The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-03-27
Narrow Gauge to TeTIIco Plains

Plains, with view of selecting the
shortest and most practicable route for
narrow gauge railroad. We learn that
the party reached the Plains few DAYS
ago, and that il was their intention TO
retrace their steps TO Sweetwater, after
which they would make reconnois-
sance or the Athens route. We ought
to state, perhaps, that we have no posi-
tive information on the subject. We
heard some time ago that the Tellico
Works had been purchased by COM
pany of capitalists. with view Of re-
building and putting them in operation
at an early day. We knew the property
had long been regarded as Of almost in.
calculable value, il it could be util-
lied, embracing inexhaustiblo deposits
of iron ore ofpeculiar and superior quail.
iy and a watcr-power which is unexce!-
led even here in East Tennessee where
Nature has been SO bounteous i'm max
ing provisions of the kind; and we
knew also that these advantages could
not be made available without railroad
facilities. Hence, we gave the subject
little attention Until we heard prepare
tinn~ .---- 80 p"~s"ass 40 eot~ot a'rd to-
cate q route fora narrow.gauge line.
There is we believe but little differ
cnce in distance between Sweetwater
and Tcllico Plains and Athens and the
Plains; but, from the formation of the
country, it is likely that the cheapness
of construction would be largely in ia
vor of the Athens route. We prefer
however, TO await more definite infor-
nation before specializing further on the
subject. If the company referred to is
what il is reported to be and should ac-
complish the work contemplated the
enterprise will result in great benefits to
large sectionof country, whether the
connection with the East Tennessee.
Virginia and Georgia road be made al
Sweetwater, Reagan's or Athens.
Attention is invited TO the annexed
communication, copied from the Sweet
water Enterprise of last week.
Mr.. Editor II notice in the Chattanoo-
ga Commercial of recent date, q state
ment that party Of engineers are look
| ing out n route for n railroad from your
village to Tellico Plains, and that after
finishing the job they would proceed
TO examine another route from Athens
to TeTlico. 1t is evident that at no very
distant day the iron ore in the neigEbor.
hood of Tellico will be brought In con.
tact with the stone coal and red hema-
attic ores Of East Tennessee.
BY looking at the map you will see
that q railrord built with this object in
view, would cross the L. II. V. g. G..
Railroad, either at Athens or Sweetwa-
ter, i. o., if you mako Telico the start.
ing point, as it doubtless will be. If il
should cross at Athens, Smiths X
Roads on the line Of the proposed Gin
cinnati Southern Railway, would be the
western terminus. If il should cross at
Sweetwater, then lockwood also on
the above line, would be the western
terminus. There is not very much diff
ference between the routes.-the dis.
lance being about the same but Judging
from casual observation, | would
think the former the cheaper route of
the two. However, there are other
things to be taken into consideration,
besides the cost of construction, not the
least of which is the available amount
Of intervening iron ore, The most of
your readers are aware that the road,
II built at all, will be constructed by
certain capitalists already interested at
Tcllico, and in the stone coal at various
points along the line OF the proposed
G. S. Railroad in order to realize their
expectations from the investments al
ready made. 1t seems thai these capt.
talsts are anxious TO bring the Tellico,
the red hematte iron and the stone coal
together at some point, and IL therefore
seems reasonable that whatever route
would offer the greatest Inducements in
the way of red hematite ore would be
almost certain to get the preference in
locating the road--other things being
equal. | have not the slightest doubt
but that the route via Sweetwatcr has
more ore than the Athens route. But
tho mere fact that there is o greater
quantity of ore on this line will not sc.
cure the road. The capitalists interested
will want to get control of enough of
this ore 10 answer their purposes, and
when this is done they will build the
road by the ore they own. i. is prob.
able that road over either of the
routes mentioned will develop ore
enough 10 satisfy their every wish in
that line. But they will be governed
by the amount that they can buy AT rea-
sonable price. Hence If the citizens of
Sweetwater and vicinity, and those
along the other portions of this route
would secure this prize they must not al
low theiri maginations 10 mako fools Of
them. II they own mineral lands and
want the country developed, they should
he willing to give cnterprising men, with
capital, at least n half living chance
otherwise they will seek another locality.
The advantages which would accrue
TO the point where such road rs the
above mentioned would cross the Il. Il.
V. a. G. Railroad are too obvious TO be
mentioned at the expense Of your val
liable time and space. | will therefore
4. z Al Z T..