Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-01
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a Vermonter; whereupon he takes Green
Mountain rank with several other railroad
presidents. including Strong, who once
headed the Santa Fe: Robinson, OF the
Mexican National, and Mellen. of the
New York. New Haven & Hartford
Chamberlins first railroad work was
with the Central Vermont road. where
Mcllen also served his apprenticeship; he
had various positions and showed much
aptitude Then j. h. Booth. the big lum-
herman. took note of him. Booth owned
n wilderness in Canada, and wanted to
make il less wild by cutting the timber
from it. He hired Chamberlin to build
lumber line from Lake Champlain to
Parry Sound on Georgian Bay Chamber
lin took the job. He went to the front
and stayed there, sparinS neither himself
nor his men. He lived in that wilderness,
out In the open. driving that road
through until he completed the task.
Then Booth named his road the Canada
Atlantic and Chamberlin became the gem
eral manager.
The Canada Atlantic runs through
Ottawa, and seven years ago the Grand
Trunk took it over. Chamberlin resigned
and went down to Mexico. His experience
in building that lumber road had given
him n taste for the work. one day he
was talking with Frank W. Morse, then
Of the Grand Trunk Pacific, and Morse
asked him what he had in mind.
KNIGHTHOOD STILL IN FLOWER
Nothing much" Chamberln replied
but what I'd like to do would be to
build a transcontinental railroad"
Morse remembered that, and when
| Morse left the Grand Trunk Pacific to
go to the Chicago & Alton he told Presi-
dent Hays he knew of a man who could
push the Grand Trunk Pacific through.
whats his name?' asked Hays.
Ed Chamberlin."
! Hays was familiar with Chamberlins
record. and he wired to Mexico and ask
ed Chamberl!n to come up and see him
Chamberlin came up, telling the folks
| in Mexico he would be back in two
weeks. Two months later he appeared In
Mexico in Grand Trunk private car
gathered in his family slowed away his
pointer pups and left to take charge OF
the Grand Trunk Pacific Before Cham
berlin took hold, the headquarters of the
Grand Trunk Pacific had been in Mon
treal. Chamberlin moved them to Winni'
peg. and he continued to live in Winni-
peg. until he was called to Montreal to
succeed Hays.
Chamberlin is a big, burly man, who
is popular with railroad officials, but who
has had his. differences with the railroad
unions lie is an outdoor chap and g
crack wing shot. He specializes in pointer
dogs, has a number of fine ones. and IL
happiest when he is out in Saskatchewan
with dog and gun. where the chickens
are plentiful and the shooting is good
He began to save his money early and l.
rich.
The death Of Charles NJ. Hays and the
promotion of F.. II. Fitzhugh to the pres
dency of the Central Vermont road. whicl
is the name of the Grand Trunks New
England system. practically eliminated
the Wabash crowd from the Grand Trunl
in Canada---the Wabash crowd that tool
hold of he Grand Trunk when II was {
single track. thrd-rate, moribund affair
and expanded it.. built 1t up and made
il n big double track system. They want
ed to knight Hays, but he refused. Hay
remained a citizen of the United State
until his death Likely as not, one q
these DAYS King George will signify hi
willingness to tap f. J, Chamberlin oil
, a broad shoulder with a sword and ex
tend a cordial invitation to him to Rise
Sir knight. Canadian railroad president
usually have a chance to become knights
Likely as not. too. II T.. ]. Chamberlin &C
cents the title he will he the first knigh
who ever lived as boy In Bethe
, lVermont-which will be going some 70
: Bethel!