The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1881-04-01
Has Origin, Condition and PROSPECTS Of the
columbia and Lexington Wstsr.
Iower Company.

f'eAingtou Water-Power Company submit to the
people OF the State the subjoined statement Of
the origin of the Columbia Canal Commission,
ana OF the manner in which the rights aud
franchises Of Messrs. Thompson & Nagle become
the property Of the company now organizing
The Executive Committee also describe the plan
OF operations. and makes o rough estimate of
the probable income OF the company. There is
ample margin, rs 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 ani convincing stotement OF the Exec !
ut,ve committee TO the favorable consideration Of
oil South Carolinians: |
COLUMBIA, 8. c., March %, 1881.
To the Editor Of The Nsrs and Courier - |
The movement recently inaugurated for the de- |
velopment Of the "Columbis 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 leland. This, however, in consequence |
of their misfortune, failed.
Again in 1873, when the property had passed |
into the hands 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, promi- |
nent Hydraulic Engineer Of Rochester, N. Y,
most practicable mode of development; it then
aei.g expected that the work had to be accom-
plished by home enterprise.
Mr.. Holly had been engaged in this work
about three months, and, had made very salts
factory progress, when Mr. Thompson Of the
firm Of Thompson s Nagle, engineers Of Provi
dence, X. L., on 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"
md nj t.ak.& e. 4
ment upon plan which would render it, as lie
has always expected it, "thc great est work upon
this continent" In this MIR. Thompson con-
templated combining the powers Of two rivers,
the Broad and Saluda. by first damming and
utilizing the waters of the Congaree upon the
line of that river. and in time the waters of both
the Broad aud Saiuda, 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 present limits of
the City of Columbia.
Ts accomplish the work as then proposed by
Mr.. Thompson required very large capital
which he seemed confident could be raised North;
and to have the power developed upon this
grand scale, by which one million and half of
dollars would be brought amongst us, those who
had taken the initiative consented to abandon
their modest purpose as it then progressed un-
der Mr.. Holly, and to bend their efforts to Sc
cure from the Legislature the necessary rights
and privileges required by the plau of Mr.. Thorn.
pson.
To this end petition signed by the citizens
of columbia was presented to the Legislature Of
1879, asking the passage Of au Act authorizing
the Canal Commission to dispose Of the water
power and property Of the State, known as the
Columbia Canal. to Messrs. Thompson s. Nnge
On certain terms and conditions. The Act
passed, authorizing the conveyance, and vesting
in Messrs. Thompson s. Nagle very valuable
rights and franchises, including the labor of
two hundred and fifty convicts for the period of
three years and on the tenth day of February,
1880, the final contract was entered into bet ween
the Canal Commission and Messrs. Thompson &
Nagle. BY this contract the entire property of
the State, known the Columbia Canal, was
conveyed to Messrs. Thompson s. Nagle. togeth
er with the use Of two hundred and fifty con.
victs for three years, and the righ. to improve
said water power by the construction of n dam
or dams across the Congaree or Broad Rivers
and, in consideration Of these valuable rights
and franchises, Messrs. Thompson s. Nagle were
required to develop Is, 900 horse power ofwater
power, upon the Canal at Gcrvais street, and
have in operation one cotton mill of at least l6-
600 spindles, within three years from the date Of
said contract.
Mr.. Thompson regarded this q most valuable
franchise. as in reality it was, and commenced
his great enterprise with a most elaborate Pros
pectus Of their proposed work. prepared at great
expense OF both time and money. This work
can now be seen at the Office of the Columbia
and Lexington Water Power Company" and
affords an earnest of both ability and sin
cerity.
After one years constant work in behalf of
his enterprise Mr. Thompson failed to interest
Northern capital as he had hoped. Confident,
however, that his failure to be attributed
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 ex-
tenton Of the time within which they were re-
quired to complete their work and it was moi
until he had failed in this effort that he aban-
doned the hope Of carrying out the work as
originally contemplated.
1t was then that he modified his plans so rs
to bring them within the means Of this commu-
nifty. and as thus modified he presents them for
our use and consideration.
AS now proposed it is grand conception
surprising anything of the kind upon this con-
tinent, and susceptible of extensions even as
originally planned, when the means of our peo-
pie shall admit.
Mr.. Thompson returned 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 l7th inst, his plans
we've considered by few Of the citizens of Co.
lambda. called together at his request. This re-
suited in @ temporary organization of those
resolved to forward the work. by whom the me-
cessary committees were appointed. Terms
we're readily agreed upon, by which Messrs.
Thompson Nsgle have contracted TO transfer to
company now 10 90 organized their rights,
privileges and franchises obtained under the
Act Of the Legislature, and their contract with
tue 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 the Legislature.
these gentlemen have applied for charter un.
der the general laws of the state, and as thus
incorporated will take an assignment Of tho
rights and franchises acquired by Messrs.
Thorn pson & Naglo under the Act of the Lepls-