“The Chronicle publishes this morning an interesting sketch of Mr. Henry B. Plant, by Mr. Clark Howell. The writer has a most excellent subject for his theme, and he has handled it admirably. Than Mr. Henry B. Plant there is not a better man to be found anywhere. Starting from the plain people, unaided by the adventitious circumstances of birth or wealth, he has, step by step, ascended the ladder of fame and fortune, until he is now classed among the railroad magnates and the multi-millionaires of the country. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and he has done the work in the most artistic and substantial manner. His work for Florida and the South cannot be exaggerated. He has been one of the most potential factors in the upbuilding of this section, and he is still full of hope and faith in the present and future possibilities of the South. He knows thoroughly the advantages which we possess, and he is enthusiastic for their full utilization. Mr. Plant was for years a familiar figure in this community and a valued citizen of Augusta.
“Speaking of Mr. Plant yesterday, one of our prominent citizens observed that he had the remarkable gift of always selecting the right man for the right place. He is a capital judge of human nature. His life has been a most exemplary and laborious one. He is the personification of kindness and courtesy in his intercourse with his fellow-citizens, and his consideration for his employees is most marked.
“Monday was set apart by the Cotton States Exposition in honor of Mr. Plant. This recognition of his services to the South is well deserved. In his case it is an honor most worthily bestowed. At the age of seventy-six, Mr. Plant possesses a sound mind in a sound body. Long may he live to continue his good work for Florida and the South, and to wield his influence for good among his fellow-men.”—Augusta Chronicle.
“The employees of the Plant System, who went to the Cotton States and International Exposition on the invitation of President Plant, returned yesterday very much gratified with their visit. And Mr. Plant was very greatly pleased to meet them at the Exposition. The occasion was the celebration of Mr. Plant’s seventy-sixth birthday.
“Mr. Plant is still a very vigorous man. His mental faculties are as bright and keen as they ever were. He looks back on a long life of great activity and usefulness. He has built up a splendid monument to himself in the Plant Railway and Steamship System. All his life he has been a builder—never a wrecker. And the speech he delivered to his employees on Monday shows that he has a just appreciation of the relations he holds to the public.
“No man has contributed more to the building up of the South than Mr. Plant. The country tributary to his lines of railroad presents an appearance vastly different from what it did a quarter of a century ago. There are thousands of comfortable homes now where there was then only a wilderness. Plant Day was a feature of the Exposition, as the Plant System is a feature of the South.”—Savannah Morning News.
“On this, the seventy-sixth anniversary of his birthday, we extend our wishes to Mr. H. B. Plant, the head of the great system of railways which bears his name. Long life and happiness to him.”—The Bulletin, Savannah, Georgia.
“The ceremonies attending the anniversary of Mr. Plant’s birthday yesterday in Atlanta were very imposing. There was a large crowd on hand, and Mr. Plant responded in a very feeling and appropriate speech. There was a feeling and eloquent address by Judge Falligant. One of the gems of the occasion was the excellent letter of Capt. D. G. Purse.”—Savannah Press.
“To-day is a great one in Atlanta. The Plant System celebration of the birthday of its great founder is perhaps the most remarkable event of its kind that ever occurred in this country. It marks the beginning of a distinctive era in progress—when the men who are leaders in material progress are recognized and honored as public benefactors. While Florida is under vast obligations to statesmen of the past and present, to the heroes of several wars, to the pioneers who redeemed its lands to the plow and hoe—it is not too much to say that the present generation owes fully as much to the group of men who, having acquired large means elsewhere, are expending and investing them in developing the resources and advertising the resources of the State. And it is not overstating the case to say that to no one on this list belongs so much credit as to Henry B. Plant. He was the first, as he is to-day the leader, to see the good points of our soil and climate, and to bring them to the notice of the world. To him, and to his unwavering attachment to Florida, is due, to a preponderating extent, the surprising and persistent growth of the State. No pretense is made that he has done it all, but he led the way and set the pace, and it is a pleasure to the intelligent and fair-minded people of Florida to hold him in high esteem, and to testify to it. As long ago as 1853, Mr. Plant saw and appreciated Florida, and from that day to this he has been its unflinching friend. He has been the direct agency for the investment of many millions of dollars here, and the indirect cause of its duplication by others. He deserves the honors and compliments that are paid him, and more.”—Tampa Times.
“The birthday of Henry B. Plant, head of the Plant Railway System and of the Southern Express Company, was yesterday celebrated in fine and appropriate style at the Atlanta Exposition. It was Plant System Day. Mr. Plant deserves such recognition. He has done much for the South, the section of his adoption. He has brought a great deal of capital and enterprise into the section, and built up important conveniences that have proven highly profitable to the Southern country and people. No one man has done more for the advancement of the South’s material development. He was seventy-six yesterday, but looks twenty years younger, in spite of the big load of care and the big amount of work he has done in the last fifty years. Long may he live to enjoy the fruits and honors of his good works.”—Daily Times, Chattanooga.