Campbell as a Young Man (Chapter 4)

Campbell was twenty four years-old when he left Scotland and did not know that it would be forever. He went to London to prepare for his move to America. His sister, Nan, was living in London with her two children. She had a lovely flat in Chelsea and attended drama classes there with the hopes of someday going on the stage. Campbell got his own flat along with his cousin, Willie Roy, his Aunt Nellie's son. The two young men explored London, dating girls, going to the theater, galleries and parks punting on the Thames.

His grandfather sold the mill to a man named Pullar and retired at the age of 86 to Lignwood. He died suddenly a year later. That left his mother, grandmother, and his young uncle Edward at Lignwood. Helen and James had finished school. James had gone to Australia to possibly farm there, and Helen was taking nursing classes with the hopes of becoming a nurse in the army. World War 1 had erupted in Europe and Campbell knew that was the time to sail for America. He had spent two years in London when he left and was approaching his late twenties. He felt that he had much to offer with three years of experience in the mill, an excellent education, and full knowledge of the woolen business, cleaning, dyeing, weaving...all aspects of it.

His cousin, Willie Roy, had decided to accompany him. Willie was the same age, but had no real plans. They spent a couple of weeks exploring New York - so different from London and Edinburgh. Willie was beginning to get homesick, but Campbell forged ahead. He packed a shoebox full of sandwiches and hard boiled eggs and boarded a train for Chicago.

Willie returned to Scotland.

Campbell arrived after three days and two nights on the train in the bustling, huge Chicago Depot. He was aware of how very different he was right away. Dressed in his tweeds and wearing a cap did not command as much attention as his politeness and cultivated Edinburgh Scottish brogue. People turned their heads when he spoke just to listen.

And so Campbell had his first taste of Chicago, a city like no other!