Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-18
Construction az Ihe Cos, of 1000 Lives.


New Orleans Times Democrat
The Racket reporter last evening had the
pleasure of meeting Col. q Jorge III Halle
hurs, who, thirty years ago, was one of the
projectors. and also the chief-sngineer, of
the "Big j." road, and who at one time was
its general manager. In conversation with
with Col. Hszlehurst some very interesting
and readable facts we're elected concerning
the early history of the road. He stated
that the line should have always belonged
to New Orleans, for The reason that il was
projected and finally built through the en-
terprise OF the people OF Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi The city OF New Orleans furnished
$4,000, 900 for the construction OF the road,
and quite large cum was subscribed by
Col. Robb, who at that time was the presi-
dent OF bank in this city, and TO whom
much credit is due for the SUCCESS of the en-
terprise.
at is we'll enough" said Col. Hszehprst,
"ior the officials OF the Illinois Central road
TO glorify themselves by saying that they
have made
A FIRsT-oLAss ROAD OUT OF WRECK,
but the credit oil the Big j. being what it is
to-day is due TO the men who built he road
years ago. / am glad to know that the 'Det-
termenls' on the road came out of its earn
ings, and were not paid for by the Illinois
Central. The big j. was always good
piece OF property, and was az good a road
when il was first built as it is now, taking
into consideration the TACT that many appIi-
ances now in use wers unknown at that time.
Why, the 6rst thing we did was TO put on a
20-mile schedule, and the track was such
that trains could have been run at the rate
of 30 miles an hour with perfect slfety had
it been necessary. When the war came on
the road, OF course, went down, and at the
cessation OF hostilties il passed into the
hands Of Northern capitalists, instead Of re-
MAMMA. under the control OF New Orleans'a
interests"
The construction Of the ''Big j." com
menced in 1858, and during the terrible cpl
demic of that yesr, the most terrible New
Orleans has ever known, 5000 men, each re-
ceving IS per day, We're employed in build
ing the road through the swamp between
Kenner aud Penchaiouli. To build the road
through the swamp that summer
COST THE LIVES OF 1000 MEN,
who died out on the work with yellow. fever
The marshy condition of the swamp did mol
admit OF proper interment, snd so fast die
they die that many bodies were thrown int
the bayons and lakes, end in some case
were covered with cross lies.
In locating the line from Pass Manch &C Il
Ponchatoula, over what is now known a
Shaking Prairie" Col Hazlehurst did hi
work in slushy mud aod water that reached
up 10 his arm-piis 1t took him who'll
day to wade and splash along from Man
chac 10 the high grounds Just south Of Pou
chatula. Col. Hazlehurst now speaks Of tn
trip on that occasion as the hardest piece o
work he ever did in his life. At the tim
the survey of The line was made but fey
houses could have been seen on the Who'll
route from Kenuer to Jrckson, Miss.
The town Of Hazlehurst, which rank
among the cotton-sbippipg points on th
"Big j." and which has grown rapidly sinc
the war, was named in honor Of Col. HszlG
hurst,