The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-30
H. II. PLANT AND FLORIDA.

RecoIIections of Old Florida Rail-
road Officials Still in Service.
Maitland, Fla, June 2s-When, in 1875,
l first came to this state to write up its
resources and development the late Henry
B. Plant was simply known here as the
quiet, modest president of the Southern
Express Company, then doing very
small business in Florida. More than two
thirds of The state at that time had no
| railroads. or poverty-stricken ones at tAe
best, and outside Of Jacksonville, the ex-
press patronage was very small.
My first prominent railroad acquaint-
ances were Col. d. e. Maxwell and Capt.
F. 3. Papy Of the old Florida
Railway and Navigation Company,
Col William Davidson of the Lake
City Short Line. and Capt W. B. Tucker,
now general agent of the Florida Cen
trail and Peninsular Railway at Orlando,
| Capt. Papy was stationed at Tallahas-
see ard showed me many appreciated
courtesies He is now with the Plant
System at Savannah, while Col. David
son is the efficient general superintendent
OF the great union depot in Jacksonville.
Col. D. e. Maxwell (who is a full-hedg-
ed colonel, although called more generally
| a captain, is >still general manager of
what has so wonderfully developed out Of
the old dilapdated railway from Fernan-
dina to Cedar Key and from River juno
ton to Jacksonville. He has never been
a developer in the sense that we refer to
Flagler Plant and Chipley, but he has
been at all times and under all circum-
stances, with or without proper financial
backing, an efficient and popular railroad
official. Always the gentleman, and ever
prompt and agreeable whatever duty came
upon him. Col. Maxwell has won and held
for quarter of a century the highest re-
gard and the warmest affection of the
people of Florida. Through many adverse
circumstances he has seen his dilapidated
road become first class in all its appoint
ments, and with terminals at Tampa, Ce-
dar Key, Oviedo. Jacksonville, Fernandina,
River Junction and Columbia, S. c., Via
Savannah. And in a few days, with the
Georgia and Alabama Railway, it be-
comes an important part of the great Sea-
board Air Line System. Broken in health
from long and arduous service, and with
out the wealth of a successful developer,
this faithful servant of the people and
a great corporation holds a warm place
in the hearts of our Florida people. who
wish for him renewed health and many
years of happiness.
have never been a worshipper of great
men, nor of rich men, as such, but where
goodness and greatness and riches are
| united, as in the case of President Plant
! fully appreciate the rare combination
When 1 first became an intimate friend Of
Mr.. Plant in 1873, he was neither rich nor
great. but his kindness of heart to his
express company employees and his gener-
GUS treatment of the public in times of
epidemic, floods etc, won for him
tender regard that followed him through
ell his upward and onward" career and
paid tribute to him over his closing grave
in Branford, Conn, his birthplace Let
I
worth. A few years ago there died in AT
lanta one of his express wagon drivers
Hank Doyle-who have served over TWEEN
ty-iive years and was retired on a PEN
sion. year before his death Mr. and
Mrs. Plant were In Atlanta, en- route TO
Florida An hour before train time he
said to his wife, who readily approved the
idea, Il think will go around to the sta
pie and see Old Hank awhile" Later on
odd Hank" tod me, with tears in bIs
eyes, OF that visit How Il surprised him
TO nave millionaire president come 10
his room and chat with him for nearly an
hour, Il was this quiet modest act of
genuine kindness to an old employee that
attached me so strongly to Mr.. Plant.
When President Plant came into Florida
as developer and builder up of her waste
PAGES, South Florida was almost a viii
derhess. Taking hold of a little narrow
gauge railroad from Sanford 10 Orlando
ne soon had il transformed into p first
class proad-gause railroad, and extended
20 Fort tampa. 1t was not until he built
the Waycross Short Line that Jaclson
vile had suitable railway facilities for
WINTER visitors. From that day forward
MS railway and steamship and steamboat
developments have been immense until he
mas termini at Port Tampa, Thonotosassa
ot' petersburg, Punta Gorda Oviedo. San
Ioro' Jacksonville. Savannah, Charleston.
ff,aIr
er points. And whatever of great enter
prises and developments have come n
Florida, all date since President p1ant
| came here and by his large Investments
and manifest faith in our future insnirea
other capitalists and other developers IN
40 likewise. But Henry b. Plant was the
pioneer and "blazed the way."
People who suggest that In his ls,o-
years President Plant lost some az HE
goodness of heart and rare modestv--as
some do-must remember that no one mar,
in private life in America carried on re-
MIND and heart greater load of resnon-
sibility Mighty forces were constantine a.
WORK uhuer hts sole supreme control. in
new schemes of development or iunnro,,o
ment in his railways steamships STEAM
boats and hotels. No man in his ennIo,,
was as hard worked as he and no 49,
more faithful to every trust. His nrtvale
car, fitted for rare comfort on account 30
ms age ana Feeble health, had no luxuries
but was always workshop, and never
Simply place Of rest ard enjoyment I
have often been HIS guest on thar car 80
have as often seen him excuse hInseIs
from the company present and take ME
ever faithful and efficient SECRETARY ~
F. G. Sullivan, into his private ofsca g.
several hours Of hard work. Mr. PLAN
acquired great wealth, and secured bIeb
honofs' ana won the warm affection Of his |
ha AZ
business, honorable and just In bis doaI |
ings, and kind-hearted ana generous y. |
those who needed his sympathy ana as
sistance. Few men, the world over 40.
left behind cleaner. brighter or rna.e |
honorable record than Henry Rrsdlev |
rant NJ tne earliest and most enterprisirs |
Efduasy