Talk:John L. Helm

message: "The following year Helm resigned because of differences with the board of directors over a proposed branch that would extend the line to Memphis, Tennessee." I'd love to know what those differences were, because there's no way to know if he favored or opposed the extension, and hopefully the clash could be summarized with the same brevity as it is described vaguely. --Preston McConkie (talk • contribs) 23:46, 21 February 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: The body of the article goes into substantially more detail about this issue, which was a little complicated. It also makes it clear that Helm supported the Memphis branch. I'd like to work that fact into the lead, but right now, I'm drawing a blank as to how to do it without making a seriously awkward sentence. Several sources seem to imply that there were other issues between Helm and the board, but none of them detail what they were. According to a local expert in Hardin County with whom I have exchanged emails, many of the records of the L&N were destroyed in the Ohio River flood of 1937; perhaps more details would have been contained therein, but they are now lost to history. Acdixon (talk • contribs • iki=wikipedia&lang=en  count) 03:18, 22 February 2009 (UTC)
replies: text:  I should have scanned the article first, I suppose. You write in fine inverted-pyramid style, summarizing and then expanding. If I can't think of an elegant and brief way of inserting the summary, I won't presume it's a needed change. --Preston McConkie (talk • contribs) 08:20, 22 February 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Differences with board 

message: I'll list these as I come across them.
"Helm's personal fortune was exhausted as a result of the war." I'd love to know what caused that. The destruction of his crops? Separation from his farm? Slaves who left and didn't work the ground? If possible, a short summary would be interesting. 
--Preston McConkie (talk • contribs) 23:49, 21 February 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Again, there are some more details in the body of the article. The destruction of the crops contributed, no doubt, but the primary factor seems to have been that the courts were not in session during the war, so Helm had no way of earning a living. Providing for such a large family (including slaves) during a five-year war when you are considered by many to be siding with the enemy has got to be a drain on the old finances! The Biographical Sketch mentions that federal soldiers encouraged the family slaves to abandon Helm, but there is no indication whether they actually did so. Acdixon (talk • contribs • iki=wikipedia&lang=en  count) 03:22, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

text: Good call. Fixed. Acdixon (talk • contribs • iki=wikipedia&lang=en  count) 21:01, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

text: All I can locate with regard to this is that the arresting officer was a Colonel Knox. I don't even have his first name, and there is no one in :Category:Union Army officers that fits. Maybe I'll ask around at WP:MILHIST. Acdixon (talk • contribs • iki=wikipedia&lang=en  count) 21:01, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

text: In 1850, internal improvements consisted mainly of turnpikes, railroads, and constructs to make rivers more navigable. None of the sources I have are really very specific about what improvements he supported, other than a mention from Owen that he supported "railroad building". At this point in Kentucky history, it was almost redundant to say that a Whig supported internal improvements. Internal improvements were a major pillar of Henry Clay's American System. So if there was a proposed canal, railroad, dam, road, etc. to be built, the Whigs probably supported it. Acdixon (talk • contribs • iki=wikipedia&lang=en  count) 21:01, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

text: I looked specifically for this and couldn't find it. The most explicit statement so far is Owen, who says Helm wanted "to curb widespread voting irregularities and violence at the polls". Maybe something more concrete will be in the Morton article, if I can get my hands on it. Acdixon (talk • contribs • iki=wikipedia&lang=en  count) 21:01, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

text: Thanks for these additional suggestions. I'll address them as best I can as I continue to seek a couple more sources before nominating for FA. Acdixon (talk • contribs • iki=wikipedia&lang=en  count) 21:01, 22 February 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Other vague statements 

message: One bit Don't know if this would help or not. Ealdgyth - Talk 14:27, 6 March 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Bits and pieces ....