The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-07-03
Our Railroad Interests.

est among our citizens to forward the movement
set on foot to secure the location of the Chicago
and Augusta Railroad by this point. The pres
ent activity in the public mind indicates that
there viii be no laggardness in fully discharg-
ing every obligation likely to accomplish the
desired result. The feeling now apparent de-
notes full purpose TO work heartily in the
right direction, when that is plainly developed.
We must agree upon the basis of action, and
then unitedly press forward, urging harmony
in council and cooperation in vigorous effort
Success will be deserved, if not attained. No
delusive hopes should be INDUCED, but the
difficulties in our way boldly met and over
come, if possible.
We propose to indicate the most feasible
plan, in our judgment, now offered to the peo-
Pile of Anderson. 1t is conceded that the pur-
chase of the Blue Ridge Railroad by parties
friendly to our interests will greatly enhance
our prospects, yet it must be remembered, that
the mere purchase of this Road by parties in.
tending to complete it from Walhalla TO Clay
ton does not necessarily bring the through
route by way of Anderson. Active measures
are. already inaugurated to make the line di-
verge at Seneca City, passing through the
Fork, and crossing the Savannah River at An
dersonville, thence to Augusta on the Georgia
side. The survey of this route is now being
made, and we are not blind to the fact that,
whatever its advantages or disadvantages may
prove, the citizens of Georgia will naturally
look with favor upon the proposed scheme
The prejudice against South Carolina will
doubtless influence the citizens of Augusta to
some extent, but it is our duty to show them
shat their best interests will be materially sub
served by uniting with the people of Anderson,
Abbeville and Edge6eld, thereby securing
focal trade of much Importance, whether or
not the great scheme Of national highway
scross the mountains is perfected.
This can be done by adopting line in
which Augusta is already interested. We mean
the Greenwood and Augusta Railroad, which
has been chartered and surveyed, and found to
be most practicable route. This contempla-
ted road is to pass within ten or twelve miles
Of Abbeville G. H., and our proposition would
he to construct road from this place to the
rearest point of intersection with the Green
wood and Augusta survey. The Counties of
Abbeyille and Anderson ought to subscribe
$25O,O0O each to the construction of this road,
when by uniting with the citizens of Greenwood
end Augusta the line would be complete from
Walhalla to Augusta, thence to Port Royal
Savannah and Charleston. The scheme is
practicable and reasonable, and with proper
effort the subscription of s5OO,OOO by the two
counties can be obtained, together with addi-
tional subscriptions from other quarters Au-
eusta would enlarge her subscription to the
Greenwood and Augusta Railroad, as that city
would receive the enhanced benefits of the
lengthened line.
The construction of such road is necessi-
ty to the people of Anderson and Abbeville,
even though there was no prospect of further
Jog the project of the contemplated line from
Chicago 70 the South Atlantic coast. Can any
one doubt the result of the location of the
through line, were the road from Anderson to
Augusta now in operation or being construct
ed? We would have infinite advantage over
all other projected lines from Clayton to Au-
gusta, and the time is now at hand when we
may safely venture to expend our means and
energies in securing this decided advantage.
Another idea in the construction of q road
to unite with the Greenwood and Augusta
Railroad. The route from Chicago is not def
nitely and irrevocably fixed, although it is
strongly indicated, and subsequent events may
demonstrate the desirability of constructing
the main line through the Sassafras Gap, a.
OR friends in Pickens propose Doubtless te
prime movers in this Chicago and Augusta
connection will be influenced by the disosl-
ton made of the Blue Ridge Railroae and
should this road pass into the hands ofparties
inimical to the through line, which ; not at
all improbable, then another route fill be Sc
lected, and the sassafras Gap lie will be
prominently urged for adoption. Hence, the
read from this point to August would place
us on the through line in any ssent, and we
are furnished with another poTeflul incentive
to engage in its construction,
The most striking point, Sbich we desire to
impress upon all interested, lies in the fact
already stated that DEMONSTRATION of the
li,,e from Anderson to Augusta would per-
manently benefit thissection, whether or not
tie connection with tie West is ever made 1t
would be direct outlet to the principal mar
kets, and would cary into execution the wishes
of our people, az embodied in the Savannah
Valley project, thich received SO much atten-
ton before thsWar. The counties of Ander-
son and Ab5eville, with the assistance of
Augusta and other points, can we'll afford to
make the investment, as they are destined to
be cut off from the great thoroughfares of