The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1893-01-11

| we 1urnlBn our reauerB IN THIS issue
Of the News a cut Of the Hon. X. r.
Pierce, one OF the most useful men who
ever lived in this or any other city. His
life has been one OF activity and enter
prise.
He was born in Louisa county in the
state Of Virginia in the year, 1923, and
was educated at what was known as
"0ld Field Schools" at that time the
best patronized and most popular schools
OF any other in the "Old Dominion"
At an early age he bacame clerk in
country store. Afterwards he was depot
agent at a point on what is now the
Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. In time
he was made conductor on train on the
road-also mail agent between Washing
ton City and Richmond, Va.
The attention OF the late ID. b. Harris,
one Of the largest tobacco operators in
the country, was attracted TO the young
man who was exhibiting the finest bust
ness capacities. II resulted in an en-
gagement of his services TO come 10
Cloverport, and manage his large tobacco
business here. This brought Mr.. Pierce
to Cloverport in the year ls47. He has
resided here from that day TO this.
As before remarked, a more useful
man never lived in any community. His
tobacco operations were large for great
number OF years in which time he paid
out large sums Of money TO planters, and
employed hundreds OF hands in his
stemmery. His fairness and business as
an employee was singularly illustrated
in a successful race he made for the Leg
islature some years ago. The laboring
population Of Cloverport voted for him,
black and white, almost TO a man, re-
CARELESS Of party utilization, giving as a
reason that he was a public benefactor
and just man.
During his career as tobacconist, he
engaged in other enterprises-merchant.
miller, farmer, etc.-driving everything
before him with an energy and activity
that was remarkable. He built several
OF the largest houses in the olden
times of Cloverport. The large brick
building on Front and Oak streets in the
West end; the large building where the
post-office is now kept, which he rebuilt
from an old frame the handsome and
commodious dwelling occupied by his
son, X. B. Pierce on High street; the
large store house OF S. l.. Sulzer; the
huge tobacco stemmery on Huston street;
and other houses OF various kinds not
now remembered by the writer.
While member Of the Legislature he
procured charter for a railroad from
Louisville through this section, called
the Louisville, Cloverport and West
ern." With such man as Mr.. Pierce,
this meant actuality-not a railroad mere
ly on paper. He saw its possibilities,
and after his service in the Legislature,
with his usual untireing energy and in
domitable perseverance, he allied him
self with others, and his labor finally
eventualed in the Louisville, st. Louis
4 Texas Railway and Fordsville branch,
to-day recognized by its owners and all
others as a splendid property, bene-
faction to the country through which it
passes.
Were that railroad the only life work
OF Mr.. Pierce, it would be enough TO
crown him with honor and invoke the
gratitude OF the people. Who Of us can
estimate the anxiety suffered and the
labor performed by the man TO consum-
mate his hopes? He quailed before no
difficulty, yelled to no encouragement,
submitted TO ali manner OF ridicule, and
moved onward till success beyond even
his own mos. sanguine expectation re-
warded his labors. And now he can be-
hold the work OF his hands and rejoice.
How large the benefits the people
along the course OF this railroad enjoy !
II matters little now that the Ohio
freezes and dries up. The people can
travel and ship every day in the year.
Towns have sprung into existence where
formerly the cornstalk grew. Business
and shipping points are almost at every
mans door. Sleepy villages now give
forth the busy hum OF city life.
II must be gratifying indeed 10 Mr..
Pierce when he thus sees the work OF
his hands. He occupied his station in
the grand achievement, which probably
no other man could have filed, and
without which 1t never would have been
accomplished. Do we rightly and suffi-
GENTLY appreciate the man and his
work?
Mr.. Pierce can now very well afford 10
retire at his age OF life, on his laurels.
He has filed his space in his generation.
He has surpassed the most Of his fell
lows IN the achievements OF life. He
has been useful and beneficial 10 his
fellowmen.
Cloverport especially owes him large
debt. Look about us, and the reason
why Is as apparent as the MONDAY sun.