Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-06-10
THE WINTERS GAP ROUTE.

In placing this route for the great Railway
connection between the Ohio Valley and South
elp SeaJoar9 in opposition to the one leading
to Knoxville, we feel confident that when the
time for locating the road arrives, It will be the
one adopted. We rely upon saving of dis
tqace-upon easier curDes-and lighter qTq,les.
to overcome the influence of KnoxviIle-and
we know her most talented and influential citi-
zcns are doing all in their power to secure the
location of the Road. Her Press, as well as a
host of Letter-writers, have been exceedingly
active in efforts to make the impression abroad,
that the route by that place IS not only the most
direct and practicable, but the only route. be.
tween the cities of Louisville, Ky, and Charles
ton. Why this great interest manifested? It
cannot be the promptings Of Inherent public
spirit and enterprise. If so, the first object
would have been to complete the East Tennes-
see and Georgia Railroad, and to have assisted
the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad
two of the most important Roads in the Union,
one approaching her from the South West, and
the other from the East. Yet both these Roads
so far as they run through Knox county, have
been left to anguish for want of means, and if
left to the people of that town and county, We
verify believe that many years would roll by be-
fore the portion$of either Road lying within
the county would be completed. It is pre-
sumable, and generally believed by the people
Of East Tennessee, that the citizens Of Knoxville
+ got up a great excitement about the Kentucky
Road at a time when there was but little pros
pect of its being built, in order to cover the
shame which attaches to Knoxville, in regard
to her contracted policy relative to the East
Tennessee & Georgia, and East Tennessee i
Virginia Railroads.&c. neglect and opposition
to them! Taking these examples, it is also pre-
sumable, that so soon as the Kentucky Road
is located by way of KnoxvilIe-shoud that
piece of folly ever be communicates 50
soon, will her zeal for that Road hg-iust as
the excitement in favor of the East Tennessee
& Georgia Railroad subsidized when they obtain
ed the location of the Road, over Blount county,
a year or so since!
1t is a subject, then, of some importance to
the people. of Kentucky and South Carolina,
and one which they ought to investigate before
they commit themselves too ar-whether the
subscriptions of Stock on the part of Knox,
Anderson, Blount, and Campbell, counties.
will avail them anything in this magnificent
enterprise? From the most reliable iuf1rma.
ton we could obtain during our recent visit to
Somerset, Loudon is some thing Ike fifteen
miles nearer that point via. Winters Gap, than
Knoxville is via. Jacksborough. And it IS
notorious fact that Loudon Is situated upon the
East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad tr,nig.
eight measured miles nearer Aug1,sta, Charles.
ton, Savannah, Mobile, Ns5c Orleans, and other
SoutIerH CITIES, Add these together and It
shows a difference in the two routes, of f5rfy
three miles in favor of Winters Capt Mr.
PRITCHARD estimates the cost Of the Road from
Enov-.;I1- - Kentucky, at 81, 800 per nile
Fifteen miles at this rate would cost $3.50 000
The amount Of Stock taken by