from Montgomery to Mobile,
with the Louisville and Nashville's Florida
system.
1t was in Mobile that Maj. Belknap and
Mr. Cecil Gabbett, the present general
manager Of the Central, were in close con-
tact.
The Erlanger syndicate, which controlled
the Cincinnati Southern ami its dependea-
cies, desiring a superintendent to take hold
of two of their dilapidated properties, the
Nicksburg and Meridian and the Weeks
burg, Shreveport and Pacific called MAJ.
Belknap to the position, which he filled
until he was appointed superintendent Of
the Central of Georgia in February, 1897,
and afterward general manager.
Maj. Belknap resigned the general man
agership of the Central in September, 1889,
to become cashier and general manager of
the international and Mortgage Bank of
Mexico, of which he was also director.
Manager Belknap's career as a railroad
man was a remarkable one. Many Of the
and extensions Of the Central
system which have recently been
were planned and
started under his administration.
President Alexander at the time of Maj.
Belknap's resignation said of his admins
tration that it was of such character as to
reflect credit upon him. He referred to
Mai. Belknap as an official combining not
only high fitness but excellent traits of
character, pleasing address, quick percep-
tion and strong executive ability.
Maj. Belknap left Savannah last October
for Mexico. Just before his departure he
was presented a souvenir consisting of 125
pieces of silver from the officers and direct
ors Of the Central, and another souvenir
from the locomotive engineers.
II is related of Maj. Belknap that he was
the only railroad man who ever succeeded
in making two trains pass on a single track.
During the freshets of 1888, when the Ten
sas river overflowed, the water rose
several inches above the rails on a
trestle, rendering it impossible for trains to
cross. In order not to impede traffic any
length of time, Maj. Belknap placed upon
the trestle train Of fiat cars. laid rails
upon their decks aud ran the waiting train
over them. delaying travel only few
hours. whereas otherwise it would have
been delayed several days.
Maj. Belknap leaves a wife and one
daughter to mourn his death.