Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-09-12
For the Camden Journal.
LETTER FROM JOHN G. WINTER,
on THE sUBJECT OF
PL NIX II o A DS.
CoLuMBUs Ga, Sept. 2, Il

COLUMBUS ua, Cept. 4, lSoi.
Dear Sr:-Your esteemed favor Of the Goth
ult., came duly to hand, but found me too in.
disposed to reply; l embrace the earliest mo-
ment that my health would allow, but press
of Engagement will compel me to be brief. l
am engaged in building two Roads and
branch, from Wetumpka north, south, and
branch east, to intersect the Montgomery and
West Point Railroad, at point 45 miles north
east from Montgomery. When the road from
Montgomery to Wetumpka and hence to Nota
rulgo which have been completed, it will be
parallel road, and confidently expect that the
Plank Road will take nearly the entire business
of the country on the line Of the Rail Road, and
for many miles beyond our proposed terminus.
The planters pahom exception say they will
give our Plank Road the preference; and |
should say without the least hesitation, that
with the facilities which you possess for COM
municating with the sea board, enabling you
to give the best price for produce, and to sell
your goods at prices almost if not quite as low
at retail as Charleston, that Road to Salisbury,
will place Camden on higher grounds than she
has ever occupied. or this you may rest as
sured that no trade will be takenfrom the Plank
Road by Rail Road. Planters and Farmers
may do then, trading at the northern terminus
of your contemplated Plank Road. but after
a Wagon once gets on the Plank Road tolls
being reasonably it will never leave it until it
makes large and reliable market, such as
Camden was when knew it. Such line of
country as you describe the proposed route
for your Plank Road, is extremely favorable,
and ought not to cost over $500 per mile.
would prefer grade Of $50 feet to the nlile'
to dead level 1t is better for the teams and
is easier kept in order, as you can get longi-
tudna drainage as we'll as lateral. My ex-
perence teaches that the Plank is the first
thing to attend to and they should be laid down
simultaneously with the grading. 1t is better
and mu.h cheaper-3 inch plank is as thick
as there is any occasion for, and ID does
very we'll They should be l.2 feet long and
no longer, taking. especial care to have one
heart face to each plank, and allowing none
but square edge to go into your Road.
As to the profits what may be expected from
it, can give 10 opinion, for am unacqainted
with the country, but the population must be
sparse indeed if it fails to pay. If you carry it
as far as Salisbury, it strikes me it would be
fine stock, and the larger you make it the bet
ter it will pry. Tho power OF a Plank Road
to build up and develope and improve coun-
try, is greater than Rail Road almost teyond
conception. On the Roads which we are
building, it brings lands into market that never
before had market 1t affords inducements
to settlement that were never thought of before.
As means Of transportation it has no equal
for any distance not over $50 miles, and at 10
distant day, will be preferred by farmers to
bring their own produce to market, distance
Of 200 miles, even with Rail Road along side
Observation and reason have long since led me
TO the conclusion, and subsequent practical ex-
pcrience only adds strength to my convictions.
Our Roads charge about &c. per mile for
Burucs. and 3 l.2 for Carriagcs-2c. per mile
for 2 horse Wagons, and others in proportion,
but we shall lower our rates as we lengthen
the road. When corn is worth SOC. and fodder
75c., a teamstcr will make money by hauling
100 miles for 25c. the 100 lbs, loading one
way, and if he can get loading both ways 2oc.
for 100 lbs. the 100 miles is coming business.
NV teams are making short hauls, loading and
unloading themselves, at 81 l-4c. per looo lbs.
for S miles and load only one way-the load
ing and unloading is equal to about l'4th or
18th the charge--and they are making money.
have 40 head Of mules no hands, engaged
in transporting lumber at these rates.
If you should proceed with your enterprise
you would find it profitable to visit our Road'