The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-10-04
!. CerresPanasass 81 the Phpnix.
WA1HALnA, October j, 1873.

less than 1,0OO persons, was held In this
place. yesterday, in the interest Of the
Augusta, Hez.we!l and Columbia Rail
road. This is road which has been
projected to run from Augusta. through
the Counties of Colnmbia, Lincoln, FL
bert and Hart, in Georgia, aud crossing
the Savannah River at Andersonville. in
this State, to continue through the fork
vi Anderson County and through Coo
nee. terminating at Walhalla. 1t was
chartered by the Legislature OF Georgia
in 1869 and amended in 1870. Origi-
nally Intended to go to Clayton, and
keep on the West side OF the Savannah,
| it is privileged under the amendments
Of its charter to connect with q branch
leading to Walhalla, and has guarantee
OF State endorsement of its bonds Of
$15, 900 mile by the State of Georgia,
upon the completion Of every ten miles
of road. It has now formally adopted
the route to Walhalla, and the company
has bcen organized under the name Of
the Augusta, Hartwell aud Walhalla
Railroad. At this organization lately in
Augusta, Mr.. Moore, Of that city, was
chosen President, Col. Z. T. Harrison,
Of Anderson, Weep resident, with di-
rectors from each County through which
it is to pass. Its length is computed to
be LIT miles, and the cost of construo-
tion to be not more than SIG, 900 mile
The meeting was addressed by Col e.
F. Harrison, of South Carolina, Hon.
T.. III. Rucker, of Elbert County, Geor-
gia, DR.. Love, of Franklin, North Caro-
lima, and Mr.. Ansell, of the same place.
Muj. James Fl. Whitner, one of the di-
rectors of this place, presided and intro
duced the speakers. An amateur band
furnished very agreeable music, aud q
bountiful collation. was served on long
tables spread in tue shady grounds of
the brewery, feature OF which was d
table for the colored people. Excellent
order was preserved throughout, the
speakers listened to with intelligent
interest, and general conviction
secured Of the desirableness and ad-
vantage Of the contemplated road. In
the afternoon, the influence of John
Barleycorn was manifested in the excite
ment and turbulence Of few persons,
but all passed off with comparative
quiet.
Col. Harrison. in plain, straight
forward and effective address, placed
the merits of the road in favorable
light. He said that it was tho shortest
and cheapest route from this point to
suit water, and the best nnapproprinted
location in tho Southern States for
railway. It passed through rich belt
OF 100 miles in breadth, lying between
tbs Georgia Ruilroad on the West, and
the South Carolina reads on the East,
and directly along the Savannah River
Valley, which was unsurpassed in fer.
tility and unexcelled in its. immonse
water power. He considered the pros
pect of building the road to be good
one. The city Of Augusta had agreed
to build the first twenty miles out and
to secure the right Of way and depots
and lots for the use of the road in the
city. This would cost S500,OO0. The
Georgia Counties would contribute as
follows: Columbia. 5000: Lincoln.
100000; Ebert, 800. 600; Hart, $50. 900;
and if Ooonee County and the town of
Walhalla would raise $4,000 he
thought that, with perseverance and
unity of effort, the enterprise would
succeed. They had the Georgia State
guarantee of Sis, 900 o mile, aud first
mortgage Of its bonds to fall buck upon,
II necessary.
MIR. Rucker followed, and command.
ed attention by the comprehensivenes
of his views, tho fairness OF his state
ments. and his equally scholarly and
practical treatment Of the subject. He
estimated the cost OF the road to be
about So. .50O,O 600. This would be large
ly expended along the line, aud deye.
lopment would ensue from its compile.
ton which would enhance the value of
landed property at least three fold.
With increased population and tho DC.
velopmcnt Of . yast manufacturing in!a
rest, would come welcome additions to
pOpnlntion. aud with diversity Of pur.
suits would be afforded those opportuni-
ties to every sort OF taleut and every va
riety Of tastes which cannot be found in
CON niunities which are devoted excIu-
sively to furming and planting. The
more diversity, the better the condition
Of people to sustain those reverses,
prostratlons and changes which are in
evita5ls in this life. He pointed to the
mills of Augusta and Macon rs con.
elusive of the question OF the value and
practicability of manufacturing in the
South. They were the most profitable
OF any in the world. The distance be.
tween Chioago and New York was the
oorno oc hot ruoon (lh;o,r> o,1 Du.t