The trail of the swinging lanterns : $b a racy, railroading review of transportation matters, methods and menCopeland, John Morison
History
The trail of the swinging lanterns : $b a racy, railroading review of transportation matters, methods and men
Copeland, John Morison
Railroads -- Canada
This deepening of a common sense of attachment is significant and may
yet wield a portentous influence on world politics and boundaries.
The growth in harmonious intercourse--fostered by the advent into
United States prior to 1900 of one in every six persons born in
Canada--has derived stimulus from the dependable characteristics of
those who have, in the sifting, come within the arc of the limelight.
These resolute knights of throttle, lever and key--ex-Canadians of
stamina and discernment in railroad building, operation, traffic and
finance--rank high as participators in the safeguarding of large and
complicated interests. They are in sympathy with the enterprising and
restless spirit of their “American” confreres and both seek to wrest
the Caduceus, or golden wand of commerce, from Jupiter’s son and hasten
forward with development’s message to silent, virgin places and to
peoples beyond the seas.
SAMUEL R. CALLAWAY
His Character and Notable Career
_David Hume, historian and observer, declared “It is better to be born
with a cheerful disposition than inherit an income of ‘Ten Thousand’ a
year.”_
[Illustration]
The gentleman whose features are reproduced on this page possessed
that jewel beyond price. Despite vicissitudes in boyhood and stubborn
perplexities later, it was his wont to always maintain a kindly,
unruffled exterior which seemed to spring from the centre of his being,
reflecting an equable temperament and much self-mastery. With this
invaluable asset, and other sterling qualifications of mind and method,
Samuel Rodger Callaway quietly and steadily spiraled through adverse
currents to an altitude in the science of railroading, surmounted
by the golden legend, “Eighty thousand a year.” In his brief span he
attained an eminence in the commercial firmament which most men cease
not to dream of, but seldom realize.
Born of English-Scotch stock at Toronto, Canada, December 24th, 1850,
the loss of his father summoned him to toil’s daily round early in
life. As the champion and counsellor of his mother he was thrust into
the arena at the age of thirteen, when he entered the Grand Trunk
service under the eye of the late Sir Joseph Hickson, who soon observed
his precocious self-control, prudence and business aptitude even at
that chrysalis stage.
A four year novitiate beside Superintendent Gilman Cheney, of the
Canadian Express Company, was followed by twelve months clerking for
William Wallace, Superintendent of the Great Western, Hamilton. His
chief recreation then was reading, and mild indulgence in the aquatic
pleasures which Burlington Bay permitted.
A secretaryship to W. K. Muir fell to him in 1870, when both joined
the fettered D. & M., Detroit, marking young Callaway’s assumption of
important responsibilities.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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