The Evansville journal., 1870-09-12
An important Railroad Enterprise
CEN1REvILLE, HICKMAN Co, TErE.,
Septem Der q, 1870.

Aaa
September 8, 1870.
Editors Journal:
l ask the privilege of Offering,
through the columns of your journal,
a few lines to your readers in refer
ence to the resources. products, etc.,
of this section of our State, as we'll as
its geographical position, in view
of a railroad. connecting your city
with important points further South
of US, have noticed recent sugges-
tions made for Southern outlet from
the Henderson, Kentucky & Nashville
Railroad, pointing in the direction of
jackson, Tennessee, and those sug-
gestions taken up, and the route from
Hopkinsville, by way of ClarksVille,
to Corinth, Mississippi, proposed.
The latter l think the most prac-
ticable, and will develop a country
of greater resources and more
wealthy, and in a more direct line
to important railroad connections fur
ther south of US. Your city has been
engaged for a number of years In a
lucrative trade up and down the Ten
nessee River, from the counties bor-
dering thereon, and the northern p0r-
tions of Mississippi and Alabama.
Now this projected road, starting from
HopkinsVille, on the Henderson &
Kentucky r. r., by the way of Olarks-
Vile south to Corinth, will open up q
district Of country, 70 miles IN width,
fifty miles In length, north and south,
in our State sbounding in agricultural
products from the rich valleys OF
Duchy river; Buffalo, and other tribu-
taries of the Tennessee. Thousands
of bushels of wheat, corn, rye, and
other cereals, are raised here every
year that never reach the markets, for
want of means of transportation, and
quantities are wasted and destroyed
By weevil and other causes, which
might have been sold at remunerative
prices.
Besides these, other products might
be entered upon the lists, such as cot
ton, tobacco, pea nuts, &C., that only
| find their way to market because they
are more remuneratiVe and more easi-
ly transported. The latter crop alone,
in this and some adjoining counties,
has made many farmers rich and paid
them out of debt. In addition to
these, inexhaustible quantities of val
liable timber, iron ore and the finest
water power that can be desired, is
seen here, awaiting only a means to
bring it In requisition.
From a geological sdrvey, made by
a learned and experienced geologist,
the mineral product alone is almost
beyond computation, The quality of
iron ore is unsurpassed by any In the
markets of the world. This route
from Clarksville to Corinth, Missis-
sippi, has been frequently discussed,
and a charter granted for the same a
year or two since. But by recent en-
actments and State legislation these
privileges wero abolished, and further
aid refused toward building up and
extending the system of internal i'm
provement here.
We have now to look to our own
resources, and to such other assist
ance as we may obtain from foreign
sources, for a successful prosecution
of the project. We believe that such
can be obtained if proper steps are
taken, and the importance of the mat
ter brought fully before the minds Of
those who are interested. No better
outlet can be opened than this for a
southern connection to the Hender-
son & Kentucky Road. No road
more advantageous to the growth aud
already prosperous trade and impr0Y-
ment of your city. Vieing as you
now do with Louisville, Cincinnati
and other cities on the Ohio
in the trade and customs of
the South. For these and other
considerations, that could be mem
toned, (but on apprehension that l
have tresspassed too far, by the length
of this communication l assume to
address you upon this matter, believ-
ing as / do, it may enlighten the
minds Of some of your people;
aud direct their attention to a
field, lucrative in trades, and needs
but an outlet to make it equal to any
that may be sought.
Yours Respectfully,
ORvILLE A. NIXON.