The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1903-11-27
N. & W.R. R. PRESIDENT
Remarkable Career Of the Man Recently
Elected TO This High Position.

lisa long distance from the
greasy overalls and grlmy face OF u
locomotive fireman to the position
OF president Of great railway sys-
tenn. Yet the distance was ira
versed by Lucius f. Johnson, who
has just been chosen president OF
the Norfolk and Western railway.
He made quick trip OF it.
Mr.. Johnson is not far past his
flftieth milestone. His energy
and activity are those of man
twenty five years his junior.
These qualities he will possess
until he dies.
Mr.. johnson began his railroad
career as fireman on the Chicago,
Burlington and Quincy. He fired"
until he was given an engine, and
was an engine driver year or
two. His superiors had had their
eyes on him. He was seen to be
Of no common stuff. His intelli-
gence, industry, procllSity for
hard work and devotion to the
interests OF the company We're
qualities that could not fail 10 at
tract the eye. He WAS too valu-
able man TO be kept on an en-
gine. He was promoted to place
in the general offices OF the road.
Promotion was steady until he be-
came master mechanic at Aurora,
ILL.,, and in 1856 superintendent OF
the st. Louis division on the road.
In two years he was made super
intendent of the Chicago division,
the most important on the road.
He was by this time a man with
/ a reputation. His genius for or
ganization and his ability to di-
rect men had attracted the general
attention OF Western railroad men
The Manhattan Central got him as
a general superintendent in 1890
In less than three years he accept
ed the position OF superintendent
OF the most important division or
the Lake Shore and Michigan
| Southern.
Mr.. Johnson's reputation had
travelled eastward. The director:
OF the Norfolk and Western were
casting about for a general super
intendent. Somebody suggested
Mr.. Johnson's name. Investigation
OF his record led the board to be
lieve that he was the man for thu
place. He was offered the position
and accepted 1t. How well HI
filled 1t may be judged by tn
fact that in two years he was mad
vice president and general man
ager Of the road.
1t is said that nobody has eve
known so much about the Norfol
and Western railway as l.. l
johnson. Every detail OF tn
business, the condition aud feature
OF every mile OF the track, fror
Norfolk through all its winding
! among the coal fields OF the vi
ginias, ho seems to have in h
head, ready for instant use.
Mr.. Johnson made an argumeI
before the Committee on TaXatiC
, aud Finance OF the Virginia Co
|. stitutiOnal Convention. Prom
. nent railway men from al ov
q the country, as well as grey-hea
cd lawyers who had devoted the
y lives to the study OF corporation
II had appeared before that and OF
;. er committees OF the conventio
y But none made an argument Whit
attracted as much attention as tn
n OF the former locomotive tirema
d Ho Is not an ornate talker, but h
speech has the power OF dlrectnes
u To ,nonrallway man Mr.. job
! sons manner OF talking is h
chief charm. The listener may
ignorant OF what the railway pres
dent is talking about, but the wa
O in which Johnson is saying thinl
; is convincing. One feels that OF
"a is listening to man who know
j, what he is talking about. NJ
Il Johnson does.
4, Mr.. Johnson's career is r
markable instance OF what ms
yet be accomplished by brains al
9 industry alone. He never had
|. pull. His career, extending fro
h the locomotive cab TO the priva
car OF the president Of the road,
an inspiration to every man und
him.