The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-08-28
For the anderson Mtelzigencer.
Railroad Barb 4cue at ToWnYiIle.

lnst., at which speeches were made i'll further
ance of the Chicago and Southeastern Atlantic
Railroad project, and more particularly in the
interest of the Hartwell and Augusta Railroad,
for the purpose of continuing said road by
Andersonvlle to Walhalla. The meeting was
called to order by Col. F. E. Harrison, Chair
man of the Executive Committee appointed at
previous meeting to look after the interests
of the Fork country in regard to this railroad,
who stated that the meeting had assembled for
the purpose of spending social day and lis
tening to some speeches on the subject of the
contemplated railroad, and that he deemed it
beftting on this occasion to invoke the AL
mighty's blessing upon the days proceedings,
and he asked the Rev. Mr.. Hyde to lead
the assembly in prayer.
After the prayer, COL Harrison made short
speech, in which he gave statement of the
work which the Executive Committee had ac-
complished. He said that the question of con-
tinuing the Hartwell and Augusta Railroad by
Andersonville to Walhalla had been called to
the attention of the people of the Fork by the
proceedings of the Association which met in
Augusta few months since, for the purpose of
considering the steps necessary for building a
railroad from Chicago, Ill., to Augusta, Ga,
that Augusta had been fixed upon as the South
eastern terminus of this road, and that the
Fork country was on the direct line. He spoke
of the circuitous routes over which Western
freights were brought to our markets, and rep
resented the necessity of direct through lines
for transportation. He said that grain could
be purchased here for one-third of its present
value if through lines were built, and showed
that the proposed Chicago connection was just
the kind Of a through line needed in this coun-
try. He said money had been raised and a
survey of the route made from Walhalla to
Augusta, and that the people of Walhalla, al
though Indifferent at first, had been induced to
lay hold of this matter, and that the County of
Oconee would subscribe one hundred thousand,
and the Town of Walhalla fifty thousand col
lars to the road. The people along .he line
were eager to build it. He thought by County
and private subscriptions that two hundred
thousand dollars could be raised in Oconee;
that from sixty to one hundred thousand dol
lars would be raised in Hart; that Ebert
though badly divided as to the line of location,
would subscribe one hundred thousand dollars;
that Lincoln would raise fifty thousand dollars;
and that from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars
could be counted on below Lincoln County.
The distance from WalhalIa to Petersburg is
ninety y-eight miles, making one hundred and
forty-two miles from Augusta to Walhalla, and
one hundred and sixty-eight miles from Au-
gusta to Clayton. 1t would cost two millious
of dollars to build the road from Walhalla to
Clayton and the average cost of the road from
Walhalla to Augusta would be about sixteen
/ thousand dollars per mile. He considered the
survey success. The line has been adopted
by the directors of the Hartwell and Augusta
Railroad Company, and they have agreed that
one director shall be elected from each County
through which the road is to run, and that the
stock subscribed shall be paid in installments'
not to exceed ten per cent, at the end OF every
sixty days, until the whole is paid and that if
any one taking stock should fail to be able to
meet the payments his note shall be taken in
stead; and that if any one desire they may
subscribe land and receive stock to the amount
of its value therefor; and that persons sub
scribing land may redeem the same by paying
the amount of the face value of the stock and
interest thereon from the date of its issue. The
speaker dealt exclusively in facts, and presented
them in concise and convincing manner. In
the midst of the speech heavy shower came
up and the speaker was compelled to leave the
stand and take shelter in the Baptist Church
near by.
During the rain, DIR. Raymond Alley, of Au-
gusta, Ga, made short speech to the crowd
in the Church, assuring them of the friendly
interest taken by Augusta, and urging the me-
cessity for the road in this part of the country.
At the conclusion of Col. Harrison's remarks,
Col. F. B. Hodges, of Hartwell, Ga, was intro
duced, and urged the citizens along the line to
act promptly in this matter, which, if success
full, would develop portion of country rich in
resources, but hitherto wholly neglected.
He said this was the middle, shortest and
cheapest route for the Western connection, and
this road had chartered privileges extended to
only two other roads in the State of Georgia.
He thought Hart County would subscribe sew
enty-fve thousand dollars.
Col. E. NJ. Rucker, of Elbert County, Ga,
was then presented, and proposed to make
business statement of the matter. This the
speaker did in pleasing and impressive man.
ner, alluding in eloquent language to the beau
tiful scenery and hidden resources of this fer
tile but undeveloped region of country. He
said he came to oppose no one-to antagonize
no one. He believed every generation has its
advantages, and that complete railroad connec-
tions was certainly one of the advantages of
the present day; but that those who desire to