The Watchman And Southron

Half Century of Service Rewarded

Diamond Studded Emblem Given to Vice President R. A. Brand

R. A. Brand, vice president in charge of traffic of the Atlantic Coast Line yesterday received the diamond studded emblem given by that company to employees who complete 50 years in its service.

In presenting the emblem, President J. R. Kenly spoke feelingly of Mr. Brand's long association with the Atlantic Coast Line and its constituent companies and paid high tribute to him as a railroad official and as a man. Complimenting Mr. Brand upon his accomplishments in connection with the traffic work of the company, Mr. Kenly laid stress also upon his influence for good among his business associates and in the communities where he has lived, and said that the Atlantic Coast Line took deep satisfaction in being able to attract and hold for so long a time a man of Mr. Brand's ability.

Mr. Brand's continuous connection with the Atlantic Coast Line began on January 1, 1877, when as a lad he was employed as a warehouse hand for the old Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad, at Sumter, S. C., at $13 per month and rations. The rations consisted of one peck of meal and five pounds of pickled pork. After about six months he was promoted to $16 per month with no rations.

Having previously learned telegraphy, Mr. Brand took advantage of the opportunity to become an expert operator, and attended school at night. After about a year he was transferred to office work and became in turn clerk, operator, and chief clerk.

In September 1881 he was made agent at Marion, S. C., and a few months later was transferred to Sumter. In 1892 he was made soliciting agent at Sumter and in 1894 was sent to Augusta as general agent, where he remained until 1902. At that time he was promoted to be general freight manager of the lines north of Charleston with headquarters at Wilmington, and has resided here ever since. On January 1, Mr. Brand was made freight traffic manager of the entire Coast Line system.

His promotion to be vice president in charge of traffic came on November 21, 1911.

For many years Mr. Brand took an active and influential part in affairs in South Carolina and during his residence in Wilmington has been prominently identified with church affairs and all matters for the improvement of civic conditions.—Wilmington Morning Star, Jan. 1