The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-09-14

roads crossed here, north and south, east and
west. A very good reason; and we conjecture
that long ago Indian trails crossed here, the
forerunners of roads; and long, long before
that, Nature herself had arranged her noun
tains, and Valleys and streams, tnerringly in
dicating this unprctending locality as great
outlet between the West and the South No
one can carefully observe the formation Of this
mountain country without being surprised and
impressed at its adaptation, from time to time,
to the wants and requirements of each success
sve age. Here, we find, many long years ago,
few far-seeing citizens of Charleston eagerly
securing the charter of the Blue Ridge Rail
road, through Rabun Gap; (the charter having
been granted by the Legislature of Georgia,
almost in jest, it is said, to crafty Gen. Coffee,
then Senator from these mountain counties
because it was known that this Gap was the
lowest depression in the Allegheny range from
Maryland to Alabama, and furnished the people
of South Carolina the most eligible route to the
sreat West. As science advances, and the
wants and demands of commerce increase,
other enterprises are inaugurated and their
practicability most generally demonstrated
Now, look at what Nature hos done to indicate
and forward such great Improvements, even IN
this modest, retired spot The Sticoa creek
rises at the Rabun Gap almost on level With
the little Tennessee, flows from north to south
through Clayton; just at this point sending
out o lateral branch due east to meet and al
most touch the waters of the Chatuga in the
direction of South Carolina and Charleston
whilst on the west another branch goes off, to
| meet and almost touch in successive valley and
water course the Hiwassee, in the direction OF
Ducktown, Cleveland and Chattanooga-the
main stream flowing southwark towards Angus
ia and Savannah No one of these passes
affords obstacles of any Importance to the con-
struction and operation of the many railroads
chartered and under way The Blue Ridge
Railroad, literally from Charleston to Knox
vile, and thence to Louisville and Cincinnati,
the pioneer, has after years of difficulty and
delay, approached to such a point as to ensure
success-the work having progressed in Geor-
gia, at the rate of $4,000 per month, to such
an extent as the whole road can be completed in
a reasonable time. Then we hear of the North
eastern Railroad, from Athens TO Clayton, with
its State aid, and careful surveys and estimates
Then from Augusta to Clayton, also with State
aid, and energy and go-ahead-itiveness. Then
road from Macon to Clayton or elsewhere
Then o road from Calhoun or Dalton vie Blairs-
Vile to Clayton or some point in North Caroh-
ma; and last, though not least in Importance
the Hiwassee Railroad, from Clayton to Duck,
town, Cleveland and Chattanooga. Now, whilst
it is generally advantageous to particular local
tiles or centres to have all the railroads possible
built, vet is it wise and consistent with true
economy, to build railroads to compete with
and finally eat each other up. Some compro'
mise, it seems to us, should be made between
the Northeastern and Augusta, Hartwell and
Clayton Railroad companies. The trade and
commerce concentrating at Clayton will doubt
less be large and remunerative, but certainly not
enough to employ one main road in South Car
| Ollnd, iuU IWO VI 1Oui III N'SoiS'" A''ANA0
are great blessings generally, but every dollar
expended in rival or unnecessary roads is SC
much loss to the general wealth of any country
and such expenditure should be avoided and
used in the development of other resources.
With great and prosperous future before
them, we venture to advise the people of Clay
ton and owners of property thereabouts, to In
duce immigration and settlers among them, by
i, selling their real estate at fair and moderate
prices, and not deter them by the exorbitan
rates asked elsewhere, in all other newly createc
railroad towns or cities. Profit by your saga
cious and far-seeing citizen, or land owner, Col
John A. Carr, of Athens, who, without heslta
ton, subscribed 10000 acres of his extensive
possessions in your county in aid of the Blue
Ridge Railroad, well knowing that the compile
ton of this road would make his remaining acres
double or treble in value. In this subscription
is included your ever present and beautiful
mountain, "the Screamer," which from this
day forth should be christened Mount Carr, fol
his sagacity and true appreciation of the means
to secure wealth and prosperity to your county
G.
| The health of Mrs. Lincoln is said to be