Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-07-29
5ackson as a RaiIroad Focus.

More than twenty years ago we
predicted, through the columns of
this paper, that jackson was destin-
ed to become the great focus ofRaii-
roads in West Tennessee. This in
evitable result would have been ac-
complished years since, but for the
devastations of civil war. II will
be recollected, by the old citizens of
this county, that the first Rail- Dad
enterprise for this section was moot
ed through our paper. When the
Memphis and Charleston road was
projected, and q branch extended to
Someryille, weadvocated, with zeal,
the extension of the road from SOM
erville, via Denmark, to Jackson
Our Representative in the Legisla-
ture used his whole influence to get
the charter extended to this place,
but the members from Shelby OPP
posed and defeated the movement.
Thus foiled in our first effort for
Railroad to this city, we next took
hold of the project of a road from
Mobile to the Ohio river, and wrote
the first article that ever appeared
in print, from West Tennessee, ad-
vocating the building of the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad.
The building of the Mobile and
Ohio road brought about the neces-
sity of the Mississippi Central roae
and the completion of these tvaz
roads viii bring about the necessity
of other roads to tap them at this
central point in this fertile peninsu-
lar of West Tennessee.
Having got thus far in the fulfill
ment of our prediction we can now
see the Conclusion OF the whole
matter.n The road from Jackson to
Lexington viii certainly be made,
with strong probability of an ex-
tension to Knoxville. The road
from jackson az miles) to Denmark
is fixed fact, with almost a certain
ty of an extension to Memphis, and
probably to Brownsville. As soon
as there is a change in the ownership
Of the Northwestern road, the
branch from Huntingdon, passing
through Levinia and Spring Greek
TO jackson, will be pushed forward
to completion. Ii viii be remem-
bered that 10 miles of this branch
has already been graded and bridg-
ed, leaving only % miles to reach
jackson. Afrnough there is not
much said now about this Hunting
don branch road, we look upon its
completion with the fullest conf
dence- Thisis a broad gauge road,
and cannot be made by individual
enterprise along the line. But, as
soon as esSoad falls into the hands
of capitaffsts, they will know the
absolute necessity of connecting at
Jackson, and, backed up by the bus
mess men of Nashville, will go for
ward to completeit. The extension
of the Mississippi, Central TO Padu-
cab has already been decided upon;
and the wealthy lessees of that road
will 'push things." The compile
ton of all these projected roads,
with those already in successful OPP
Grafton, will give to jackson more
railroads than can be found at any
other location in West Tennessee.
With the prestige and power that
Jac'Son now has, short sighted, in
deed, wnA-he her citizens if they do
not go forwar&>to the accomplish
ment of still greater>i@provements. |
There is nothing, in oo-> candid |
judgment, to prevent jackson rrou
becoming the great railroad focus of |
West Tennessee, and the Atlanta of !
the State.
With a devotion that knows no |
change, and zeal that knows no |