The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-08-23
A Railroad for Bennettsvilie.

Out VI LILO lCW SOuhtlVo Al SSesA
still unblessed by railroad transit, is MARI
boro'; and sore point it is to her en:erpri-
sing citizens. The subject, as may be sup.
posed, has engaged the attention OF the
good people Of Bennettsville not little.
They obtained charter for road to Society
Hill, there to connect with the Cheraw and
Darlington Railroad, but what with General
Sherman, the Thirteenth amendment, poor
crops and high taxes, reconstruction has not
as yet progressed far enough to bring the
people Of that ancient borough fairly up to
railroad heat.
There is, however, still another reason Tor
this delay; arising not from poverty, but
rather from wealth of choice. There are
three routes proposed to the people OF Ben
nettsville, by means OF which they are prom
ised communication with the ..oater world.
One Of these, to Marion Courthouse, has but
little to recommend it, as it is nearly forty
miles in length, and would only open the
way to North Carolina.
The second route has more advocates. 1t
is proposed to build a road from Benefits
vile due northto Laurinourg, station on
the Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford
Railroad. The distance is only about twenty
miles, over a fine country-thsough which
road could be built at comparatively small
cost. The objection is again, that such
road would force all the trade OF Marlboro
to Wilmington; while the merchants, plant
ers and other citizens OF that county have
always with very few exceptions) done their
entire business with Charleston houses.
1t is clear, therefore, that Society Hill is by
far the best choice. 1t is the nearest point
to railroad 1t puts the people in commu-
nication with their friends and correspond
ents, and with their market, by the most di-
rect route. They already have the charter,
and there is bridge over the Peedee River,
which, We understand, is admirably adapted
for railroad, requiring but very small
outlay for such modification.
All these points are discussed by Major D..
B. Townsend, the President OF the Cheraw
and Darlington Railroad, in letter ad-
dressed to the Marlboro Times. Major
Townsend estimates the cost OF grading the
line from Bennettsville to Society Hill at
$50, 900, and the rolling stock OF the Cheraw
and Darlington Railroad might serve both
roads Taking the whole cost at sloo, 600,
OF which one-half could be raised upon a
first mortgage, subscription OF $4,000
will cause the line to be speedily built But
this subscription mnst come from the people
of Marlboro; neither the Wilmington, Char
lotte and Rutherford Railroad, nor the Che
raw and Darlington Railroad can aid the
enterprise materially. In conclusion, Major
Townsend expresses the opinion that pro-
per preliminary step would probably be to
call public meeting at Bennettsyille in Sep
tember or early in October, when represent
atives from the roads on either side might
be invited to attend. Major Townsend is o
1 practical railroad man, familiar with the
wants and the resources OF the County oi
Marlboro, and his strong recommendation oi
the Society Hill route cannot fail TO bave
i great weight with the people.
Charleston has no small interest at stake
in this. matter. II the merchants of Will,
mingten should build the road from Laurin'
burg TO Benne:tsvi!le they would draw the
trade of Marlboro more surely than Viii
mington now controls the trade OF Sumter
and Marion, which towns have some choice,
while Beunettsville would have no choice
whatever.
We would, therefore, direct the attention
of our merchants and railroad men to thls
little corner OF South Carolina asking fol
aid and direction. The trade OF that section
is very considerable, as is well known to oul
jobbers, and still better to our factors and
commission merchants. Charleston cannot
afford to send this trade to Wilmington.