The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-08-12
From Chicago to the Sea.

a. correspondent OF rtne A1g4't"H
CHRONICLE gid Sentinel, writing from
Casar's Head, gives an interesting
account of tho efforts which are be-
ing made in upper South Carolina, to
supply tho missing link in the con-
nection with the great West by build
ing road from Ashevillc, N. c., to
I,aurcns, by way of Grecnvillc; and
shows in the event of its completion,
the Immediate and direct interest of
Augusta in building the road to
Greenwood and extending it to Lau-
rens. A large portion Of the road
beyond Asheyillc has been completed
and part of it in operation; and
the late meeting at, Hendcrsonville,
promises the best results. The sur
vey of Major Greene calls for but
one tunnel and three bridges on the
route of sixty.six miles which scpa-
rates Grcenville and Ashcvillc, and
for the construction of the road,
ninety-cight miles in length, including
tho thirty-two miles to Laurens,
there has been raised s725,0OO. The
plan proposed is TO complete the gra-
ding and bridges by subscription, and
then mortgage tho road for tho Sill
pcrstructurc. Tho correspondent
says:
Augusta has an immediate and di-
rect interest in this connection. The
building of road from our city to
Greenwood and its extension from that
place to Laureps-a distance of but a
few miles-would give us road pene-
trating the heart of the best region of
South and North Carolina, and affording
O short and rapid line to the Western
metropolis. The products Of the North
west would seek Augusta by this route
as atfording q central point of storage
and distribution-a place whose climate
would allow the housing of produce in
bulk, and whose position as the initial
point of three lines of railway leading
to the coast would give to shippers the
choice of three ports and markets
Charleston, Savannah and Port Royal
with the advantage of low rates pro-
duced by short competition. The local
traffic secured will prove large and val
liable. Edgefield, Abbeville and Lau-
rens are three Of the wealthiest counties
of South Carolina, and raise annually
immense quantities of cotton. Lage-
field, Abbeville and Laurens are three
of the wealthiest counties of South Car
olina, and raise annually immense
quantities of cotton. Laurens and Abb
beville and Greenville all did business
with Augusta before the completion of
the Greenwood and Columbia Railroad
with the building of the new. line this
lost trade would be recovered. Green
vile before the war made little cotton.
But the use of phosphates has revolu-
tionized farming here, and am reliably
informed that 1900 bales are shipped
annually from the city of Greenville
alone. Almost ineXhaustible quantities
of grain and country produce generally
are raised in the rich bottoms and fertile
valleys of Buncombe and Henderson,
and the corn, which now, without a
market, finds its way to the mountain
still, would come over the new road to
Aug gusta to be exchanged for merchan-
disc. From what have seen the people
living between Greenwood and our city
are thoroughly III earnest In their efforts
to secure railway, and are able as well
as willing to give liberal assistance to
the enterprise. They have continued to
work in tho face of the most discoura-
ging circumstances. Another reason
which should prompt us to come to their
support is found in the fact that by as
sisting the Greenwood line we will also
aid the Hartwell enterprise. A trunk
line to Fury's Ferry, or the point which
may he selected for crossing the Savan-
nah river, can be used by both compa-
nies, while there would be but one cost" "
A meeting in tho interests of the
Anderson and Port Royal Railroad,
we see has been called for at Andcr-
son Court House, on the -, and
we trust to see full representation
from our county. An enterprise
which seeks to connect us with the
granaries of tho West on the one
hand, aud the seaLoard on tho other,
and which brings to our very doors
the commerce of tho world is worthy
of an effort.