Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-04
AN INTERESTING CEREMONY.
Portrait of Col. T. A. Scott Unveiled
at Mercersburg Academy.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
MERCERSBURG, Pa, June AT the
Mercersburg Academy in this city today a
most interesting ceremony was held in the
unwilling of the portrait Of Col. Thomas
Alexander Scott, a former president Of the
Pennsylvania railroad. The portrait was
the gift Of Col Scott's daughter, Mrs.
Joseph E. Thropp Of Washington ID. c. 1t
was painted by w. NJ. Chase. president OF
the New York School of Art. The portrait
Is three-quarter length and is declared
splendid work. The various features of the
ceremony were beautiful and inspiring. An
orchestra from Harrisburg furnished the
music; the invocation was made by ]. q.
Rose, d. D., of Mercersburg-then the old
hymn of Charlemagne, ''Veni Creator, Spi-
ritus," was sung by the Academy Glee
Club. The portrait. which was covered
with the American flag, was formally I'M
yelled by Col. SCOTS two grandsons,
Messrs. Douglas Thropp and Thomas Alex
ander Scott Thropp. The memorial address
was most fittingly given by Capt. John p.
Green, first vice president Of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad. Capt. Green was the pri-
vate secretary of Col Scott for a period
of fifteen years, and no one was better
fitted to write the memorial address for
Col Scott. The acceptance of the portrait
in behalf of the academy boys, was made
by DIR. w. NJ. Irvine, president of the acad-
envy. The speech of acceptance. in behalf
of the board of regents. was made by w.
Rush Gillian OF CnamDerSDurS, IA, VINO Is
president of the board. The ceremony was
concluded with the singing OF America"
and the benediction by Rev Kieffer ID.
of HagerStown, Md.
Mr.. Scott began his business career in
Mercefsburg and later started his career
as a railroad man as clerk to the tool
collector at the Columbia office of the
State railroad, running from Philadelphia
to Columbia, Pa. He afterward became
chief clerk to the toll collector in Philadel-
phia. About the time this railroad was
taken over by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company he entered its employ, and was
made general superintendent of the noun
tain district with headquarters at Duncans-
vile in 1852 He was general agent OF the
Pittsburg office, 1880: general superin-
tendent of the entire line, 1859. and vice
staff of Gov. Curtin, 1861, and with the aid
of the United States troops opened the new
line of railway from Washington to Phil
adelphia Mr. Scott was commissioned as
a colonel Of volunteers May 3, 1861, and
was put in control of all government rail-
ways and telegraph. He was assistant sec
rotary of war under Secretary Cameron
and Secretary Stanton until May lS62. He
was chosen president of the western divi-
sion of the Pennsylvania railroad in 1854:
was also president Of the Union Pacific
railroad. 1S71-72. and of the Pennsylvania.
1S74-1SSO He was founder and first presl-
dent Of the Texas Pacific railroad.
A number of distinguished guests wit
messed the ceremony, including Mr.. and
Mrs. Thropp and the members of their
family, Col. and Mrs Archibald Oracle of
Washington, D. c.: also representatives
from the Pennsylvania railroad the North
ern Central railroad and the Cumberland
Valley railroad. and from the War Depart
ment at Washington.