Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-11-23
For the Advertiser.

We regret to learn that the recent Con.
yention held in Columbia to further the
project of Railroad to Spartanburg,
took no practical step other than appoint
ing Committee to apply for charter.
Passing resolutions at public meetings,
and obtaining Charters, gobut talittle way
towards building Railroad. Since the
war about twenty charters for roads have
been obtained, and of that number only
three are being constructed. What is
needed is an earnest purpose on the part
of the people along any proposed route,
to aid and assist-to depend on them
selves instead of looking to others foi
help.
Judging by what was said by the Au-
gusta delegates, but little assistance can
be expected from that city for road
which would pass by Edgefield G. H.,
for, as stated by Col. Johnson, the only
practicable route is the one by the Pine
House and Horse Creek Valley, in which
is already located the Columbia and Au-
gusta Road.
AS subsequently, remarked by one Of
the delce ea:es, Augusta already has, (and
road or 10 roaO will continue to have
the trade of Edgefeld County. What
she desires is transit to and from New
berry, Laurens and Spartanburg, and
their policy would be to cross the Savan'
nah river above the Canal, and them
strike Northward, leaving Edgefield c.
II. to the right.
Since the meeting Of tho Convention
we learn that the Greenville Road has
been sold to the South Carolina Railroad
Company. If this is the case, it is pro
bable that the objections of Gov. Scott to
signing the Bill passed at the last session,
chartcring the Northwestern Railroad
Company, will be obviated, which will
enable the people of Edgeticld to 60 to
work without delay. AT any rate the
Greenville Company has charter for
Road from Aiken to Ninety-Six, and no
doubt the South Carolina Railroad Com
pany will cordially cooperate with the
people if they desire to build this road.
Experts assert that a narrow guage
Road can be built and equipped at cost
of $1,000 per mile. Allowing $4,000 per
mile, it would only cost $450,C0O to
construct the Road as far as Ninety
Six, and it is probable that one-half OF
this amount could be raised by bonds.
An advance in value of $3.50 per acre OF
the lands for five miles on each side OF
the Road would amount to S45O,OOO
alone! If the land owners have not the
cash to subscribe for stock, they might
make their subscriptions payable in
land, and the Company might then mort
gage land and Road to raise the funds in
part.
1t would afford handsome profit to
the owner of 500 acres to substribe one
half of his land, to aid in building the
Road, for the remainder would be as
valuable as the original whole, besides
whatever value the stock might have. A
home market would be created for wood,
ties, timber, poultry, fruit, and many
other articles.
It would be to the interest of the S. G..
Railroad Company to assist in building
this Road, but should they refuse or neg
lect to do so, then application should be
made to the Wilmington, Augusta &
Columbia Road for aid, in case the people
were unable to carry it through. BY
building it independant of either Com
pany, however, better terms could be
eventually made with both roads in re-
gard to freights and passage.
AIKEN.