The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1883-07-26
Some of the IReasons.

There is not a railroad directly
connecting the northwest with the
southeast. Freight from St. Louis
or Chicago to Savannah must take
a zigzag course and is subject to
the cost Of reshipments and must
pay for a long, circuitous route.
The increasing industries at the
southeast demand a direct outlet to
the northwest. The line that a
road must take to be direct passes
through rich sections, iron beds
and ore banks, where no railroads
now exist, and the building of it
not only connects the two great sec
tons, but develops the intermediate
country. This great, direct con-
Meeting scheme is the most impor-
tant line in contemplation to-day.
Every other section has direct con-
nection in all directions. Trunk
lines have reached out in all direc-
tions, crossing and recrossing, span
ming distance by shortest routes be-
tween all important points, and this
northwest direction alone
lacks building. These are the NOV
ing considerations that have awak-
ened railroad men to the scheme.
The lines converge from st. Louis,
Chicago and elsewhere northwest at
Cairo, ILL.,, and then a direct shoot
is made for Savannah Ga. 1t trav
erses the fine agricultural regions of
southwest Kentucky and West Ten
nessee, strikes the Tennessee at
Clifton, plows through the iron beds
of the river section, passing through
Pulaski to Huntsville and thence
through the coal regions of North
Alabama, sweeps across Georgia's
manufacturing belt into the port of
Savannah. The Cincinnati road
will meet somewhere in Lincoln
county, perhaps, and the line from
the Wayne iron beds to the Cum
berland coal fields will be direct and
Pulaski will lie midway between.
Coal and ore will meet upon this
middle ground to be fused into iron
because here the iron will have the
advantage of competing lines in all
directions and can find a market
anywhere at smallest freight rates.
These are the possibilities for Pu-
laski in a manufacturing way, put
what will be the 0ctu0kities? We
come down from speculation to fig
ures, and if necessary could show
that the difference in freight even
non would pay almost the first year
for grading the road through Giles.
Then add the increase in produc-
tions and developments that would
follow these increased facilities and
low rates, and we could mass sum
that would astonish with it's immen-
sity. Does the reader suppose that
this road will be built through Pu-
laski? Not unless we invite it and
help build it. There is a cheap
er but less direct route. They pre-
fer this and if we make up the diff
ference they will come here. This
is not all speculation.
LETTER FROM MAI. SYKES.
DEAR SIR:-I have read your ar
ticle on railroads with much pleas
ure. l wish the Huntsville and
Fayetteville papers would copy. l
have sent it to a leading man in
Huntsville. These roads can be
built if the people will take interest.
Let committee be sent to confer
with Paramore and Philips and the
boards of directors and make ar
with them. 1 am going
to bring the matter before the
Huntsville people and ask them to
take action. One man each from
Pulaski, Huntsville and Tullahoma
should be sent. Now is the golden
opportunity. If 1 should succeed
in establishing journal at Mont
gomery l can aid you very much.
If all the other papers will take it
up in the same spirit and with the
same ability you have done, the
road would soon be built.
We must press this matter. 1t is a
grand scheme and it is feasible
one, if proper efforts should be used.
w. j. SYKES.