The Greenville times., 1910-09-23

Just then a tall, dignifed gentleman
turned from his desk, Immediately be
hind me, and remarked, "Bud, yop
must not become discouraged; go back
try it over and you will be all right
next time; we will have plenty of posi-
tions as the line is built
This was Major Edwards, whom l
had often seen passing our camps but
had never had occasion to speak to him
before, and I will never forget the en-
couraging advice, and thought then, as
/ had occasion afterwards to know
that Major Edwards was grand and
good man. I have never heard per
son speak an unkind word of him.
/ After the line was completed, and
the Riverside District was built, had
my second interview with Major Ed
wards, at one of the stations where
I had lately been appointed agent.
Complaint had been made against me
for watching the company's cash too
| close for the convenience of some of
the patrons bank accounts Shortly
afterwards he passed my station in his
car 'EIssaquena, and sent for me TO
come out, and told me exactly who and
why the complaint had been made, with
advice to give as little offense as pos
sibIe, continue doing business as [ had
started. and he would see that I was
not disturbed.
This was my last interview with Maj
or Edwards I have always held him
in very high regard, and I think that
the people along the entire "Valley"
owe him debt of gratitude that moth,
ing but tbe heartiest appreciation can
ever repay.
1t was his administration that built
the line through one of the most fertile
countries in the United States-the
wild, yet fertile country from the va
zoo River to the city limits of Memphis
now the fair fields of farm products
wave over the vast tracts of level land
making one grand panorama that will
energy and perseverance.
From the book of Traffic Rules that
l still have, it shows the line to be in
operation between Memphis and New
Orleans June 90, 1885, with Jas. M
Edwards, vice-president and general
manager; M. Burge, general superin-
tendent; A. J. Knapp, general freight
and passenger agent, with headquarters
| at Memphis, Tenn.
My story now comes to an end, as
events from the time the Illinois Cen
tral took charge of the line, changed
| the name of the road from l., n O. &
I. to that of the present name, Yazoo
& Mississippi Valley, is well known by
the present employees.
At the time of this transfer, I re-
| member the various discussions among
the business interests of the country
| as TO the outcome of it, and what eff
feet it would have on the country, and
the consensus of opinion was, that the
country would be greatly benefited by
the change, taking as an example the
fruit and vegetable farmers of points
| on the main line south of Jackson,
Miss, where the land had become too
thin to raise cotton.
The people were encouraged and as
sisted by the road 50 that in few
years they were in prosperous condi-
ton, this opinion was not i'll founded,
for the traveller will observe in passing
over the road the many Improvements
and conveniences made possible by the
| assistance of the Illinois Central Sys-
TEN, whose policy is to assist in build
ing up all the territory through which
its lines traverse
The cotton gin that once stood con
siderable distance from the railroad,
is now located near it with spur tracks
and seed bins where the cotton is baled
| and rolled from the press on to the
railroad cars or platforms, the seed be
ing blown from the gin stands into the
seed bins, or the cars, without the use
or shovel Where tracts of timber
lands lay, the road has assisted the