The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-06-16
THE BLUE RIDGE SOUTH CARROLL
MAJ RAILROAD.

We have alluded to this important enter
prise on former occasions, but as we are in
possession of additional data, we again refer
to it. As we announced before, this road
commences at Anderson, S. c., where it con-
meets with the Columbia and Greenville Rail-
road leading to Charleston, and its course
leads through Pendleton, S. C., Clayton, Ga,
Franklin, N. c., to Knoxville, Tennessee
The following cash subscriptions have al
ready been secured: city of Charleston, ST.
O5O,OO0; State of South Carolina, 8 l,250,OOO;
private subscription in State, 100000; Ten
nessee, State, county and private bscrlption,
Sl,5OO,OOO. Total, 100000. The road
is to be 1874 miles long nearly one half OF
its length is very heavy work. The line
passes the Blue Ridge Mountains, through
the Rabun Gap, and it 10 stated in this con-
necton that the lamented John Z: Calhoun,
who entertained for this project an rpabated
affection, spent nearly u dozen summers in
exploring for suitable pass through this
impregnabe chain of mountains, and finally
selected the Rabun Gap as the proper out
let. The country through which this road is
located is not only celebrated for its agricui-
tura worth, but portions of it for its vast
mineral wealth. But the section of country
through which the road passes is not alone
to furnish its business, but the vast west,
teeming with riches, will, by its completion,
have ready access to an Atlantic port. The
Importance of the Blue Ridge Railroad is not
a matter of doubtful speculation. 1t opens
a section of county of immense wealth, the
greater portion of which is now inaccessible
to market, and the portions that are in Rail
road communication with the Atlantic, are at
such remote distances, that they might as
well be land locked. We notice by the re-
port of the Hon. Henry Gourdin, President
of the road, that even Cincinnati, point
northerly least favorable to Charleston, will
be 81 miles nearer an Atlantic port via Blue
Ridge Railroad than now; and that Carlo will
be 1873 miles, and st. Louis 63 miles nearer
Charleston than any other Atlantic port
These are extreme points. All the interme-
diate and more southerly points are to be
vastly benefited. Should the road from An
derson to Aiken be built, and the Cincinnati
and Knoxville road, of the ultimate compile
ton of which there is no doubt, the line from
the west to Charleston will! be still more di.
rect A route from the Blue Ridge Railroad
at Clayton, Ga, to Atlanta on the Montgom-
cry and La Grange Railroad, has been pro-
jected and a charter granted, which will give
to New York nearly direct line to Mobile
and the Gulf ports. This road will also af-
ford the Copper mines in the Hiwassse Val
ley direct communication with the Attain
tic.
Messrs. Anson, Bangs 81 Co., have the
contract for building and equipping the Blue
Ridge Railroad, and their known reputation
rs successful contractors will ensure the
early completion of this important enter
prise.
We congratulate our Southern friends, es-
pecially the Charleston people, on the flatter-
ing prospects which the completion Of this
road is destined to realize.