The Life of Henry Bradley Plant / Founder and President of the Plant System of Railroads and Steamships and Also of the Southern Express Company

by G. Hutchinson Smyth

“Never was there such an ovation to any living railroad magnate in the Southern States. The day was beautiful and bright and most auspicious, and the exercises in the auditorium at the Exposition grounds were profoundly interesting and impressive.

“Early in the morning Mr. Plant was driven to the Exposition grounds in a carriage, the rest of his party accompanying him in other carriages. They drove through the grounds, and at 12 o’clock sharp they stopped at the Columbian bell, near the Forestry Building, and, in accordance with the programme as arranged, the bell was rung many times over in honor of the great railroader. The bell was rung by Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Plant, assisted by Mrs. Wood, Mrs. B. W. Wrenn, Major O’Brien, and Mrs. Tilley.

“Those present at the ringing of the bell were: Mrs. H. B. Plant, Mrs. W. A. Wood, Mrs. B. W. Wrenn, Mrs. George H. Tilley, Mrs. Porter King, Mr. H. B. Plant, Mr. R. G. Erwin, Mr. M. F. Plant, Dr. G. H. Smythe, Mr. G. H. Tilley, Major M. J. O’Brien, and Col. B. W. Wrenn.

“The party then drove through the grounds, and after a brief glimpse of the splendid Exposition from the carriages while passing, they went to the Auditorium, where the regular programme of the day was to be carried out.

“Long before they arrived at the auditorium the hall was fairly packed with the employees of the Plant System of Railroads and of the Southern Express Company, of which Mr. Plant is president. The distinguished party, consisting of Mr. Plant and his family and a number of friends, arrived at the eastern side of the auditorium and entered the vast hall through the doorway to the stage.

“At the first sight of them the vast multitude of people within gave a round of applause which lasted for a long time, and which was a becoming greeting from the several thousands of Mr. Plant’s employees to him at such a season.

“When Mr. Plant and his companions were seated on the stage, the applause ceased and order was restored in the hall. On the platform, Mrs. H. B. Plant was seated on the left of Mr. Plant. There were also there Mrs. W. G. Wood, Mrs. G. H. Tilley, Mrs. B. W. Wrenn, Mr. M. F. Plant, Mr. R. G. Erwin, Mr. M. J. O’Brien, Mr. S. G. McLendon, Mr. G. H. Tilley, Mr. A. A. Wiley, Mayor Porter King, Vice-President W. A. Hemphill, of the Exposition Company; Mr. W. F. Vandiver, Mr. Fleming G. duBignon, Mr. W. C. Bibb, Judge Robert Falligant, Hon. W. B. Thompson, formerly Second Assistant Postmaster-General; Hon. W. H. Brawley, U. S. District Judge; Mr. F. Q. Brown, Mr. G. W. Adair, and others.

“After music by the Innes Band, Vice-President W. A. Hemphill, of the Exposition Company, acting as president in the absence of President Charles Collier, arose and addressed the vast audience on behalf of the Exposition Company, bidding them a cordial welcome to the fair.

“Mr. Hemphill said:

“‘Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen:—I have no doubt that the welcome that Mr. Collier was to have given you to-day would have been the most pleasant duty he would have had to perform since the opening of the Exposition, but he was suddenly called away, and wired me to welcome you.