The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-20
PeytOn Is Well Known Here.
Managed Double Track
Work
HISTORIC PASSAGE
WITH MILTON SMITH
Said to Be Only Man Who Ever
Brought l.. & n. Executive to His
Knees-Widely Known as
an Engineer
By CLYDE w. ENNIS

| BY CLfOE w. GNNIs
John Howe Peyton, who was elected
president and general manager of th'
| Nashville, Chattanooga and st. Loui
railroad, to succeed the late John W
Thomas, Jr, is we'll known in Birming
ham He is we'll known, although hi
missions to this community were alway:
unostentious. Mr.. Peyton will become
general manager OF the line January ]
but cannot become president until he has
been a stockholders for 80 days. Thai
has been arranged.
| The new president has been for some
time assistant to Milton II. Smith, pres
| ident of the Louisville and Nashville rail
| road and 1t is obvious to the railroad
men that Mr. Smith named the successor
! to Mr. Thomas. Inasmuch as at thi:
| time the Interstate Commerce commits
| sion is making an inquiry into the own
ership of the Louisville and Nashville
this election of Mr.. Peyton will be o
| interest.
Managed Double Track Work
For the last year Mr.. Peyton has beer
chief engineer of the construction de-
partment of the Louisville and Nashville
with the immense amount of double
track work that is being done by the
Louisville and Nashville between Boyles
and Nashville. Mr.. Peyton was made
head of the newly created department
especially to handle that development.
He is considered one of the smartest
men that Milton II. Smith has ever
drawn to him. When the Louisville and
Nashville double track work was started
it was Mr.. Peyton who handled all the
franchises for that line He diplomati-
cally soothed the anger or resentment OF
various farmers, town councils. legsla-
tors and all others who felt agrieved that
the Louisville and Nashville was pierre
ing their properties or municipalities. He
did that wonderfully we'll and then ham
died all the contractors who were given
the contracts for the double track work.
He is said to have secured the closest
prices for that work ever noted on a
southern line.
Mr. Peyton goes to the Nashville,
Chattanooga and ST. Louis wen equipped
for that work. He is the author of a
very interesting pamphlet on the ruinous
tllttl VI WdltI tldllSpbi tdtlOu ltdL Hdtl
quite run in this section of the coun-
try few years ago. He is a financer
of ability and is an engineer of unques-
toned skill and capacity. Mr.. Peyton has
served many railroads, but for the past
few years has been, with the Louisville
and Nashville.
Brought Smith to His Knees
1t is said that Mr.. Peyton is the only
living man that caused a bend of the
knee from Milton II. Smith, Braxton
Bragg Conner Notwithstanding 1t is re-
lated that Mr.. Peyton and the veteran
of the Louisville and Nashville had a
passage at arms In connection with the
engineering department of the line. Mr..
Peyton went west and accepted a posi-
ton with another railroad or studied
water transportation history for his
book Mr.. Smith finally found that he
required the services of Mr.. Peyton. He
requested the engineer to return, but
overtures amounted to naughs Even
tually Mr.. Smith boarded his private car
and proceeded out west and returned
with Mr. Peyton.
Their interview If it ever becomes pub
lie will prove to be historical affair In
southern railroading. Mr.. Peyton from
that time on was assistant to the pres
ident and it Is said the only man who
ever held such a position under President
Milton Smith.
Mr.. Peyton is a man of tremendous
physical capacity. He is over six feet
in height. He Is of ruddy complexion.
His eyes are blue and his hair iron gray
He presents a most impressive appear
ance and is known as an engineer all
over this country. He is a member OF
the Episcopal church and never misses
the morning prayers If he can possibly
reach an Episcopal church. He is about
48 years of age.
His reign on the Nashville, Chatta :
| nooga and st. Louis is likely to prove
good for the line and the country through
which it passes.