Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-09-09
THE GREAT NARROW GAUGE.
Memphis, SOmerViIle. Bolivar, Savannah
WaynesbOrO, Columbia and
Knoxville.


| Mr.. MiIlington, the excellent civil engi-
| neer who has made preliminary survey
of great portion of the route of the mar
row gauge road to connect Memphis, Co.
| lumbia and Knoxville, says that it will
traverse country rich in agricultural and
| mineral resources, and possessing climate
genial and healthy as any in the world.
| AS regards local tariff, no
projected road in the South has a better
| prospect for business that will be large and
remunerative from the start, as numberless
industries will be developed, and diversity
of labor provided for the increasing popu-
lation by the cheap and speedy transporta-
ton this road will furnish.
THE GREAT END TO BE ACHIEVED.
An air line connects Norfolk, via Knox
vile, Columbia (the eastern terminus of
this road J, Memphis tits western terminus),
Little Rock and Fulton, with Eel Paso and
San Diego The distance on this route
docs not exceed $500 miles, making not
only the shortest route from Norfolk, but
from New York to the Pacific. The con-
struction of the Southern Pacific road from
San Diego to its intersection with the
Cairo and Fulton road is fixed fact and
will no doubt be speedily completed. Work
is progressing on the Cairo and Fulton
road from its intersection with the South
ern Pacific to Little Rock. The Memphis
and Little Rock road is completed. The
Duck River Valley road, from Columbia
and Wartrace, thence to Knoxville, has
been started under favorable auspices, is in
good hands and will probably be built
without unnecessary delay. From Knox
vile to Norfolk and New York railroads
are already in operation, leaving the dis
tance from Memphis to Columbia-the |
most favored portion of the line-alone to
be provided for. The Southern Pacific |
Railroad Company has decided to adopt |
the narrow gauge three feet. The same
gauge is contemplated from Fulton to Lit |
tie Rock. From Little Rock to Memphis |
the gauge can be changed in one day. The
Duck River Valley road has adopted a
three foot gauge, so that using like gauge
on this road will give a continuous three
foot gauge from San Diego to Knoxville
over 1000 miles, leaving only about 500
miles to be changed to give a continuous
gauge of three feet from the Atlantic to the
Pacific.
The importance of a connection without
break of gauge with the great Southern
Pacific railroad, will doubtless influence
either change of gauge from Knoxville
eastward, or cause new roads to be built.
The Knoxville and Charleston road has
adopted the three-foot gauge.
RESOURCES OF THE BUILDERS.
AS regards the earnestness and ability of
the people along the line of the road, judg
ing from the earnest and Jealous manner
in which they have taken the project in
hand, and the liberal manner In which
they have done all that has been required,
there is nothing to doubt in the future. 1t
only remains for Memphis to aid and fOs-
ter generously project that every sensible
man can readily see will add materially to
our prosperity, by bringing to this market
thousands of bales of cotton now shipped
to Mobile and New Orleans to avoid the
expense and trouble of trans-shipment,
and by opening a market now virtually |
closed by lateral roads.
PECULIARITIEs OF THE ROAD.
The character of the road is in great |
measure decided by its connections. 1t |
must be p narrow gauge road, say three
feet, and in view of all the advantages |
possessed by narrow gauge roads, such as
reduced cost of construction, economy in
operating, and the increased profits to
stockholders when they are in use, there
can be little doubt as to the character of
road that ought to be adopted between
Memph and Columbia.
The legitimate immediate effect of build
ing this road would be to add hundreds of
thousands of dollars to the capital and tax
able wealth of the cities and counties
through which it runs, and to increase the
intrinsic and market value of real estate |
many fold. This road can be built, and |
there is no good reason why it should not |
be done without delay-all that is required |
is a united and determined effort, and all |
obstacles will vanish like smoke.