dˈʊɹɹɪŋ ðɪs pˈiəɹɪəd, hiː bɪɡˈæn tə tˈeɪk ɐn ˈɪntɹɛst ɪn ɹˈeɪlɹoʊd kənstɹˈʌkʃən, hˈɛlpɪŋ tə ɹˈeɪz fˈʌndz fɚðɪ ˈiːst tˌɛnəsˈiː ænd vɜːdʒˈɪniə ɹˈeɪlɹoʊd.
During this period, he began to take an interest in railroad construction, helping to raise funds for the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad.