Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-07-28
From The Csn,i.msAi RlilroaA Record.
Blue Ridge Railroad.
COLUMBIA, S. C., juno 30,

IsN SoLUMBlA, y. VI, Juno So, 1911.
HSn q HrightsoAb Editor Ratlroaa Re.
corl:-After many yoxatious delays, occa-
stoned mainly by tho peculiar condiSioa
of the fnauces of this State, and the distrust
of capitalists to invest iu Southern securities,
the Blue Ridge Railroad is again ina condi-
tion, hope, to press the construction along
the line more vigorously. A new company,
composed of capitalists in South Carolina and
New Yorlt, is now forming, who propose to
complete the road in short time on certain
conditions. This proposition includes the
issue Of preferred stock for $4,000, 900,
bearing Z, or 10 per cent until the road is
completed, after completion to have same pre-
ference over stock now issued. Tho new
company to hold or retire old stock. The
company n this State and in New York pro.
pose to subscribe at once for one. half Of this
preferred stock With the S2,000,O0O Of
preferred stock, aud tho 81, 900 900 mortgage
bonds endorsed by the State OF South Caro-.
lima, this road can be completed iu two years
from this date.
The advantages Of this direct connection
tasTcea CinoioHsti and tho nearest Atiautio
port have been demonstrated for tho last
thirty years, and arc bciug strengthened and
fortified by the experience of each succeeding
year. Tho excess Of frcights on your pro
duce and manufactured articles by the consu
mer in the Southern States, by way of Balli.
more or New Orleans, would pay for the
construction Of this road every three or five
years, to say nothing of the profits made
strough direct trade with the South, West
India Islands and South Amc,ica.
Tho connection by way Of the Blue Ridge
Railroad is deemed so important by the peo.
pie Of Georgia, that no less than four roads
have been recently chartered with liberal
State aid, viz, $4,000 per mile: the Au-
gusta & llartwcl Railroad to Clayton; the
Athens & Clayton; the Cartersvillc u Clay.
ton, and the Macon 4 Clayton or Knoxville
Railroad Company. So that you will perceive
that when once in connection with Knoxville
you will have the most direct and cheapest
communication with North Carolina, South
Carolina and almost all Of Georgia.
With great Difference would suggest that
the true policy to be pursued hy Cincinnati
in cndeavorin,, to establish close railroad
communication with the South is so clear as
to render argument or demonstration almost
unnecessary. 1t is, in word, to make use
Of the road already constructed from Gincin
natl to Paris, anu thence to build road via
London, to connect with the Knoxville IL
Kentucky Railroad at the State linc-a dis.
tance to build Of $50 miles, at cost of s,y
S5,OO0,O 900; or, following the road already
builta little further, to Ncholasville, complete
tho connection to the kentucky T. Knoxville
Railroad, by constructing l40 miles Of road
at about the same cost.
II would seem that when returning reason
cn]s the people of Cincinnati from following
the IuNIs rATUUs of the direct road to Chat
tanooga, scheme which looks to others as if
it had been devised mainly for the purpose of
finding place to spend ten millions of dol
gained more quickly and easily by the expen
dlturc of half that sum, they vii turn their
attention again to their first project, viz, a
connection with the Southern section via
Knoxville, which offers all they need at SO
snaH comparative cost.
But pardon this depression. What we
now propose is to appeal to the citizens Of
Cincinnati, either as corporation or indi-
viduals, to come to our aid, and subscribe at
least ono million dollars Of this preferred
stock. The State of South Carolina, city of
Charleston, and individual stockholders, have
already paid in and expended on this road
nearly three millous of dollars. We propose
row to retire this old stock and permit new
parties to come in with s2,0O0,O 900 preferred
stock, and by the uso Of 100000 mortgage
honds guaranteed by the State of South Car
china, build the road and own it after it is
completed. Surely the people Of South Car
olina are in this giving sufficient guaranty
Of their great desire for this western conncc
ton. And if after more than 80 years advo
oacy of this road on the part Of your people
they should decline now to aid to this small
extent, we may well doubt their sincerity, or
the Importance Of the connection to them.
| have addressed ycu on this subject, be-
cause know your great desire, and have read
your constant appeals for shis great enterprise
Please place it again before your people, and
If likely to bo successful, the Blue Ridge
Railroad Company will aid in any manner
which may be suggested.
l have for the last four years devoted my
time to fostering and encouraging this enter
prise, and now feel that the road may be Sc
cured beyond doubt, with sNall amount
ef aid from your city. But if should fail
in the end, the people Of South carolina will
always remember with gratitude tho unccasing
efforts you have made in common cause with
hnm. Yours very truly
j. W. HARRISON,
Prcst b. r. II. r. Co.