Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-11-27
The N. AND <.

THE n. AND K. NARR0W-GAUGE.
1t is FIVE yeers since a charter vas OBJ
tanned for the Memphis and Knoxville
na~rrow-gauge railroad. The people along
the line through Fayette and Hsrdeman
counties subscribed literally. Sherry
county subscribed some ten thousand
dollars, but this wal all by the farmers
outside of Memphis, between here and
F~isherville, who feel SO keenly the lack
OF railroad facilities. Hard times came
on, taxes rolled up mountain high, the
people became discouraged and all appli-
cations for county or city aid we're, as a
matter OF course, unsuccessful. General
R. P. Nicely, the indefatigable President,
has been patient, hopeful and active all
the while. Never for q moment has
his energy tagged or his back been
turned on the great undertaking. he
has kept alive public interest, and even
gone across Tennessee river and aroused
the people on that side Of the river.
Wayne county, a poor county in all save
mineral wealth, has just voted $685.
900 to the road, and that sec
ton of the country seems ready
to do more than this great
county of Shelby. But the people
up there are presuming, now that better
days are dawning, that we will do
something like our share, as Memphis is
to receive a lions share Of the benefits.
Those people do not care to come to
Bolivar and stop; it would pay them as
we'll, perhaps, to divert the road to Jack
son or Milan. Their objective point is
Memphis, where they will find a market
for their cotton asd farm products, their
iron ore, limestone, marble and other
crude resources, which this road would
touch as q magician's wand. If the
road stops short of Memphis it will carry
away much OF the trade we now have.
To those who would throw all their en-
ergy and means into roads West we
would say that while we heartily favor
those colossal schemes, Memphis is not
at present able to embark In them, but
can easily contribute her share to secure
the early construction Of this
through narrow : guage road East
and thus strengthen ourselves fol
the grand effort on a Western
road. The people all along the road arr
ready for a movement, if not by comfy
subscriptions, by individuals. 1t will be
the cheapest road ever built in the South
and in proportion to the outlay, produe
tive of greater results. Fifty or seventy
five thousand dollars from Shelby county
will enable General Nicely to put the en-
tire lineunder contract to Henderson sta
ton on the Mobile and Ohio road, a dis
lance Of eighty'six miles, before spring.
The people beyond would be encouraged
to meet us more than half way and the
whole line ct present projected to Pu.
isski, a distance of one hundred and
ninety miles, could, in all probability, be
running in less than two years, opening
up to us an immense new tRde which
can never be reached by any other means.
We have given this enterprise much at
.%tention ever since il was set on foot,
and sincerely believe that when built it
will confer greater benefits on Memphis
as well as the people along the line than
any investment to the same amount that
we could possibly make outside oil Mem
phis. It is said that a meeting Of the
Chamber of Commerce will be called
shortly to take tsome action on the
subject. We hope this will be
done, and hat General Nicely
and others connected with or interested
in the road will be present to make q
clear statement Of its condition and
prospects. This road is one of known
possibilities; it is within our means and
within our grasp. Business men o.
Memphis, will you build it2 Judge Johr
M. Lea has offered to subscribe $4,000, R
G. Brinkley $1,000, John Overton, jr.
$1,000, and other gentlemen of meanl
will subscribe literally in proportion.