The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1848-02-16
Greenvillc & Columbia R. R Oall.
LETTER FROM MAJ. WIN. EDDINS.
VARIETY GROVE, Jan. 26, l849.


| NIcssrs. GARY, THOMAS and CoNNER:-
Gcmtlemcn,-I have been rehecting much
on our contemplated Railroad, since saw
you. am now fully confirmed in my
mind, that the only sure plan of success in
getting the road from Columbia to Ander-
son Court House, through Abbevile Dis
trict, is for the Directory to be instructed 10
make contracts for it to be graded from Co.
Iumbia to Anderson c.. H. as quick as the
Engineers can get it ready for grading.
There are many reasons why the Stock
holders should not be tardy in this move
ment. am clearly and decidedly ofopin
ion, that there is no route yet devised,
or can be pointed out, that would be so
profitable in the end to the Stockholders,
as the one now located Therefore, grade
the road, which will inspire confidence, and
rouse the people 10 energy and industry.
Give them employment, and there is not
the least doubt that the machinery will be
put on it and the cars set to running
Immediately. The peoples labor will be
equal to capital; you will get capital in
abundance, and from sources that we do
not now calculate on. | was informed by
the Director Of this District, as came from
the convention the other day, that the citi-
zens of Columbia and Newbcrry were will
ling to join the people of this District to
grade the road to Anderson c. H., before
they expcnd any more Of the funds. What
u legacy they have offered to the citizens of
Abbeville District, to their postcrity and to
generations to come, as | may term it, for
do regard it as such. Is there man so
blind and insane as not to accept the offer
hope not, trust not, for the benefit of
himself and of posterity forever. Now is
the accepted time, and now the golden mo-
ment, to get the road; lose it now and we
may lose it forever.
Iprcsume it will take three hundred and
twenty Or three hundred and fifty thousand
dollars to grade the road. There is $780,
600 subscribed; therefore the road can be
graded. say grade it-be sure to grade
it, if it takes every dollar that can be COL
lected from the Stockholders. Although
some ofthe Stockholders may think, on re-
Election, that they live rather remote from
the intended road for it TO be profitable, per-
haps they may be inclined no, 10 pay their
subscrptio when called for. But never
mind them at present; 60 on with the work
get the road graded, which will do away
all those selfish notions and diversites Of
opinion so common amongst men. have
no doubt they will come to your aid in due
time. 1t is not more than thirty or thirty
five miles from the bank Of the Savannah
river, through good cotton and corn grow
ing country, to the line Of the intended road;
therefore you may reasonably expect freight
loading from that quarter; no doubt but the
products Of this District, within Is or 80
miles, will! give their patronage, the naviga-
ton of Savannah river being rather uncer-
tain, particularly the back loading will be a
means of giving more freight to the road !;
therefore the objections that now exist on
that side of the District will be soon over
come, if the road is graded. 1t will not be
long before there will be branch graded
to Abbeville Court House, which would
be proud to see and wouldtake stock IN it
for the honor and pride Of our District, to.
gether withihe great utility that will be de-
rived from the products that will come to
the road from beyond the village, between
thre and the Savannah river. Therefore
grade the road--give the people employ
ment--they are anxious to work. was
opposed to any appropriation by the Legis-
lature for the clearing of Saluda river, nei.
there wouldI subscribe one dollar to the
Charleston and CINCINNATI Railroad, be-
cause Ibelieyed It to be impractieable and
hla fba5 Do, H.