The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-29
CFOr The Messenger.)

Rocky MounC, N. c., April 20, 1902.
The death of Capt. Cannon removes
from the road, with one exception, the
hast of the oil passenger conductors
who ran into Wilmington in the early
'Se's. These were a notable body OF
men tried and true. They measured
fully up to hat STANDARD given by the
New York Herald some years g in
an editorial which said: mo finer type
Od American manhood can be found to-
day than in the person of a passenger
conductor on a first class railroad; he
must be d judge of human nature,
courteous, intelligent and personally
brave"
Entering the service in 1888, l knew
them aIl-Capt. Dolly Browning, the Bis
mark of the road, Il giant in physique
and mind, and i'll the early days of my
railroad experience he was looked upon
as a power behind the throne of au-
khority. OF Capt. Allen Cults, let a
tribute from one who had known him
all his railroad life express what type
of man he was. This. friend said: Il
Dc not think a Drawer man thar Allen
Cults eyed lived and 1 never knew any
one more honol able" Capt. Jim Bor-
den, the prince of conductrs, so serene,
so kind, with manner and bearing of a
eourtier, few nlen nave left upon my
memoir a more gentle influence than
be. And Charley Slocumb, could any
conductor be kinder than he always
was. my friend and adviser, the soul
OF honor and courtesy. He has now re-
tired to private life. May the years
left to him be filled with pleasant
memories of the olden days. Capt.
Evans and Joe Bowden of the w. c. 6,
A. road died soon after / entered the
service of the company, but not before
[ had learned to know their worth and
kind hearts. Capt. John Walker alone
is left. He is still running upon the
old run he filled in 'S3. though Tor years
he left his mother road and connected
himself with the G. F.. & Y ", but has
returned to his old love once more and
alone represents the old line conduc-
tors, ali the others being "of duty for
ever"
Captain Sam. the last to go out or
run whose terminal is eternity, true &c
every instinct of honor, loyal to his
company to his last days, remembering
with noble pride that he surrendered
with Lee at Appomattox, this old sol
der of the road needs no praise where
his honest heart was known. In thai
sacred spot to him, his nome, he wa!
loved beyond the power OF words Il
tell and we who hav shared with hin
the long vigils of h night run, will
ingly pay tribute to his worth. The
old diamond in the fough"-'tis tru
we did not have much to polish US IL
the contact with the world and some
times the iron Of our duties entered GU
hearts and hardened them. but not -
with him, his soldiers heart stayed un
changed to the end.
Looking backwards to those 'i""s
remembering the trials of these men
how they filled their troublesome, dan
gerous duties, how through all tn,
years they lived with the pitiless ligh
of public and official criticism turne'
upon them, and how they stood un
scorched by any touch of dishonor upo
their lives, I wish I could speak o
them as 1 knew them and as the,
should be remembered. God grant tina
they may be at rest with Him wh
said: %Come unto me all We that labo
and are heavy-laden and I will give yo
rest" A FRIEND.