The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-08-13

accent the responsibility. He wanted the
other fortv-seven hours and fifty minutes
to consult with Mrs. Stevens. He ionged
to serve his government out Of pure
patriotism, II nothing more but he owed
those who were dear to him paramount
obligations.
Mrs Stevens shared her husbands
courage in giving him over to the call of
his country. although both knew that II
meant the probable spending OF half the
rest of his life away from the family
hearthstone In far away tropical land
where dangers and disease are rife
"The climate of Panama has no tor
rors for me-" said Mr.. Stevens. For
three years in Mexico I stood the test OF
chiIls and fever incident TO malaria. l
have slept under wet skies on the western
plains rolled only in a single blanket, and
| have experienced the rigors Of FAR
northern winter under primitive condi-
lions. guess It will not be much worse
for me on the isthmus than 1t would
have been in the Philippines. where had
intended going to build railroads. | seem
to have come through my previous ex-
periences pretty well and I fancy nave
some reserve force left to combat condi
lions in the tropics. miasma or no mi
asma."
Mr. Stevens fine physique gives Justin
cation for this hope. His eyes have the
clearness that suggest perfect organs. HIS
carriage Is erect, his manner alert. ms
hand steady The bronze of the plains
is painted indelibly on his cheeks. Broad
shouldered full chested and strong
limbed, he looks every inch the man to
endure physical harassments.
Some Past Hardships.
He has seen more hardships than most
men of his profession. In the wilds or
Canada he has ridden the pack mule with
treacherous Indians for his guides while
engaged in surveying extensions FOR the
Great Northern railroad to the coast. me
red men, weary of the privatlons endured.
disappeared one night and left him 10
fight his battles alone. Then his paclE
mule died. Struggling on through the
desolate country, with aching limbs and
sore feet, depending largely on wild
game for sustenance, he blazel his way
and finally completed his task. The
route he laid out for the extension was
followed without variance and the pres
ent line of the road through Assiniboia
marks the trail Of one of the most ie-
markable achievements in American rail-
reading James j. Hill points to this
feat Of Mr. Stevens as the acme OF en-
cheering pluck and ability and is au-
thority for the statement that not dol
lar of the 100000 involved in the work
was mlsspent.
considering all his qualifications" SAID
D. j. Whittemore. chief engineer Of the
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul road,
sit seems to me Mr.. Stevens Is the ideal
man to build the Panama canal I have
known him as a railroad engineer for
twenty years and as n locating and con-
structing expert believe lie has no peer
In the country today
"He has done some distinctly great
things, and In consultations there is none
in which have greater confidence. He
was faithful and competent as a subor-
dinate. John Stevens Is rigldly honest
and painstalsing. He mas little to say
and when he talks you may be pretty
sure he is right. Few mistakes are to he
tailed against his record. Indeed. during
all the time he was In my department 1
found nothing in his work to criticise.
Favorlte Recreations.
''Worlt is the inspiration of his life and
he can stand lot of 1t. lie Is big enough
to brace up and speak his opinions to any