Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-10-04
MEMPHIs AND SELMA RAIL
ROAD.
Report frOm GEN. n. B. Forrest,
President Pro Tenn.

In pursuance of the request Of the cit
izsns OF this city, in company with Maj
w, J. Sykes, we have met the citizens in-
terested in the construction of the Mem
Bhis and Selma Railroad at the following
places, to-wit: Holly Springs, Pontotoc,
OkOlons, Aberdeen, Columbus, Pickens-
willie and CRrrUllton, In Pickens county,
Ala. Il is gratifying for me to be sble
to say, that we have met with q cordial
welcome everywhere, and thst the citi-
Tens on the line of the proposed road,
Notwithstanding their indebtedness ana
the unfavorable promise Of crops, are
disposed to aid in the construction OF the
road far beyond my most sanguine an
ticipations. Everywhore they regard it
as a feasible scheme, and well worthy
the efforts of all to aid in building it.
AS Our principal object on this rapid
trip through the country was to dis
cuss the measures and invite considera.
ton, it could not be expected that we
would be able to report any consider
able progress. ooks were opened at all
the above named plsees, and persons sp-
pointed to anvas their respective coun-
ties and solicit subscriptions,
/ sllude to this a. sn evidence of the
regard the people have for the measure,
and as sffording some assurance Of what
may be expected when the route Is sur
veyed and . thorough canvass made.
The people from this TO Selms are in
favor of q direct railroad connection
with Memphis. They believe it will
offer q good market for their cotton and
other products; and so thinking they
will assist, some with money, some with
half, and some with 5 third or fourth of
their lands, and some with money and
land. Very many gentlemen will be
prevented from liberal aid by their en-
barrassed condition,
From the best information which
could be obtained Ia the absence of 3
survey, IL Is about two hundred and
ninety miles from Memphis to Selma.
The route, taken as q whole, is remark
ably favorable for the construction OF q
railroad.
There are no mountains, or even high
hills to tunnel NJ rock cutting, except
the soft limestone In Alabama, and no
large streams to bridges The road, for
its whole distance, befOre the war was
regarded As. the richest planting country
in the South. There is still the rich soil,
opened plantations and settled country.
The people Of Mississippi and Ala
DAMS are rapidly coming TO the oonclu-
sion that planting on a large scale, as
formerly, will nordo. That ii is best to
divide the country on both sides Of the
road into small parcels, say forty, sixty,
eighty and one hundred acre tracts that
it is best to subscribe a portion of this to
aid In building the road, andb so doing
invite an industrious population to settle
on these lands, and aid lie revlRfng the
prosperity Of the country, aud thus
making that which is retained much
more valuable than the whole.
On the 29sh uitimo we addressed an
assemblage Of some 1900 people ct Car
rollton, Alabama, composed of citiz q
from Pickens, Tuscaloosa, EutRw,
Greensboro, and other points along the
Inns, and 1t was manifeet that they were
all very anxious Il build the rosd the
expression Of interest in the enterprise,
and o desire to open trade with Mem
phis was very earnest, This county ia
among the wealthiest in the State. II
produces 1900 bales Of cotton yearly,
the greater portion Of which will ind It's
way to Memphis when the road ia built.
1t is manifest to me, il we can succeed
In getting up stock to build this Tosd,
new life, nsg energy e enterprises,
and diversified pursuits, viii follow in
the footsteps Of this measure, which will
end in making the people more prosper
Gus than ever. a1sw rrf .
The route Of the road being considered
favorable for construction, by those bet
ter informed on such questions than lam,
It is estimated the local work on this line
Of road for grading, bridging, trsstlIng
apdscross ties Will not exceed q cost Of
$4,000 per mile-290 miles, 81, 600, 900.
To do the local work we mustfely main
ly on cash and land subscriptions.
We may reasonably calcnlste that the
people interested on each side Of the
road, for five miles, will subscribe one-
quarter of their lands. Some will SUB
scribe one-half, some one third. and
some ~one-fourth, and thess will make up
for the deficiency Of those who cannot
J subscribe. One-quarter Of the land, ten