Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-08-30
COAL AND IRON.
Another Route from MemphisAto Bir.
mingham, from Corinth on the Mem
phis and Charleston Road,
Running Through a Rich Agricultural
Country and Through the Great
Mineral Region of Alabama.

Several days ago the APPEAL published
an interview with Mr.. William NJ. Earring
ton concerning the action OF the stock hold
ers' meeting of the Memphis and Charleston
railroad at Huntsville, from whom it was
learned that there was a possibility OF
branch road being built from Florence,
Ala, TO connect with the Charleston road al
come point on its line. Yesterday, learning
that Colonel Josiah Patterson was at home,
a reporter called upon him to learn what he
knew about the proposed branch and the
probability of its being built. Mr.. Patterson
reviewed the action OF the stockholders
meeting at some length, the main points OF
which were covered in the previous inter-
view, and in answer 10 inquiries concerning
the proposed branch road said:
"The subject of branch road was very
fully discussed at the Huntsville meeting,
and was favored by the great majority Of the
stockholders. The subject of Florence
branch, or, more properly speaking, road
running from Evansville, Ind, by way Of
Tuscaloosa, to Florence, and known by that
name, was mentioned. But there was an
other proposition that seemed to meet with
more favor"
"And what was that~
"That was a branch road from Corinth,
Miss to Birmingham, Ala. This appeared
to be the favorite scheme. The distance be-
tween the two places is about $50 miles, and
runs through the best coal and iron fields of
North Alabama. Then, too, it is not an ex-
pensive route. believe il can be built for
$4,000 per mile, which would make the
cost of the road s., 100000. charter has
been secured for this road by Sam Tate, jr,
and he thinks he will have no trouble what
ever in raising the money to build it. The
scheme is this: To build the road from Bir-
miDgham to Corinth, and thence, by way OF
the Memphis and Charleston, to Memphis,
there TO conn sct with the Memphis and Kan
sss City road, now rapidly approaching COM
pletion. The distance from Memphis 10
Birmingha IN is only about 100 miles, so that
the coal and iron from Birmingham could be
landed in Memphis in short time,
On the other hand, the grain and
other Western products could be
carried to Birmingham, and from there dis
tributed throughout Alabama, Georgia and
Florida. Thus, you see, there would always
be an abund ance of traffic both ways. This
was the road most favored, as l told you be-
fore. Colonel Colyar stated that it was far
superior to the Evansville and Florence
route, both on account OF its shortness and
because of the better country through which
it runs. You will zee yourself that it is per-
fectly feasible, and l think it is the very best
line that could possibly be built"
"Then you can state positively that such
road will be built, Colonel?"
81 have no doubt of ii. / am confident
that the road will be built, if not by the
Memphis and Charleston people, by friends
of theirs, and that the two roads will be
worked together. The men who are behind
it are experienced railroad men and>have
the matter very much at heart, and az they
can easily raise the money there is no reason
that 1 know of why it should not be DONE"
The reporter not being able 10 think of any
further questions to ask, and Colonel Patter-
fon showing signs of wearines, the interview
terminated and the young man withdrew.