Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-07-08
Onsiow Railroad.

project of building railroad from thi
city to some point on New River in Ons
low county. We know of no improvement
of similar magnitude more important t.
Wilmington or to tho people of OnslOw
A direct road TO Snoal's Ferry, or Stone
Bay, would be less than forty mil e. over /
level country, with no important streams
to cross The completion of this roac
would net only develop some Of the bes
| farming lands in New Hanover county
| but by means Of the river and railroad
would open almost the entire county oil
| Onslow to our trade. In a business point
of view it ia impossible to calculate the
advantages of this work. In proportion to
| its cost no road could be built or connec-
ton opened so beneficial to our city.
Then, too, a railroad skirting The Sound
would add greatly to the comforts and
pleasures of q residence here. a quick
and cheap ride to the scac0ast would en-
able all, rich and poor, to spend their
holidays and their spare time enjoying the
delightful and health giving breezes Of old
Ocean. Innumcrablc places of entertain
ment woud DE established along tho coast,
and no one can fail to recognize the ad-
vnntagcs Of being able to leave the heat
and dust of the city to while away day
or two upon the Sound.
The vast reduction in the prices OF
several articles which form no incoGsidera-
BILE proportion of our daily food, which
the completion of this road would effect,
is an important consideration to mako this
enterprise Il very popular one, and calcu-
lated to recommend it to our people. No
head Of family could we'll refuse to sub
scribe aid to the road when he could be
satisfied that there would be an annual re-
ductiOn of twenty five to one hundred dol
lars in the purchase of fish, oysters, vege-
tables, fruit, &c, for family consumption.
We believe that by fixing the shares of
stock at fifty or twenty-five dollars, very
large sum can be raised in this city and
county for this enterprise. Our business
men can and will subscribe literally, IL
order to secure the products of the rich
section which would be brought into
cheap and quick connection with our
market. Many would lend aid because
they would save considerably in their
household expenses, and very many others
would take stock in order to have railroad
communication with the sea coast. There
are very few citizens in Wilmington, We
are persuaded, who viii not lend helping
hand to q greater or less degree.
We have had several conversations with
gentlemen living along anG near tho line
OF tho proposed road, and all think that
literal subscriptions could be secured 10
this project, payable III money, lands,
work and cross ties. The greatest interest
is felt and every one within five miles of
the line would aid to build tho road Sub
to be paid in work and cross ties
could be made available Mt once, while
those IN lands would enable the Company
to raise money for the purchase Of the
equipment Of the road.
1t is now, possibly, too late TO unt!or
take to popularize the enterprise, as we
advocate, before the meeting at Jack
sonville on tho Fourth Of July, but
our delegates can see what aid may
90 expected from the county and citi-
zens OF OnslOw in case New Hanover
will meet them half way. Much can be
done here, and if We are assured that the
people of Onslow will join us. the road
can and will be built.
But why could not the city of Whining
ton, i'll its corporate capacity. aid in such
a work? No citizen could possibly object.
whether he owned property or not. A
by the city Of one hundred
thousand dollars would secure tho :oad
beyond all doubt. and it coul1 pnt it's
money IN nothing which wnuIh confer
greater benefits or make better returns.
In interesting ell orr citizens in the enter
prise by the means we propose, any OBJ
iccti0ns to liberal subscription upon the
part Of the city would be obviated.
We believe this ro&d should and can be
built /: is worth strenuous effort.