The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-20
ATKINSON CAUSE
OF MUCH REGRET
Retirement from Birming-
ham Is Keenly Felt
INTERESTING CAREER
Has Always Been a Birmingham
Booster and Has Aided Very Much
in the Development of the
Birmingham District
INTERESTING CAREER
BY CLYDE w. ENNIS


connection with Birmingham of one of
the most Interesting characters ever
known in this district. Moreover, the
resignation of Mr.. Atkinson sewers the
active connection with Birmingham of
one of the best and most progressive
men that ever selected this community
as a place for work.
1t Is with the sincerest regret that
the Industrial district and the railroad
operators here learn of Mr.. AtlSinson's s
retirement. Not only do business men
regret his retirement from the Atlanta.
Birmingham and Atlantic, but also So
cial circles of this community will miss
one of their most welcome guests and
man that never failed to add dignity
and refinement to whatever company he
was found in.
Interesting Career
The career of Mr.. Atkinson in Bir-
,slingham is one of unusual interest.
His first connection with Birmingham
was years and years ago when, as a
comparative youth, he sailed in here one
day and citizens woke up to find that a
young blond chap from Atlanta OF Bos-
ton had taken over the gas and street
railway plants. He held onto that prop
erty for only a short time when he sold
out and he has expressed the deepest
regret to the writer many times for that
sale. That property which he sold for
song has grown until its value is said
to be almost fabulous. Mr.. Atkinson
shortly thereafter was interested in
buying some coal properties here. He
purchased from the Adler Brothers and
Maj. e. NJ. Tutwiler the Birmingham
Coal and Iron company properties, which
We're operated under the name of the
Tutwiler Coal and Iron company. That
deal was financed by Mr.. Atkinson in
Boston and New York and everyone in
terested came out In good shape. MIR.
Atkinson secured the services of James
Bonnyman, a well known engineer. as
general manager of the properties and
turned over operations to him: The
company started without delay to open
up the most modern mine in this state
and eventually completed Mulga. 1t is
held to be one of the very best mines
operating in this district at this time.
The Birmingham Coal and Iron COM
pany eventually went into the hands OF
receivers and was subsequently sold to
the Woodward Iron company, in which
concern Mr.. Atkinson still retains a di-
rectorship which is his only business
connection in Birmingham. The Wood
ward company bought the properties al
great bargain.
Started A., b. & A. Line
While handling the Birmingham Coal
and Iron, Mr.. Atkinson as president of
the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic
started a line to Birmingham. He had
employed Alex Bonnyman as chief en-
gineer. and he was subsequently ap-
pointed general manager of the line.
The Atlanta Birmingham and Atlantic
under leased tracks of the Louisville
and Nashville brought into Birmingham
some three years ago and has since that
time built it's own lines into the Louis
Vile and Nashville terminals down town.
When the line reached this city it went
into the hands of receivers, which is the
logical melting pot for new railroad
properties, and Mr.. Atkinson was ap-
pointed one of the co-receivers by Judge
dTutt. CillCt liiht tiiilt he mas Deen HI
frequent intervals visitor to this city
in the interests of his properties. Now
that he is out of the Atlanta, Birming-
ham and Atlantic his connection with
Is severed.
Mr.. Atkinson during the narrowing
days of 1907 and even before and after
that period was the one railroad man
who could see the rift in the clouds. He
has yet to come to Birmingham and say
<haT oh i- ciJ1lr 10 MAS afxx,<.
a firm believer In the resources of this
community. He has time and again
given out words of hope and cheer In
this city that carried conviction and
comfort to frightened operators and
business men.
Is Very Modest
With all of his money spent In this
city he has failed to get anywhere near
the band While the parade was going on
Modesty is one of his most striking
while. as for boasting,
his closest friends never heard such q
thing from him. He is a strikingly
democratic man as the miners and
other employees will testify. He never
failed to go down into the mines when
inspecting them and has been known
to insist that Mrs. Atkinson take the
trip also, she being the first woman
who ever went down the 700 foot shaft at
Mulga.
Socially MIR. Atkinson is we'll known
here and greatly esteemed. The promo
ters of the annual charity ball held at
the Country club could always count on
Harry Atkinson coming over with a
merry party. 1t Is recalled that on the
last occasion he filled, his private car
with crowd of beaux and bellies and
a couple of days for the ball
Mrs. Atkinson was along. He was called
upon frequently for donations to various
affairs promoted here and if he ever
declined to donate that fact has been
closely hidden by those interested.
Those associated with Mr.. Atkinson for
seven years and more feel keenly the fact
that he has ceased to be actively in
terested here. There is only one hope
and that is an abiding one that he will
start some industrial movement here
which will be headed by him and
through which he will be compelled to
return to his second home where he
has so many warm and devoted friends,
as we'll as host Of business admirers.
Police See Drama
Members Of the sheriff's office and
o xe1to1 20 x,rtI1 ~ <l,1 <x,,~.t-