Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1905-04-15
GLIMPSES OF SH0NTS.
What Chicagoans Think of Pan
anna Canal Board Chairman.
RIGHT MAN FOR THE POSITION.

ther-In-law Elected President OF
How He Thrnshcd Big Contractor.
The appointment by President ROose-
welt of Theodore Perry ShOnts. presi-
dent of the Glover Leaf railroad, TO
lie chairman of the reorganiZed Pana-
ma canal commission was commended
by Chicago men of affairs who know
him best al the selection OF the right
man for the place" says the Chicago
Tribune. They unite in saying he Is
equal to the responsibilities of the po-
sitiOn.
Mark Morton at his house in Lake
Forest added that Mr.. Shonts is lion
hearted man. never known to show
the white feather" and related as proof
of this an anecdOte which he said was
characteristic of the fiber of the man.
"A strapping big fellow, a contractor
who had grievance against Mr..
Shonts for some fancied wrong, called
at his office in the Rookery ten years
ago and. as Mr.. Shonts was busy, had
some delay in getting into the private
office. His greeting was that he had
called to get even with Shonts.
Looking up from his desk, ShOnts,
without any comment, simply said, i
am glad you called sprang to his feet,
locked the door and pulled off his coat
in jiffy Theodore Shonts is as big
physically as mentally. six feet or
more. in weight 200 pounds. an athlete
from head to toe He went after that
contractor fast and furious. 1t was
battle OF giants. Crash, smash, bang.
the chairs went against the walls of
the room. and the clerks stood around
outside. aghaSt. In three minutes the
contractor was as anxious TO get out
of the room rs he had been to get into
1t. The chairs were broken, and the
room looked as If typhoOn had swept
through IT.
But Shonts was not through with
his man yet He reminded the con
tractor that lie had wanted 10 see him
and that he was there to he seen. and
crash. smash. bang some more. Then
Shonts put his head out OF the door,
cool as you please. and told the office
boy TO ask the visitor TO depart. He
went. and ShOnts resumed his work.
THAT shows the physical energy of
the man. One cannot say too much of
his integrity. force. ability and judg-
ment. He showed all these things in
the building Of the Indiana, Illinois and
Iowa railroad years ago. He was SUI
perintendent Of the Iowa Construction
company. of which bis father-in-law.
Governor Drake. was general manager
and Russell Sage was president. He
took OF his coat. got right out on tie
work and saw that il was done speed
lily and well. do not believe there is a
man in America more fit for the Pana-
ma task than Mr.. Shonts.''
Mr. Shonfs left the practice of law to
take charge Of the practical work OF
was considered remarkable achieve
ment. The Iowa Construction compa-
nv had the contract for building sew
eral branch lines IN Iowa. which have
now become part Of the Iowa Central
system. There We're large subsidies en-
dangered 10y the slow work of the first
superintendent. One day in 1881 Gen
eral Drake called Shonts into his Of
flee and asked him II he thought the
work could he done and who could be
got TO do il. I'll do it," ShOntS said.
He showed remarkable ability in or
ganlZation at that time. He scattered !
gangs Of men along the rights of way :
and was himself here. there and every !
where, apparently everywhere at once |
He had the respect OF the men. and |
they worked with terrific industry be- |
cause they believed he might appear |
any moment The grades We're com
pleted and the subsidies saved to his
This signal success changed his ca
reer, and he was at once put i'm charge |
Of the work on the Three Is" in II |
llnois, beginning at Momence OF this
work John +. Harris OF |
Chicago said the other night:
The Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Is
an unusually well constructed road. 1t
was AN equally well managed road |
when completed. After its completion
Mr. Shonts was at once elected its pres
ident. He has extraordinary executive
ability"
The Three I's' was extended by con
struction and leasing until at the time
il was absorbed by the Lake Shore and
Mr.. ShontS went 10 the Toledo. ST |
Louis and Wcstern-the Clover Leaf |
system-as its president. year ago, it |
connected five trunk lines to the east
with western trunk lines. which was
the original conception OF its project !
ors.
SO wholly has Mr. ShontS been con
nected with construction and traffic
matters in late years. during which he
lived in Chicago at the Plaza and the !
Virginia hotels. That even his close
friends. such aS Mr. Harris. did not
know that h. was lawyer. admitted
10 the bar ~ Centcrville. Ia. before lac
Miss Milla Drake. the eldest
daughter Of General Drake This fact
was recalled 10y George r. Peck, hut hc
added that Mr. Shunts was so little
piVau q. "a l.fNts If 1titus.Ir tIag D.. .IfI /