New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-19
Humble Start in Life of
Robert S. Lovett. Now a
Power in the Land.

-. again have the possibilities within the reach
J, .,y American been demonstrated clearly and
.-sstingly in the record OF Robert S. Lovett. who
- bsen selected TO al the place left vacant by
- late Edward h Hartman in his railway sys-
ems How this gaunt man of the Lone Star State
,es 10 appear in this conspicuous position is a
srv Of simple and fOrcible nature.
'r,hs newly elected head OF the Union Pacific and
s,,bern Pacific railroads born June O.
,rss n Geld Springs. san Jacinto County, Tex
,nv-sve miles north of Houston. His father Will
al To1ett a man Of much force OF character, and
,rrIously for his section OF the country, a stancb
p,nublican was a slave owner. His profession was
,bat q a bondsman. with duties such a country
sheriH would have
with the termination OF the Civil War William
rovett found himself despoiled OF his possessions
rand and slaves had been taken from him. and I'M
fortunate business risks and his efforts 10 satisfy
financial claims arising therefrom resulted prac-
IDEALLY in bankruptcy So il came that his wife and
sye-year-old were in short time in a desti-
,ie condition. Mrs Lovett died in 1S6s The elder
rovett dsprited 10y his misfortunes took 10 grind
ing corn for his neighbors in a grist mill which he
had erected
II was these trying circumstances that created
possibiities the boy. Robert Early and late he
worked al his fathers side In his heart the
ambition 10 be a great lawyer though Il was hts
fathers wish tha- he should be a physician Save
Cor an occasional respite fishing or swimming in
the pool IN Rocky Ford. Big Creek. Robert was
tenf winters found
bench IN the Forest Chapel School, in Big Creek
Bottom The building still remains with Its sturdy
zine logs and its interior accommodations for
church services II is 30 long by % feet wide
snd although the logs moss grown with age
they about sound as ever. ''R. s L.ovett"
cut in bold letters. ornaments the back OF one OF
the benches The new head OF the Hartman sys-
ten seemed 10 redden gutily when asked the other
DAY il he had carved HIS name as described. II
suppose did-aH over the place. he confessed
carved a very ornate monogram upon American
-silroad interests within few years
Among his teachers at the little cabin school
and II is with tenderness that Mr.. Lovett recalls
heir nanes-were Mr.. Woods Mr.. Weatherby Miss
erith and Mr. Stocking. Whether or not II was by
their agement that the lad planned TO study
law is uncertain but the ambition had stirred oc-
cssionaly within him for many a day. Finally the
tine came when William Lovett made known in
positive language that he wished his son TO study
Medicine He entertained a violent prejudice
against lawyers Knowing his fathers strength OF
opinions. the lad was disconnected, but declared
neyertheless thai law was more 20 his liking Then
followed argument. the tenor OF which the son
remembers accurately. Suffice Il 10 say that In
that memorable conversation William I.ovett re-
,ssed consider his boys preference and, persua-
tlon proving unavaning Robert left home HIS
fathers offer 10 send him 20 Tulane University at
New Orleans he declined.
Il was the October following his fifteenth birth
rsnt with farmer for few months. and ther
got fob 'eTbbings' stunlps on the right OF wav a..
the Houston. East & West Texas Railroad. The
story that the Job was offered the lad rather
as joke. but he worked with such vigor chop
pirt and sQllaring of the stumps. that he won the
admiration OF the contractor. Mr. Head. Soon ne
received opportunity 70 drive a scraper for an
other contractor. Captain Mitchell who was in
chsrge Of making a cut through Big Greek Bottom
for the railroad.
high school at Houston and studied for nine
months Then his money gave out and he VAS
obliged 20 abandon study and once more look for
employment This he found in the general store
az Shepherd, which Was kept by z. 3. Smith. and
Robert took up the duties Of clerk and bookkeeper
Shepherd was new town, and the store was the
only one OF its kind In the neighborhood so the
boy found plenty Of work 10 do. At night he
suded diligently. all the while saving money that
he might go 10 Houston again and resume his
After a few months an opportunity came 10 the
boy 10 act station master at Shepherd for the
Houston, East & West Texas Railway. This he
accepted resgning his clership but still continu-
ing 10 keep Smiths books at night With the
money saved from this double work he returned
% Houston. as he had planned Realizing the ad-
vantage Of being versed in Latin should he be
admitted 20 the practice of law, he took private
lessons reading law in spare hours. At this time
he was employed IN Houston as bill clerk IN the
freight department OF the railroad during the day
ana every night he studied hard TIL u or O'Clock
Charles Stewart who Representative IN Con-
sress from the Houston district. offered 20 take
young Lovett into his law Office at the close OF
me school term. The latter accepted. resuIning
ms general education az night school
immediately on his admission to the bar in 1852
LoVet became local attorney for the Houston.
East d west Texas Railway at Cold Springs his |
natFe town In a few months his territory was
enlarged and he was sent 10 Nacogdoches where |
ne remained for year. Upon his return then 10 |
Houston he was made general attorney for the |
railroad company. Moving 10 Dallas, Tex he be- |
came assistant general attorney OF the Texas G. /
Pacific the old Gould line At the time Tbor,ss |
A. Scott was in charge Of the great railroad Eys |
tern extending through 20 the Pacific. Lovett as