The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-08-31
Contaminated Railroad.

We publish in this issue, says the Pickcns
jSsatinci,. a very interesting communication from
the epcnof T. L. G., of Brevard, North Carolina,
onthe subject of Narrow Gauge Railroad from
Ashcvillc, n. c., through the Sassafras Gap, to
connect with the Blue Ridge Road at Pendlc-
ION or Anderson G.. IT. This route is entirely
practicable, and can be built at a comparative
" small cost, considering tic rich and fertile
country through which it would pass, and the
untold millions Of mineral wealth now lying
dormant for the want of a railroad to developc
importance to our people than all tile Air
Lines and Blue Ridges combined
If the attention of some of the widc-awake
railroad men can only be drawn to this subject.
and a company organized for the purpose of
building It, they will meet the hearty co-opcra-
tion of all our people, without regard to race,
color or previous condition" We will give
our views on this subject of so much impor-
tancc to our people, moro at length from time
to time, as occasion may require. In the mean
time We would like to hear from Bro. Hoyt, Of
the Anderson Intclhgencer, on the subject.
BREvARD, n c., Aug 14th, 1871.
MEssRs. ED1ToRs-To the kindness of some
unknown friend, 1 am indebted for a copy of
the Sentinel, in which 1 find, besides many
other items of interest, an article on the sub
iect of the Sassafras Gap, as a suitable point
| for railroad to cross the Blue Ridge, and
thereby connect the Blue Ridge, the Richmond
and Atlanta Air Line and the Greenvillc and
Columbia Railroads with the Western North
Carolina, the Wilmington, Charlotte and
Rutherford, the Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap
and Charleston Railroads, at Asheyille. This
| is certainly the best route to connect all the
above roads. am not acquainted with the
country south Of the above named gap, but,
from the gap to Asheville, the route is practical
Bile and easy as it would follow the valley Of the
French Broad nearly the whole way, which
would obviatc the necessity Of deep cuts, ills
or tunnels, and would pass down one of the
most fertile and beautiful valleys of America,
as every one can testify that has seen it. All
of the above named North Carolina roads cen
tre at Asheville, and by tapping the Air Line
at its crossing of the Blue Ridge Road, all of
the desired connections would be affected, and
would open to this country q direct southern
connection, By which we could ship south all
our fruit, grain, hay, &C., all OF which you state
would be consumed, and i'll exchange give us
articles we have to use all the time. north
ern railroad connection is not near so desirable
for this country as southern one, as all oul
produce would find good market south, and
none north, as our products are so similar tc
those Of the north. Please advocate this route
in your columns, so that the attention of the
railroad men of both States may be called to it.
In my opinion Marrow Gauge Railroad is
better adapted to this route than the wide
gauge owing to the mountains, cost of CON
siructon and amount of business to do. Many
of our people are advocating the construction
of narrow gauge road from Ashcvillc to this
place, and if your people join us We will try
and build it to Pendleton or to the junction
above named, via Brevard, Sassafras Cap and
Pickens. This is a subject of vital Importance
not only to Brcvard, but to Pickens &. II:
see very small estimates as to the cost Of Mar
row Gauge Railroads, and if we can mature
plan by Autumn, we can petition the Legis!a
lures of both States for charters and State aid
l will write to some gentlemen i'll Asheyille OF
the subject, and see if they are disposed to hell
in an enterprise of so much Importance tt
them Mr.. j. Z. lIagood, of your place, is {
suitable person to give you any information il
regard to the route across the mountain, as liz
has crossed at Sassafras Gap frequently. There
is no danger Of the route from there TO Ashc
vile.