The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-10
For the Farmer and Mechanic
SInithfleld and Cape Fear N. G..
r. r.

SAEITHFIELD, \. c., Apri' :, 1879
Mr. EDITOR in pursuance OF reso.
u passed at a meeting held here
this ms ait by the Commissioners, by
virtue OF the authority conferred by
act Of the last Leyisla ure, entitled
. An Act TO incorporate the Smithtield
| and Cape Fear Mar ow Gauge Railroad
Company. | herein report thu pru-
ceedings of said meeting and respect
fully request tie publicat on of this
comnunlcation, III accordance with
the resolution.
The Comm issioners, eleven of whom
were present, are: Messrs L L. Oil
YER, j. Ii. Abel, d. W. Fuller. G
Gurley, Seth Woodall. b. A. W ell rs
John l.. Morgan ID. II. McLean, Calvin
Lasster. Eli Turing on, A j Tur-
lington, DAM. ewcr N ii s. Stewart,
auo VI jor b. + Shaw, DR.. l.. I. Xii k !.
man and sol. A. j. Heath, Of john, ton
and Ha, Dett counties.
The commissioners having met Dur-
suant t. prevlous Appointment, on
motion of MIR S. Woodal. Mai rB. +.
Shaw, of Harnett, was II Il to the
chair; and on m ton OF Mr. d. II Nc
LIE u, Mr. II. G. williamson was re
ques ed to acr as Secretary.
At sugg. sion of the chair, DR., l. f
Kirkmdn stated the ,bject OF the
meeting After reading the Act of
/ corporation he explained that the
meeting had been called to open book.
OF subscription "a it was neceSsar, to
b'ain sucscr ptlot:s to the amount o.
$4,000 he minimuaI limit of capital
stock, according t. Stctio d of the
Ac which must be su sc ibed bef re
the subscribers may proceed t. the
I. gular organization OF the company
GA not on. MIR E. J. Ii 1t was in
vi,ed TO address the ms etn8 upon the
feasibility and prop 1ety OF cOnstruct-
ing the projected read, to run through
Smith field, one terminus beirg some
Loint on the line of n. G. r. r., east
of the Neu~e river. the O;her some
point or the Cape Fear river.
Mr. Holt IN few p Tt nent remarks
encouraged the enterprise warmly, but
oppo ed he Narrow Gauge bed hold
ing t at the cost of grading would not
be dimin shed at ali and that while
there might be saving of about 80
per cent III the cost OF engines, rolling
stock, &C., this would not compensate
for the inconvenience attending va
riatiOn from the standard width, on
account of desired connections with
other ro DIS.
On mott n Of M. Mclean, Mr. L. R.
Waddell addressed the meeting; show
irg the advantages that would occur
to The farmers ot this section in the
economy of their stock, &c the road
would run through one of the most
level belts of couGtry in tn State, and
that it could be completed at about th-
cost required to Construct on mile of
railroad through the Blue Ridge. He
grew elequ, Mt IN the Prospective con-
temptation of the prosperity that wou d
visit this Sc ;tion if certain projects of
northern manufacturing companies to
utilize the water power Of the Cape
Fear by opening canals around
Smiley's Falls, nov carried INTO execu-
ton md dwelt upon the advantages
chat might, by conse quence, attend al
immediate connection witb that point,
-sugge>tlng. however tn t tie line
of road could be extended so as TO
open commune ton with Snford
Gc. ensb, TO, and other points.
o. motion, Mr. Mclean addressed
the meeting In an earn speech, re-
ferring the general advaat4 4ges that
would result frm the enterprise. He
called attention to the number OF
prominent CljlZenS III aCt enhance upon
'he meeting, as indicating ;he decided
aid general in crest felt by tn people
in the project; suggested, that since the
question Of he location of The Court
House o. Johns On had been settled,
the citizens of the country shouli
hopefully endeavor to buili UP and
in prove the county seat; and cOnclut-
ed by warm appeal to the citizens OF
Johnston anf Harn=tt 10 take imme-
date ep to S cur by subscription
the amount of capital stock reduisite
to the Organiz atom of the Compiny.
Mr.. K. W. POu was then invited to
address the meeting. anu spoke very
earnestly in vavor of The road, M
pu ing that the value Of lands would
ue increased 30 per cent. for bread h
OF 20 or 80 mi eS N he line OF the Dad.
He evideD6y I'M ant business" and
very aptly Illustrated he advance of
public opiulon in the country, and the
increase of the industrial spirit amo1g
the people, bv contrasting the present
enthusiasm, With the narrow mind of
the half civilized ind vidual. who.
when an eugineer applied 10 him fol
nights IolgIng few years ago, re-
o d that no railroad tempter Of |
should rJost under his |
shingle -
Aft-r sever plans had been dis !