The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-05-15
From the Ohio River to. the Atlantic
Coast. ~

We promised to keep our readers fully ad-
Vised in regard to the proposed Northern and
Southern RailMay, from the Ohio River to the
Atlantic Coast a variety of schemes and
routes are suggested, and our exchanges in
various parts Of the country dwell with en-
phasis upon tho project, but there seems to be
no concert of action between the citizens of
the different sections, who are most deeply in
terested in tho immediate construction of
great highway sor freight and travel, connect
ing the grain producing with the cotton-grow-
ing States by AN unbroken link of iron. One
writer suggests the route from Port Royal, viG
Augusta and Anderson, through the Rabun
Gap, to Knoxville, Tenn, and thence by roads
already chartered or built to Cincinnati or some
other point on the Ohio River, there connecting
with finished or contemplated lines to Chicago
and the lakes. Indeed, this seems to be the
favorite route, and meets with earnest advocacy
in many quarters, especially since the Blue
Ridge Railroad has been placed in bankruptcy,
and there is prospect of new company be-
ing formed to gain control of that Road, when
it is freed from the thraldom and embarrass-
nlents of long standing and difficult solution.
Another route is suggested, however, which
proposes to commence at Big Sandy, on the
Ohio River, and crossing the Cumberland
Mountains at Pound Gap, pursue direct line
through Southwestern Virginia and upper
East Tennessee, striking Asheville, N. c., and
thence to G-eenville and Anderson, s. G..
Here there would be choice of routes, either to
Port Royal vin Augusta, or to Brunswick, Ca,
by way of Lncolnton, Thomson, Louisville
| and other towns.
These are the projects now being considered,
and the town Of Anderson possesses share in
the thoughts cf the projectors, while our citi-
zeus are literally unimpressed with their i'm
portance. We not propose to argue the ques-
tion, or make any strong appeal for either
route. But ve have practical suggestion to
offer, which We trust will be duly considered
and promptly acted upon. Some one or more
of our citizens should be delegated at once with
the duty of examining the facts in relation to
the several schemes proposed, opening cor
respondence with leading citizens and railroad
officials at Numerous points on the lines pro-
jected, and prepare for persistent, unceasing
effort to secure the location of the most feasi-
BILE and practicable line. Only in this way
can the necessary data be obtained, and our
people furnished with the important facts
bearing upor, their future interests. We are
fully confident that there is shortly to be con-
structed an ulbroken line of railway from the
Atlantic seaboard to the lakes of the North
west, as the necessities of both sections demand
it. The contemplated route points to Ander-
4 son, and untising vigilance, coupled with ener-
gy and determination, will place our town upon
this great highway, sooner or later. But
apathy and indifference will assuredly work
the inevitable ruin and decay of our material
prosperity. The people of Northeast Georgia
are bending every energy to secure this con-
nection, and are actually engaged in construct
! ing a railroad from Athens to Clayton, where
they intend t., unite with the Blue Ridge Rail-
road, and thus take away the fruits of that
enterprise from any portion of South Carolina.
Under these circumstances, why stand we here
idle? . ii3.s r . @