The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-16

WI 1OoUClL 0dilduUCL I'll VII, lCIlISI-
ly president of the Atlantic Coast Line
Railroad Company, died suddenly yes
terday morning at his country home
near Fenwick, Connecticut. The news
of his death reached Wilmington by a
long distance telephone message to a
Coast Line official yesterday morning.
Mr.. Erwin vas president of the
Coast Line until last November, when
he refused reelection and was sue
ceeded by Mr.. Thomas N. Emerson.
The deceased was reared in Savan-
nah, Georgia, and his mother lives
in Savannah at the present time. He
was So years Of age and was to all
appearances a strong and healthy man.
MI. Erwin was educated for the pro-
feSsiOn of law and wa admitted to
the bar O o after raching his major
ity. When he entered upon the prac-
tice of law he formed a co-partner-
ship with Judge Chisholm, the firm
being known as Chisholm and Erwin.
Judge Chisholm was general counse
for the Plant System and upon his
death, Mr.. Erwin succeeded him as
general counsel. A few years after
wards he was elected vice-president
Of the Plant System and upon the
death of President Plant, he was elect
ed president of the system. This was
in June, 1899, and he held this posi-
ton until the merger of the
Plant system and the Atlantic Coast
Line in November, 1902, when he was
elected president of the Atlantic Coast
Lime, which position he held until last
November.
When Mr.. Erwin refused reelection
as president of the Atlantic Coast Line,
he did not his connection entire
ly with the system but remained a
member of the executive committee
land also one of the directors. He was
a very able man, both as a lawyer and
railroad man. In his death the board
of directors of the Coast Line loses an
able member.
The deceased is survived by his wife.
a son Mr.. Robert M. Erwin, and d
daughter, Miss Julia Erwin. He also
leaves one brother, Major James B.
Erwin, Of the 9th United States caval-
ry, located at Fort L~eavenworth. Kan
SaS.
AS far as is known at the present
time the funeral will take place on
Tuesday morning.
An Associated Press dispatch from
Saybrook, Connecticut. says.
Robert G. Erwin. of Hartford. who
was a prominent figure IN transLorta-
ton circles along the Atlantic sedboard
up to a short time ago, died of heart
disease this afternoon while inspect
ing a section of his game preserve,
Mr.. Erwin was in company with s. H.
Butler. of Hartford, and Ansel II.
Wright, one OF the men employed at
the preserve, when he was stricken.
They came here this morning, and
after eating dinner, left for a "trip
through the woods. About eight miles
from the center of this town. in a Sec
Hion of the estate known as Harvey's
woods. Mr.. Erwin spoke to Wright
about cutting down a pole, and as he
uttered the last word he dropped
dead"
"Mr. Erwin retired from the plesi-
dency of the Atlantic Coast Line rail-
road company, on November Il last,
and at the time of his death. was a
director in several railroad and steam
boat companies. At one time he was
vice president of the Plant Line, and
succeeded the late Henry B. Plant as
the head of the company before 1t
was taken over by the Atlantic Coast
Line. He was born in Savannah, Ga.
and was 81 years old. After gradual
ing from Trinity College, in 1874, ne
COX I'D the practice of law in Savan-
nah. and Immediately became inter-
ested in steamboat and railroad Ines.
with United States Senator Nor
gan G. Bulkley, of Hartford, and 9TH
er men, Mr.. Erwin acquired thousands
of acres of fine wood lands between
New London and Westbrook, his IN
tention being to make the territory
a great game preserve for many kinds
of game.
ssMr. Erwin leaves a widow and one
son and one daughter. A brother,
Major James B. Erwin, is with the ar
my and is stationed at Fort LeaVen-
worth. Kansas"
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