The Van Buren press., 1898-11-19
COL 5. II. F0RDToE.
A TTibate fs His Excessive ABILITY
from the Pen of . NJ Loaiz
Special Correspondent.
7raz fi.sL z Democrat

7roz the L z Democrat
The retiring Of Col. sam Il. FOrdyce
from the presiasuey q the Cotton Belt
ass given ris- . Gsonzi2era BE theDrIzing
a. 70 his future plans He has beeu
connected bT the g1ezseTs with the
Ch0ctaH interests aud with the develop
me1f Of the Lott railroad property b.
some contemplated frnDk line pro5ec
tors by all. however. i Is conceded
fhat he vii Be personally prominent Il
Arkansas nex era Of progressive pros
perify In many WAYS C0l. Fordyee is
remarkable man 4 writer in the
Sunday Republic says:
Samuel :. F0rdyce carmel the title OF
prince Of managers during the sessions
of the general executive committee
which had in charge the reception Of
President Mckinley and party.
The representative citizens who at
ler5ef tAs meetings refer 70 Sir. Fordyce
as the ideal chairman. and the celebrity
gita which he railrosdsd business
through tue meeting Is comparable only
70 the sYiftness Of the through pzssen
ger trains over the s.. Louis South
western railway.
Chairman F0rdyce bluntly informed
the committee that they were there for
business aud that he would employ some
Of the abbreviAting tactics in use az
railway meetings. There was gen
eral smile 0f satisfaction II response.
Tne evening before the arrival VI the
president. Mr. FOrdyce was literally
swanped with kilograms from persons
accompanying the presidential party,
a. we'll as from numerous other sources
These messages insisted that the presi-
dent desired 10 visit Jefferson Barracks
70 Sc the veterans there. : few St
L0aisans VINO were familiar with the
fact that such telegrams had arrived.
called Al Fordyce : home aud endeaT-
ored 10 have the program changed,
after all tie arrangements had been
male and Inc public had become &C :
duainted with the route and arrange
ments fer the reception.
Mr.. Fordyce put the kilograms in his
pocket. He insisted that al arrange
ments had been completed By the com
mittee in executive session and that 4
disarrangemenf al that late hour would
throw everything into chaos And he
had his way.
In retiring from the presidency, Col.
/
his former associates:
To the Officers and Employees Of ths
st. Louis Southwestern Railway
Company:
In severing my official c0nnecti0 4
with this company. | desire 70 express
my deep sense Of obligation 70 my frl-
low officers and employees. with many
of whom | have served for tins last
seventeen years.
To your energy, ability and loyalty in
the discharge Of your respective duties
il due the growth and development Of
the property. From small beginning
it has grown to a great system. From
financial bankruptcy and physical weak
ness You have enabled the management
to place the road in strong financial
and physical position. You have patient
ly shared with me the trials incident
to the service in which we have so long
| toiled together, and my regret At part +
ing with you, personally and officially,
is in measure lessened by the pleasant
memories of our past association.
shall always have care for your com
| fort and happiness, and in whatever
sphere your lots are cast | shall rejoice
in your success and sorrow in your mis-
| fortunes.
That you will give to the new man
agement the same cheerful and loya
support you have always accorded me
is the wish of yours,
Most sincerely,
5. ". FoRDYcE.