The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-04-27
THE BLUE RIDGE RAILROAD.
It's Condition aud Prospects-Report of
the Charleston Delegation.

Its Condition aud Prospects-Report OF
the Charleston Delegation.
The Charleston delegates to the recent
Blue Ridge Railroad Convention at An
derson submit the following report:
CHARLESTON, April Z, 1876.
To the President and Members Of the
Charleston Chamber Of Commerce.:
GENTLEMEN: We, the undersigned
delegates appointed to represent the
Chamber at the Convention of the repre-
sentatives of the States, counties and
towns interested in the completion of the
Blue Ridge Railroad and its connections,
held on the 3Oth and 31st of March last, at
Anderson, the present Eastern terminus
of said road, beg leave respectfully to
present this our report:
Having received no special instructions
for our guidance, we concluded that our
main duty was to ascertain from the del.
egates from Tennessee, Georgia and
North Carolina the possibility and prob
ability of satisfactory results being
achieved in their respective States, the
status of the various charters, the work
already done, and the resources to be re-
lied on in the completion of an unbroken
road from Knoxville to Anderson.
The information we obtained was of an
unexpectedly satisfactory character.
Beginning in Tennessee, we find road
in good running order, ("the Knoxville
and Charleston Railroad" from Knox
vile towards the North Carolina border,
for distance of sirteen miles.
The owners of the same are prepared
to continue their road to the border as
soon as . connection is guaranteed, aud
ask neither aid nor favor to do so.
In North Carolina the route will be
along the banks of the Tennessee River,
through its fertile valley-from Georgia
to the Tennessee connection, q distance
of seventy miles; but the Blue Ridge
having been crossed in the State of Geor.
gia, there is no great natural obstacle to
be overcome.
We we're led to believe that convict
labor could be obtained from the State of
North Carolina, and that the laborers
would be fed by the farmers of the Sec
tion through which the road will pass
at mountain prices, payment in stock be-
ing received for this section aid could
also be obtained from Southeastern Ten
nessee, for the mass of the inhabitants
will have nothing to do in that section,
the owners of the Knoxville and Charles
ton Railroad having undertaken, as we
have said, to complete the Tennessee
link. County subscriptions and large
donations of real estate would also aid
the enterprise. Friends of the same hold
q charter of most favorable character,
and are ready and willing to cooperate
earnestly and cordially with South Caro-
lima, if she aoiN but act promptly.
In Georgia, the prospects are yet
brighter. Through this State the road
has been already graded, and that in a
manner of which our people have no con-
ception. All masonry has long since
been completed, we believe, without ex-
ception.
By the personal inspection of one of
our delegation, who extended his journey
to Rabun Gap, near to the North Caroli-
ma border, we learn that the statements
we had heard as to the amount of work
done were not exaggerated. The culverts
over even little mountain runs are built
of well.dressed, massive grey granite, and
the abutments' for bridges over the few
larger streams are all of the same perma-
nent character.
"Fills" still remain to be completed |;
but they, as a rule, are nearly closed,
only so much as was required to give the
| masons room for their work being left
undone.
The inhabitants of this section are
probably the most enthusiastic in regard
| to this undertaking, and will do as much
or more than the North Carolinians to
promote its success. Georgia, we are as
sured, will also furnish convict labor, and
her farmers in like manner, as in North
Carolina, will provide for their mainte-
! nance.
In South Carolina the Blue Ridge Rail-
road is in running order from Anderson
to Walhalla, and is graded to the Geor-
gia line; the masonry is also finished.
There are two considerable tunnels to
be mentioned-one in Georgia and the
other in South Carolina-both far ad-
vanced to completion, we are informed !;
but both can be avoided by modern en-
gineering.
On the construction of the road through
South Carolina and Georgia millions
were spent. We are led to believe for q
comparatively triaing sum what cost so
much, now could easily be purchased,
and it is probable that those interested
in the property of the road would enter
into an arrangement by which no cash
would be required Immediately.
While too much cannot be said of the
immense natural resources to be devel-
| oped by this road, the length of this re-
port forbids such comment as the subject
REQUIRES. We will but remind you that
scientific men who have visited the local
ity of the road all agree that the mineral
wealth there buried is beyond mans cal
culation.
We regret to bring to your notice the
fact that rapid progress is now being
made on road which in future may be
operated in opposition to our interests, a
calamity much to be dreaded for with
most if not all the main arteries of trade
now turned from Charleston, she surely
cannot suffer the life blood flowing from
this direct connection with the "great
| Northauest' to be diverted into other chan
nels. Our people recognize the immense
trade and prosperity in store for our old
city, let this iron link be once riveted.
Calhoun first, we are told, pointed to
Rabun Gap as the great avenue of COM
merce for the Western and Southern New
World. IT'S true, in following his teach
ing, our fathers spent large sums, but a
personal inspection of the results will
convince the most sceptical scofer that
the money was not misspent; for the
granite monuments along the road-bed
through Carolina and Georgia are proofs
indubitable of the honesty and thorough
ness in detail of the past generation, and
that they labored not for themselves
alone, or for their children only, but in;
tended tn huild a structure which should