The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1881-04-01
Sho- .oriSiu, Condition and Prospects Of the
Columbia and Lexington Water
Power ComDany.


people of the State the subjoined statement Of
the origin Of the Columbia Canal Commission,
and Of the manner in which the rights and
franchises Of Messrs. Thompson & Nagc become
the property of the company now organizing
The Executive Committee also describe the plan
OF operations, and makes n rough estimate of
the probable income of the company. There is
ample margin, as will be seen, and the sale OF
water-power can be relied on to add enormously
to the revenue Of the concern. We commend
the clear AMI convincing statement of the Exec
utive committee to the favorable consideration of
all South Carolinians:
COLUMBIA, s. c., March %, 1881.
To the Editor Of The New, and Courier -
The movement recently inaugurated for the de-
relopmcnt Of the Columbia Canal" and the
definite shape which this enterprise has assumed,
renders brief statement Of the facts touching
this great work of public interest.
The Development of the water power at Co
lunbia has long been the dream of our people,
and as early as 1868 it was hoped that this
work would prove successful in the hands of the
Messrs. Sprague, the great manufacturers of
Rhode Island. This, however, in consequence
of their misfortune. failed.
Again in 1878, when the property had passed
into the hand. of the Canal Commission, the
hope was revived, and few citizens of this
place, to breathe new life into it, contributed
and secured the services Of Mr.. Holly, prom-
nent Hydraulic Engineer of Rochester, ~ y,
90 make surveys of the river, aud report the
most practicable mode Of development it then
being expected that the work had to be accom-
plishcd by home enterprise.
Mr.. Holly had been engaged in this work
about three IN lnths and had made very salts
factory progress, when Mr.. Thompson of the
firm of Thompson & Nagc, engineers of Provi
dcncc, X. L., on Il tour OF inspection through The
South. attracted by the natural advantages OF
this place and the surprising wonders OF the
"water power sought the Canal Commission"
aud ut once opened negotiations for its develop
mcnt upon plan which would render il, rs hc
has always expected it, "thc greatest work upon
this continent" In this MIR. Thompson con.
temp!atcd combining the powers of two rivers
the Broad and Saluda. by first dammng and
utilizing the waters of the Cungarcc upon the
line of that river and in time the waters Of both
the Broad and Ssluda, by different system of
dams and canals and thus realizing no less than
thirty thousand horse power. all OF which could
DO utilized within mile Of the presen, limits Of
the City of Columbia.
To accom- pish tho work az then proposed by
Mr.. Thompson required very large capital,
which he seemed confident could bc raised North;
and to have the power developed upon this
grand scale, by which one million ani a half of
dollars would be brought amongst us, those who
hal taken the initiative consented to abandon
their modest purpose rs 1t then progressed un-
der Mr.. Holly and to bend their efforts to Sc
cure from the Legislature the necessary rights
and privileges required hy the plan of Mr.. Thorn
ISon.
To this end petition signed by the citizens
Of oumha was presented to the Legislature OF
1879, asking the passage OF an Act authorizing
the Canal Commls sion to dispose of the water
power and property of the State, known as the
Columbia Canal. to MesSrs. Thompson X Naglc
On certain terms and conditions The Act
passed, authorizing the conveyance, AMI vcsting
in n la
rights and franchises, including the labor of
two hundred anl fifty convicts for the period of
three years nnd on the tenth day of February.
1880 the iiEul contract was entered into bet wccn
the Canal Commission AMI Mcssrs. Thompson Il
Naglc. BY this contract the entire property Of
the State known "a the Columbia Canal. was
conveyed to Messrs. Thompson II Nayle. togcth
or with the use of two hundred and fifty CON
victs for three years, AMI the rgh. 10 improve
said water power by th" construction ut dam
dams across the Eongarcc or Broad Rivers :;
and, in consideration OF these valuable rights
and franchises, Mcssrs. Thompson X Naglc were
required to develop H. 900 horse power ofwatcr
power, upon the Canal at GcrvaS street, and
have in operation one cotton mill of ut least Iii,
600 spindlcs, within three years from the date of
said contract.
MIR. Thompson regarded this most valuable
franchise. rs in reality it was, and commence |
his great enterprise with most elaborate Pros
expense Of both time and money. This work
can now he seen at the office of the "Culumhia
AMI Lexington Water Power Company" AMI
affords an earnest Of both ability and sin
ccrty.
Aiicr one yc,r's constant work in behalf of
his enterprise Nr. Thompson fhilcl to interest
Northern capital rs he had hoped. Confident,
however that his failure to he aitrihutcl
solely to the political excitement growing out Of
the Presidential campaign, and still hopeful of
his ability to bring capital with him, Mr..
Thompson asked of our last Legislature an cX-
tcntion of the time within which they were re-.
qurei to complete their work and it was NOT
until he had failed in this cttp,t that he nhan.
donci the hope of carrying ont the work rs
originally contemplated
1t was then that he modified his plans 50 as
to bring them within the means of This commu-
nifty. and rs thus modified he presents them for
our use and consideration.
As now proposed il is II grand conception
surprising anything of tie kind u!on this con
tinent, and susceptible of extensions even as
originally planned, when the means of our pco.
pie shall admit
Mr. THOMPSON rcturncl to Columbia about the
10th of the present month, for the purpose of
submitting his plans to the people Of the State.
On the evening of the l1ih inst. his plans
we've considered 10y a few of the citizens OF Go.
lambda. called together at his request. This re-
suited in temporary organization of those
resolved to forward the work, by whom the ne.
ceSsnry committees were appointed. Terms
were rcaiili agreed upon. by which McSSrs.
Thompson & Nagc have contracted to transfer TO
n company now to hc organized their rights.
privileges AMI franchises obtained under the
Act Of the Legislature, and their contract with
the Canal Commission ; and within week
the committees find themselves prepared to open
books for subscription TO the capital stock Of the
company.
Time not permitting the delay incident 10
Incorporation by an Act of tho Legislature.
these gentlemen have applied for a charter un-
der the general laws Of tho state. and aS thus
inc ,rrorated will take assignment Of the
rights and franchises acquired hy Mcssrs.
Thompson Il Naglo. under the Act Of tho l.ugis-
lature which i. amp.c in nl its provisions.