Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-03-09
jackson and Mississippi River
Railroad.

We have frequently had occasion
to call attention to the practicable
ty, and even necessity of a North
aoestern railroad from jackson to
the Mississippi river. Such a road
would penetrate the heart of the
richest grain and stock country in
! the State, if not in the world. 1t
would probably pass through Gads-
den or Bells Depot, thence to Ala
mo, the county seat of the new coun-
ty of Crockett, thence to Dyersburg
and on to the river. We have rea-
son to know that the people along
the proposed line viii contribute
literally to its construction; and
Jackson has already spoken so de-
cidedly on the subject of railroad
enterprises that her action in the
premises does not admit of doubt.
But let us look briefly at the bene-
fits of this road.
LIST. AS to Crockett and Dyer
counties-they are not only cotton,
but magnificent grain and stock
counties. Nolo, to ship their pro-
duce they are confined to mORopo-
lizing lines, either to Memphis or
Mobile. With this road to Jackson,
they would strike competing lines
in every direction. The Jackson
road would be especially beneficial
to their grain and stock business.
First, because as now situated, they
are forced to wagon over bad roads
either to the Mobile and Ohio or the
Memphis and Ohio Railroads, or to
the Mississippi river. When they
reach the Mobile and Ohio, or the
Memphis and Ohio railroads, they
are forced to accept whatever price
is offered, or ship over monopoliz-
ing lines at high freights, and at
their own risk. If they go to the
Mississippi river, they come in COM
petition with the great grain grow
ing and stock raising States of the
North and Northwest, where, ow-
ing to a cheaper and better system
of labor, and to the quantity pro-
duced, that competition works to
the damage of Tennessee farmers.
Besides, it is well known that the
Mississippi river country, owing to
this fact, pay less for grain and stock
than the Central and Eastern por-
tions of the State of Mississippi and
Alabama. Give the counties Of Dy-
er, Crochet and surrounding ones,
the advantage of railroad connec-
ton with Jackson, and they win
have first class market for grain
and stock, as well as cotton. First,
because at jackson there are COM
peting lines of transportation in
every direction; and her present
size and unparalleled growth makes
her, and will make her a still great |
err, consumer. Second, because
from Jackson run two great trunk |
lines of railway into the richest por-
tions of the South, and connecting
with the entire railroad system of |
the South, SOUTHEAST, and South |
West, over competing lines-one
through the center of Mississippi to
New Orleans, the other through the
rich prairies of Eastern Mississippi
and Western sections that
pay aII0GyS the highest price for
grain and stock, and sections that
cannot be reached directly by the
counties mentioned, except through
Jackson. This road would make
Jackson point for the distribution
of stock and grain, as well as for
cotton, and dealers in grain and
stock would rival dealers in cotton.
thereby opening up nea7 and uarf-
rallied market for the grain and
stock growers of Crockett, Over.
md surrounding counties.
2ud. AS to Jackson-Jackson Is
low a great cotton market. only
iecond to Memphis in this State. 4,
By the building of this road she will
distributing point for grain t
nd stock equal, if not superior to I
and win add greatly to I
Ter already large cotton trade. 1t \