The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-05-16
LETTER FROM AUGUSTA.
Reviving Old Time Feclings-The Augusta
and Greenwood Railroad-Lving over tho
Past-President yTheless, ctc., etc.

Special Correspondence anderson Ittcuigs,cer.
AUGUSTA, GA, May 7, 1878.
The fact that the Augusta and Green
wood Railroad, so long talked Of, may
now be regarded as among the certain
ties of the next twelve months, has be-
gotten in US a neighborly feeling as to
the good people of Abbeville, Anderson,
Pickens and Oconee. I should have said
that the assurance that has been vouch-
safed to us, touching the rosd mentioned,
has revived the old time friendly feelings
which prevailed in the days when the
basis of Augusta's wealth was laid, when
your fathers were accustomed to trade al
Augusta, and when our fathers were
wont to see the city's chief thoroughfare
crowded with wagons from South Caro-
lima, and even from the "Old North
State" 1t is refreshing to the writer to
live these blessed days over, as he is
sometimes privileged to do when in con.
versation with some old gentleman, who
closely observed events as they trans
pired, as we'll as cultivated trade that
was wealth-producing.
Augusta to Greenwood! At first flush
that seems an Insignificant line-an un-
dertaking of small Importance at best.
But there is infinitely more in it than
there is in some names. From Green
wood we confidently look to the West,
via Laurensville, Spartanburg and Ashe-
vile; from point near Dorn's mine, we
look with equal confidence to Anderson
and contiguous points; from Walton's
Island, we look to the West, via Elber-
ton, Toccoa and Rabun Gap. What
bright prospects, They are not the fig
ments of the brain; they are among the
stern probabilities of the near future.
The citizens of Augusta are in earnest
in this matter, and, to the accomplish
ment of the grand object in view, they
propose to bend their every energy.
Our merchants are anxious to regain the
trade which by common consent has
long been regarded by all directly con-
cerned as belonging to them. The be-
lieve that the people of Abbeville, Lau-
rens, Anderson and Oconee; of Elbert,
etc., desire to trade at this point-their
natural market. The obstacle-lack OF
quick and direct means of cemmunica-
tion--which has stood in the way, bids
fair to be removed soon. 1t can be re-
moved by the several communities inter
ested doing promptly, cheerfully and
fully their respective duties.
You must have been advised that the
contract for grading the route from this
city to Walton's Island, where the
Augusta and Knoxville defects and be-
comes the Augusta, Knoxville and
Greenwood Railroad, was awarded on
the LIST instant to w. D. Grant, Esq,
who engages to begin work within thirty
days, and to complete the same by the
1st of April, 1879.
Captain Grant is plucky gentleman,
and he vigorously pushes to completion
whatever work he contracts to do. l
doubt not our Greenwood friends feel
greatly exhilarated by this action Of the
Board of Directors Of the A. and X. l
trust that the people of Anderson, and
those who are working to tap the A. and
G. Road at or near Dorn's Mine, will
feel encouraged to prosecute the under
taking with redoubled energy. These
connections, every one OF which is I'M
portant to the sections of which the
towns named may be taken as represen-
tative, can be effected, and that, too,
with comparative ease. But they must
be the outcome of our own efforts. We
have learned that it is unwise to depend
on developers. Like our best lessons,
this was taught US in the hard school OF
experience. We can accomplish this
great work if we will. To do this, ii
will not be necessary to tax any man