The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1873-10-08
THE GREAT NORTHERN IND
SOUTHERN RAILWAY.

we publish IN another column tue
proceedings Of the Narrow Gauge
Railroad Convention, held at Warm
Springs. n. C.. on 3Oth September.
We were present on the occasion,
and while we regret that the meeting
was not as large in point Of numbers
as it should have been it, we were
proud to see that it was made up of
representative men from the differ
ent sections of country most largely
interested, showing as it did unmis-
takably the great interest taken in
the subject Of cheap transportation.
Every delegate present seemed en-
/ Unused with q determination to bring
this enterprise properly before the
country and the selection of the com.
mittee gives ample proof Of the abil-
ity Of each member. The intelligent
| and influential delegation from Ports
n )uth, Ohio, especially, were great
~ encouraged. and expressed them
selves amply repaid for their long
and circuitous trip by the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad to East
Tennessee and Western North Car
DINA. The South Carolinaians did
Mt regret for moment their long
ride Of one hundred miles over tho
mountains to the meeting. and those
who represented Western North
| Carolina and East Tennessee felt
amply repaid for their attendance.
The vast agricultural resources
tributary to the proposed line in
Ohio is one of comment. The Scioto
valley, one Of the richest in Ohio, is
unoccupied by any railr ad, and the
proposed line seeks to drain it.
The mineral resources Of Eastern
Kentucky are vast, especially in the
different varieties of coal. Iron ore
is also found in abundance. The
projected line will strike the coal
fields about forty miles from. Ports
mouth, and will leave it at Powelrs
river, from which the road will OBJ
tain, if built, a coal tonnage from
over one hundred and twenty miles
"a larger coal territory than any
~ /,
The coal and iron of Southwestern
Virginia was considerably discussed,
as 20 quality as well as quantity.
The vast iron interests of Sullivan.
Washington. Johnson, and Greene
counties were also considered. and
especially that of the specular and
magnetic ores of Western North
/ Carolina. The cotton and rice Of
/ South Carolina could be exchanged
for the agricultural productions Of
the great Northwest. The South
| Carolina delegation were particular
/ Is enthusiastic in regard to the ell
! terprise and left for their homes
elated with the facts in reference to
the economical construction, and the
/ Iessened cost of transportation that
! this projected road would furnish to
/ their section.
Capt. cambridge. Chief Engineer
/ Of the Portsmouth and Pound Gap
Railroad has been engaged during
! the past summer in making surveys
from Portsmouth to Pond Gap. The
profles exhibited show no great
difficulties in crossing the Cumber.
land mountains to the valley OF
Powell's river. The trouble hereto
fore anticipated in crossing these
mountains is now obviated, and the
difficulties to be encountered in cross
ing the Unaka range Of mountains is
nothing compared with those over
come by other lines Of road now in
existence.
That the enterprise thus brought
before the public will eventually be
a success, we have the fullest conf.
dence. The report of the special
committee appointed to prepare for
publication an address to the people
upon the advantages Of a narrow
gauge railroad for the contemplated
route will no doubt be a carefully
prepared compilation of facts rela.
tive to the mineral and agricultural
wealth Of the country penetrated,
and will be widely circulated. Capt
O. G.. VanderhooR. Of Knoxville, is
chairman of this committee.