The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-05-11
Railroad Meeting at EdpefieId.

assembled in the courthouse, on Thursday,
25th April, to consider the merits of "our
last and best chance for Railroad"
The Hon. Samuel Brooks, Intendant, was
called to the chair. Having briefly stated
the object of the meeting, he introduced to
the audience Mr.. John A. Calhoun. Presi-
dent of the Savannah Valley Rairoal.-
Mr.. Calhoun, by his dgnified, sincere and
earnest manner, soon won the entire conf
'lcncc of the audience, and convinced them
that he had not sought this occasion to
! trlglltcn others into action. lie remarked
that lis Object was, if possible, to reconcile
the conflicting interests Of the Savannah
Valley Railroad. TO do this a survey had
been ordered by the Board of Directors of
| the Road Of the line from Aiken to or below
Dorn's Gold Mine, which is now in progress.
That it was expected that the expense nee
cssary for the construction of this Branch
should he borne by Charleston, Rabun Gap,
South Carolina Railroad, and that portion
of Edgefield lying on the proposed line
The amount necessary to he raised bv their
combined interests would be about 5000.
9eH-and to each it would be but small, if
united effort were made lie tlwclt upon
this rs the most practicable and shortest
line of connection which Charleston and
the Rahun Gap Railroad arc likely to Oh
tain-an air line hcing altogether imprac-
ticable under existing circumstances. This
'rnatter is now before the people of Char
lesion, and no doubt will receive all proper
consideration. Action in that quarter is de-
layed until the completion of the survey
from Aiken to Dorn'S, and until the dispo-
sition Of the people of Edgcficld is ascer-
tanned. He was of the opinion that the
more decided tho" manifestation of the feel
ing Of the people OF Edgcficd, in favor Of
the proposed route from Aiken to Dorn's,
the more probable would be the favorable
action of the City Of Charleston. As to
the benefit of this Road on the interests of
Edgefcld Village, and that portion of the
District through which it is proposed to be
run, Mr.. G. was decided in his opinion. He
thought that it would enchance the value
of real estate at least fifty (5O) per cent,
and probably more. This had been the ef-
feet elsewhere, wherever Railroads had been
judiciously located, more generally going
over than falling under this estimate. He
mentioned several apt illustrations upon this
point. Mr.. G. spoke of this as being no
Bogus survey, bui one made in good fatA1
and it the amount of money necessary to
construct this Branch should be raised, by
the combined interests involved in it, prac-
tical character would at once be given to it.
He did not wish the people of this Dis
trlct to enter into it prcnaturcly, hut after
due deliberation to fix their mark, and.oct up
to it. 1t would then become his duty, as
it would be his pleasure, to bring all Edge
field into direct connection with the world
at last, by means Of steam, and to aid in
restoring to her that pre-cmincnce which in
time past she was Justly entitled to among
her sister villages in the up-country of our
Slate.
The above is but n mcagre and imperfect
. synopsis Of Mr.. C.'s admirable and well
conceived address The speech was charac
terizcd by that logical statement of facts,
and that practical and hard common sense
that so eminently distinguishes those of his
great and illustrious knsman.
The Chairman then arose and addressed
the audience in few but telling remarks
He said that this was our last chance, and
| now was the time to act. lie for one was
willing to put his shoulder to the wheel
and was now ready to enlarge his subscrip-
ton. His concise and pertinent speech was
applauded to the echo.
Mr.. Moragne then submitted the follow
ing Resolution, which was unanimously
adopted
Resolned, That committee of six be ap-
pointed to inquire into the propriety of trans
ferring the Stock taken by the citizens of
| this yIlapt. and its vicinity in tho Granville
and Columbia Railroad to the Savannah
Valley Railroad connection between Aiken
and point on the Savannah Valley Rail
road, at or near Dorn's Gold Mine and that
said committee report on said matter to an
adjourned meeting Of the citizens of this
village, to be called by the 1ntcndant.
Where upon the Chair appointed the
| following committee Mcssrs. w. G.. Nor.
agne, r. T. Minis, A. Simkins, Jas. Shep-
herd, F. w. Pickens, and G. A. Addison.
On motion, the Chairman was added.
Mr.. Joseph Abney then arose and enter
tained the audience with few remarks ex-.
pressiveof his feelings of qualification at the
harmonious action Of the meeting, and his
sanguine hope that ere long the monotony
of our beautiful village would be broken in
upon by the shriIl whistle ofythe steam
engine. 's@
There was manifested an eageness upon
the part Of some present Stoscome forward
and subscribe butno call waszmade. The
feeling that was exhibited did not failto eon.
vince all present, that our Citizens were nliyeI
to their interests, and fully detenninad,t ,tod
have Railroad, and no loneestyhsi lie peri-
e;ono oro ~, tho: ~ , o.,s;k,, q ifs.6