Left-Handed LS&MS

Anyone know why the LS&MS chose left-hand running in the early days? It was certainly a departure from what all the others were doing (we know why the C&NW did it, and it made sense, but I've never seen anything in writing about the reason on the LS&MS).

Hi
I will take a guess, one reason could be for easier grades, station location, early railroad signaling .

I am not certain about west of Cleveland or east of Erie, but AFAIK, the majority of the stations between Erie and Cleveland were on the south side of the r.o.w.

Now that could have been of the left hand running or a cause for it.