Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-03-28
RAILROADS.
Memphts, Selma s. ElytOn Rail-
load.
Memphis, Union City and Me-
trOp lis.

MEMPHIS, SELMA & ELYTON RAILRoAR.
Editors Memphis Appeal;
That the Importance of 8 railroad from
this city in the direction CT Okolona,
Miss., thence towards Selma, Ala, and
also towards Eiyton, Ala, may be IN
derstood and fully appreciated, 1 pro-
pose through your columns to state some
facts which may not be known to many
OF our citizens. A railroad is in process
of construction from Meridian, Miss, to
Chattanooga, Tenn. This road will pass
near Elyton, Ala. The road from Mont
gomery, Ala, to Decatur, Ala, will also
pass through or near Elyton. Tney are
now, SIS / learn, making arrangements
10 build 8 rosd from Opslika, Ala, which
is only q few miles from Columbus, Co.,
10 the direction OF Tuseumbis, Ala.
This road will also pass near ElytOn. 1t
will thus be seen that Elyton will be-
come an important railroad center.
From Aberdeen, or Columbus, Miss, to
ElytoD, does not, / am satisfied, exceed
ninety, or at farthest. hundred miles.
From Columbus or Aberdeen, the most
dnect route to Chattanooga, end thence
10 Norfolk or New York, will be through
Eiyton when these roads shall be built.
From Memphis, there will be a common
road to sCme point beyond the Butta.
natchis river, which divides Lowndes
and Monroe county, Miss, and then the
two roads will separate, One going d.
rectly Selma, thence to Pensacola, and
the other going to Elyton, thence TO
Montgomery, Ooeliks and Chstts.
noOga or a road may be built
through Tuscaloosa to Limekiln
station, where the Montgomery
and Decatur and the Selma and Dalton
roads cross each other. The road to Ely
ton and the road to Selma will not inter-
fsrs with but be mutually beneficial to
each other, having, for a considerable
distance, q common trunk. No other
protected road from this city presents
the advantages that these roads do.
They not only furnish cotton and other
agricultural products, but they reach the
coal and iron regions OF Alabama. No
road from Memphis reaches coal at so
short q distance as do these roads. 1t is
only about one hundred and eighty miles
from Memphis to the coal fields OF Ala.
bsma on this route. Prof. Tuomey, ia his
geological report made sometime ago,
shows the great mineral wealth Of the
country through which these roads pass.
Coal can be- brought from the Alabama
coal fields to Memphis and sold at fifteen
or twenty cents per bushel. This coal
has been examined, and pronounced by
competent judges to be equal to any coal
in the United States. Not only coal, hut
iron and marble, are On the line of these
roads, and are nearer to this city than
any other coal and iron which are in
proximity. At Columbus, Aber-
deem, Okolona, and Holly Springs, this
coal can be delivered much cheaper than
- - al &c.,
and this will enable sl OF them to be.
come important manufacturing towns
and cities.
TIE building up Of these places will
benefit Memphis; for if each of
hem were an important manufacturing
town, connected by rail with this city,
Memphis would, on account Of its posi- |
ton on the Mississippi river, and its
connections, become the dis
-ributiBg point for their manufactured
The prosperity Of these cities
would contribute greatly to the prosper
.ty and growth Of Memphis. II we
should secure these roads before the
nesting of the Commercial Convention
1n the 18Th OF May, it would do much
securing for our city the South
era Pacifc R2ilrCsd. We are now con-
lsc.ed with Norfolk by rail, and we
should also seek a direct connection with
Pensacola and Mobile. Mem
lhis should occupy towards the sur
'ounding interior towns, the same posi-
ion that Boston does to Lowell and the
manufacturing towns CT New England.
The coal and iron Of Alabama will be
to bs equal if not superior to those
II Pennsylvania, and whether Memphis
gill share in that valuable trade de-
,ends upon the action Of her own peo-
,le. Alabama and Mississippi will DO
heir part, and are anxious TO come to
Memphis. VIII we, by oGr inertness
md want Of public spirit, drive them
way, and force them to seek other out
els for trade? Will not our public.
men Of wealth, and that there
many such ia this city cannot be de-
lied, move in this matter, and carry
through these great works which will
ontributs so much to the growth and
prosperity Of Memphis E?
LAM n ~