The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-05-12
Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of til,
A. s. T. Il. v. r. II. Company.
BELroN. ANnERsoN Co., MaY 5, 1SSl.


Annual Meeting of tile Stockholders of tho
A. & +. i. v. r. II. Company.
BELroN, ANDERSON Co., May 5, 1881.
The meeting was called to order by Prcsi-
dent r. +. Bowen, who read his report oil
the management of the Road during his
term Of office, which was as follows:
Thirteen months ago we commenced grad
ing our Road near Easley toward Pickens,
with Al convicts; 6 Of the so obtained, be-
ing worthless, were returned to the Peni-
Tertiary. | had had no experience whatever
in railroad grading. therefore gave it up
to the Chief Engineer and General Superin-
tendent and oversecr to manage the work
and hands, and am glad to say that the
work has, I think, given general satisfac-
tion. The work thus far has in 10 instance
exceeded the Engineers estimate, notwith-
standing the strong opposition, and many
obstacles we have had to contend with.
Some landowners refused us the right of
way, and some subscribers have been slow
necessarily greater than our income. The
Directors, however, authorized the Treas
urcr and myself to raise some money on
the faith of the subscribers paying up in
| full when their last installment was due,
which We did, and were thereby enabled to
purchase our supplies and goods generally
at wholesale cash prices, which was great
saving.
When we determined to 60 to work, had
no thought of any opposition, but on the
contrary expected almost every one that
was able to aid us to some extent in this
great enterprise. But We have been met on
some occasions, 1 am sorry to say, with
strong and obstinate opposition but when
am as firmly fixed i'll my opinion that an
enterprise like this is for the public good:
and that the future welfare. and prosperity
| of our counties, as well us our State, de-
| pends in great measure upon the success
of it, 1 never swcrve from what conceive
to be my whole duty, the opinions of others
| to the contrary Notwithstanding.
When our funds in Pickens were about
exhausted, and there was no immediate
prospect Of raising more, we set about to
move to Anderson, but the extreme cold
and snowy weather kept us back one
month too long. Consequently, we would
have some small debts in Pickens if all the
subscribers were to pay up in full. We
graded 81 miles between Easley and PicEens
c. H., leaving II miles unfinished. We
have also graded i lilo miles in Anderson.
The health of the convicts has been remark
ably good-only one death, caused by ty-
phoid pneumonia. Through the kindness
Of landowners, at our camp we were given!
lands enough to make all abundance OF
vegetables last year; and the Superinten-
dent looked closely after the cleanliness of
the camp as we'll as the clothes and persons
of the men, which think accounts for their
good health.
1 think the prospect of on early compile.
ton of our Road is better than at any time
heretofore. Our charter has been amended,
extending our line from Belton to Trickem,
in Abbeville, with the privilege of extend
ing the same to Aiken AbbeYille has sub
scribed literally, and will 60 to work soon
also granted a charter at the recent session
of the Legislature from Asheville to Easta-
toe Gap, via Brevard. The charter, am
told, is quite liberal in its provisions, giving
them an equal chance for convicts with any
other road in which the State is not directly
interested. It also gives them the right OF
taxation by towns, townships or counties,
and no doubt they will commence work
soon.
As to the advantages Of our line over that
Of any other, they are many. feel certain
that the link between Morristown, Tenn,
and Livingston, KY, distance of 81 miles,
will be built and the road from Morristown
will soon becompleted through to Asheville.
The advantages have been fully set forth by
a committee appointed at meeting OF the
citizens of Morristown and vicinity in May,
1880. giving the grades, distances, &c, show
ing conclusively the shortest, best and cheap
est route from Louisville via Cumberland
Gap, Morristown and French Broad Valley
to Asheville. From Asheville up the French
Broad Valley to its head, through as fine
farming valley as can be found anywhere,
to say nothing of its minerals, fine water
powers, timbers, and its magnificent scene
ry, passing through the Estatoe Gap with
out q tunnel at the dividing waters of the
Saluda and keowee and following the di-
viding ridge as nearly as possible via Pick
ems to Easley, on the Air Line Railroad, a |
distance of about 72 miles, thence via Will
liamston to Bolton, on the c. g. G. r. r., a
distance of 25 miles, thence via Due West
and Abbeville to Trickem, on the G. g.
A. R. R., q distance of 46 miles, making |
the whole line from Asheville to Trickem
about 142 miles; and thence following the
same ridge via Edgefeld to Pine House, on
on the S. G. R. r.; Ia miles, making direct
Poyal, Charleston and Columbia.
The great advantages this line has over
all others is the easy grade across the noun
tains, with but few bridges, trestles, and
culyerts-in fact there are none of any mag
nitude. I therefore fully believe, and
think all who know the geography of the
country over which our Road is to be built |
will agree with me, that it can be graded,
equipped and kept up 25 per cent. cheaper
than any other line, or proposed line, OF
road of the same distance in our State. |
And believe the time has come when the
completion of this Road is necessity, and |
the people along this proposed line are able |
to build itand operate it, and if they will do |
it it will be the peoples ad; if not, capi-
talists will build it and make us pay for it.
I have served you as your President for |
two years. I have done my duty honestly
and faithfully-at least to the best of my
ability. If have erred, it has been an
have tried to do as much work as possible
with as little money as possible; and in
conclusion, you will please accept my
thanks for the honor that you have done
me In making me your President for two
years. But if it should be your wish to
make ne your President the third time, /
would be compelled to decline on account
of my own business requiring my whole
time. Besides, feel sure that we have men
who have had more experience in railroad
ing, and will be more able to conduct the
affairs Of the Company than I have been
able to do. R. E. Bowen.
President A. {; F. B. V. R. R. Co.
At the conclusion of his report the Presi-
dent announced the meeting ready for bus
mess and vacated the chair.
COL J. S. Cothran, of Abbeville G. H., was
called to preside during the meeting.
A committee of six was appointed by the
chairman to verify all proxies, and report
the amount of stock represented. The fol-
lowing gentlemen composed the committee:
J. r. Gossett. ]. L. Thornley,, W. G. Brown,
H. I. Epting, l.. w. White, VIM. Hood.
The committee reported the following
number of shares represented, viz. Pick
ems c; H. lee9 Easey lyds4 1851 Williamson 5sG
Long Cane township 1881, Abbeville town.
ship $50, Cedar Springs township so, Bolton