Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-01-30
From the Augusts Coustitutonalist.
,,up unyrsrA ANN EnaEFIELn RAILROAI


From the Augusta Constitutonaist.
THE AUGUSTA AND EDGEFIELD RAILROAD.
At the last session of the Legislature of South
Carolina, charter WAS granted, authorizing the
construction of railroad from Augusta to some
point on the Greenyillo and Columbia Railroad.
New Market has ocen the point suggested, and AZ
that locality has been mentioned, and possesses
many advantages, it is entitled to our considera:
tion; and viewing it as the point OF Junction,
beg leave to offer few facts, which at this time
strike me with peculiar force.
New Market is situated on the Greenvllle
and Columbia Railroad, in the Southeastern
portion of Abbevile District, about ffty-four
miles from Augusta, and for,y.four from Ander-
son C. H., making the distance from Augusta to
Anderson via New Market, ninety eight miles.
The face of the country over which it is pro-
posed to build this road, is such rs to admit of
its construction, as cheapy as if built over any
other portion of the up country, for like dis
tance. Surveys have lately been made from
Now Market 10 Edgefeld C. H., and the result
proves highly favorable for the route; and from
the latter place to Augusta, those who are com.
petent judges, and familliar with the country,
declare the communication easy. Under the
circumstances, the cost of equipage of the en-
tire road might be reasonably estimated at from
ak hundred and fifty thousand to seven hundred
apd fifty thousand (750,o00) dollars.
It will be perceived from the above, that the
distance from Augusta to Anderson G. H., via
New Market, will be increased only some five or
seren miles, in comparison with the route con-
tempnted by the Savannah Valley Road. twill,
also, be equally plain that the connection with
Anderson here proposed, can DO effected by an
outlay of money less BY tUe}oe hundred thousand
dollars than ,eiR be required by the other route.
Nor does the connection at New Market less
effectually secure the travel and produce inten-
ded for Augusta coming over The Rabum Gap
Road, Should it ever be completely than road
running directly to its terminus at Anderson.
The comparative light cost of the Augusta and
Edge6eld Road, rs well as that of the Greenville
and Columbia Railroad, and the slight difference
in distance, would enable them to transport over
could be made.
Nor need the city Of Augusta feel the slightest
apprehension that The freight, being once on the
Greenville Road, would continue beyond the
junction; for the difference in the distance by
this divergence in favor of Augusta, over the
continued road 10 Charleston via Columbia,
would be thirty (ao) miles, and the difference in
her favor over Columbia in point Of freights' to
the same city, moula be near fifty per cent. So
that placing the consideration that Augusta offers
two seaport markets and three means of trans
poralion Ohe river and two raroads) entirely
out of view, she could be quite secure, were the
Greerville road TO transport from the junction
to Columbia free ofcharge, that the freight would
not be on an equal icolin5.
By reference to Walkers Map Of South Caro-
lima, (or any large Map Of the Slatc) the exam.
ination OF which is particularly invited, it will be
seer that the Eastern terminus of this Edge6eld
road will be near and within influencing distance
of that portion of the State which is regarded,
in m agricultural point of view, as the Garden
Spot" of South Carolina If we take the por-
,ions Of Edsefe!d, Abbeville, Newberry and
Greenville, and the District of Laurens, and
such portion of Sparianburg, as lie contiguous
to it, we have an extent of country, in fertility
and wealth, unsurpassed if equalled, in that
State. 1t is country productive and densely
populated. Its inhabitants are Of that class
who, though not possessing immense aoealLh, or
owning bouudless tracts of lands, and hundreds
of slaves. (for such are not the men most ser
Siceablc to internal improvement, or to the
country yet who owning lands and negroes,
may be regarded as individuals, rs in "good
circumstances" and as j community loeallhy; and
being good planters and farmers, they each af-
ford support to Railroad enterprise by their
travel and by the transportation Of their many
and various products The production Of Cot
ton and Wheat, within the scope of country
spoken Of, may be in moderate bounds set down
at sixty thousand bales of Cotton, and of Wheat
four hundred thousand bushels, (and may here
remark, that within this country the best and
heaviest Wheat in the South is raised). Of all
This quantity not bag or bushel ordinarily
finds its way to Augusta, but every bag or bu=hel
(for sa!e) would seek her market were railroad
facilities afforded. Ask the merchants from
what portions of the country came their trade
West Of Savannah, before the construction of
the Greenville Railroad and they will point you
to Edgefeld, to Abbeville, to Newberry, to
Anderson, to Grsenville, 10 Laurens and Spar
tnnburg, aud from over the Mountains, too, from
old North Carolina. Then the tall land ships of
Buncombe and Tennessee. with their fine teams,
were 70 be seen daily in the streets. Where is
that trade now! 1t belonged then legitimately
10 Augusta Although il ,vas hers, il isgone
And tho question which naturally suggests itself
to my mind is, can it be recovered! | answer
ye.. The construction of thi. very road opens,
up sffsclually the means of its return. IL IS
their interest 10 return, and where that points,
trade is sure to follow after.
A lively interest is felt in this enterprise along
the line, and although often disappointed and de-
fcated by the failure Of their enterprises, they yet
feel hope in this; and when it is known that
Augusta will come up to the help Of the good
cause, much enthusiasm will prevail, and sub
stantial aid and comfort will be given, for all
will feel that as il is short road it can be i'm
mediaey built, and its benefits and blessings
felt and enjoyed the moment it is completed.
OB.ERvER.
CONGRESSIONAL.