Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-16
TAMMANY's NEW LEADER
A YOUNG VIRGINlAN

ICED helps those who help themselves,
is Lewis Nixon's motto, and he has eX-
emplified il in his own career.
He was born I'm Leesburg, Va, in 1860.
Possibly the germ of the interest which
he has manifested in social reforms was
implanted in his mind through his early
surroundings, for his parents lived in the
official residence connected with the coun-
ty Jail. of which his father had charge.
Thus in boyhood he was brought in con-
tact with criminals and unfortunates.
His parents had neither wealth nor high
social position, but they did their utmost
to encourage the love of scientific study
which their son manifested. In early boy
hood the lad developed bent for indie
pendent investigation. A Virginia woman
who has known him since childhood re-
Gently said of him:
Lewis Nixon never was like any other
boy in Leesburg. From the time he could
toddle he was a parsonage. Almost from
babyhood ae was an enthusiastic natural
list. and soon knew the name of every
animal insect, tree and plant in the woods
about his home. He used to go on solitary
tramps I'm search of specimens when the
other village boys were at play.
At the Head of His Glass.
AT school he was always at the head
Of his class. He had a talent for drawing
and designing and before he was ten years
old began TO build toy boats which were
the wonder of the neighborhood.
when he was fourteen he went alone
to General Eppa Hunton. Congressman
from the Eighth Virginia district, and
asked for an appointment to the naval
academy at Annapolis. His appearance
so pleased the congressman that he won
the appointment over several boys who
were backed by political and social inr
fuence"
Mr.. Nixon was graduated at Annapolis
in 1882 at the head of his class and was
sent by the navy department TO the Royal
Naval college, at Greenwich, England, to
take a special course in naval architec-
ture. In 1854 he was appointed assistant
naval constructor in the United States
navy.
He resigned mis- commission in 1894. bat
for some time afterward remained i'm
charge of the construction of government
ships as superintendent of Cramps ship
yard at Philadelphia. He designed and SUI
'perintended the building of the battleships
Oregon. Iowa, Massachusetts and Indiana.
In 1895 Mr.. Nixon established a ship
building plant Of his own at Eliza bethport
n. J.. taking over the business formerly
conducted by Samuel l.. Moore a. Sons
The concern has grown rapidly under his
direction. and is now building a large
number OF torpedo boats and doing other
work for the government.
Soon Intimate With Croker.
Since 1885 Mr.. Nixon has resided I'm this
city on coming here he Joined the Tam
many hall organization of the Twenty
fifth assembly district and soon became an
intimate friend of Richard Croker. Al
the latter's suggestion. Mayor Van Wyck
appointed Mr.. Nixon chairman of the New
East River Bridge commission. The duties
OF that commission have now devolved
upon Bridge Commissioner Lindenthal,
but before he retired from Office Mr. Nixon
had the satisfaction OF being the first man
to walk across the temporary structure
over the East river. He performed this
feat at considerable risk on August Sth
last.
When Bishop Potter's famous letter
aroused a storm of Indignation against
Tammany in November. 1900 Croker
turned 10 Mr.. Nixon to save the reputa-
ton Of the organization. and appointed
him chairman of the committee of five
The vigor with which Mr.. Nixon prose-
cuted the work made many Tammany
leaders his enemies. He declared that
Devery was responsible for the protection
Of gambling and other forms of vice. and
in his first raid he caught Maurice r.
Holahan, president of the board Of public
Improvements. When Devery was re-
appointed by Police Commissioner Muir
ply Mr. Nixon threw up his task in dis