The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1914-05-15


his generation, possibly Of a century,
has been taken from the activities of
human life. Other men have been re-
markable for their utterances, for
their exploits in the arena of politics,
for theiy ability in the world of states
manship and diplomacy. Some of
these exploits and utterances may have
a recorded history, to be read and then
forgotten, but what John Mayo has
done in the past decade, even, will, be-
cause of its nature, endure as long as
time shall last The riches of the hills
and mountains of his loved Kentucky
have through his potent instrumental
ity been made available. With these
highlands OF the State Mr.. Mayos
name will have an indissoluble con-
nection, and the mention of them and
the miracles wrought there will sug-
gest the name of Mayo
The man was remarkable product.
Not born to the purple nor to inherited
place of power, he came to the front in
the world OF business and finance be-
cause of an inherent ability, later de-
veloped to most surprising degree.
He had the fine qualities of foresight,
executive ability, rugged honesty and
y, anu d
perseverance which baked at nothing.
His foresight showed him the possi-
bilities of Eastern Kentucky; his ex-
ecutive skill enabled him to shape and
control the various organizations nec-
essary for the Accomplishment Of his
purposes; his sterling honesty brought
him the confidence Of his fellowmen,
and his unfiagging industry kept him
in constant touch with the many en-
terprises whose successful accomplish
ment brought him fame and fortune.
Mr.. Mayo was also remarkable
man in that he made his material
wealth, not by speculation in the rise
and fall of stocks but by the appre-
citation of his properties. When he
went to buy he purchased that which
he believed would in the very near
future from the day he bought it be
worth more than he paid for it. If it
rose in value he was the gamer, but
the seller was not loser by the trans
action. Properties not his advanced
in value with his, and Mr.. Mayo large
ly helped to clear and make secure the
titles to the lands of others.
What this man of barely two score
years and ten might have done had he
been permitted to live the allotted
span, no one can more than speculate.
The present era of Improvement and
development in Kentucky of which
John Mayo was the central figure is
yet in It's infancy. What can and will
be done in the next quarter of a CEN
tury can only be imagined In what
ever will be accomplished in the way
of producing coal, of building cities
and towns and railroads in the vast
domain which calls the attention of
America and Europe to this part of
our State, John Caldwell Calhoun
Mayo would have been the foremost
figure. Though comparatively young
his force of character, his far-seeing
wisdom and his power to do things
made him the peer and the business
associate of men far older and more
experienced in the great game of bus
iness. These men had found him to
be man of wonderful capacity for
direction and execution, and they had
found, too, that his word was as good
as his bond, and that bond today is
good for its millions.
With all Mr.. Mayos command of
such vast wealth. his social and polit-
ical power, his position in the world of
business and finance he was as gentle
as woman, as approachable as a
child. He had been the intimate Of
money kings and political magnates,
but to the poorest and humblest of his
friends he was ever gracious and kind.
There was not a grain Of snobbery or
the slightest tinge of the aristocrat
In the makeup of John Mayo. Thor
oughly democratic in ideas and tastes
he was the helping friend of the poor
and lowly. What he did for his friends,
his town and the Big Sandy valley is
known and read OF men. Education
and religion in this region have great
cause for rejoicing that Calhoun
Mayo lived and for intense sorrow
that he is no more. To help in the
building Of schoolhout es and churches
he was always ready and liberal. 1t
has been said by one OF the old classic
writer's that 'the evil that men do lives
after them; the good is oft inferred
with their bones." Here is an excep-
ton. No evil ~ said OF John Mayo,
and surely the great good he has done
for his kind will live long after his
pain-raclxed body has crumbled to It's
original dust.
Mr.. Mayo desired TO live. And why