Chapter I: Preface

If it be asked why another biography is added to the almost endless number now in our bookstores and libraries, an answer is found in the countless distinctions of individual character, and in the varied experiences which come to men in different walks of life. The botanist says that of all leaves in the forests of the world, no two can be found alike in every particular. The phrenologist says the same of the various forms of the human head, and the psychologist affirms it of the intellects and dispositions of men and women. Hence each life has its own peculiar experience to record for the pleasure or profit of others.

Biography is the most universally interesting and instructive branch of literature; hence the power of the novel and drama, which are merely biographies pictured and acted before us. A study of history shows that the nations’ great movements are the work of individual men and women. In illustration of this fact it is needful to mention such names only as Abraham, Joseph, Esther, Joan of Arc, Napoleon, and Washington.

The commercial and industrial occupations from which a nation now derives its strength should be honored as truly as the military exploit, or the scientific achievement. The record of a noble life which, in its sphere of quiet duty, has accomplished much for the good of others, is a lesson in patriotism and a legacy to posterity. The best period of the history of the Cotton States could only be written by taking into account the share which the subject of this biography has had in their development.

It is rare to find a man who has had dealings with so many of his fellows, and who, at the same time, has won the esteem and affection of his associates and employés, as has Henry Bradley Plant in every department of his great railroad system.

The writing of this biography is undertaken in the belief that there are many general readers to whom the record of such a life will be as welcome as it must be to those to whom, in his manifold activities, he has proved a benefactor and a friend.

G. H. S.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

The Plant Family--Birth of Henry Bradley Plant--Mr. Plant’s Parents--Ancestors Came from England in 1639--David Plant Occupied Many Positions of Honor and Trust--A. P. Plant’s Successful Business Career--H. B. Plant on his Mother’s Side is Descended from Joseph Frisbee, a Major in Washington’s Army--Reverend Levi Frisbee, Father of Professor Levi Frisbee of Harvard College--Connection with Sir William Pepperell, Bart.--The Historian of the Frisbee Family--Richard of the Second Generation Went from Virginia to Connecticut, and Settled at Branford, 1644--Sketch of Oliver Libby Frisbee, Historian of his Family--Senator Hoar’s Relations to the Frisbee Family--Frisbee Patriotism and Services to their Country--They Were Good, Church-going People, mostly of the Puritan Belief--Probability that the Frisbees Came from Wales.....1-14

CHAPTER II.

Branford, Connecticut, Purchased by the New Haven Colonists from the Totokett Indians in 1638--First Settlements Were Made in 1644--First Church of Logs Surrounded by Stockade to Protect from Indians--Guards at the Gate during Service--Church and Town Records Preserved at Branford--John Plum, the First Town Clerk--Style of the Second Church Building and Character of its Services--Rev. Timothy Gillett its Pastor--He Taught an Academy in Addition to his Pastoral Work--Prominent Families of Branford--Intelligent Character of the People--De Tocqueville’s High Estimate of this “Leetle State”--Branford in 1779.....15-22

CHAPTER III.

The Blackstone Family--The Ancestor Came from England before 1630--His Name Was William Blaxton--Settled first in Massachusetts, afterwards Went to Rhode Island--His Beautiful Character and Numerous Descendants--Origin of Yale College of Branford--The Blackstone Memorial Library.....23-34

CHAPTER IV.

The Plants Came from England to Branford, between Two Hundred and Three Hundred Years ago--Still Own the Lands first Acquired--Henry’s Father Died of Typhus Fever when Henry Was about Six Years Old--His Tender Recollection of his Mother--Henry’s First Day at School--His Natural Diffidence--Mr. Plant’s After-dinner Speeches--His Mother’s Second Marriage--Stepfather Kind to Henry--Thrown by a Plough Horse and nearly Killed--Attended School at Branford--Engaged on Steamboat Line Running between New Haven and New York--On Leaving, Promised a Captaincy--Marriage--Express Business--Leaves New Haven and Goes to New York--Romantic Experience in Florida .....35-50

CHAPTER V.

Mr. Plant Goes from New Haven to New York--Captain Stone’s Friendship--Mrs. Plant’s Health Fails again--Returns to the South--Is Appointed Superintendent of Adams Express Company--His Great Executive Ability--The Civil War--Mrs. Plant’s Death--Mr. Plant Buys out the Adams Express Company.....51-55

CHAPTER VI.

Relations to the Confederate Government--Jefferson Davis Gives him Charge of Confederate Funds--Mr. Plant Buys a Slave, who afterward Nursed him through a Severe Sickness--Impaired Health--Goes to Bermuda, New York, Canada, and Europe--Second Marriage.....56-67

CHAPTER VII.

Education from Books and from Experience--Keen Intuitions--Abreast of the Progress--Mr. Plant’s After-dinner Speech at Tampa Banquet Given him by Tampa Board of Trade, March 18, 1886--Location of Tampa--In Territorial Days Had a Military Reservation--In 1884 Population about Seven Hundred--Its Cosmopolitan Population now--Many Cubans and Spaniards in Tampa--Tobacco Industry--Phosphate Abounds in this Part of the State--Much of it Shipped to the North and to Europe--Plant System Gives Impetus to the Prosperity of the Place--Its Progress the Last Five or Six Years.....68-86

CHAPTER VIII.

Florida Mr. Plant’s Hobby--Banquet at Ocala--Mr. Plant’s Speech--Sail on Lakes Harrison and Griffin--Banquet at Leesburg--Visit to Eustis--Cheering Words to a Young Editor--Make the Best of the Frost--It may be a Blessing in Disguise--Must Cultivate Other Fruits (and Cereals) besides Oranges--Importance of Honesty--Sense of Justice--Consideration for the Workmen--Unconscious Moulding-Power over Associates and Employees--Letter of Honorable Rufus B. Bullock.....87-101

CHAPTER IX.

Mr. Plant’s Industry and Power to Endure Continuous Strain--Labor of Examining and Answering his Enormous Mail--Letter from Japan--Mail Delivered Regularly to him at Home and Abroad--His Private Car, its Style, Structure, Hospitality, and Cheering Presence--Numerous Calls--The Secret of his Endurance--The Esteem and Love of the Southern Express Company for its President--Mr. Plant Enjoys Social Life--He is a Great Lover of almost all Kinds of Music--Mr. Plant a Medical Benefactor--Some of the Progress Made in the Healing Art--Bishop of Winchester’s High Estimate of the Value of Health--Dr. Long’s Opinion of the Gulf Coast as a Health Restorer--Unrecognized Medicines in Restoring Lost Health--Nervousness among the American People--The Soothing and Strengthening Effect of Florida Climate--Mr. Plant’s Part in Facilitating Travel and Providing Comfortable Accommodations for the Invalid.....102-116

CHAPTER X.

Reason for Submitting Press Sketches of Mr. Plant--_Descriptive America_, December, 1886--_City Items_, December, 1886--_Railroad Topics_--_Home Journal_, New York, March, 1896--F. G. De Fontain in same Journal--Ocala _Evening Times_, June, 1896--_Express Gazette_.....117-140

CHAPTER XI.

Mr. Plant’s Close and Constant Contact with the Great System as Seen in the Following Letters--Letter Written on Board the Steamer _Comal_--Letters on Trip to Jamaica, West Indies, March 15, 1893, and Published in the _Home Journal_.....141-149

CHAPTER XII.

MANAGEMENT OF THE GREAT PLANT SYSTEM WORTHY OF ADMIRATION AND IMITATION.....150-156

CHAPTER XIII.

Plant Day at the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895 at Atlanta, Georgia--Preparations for its Celebration--Impressive Observances of Mr. Plant’s Birthday at the Aragon Hotel--Mr. Plant’s Remarks in Acknowledging Presentation of Gifts.....157-182

CHAPTER XIV.

Tampa Bay Hotel, One of the Modern Wonders of the World--Its Architecture, Furniture, Works of Art, Decorations, Tapestries, Paintings, Inlaid Table and Three Ebony and Gold Cabinets from the Tuileries, a Sofa and Two Chairs once Owned by Marie Antoinette--The Dream of De Soto Realized--A Palace of Art for the Delight and Joy of Those who are in Health, and an Elysium for the Sad and Sorrowful.....183-203

CHAPTER XV.

Programme of Plant Day Ceremonies--Ringing of the Liberty Bell--Presentation of Addresses to Mr. Plant in the Great Auditorium--His Reply--Resolutions from the Different Departments of the System, from the Savannah Board of Trade, etc.--Mr. Morton F. Plant’s Acknowledgments.....204-226

CHAPTER XVI.

Banquet at the Aragon Hotel Ends the Festivities of the Day--Sketch of the Southern Express Company--Distinguished Callers on President Plant during the Day--Many Telegrams and Letters of Congratulation Received--Many Press Notices of the Day, and many Tributes of Respect and Esteem for him who Called it forth.....227-263

CHAPTER XVII.

Some Changes that have Taken Place in the Configuration of the Globe--Islands Born and Buried--French Revolution--Napoleon’s Influence on Europe--England’s Long Wars--Barbarous Treatment of Prisoners--Slavery Abolished--English Profanity and Intemperance--Temperance Movements--Duelling--Penny Postage--Expansion of the Press--Canals, Erie and Suez--Railroads in England and the United States--First Steamer to Cross the Atlantic--First Steamship Line.....264-278