Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-13
RAILROAD ECCENTRICrTIEs.
The People of Albany Suspicious Where
They We're Expectant.

The People of Albany Suspicious Where
They Were Expectant.
ALBANY, GA. June 1.-THE people of
ALBANY have been induced many times
during the past few years to clap their
hands in anticipation Of the extension of
the Brunswick and Western Railroad.
But with every citation came n cores
ponding depression, until suspicion has
taken the place of expectation. Now
when the question is agitated, the hereto
fore over sanguine hold their peace and
anxiously await developments. The road
has been built so often, and the adyan-
tages accruing TO Albany have been paint
ed so glowingly ON paper, that any
movement now is regarded with suspi-
cion.
When the road passed into the hands OF
the Granger syndicate everybody sup
posed that every obstacle had been re-
moved. And when Mr.. Wolfe went over
the road and expressed himself delighted
with the purchase, the average Albanian
imagined that success was just at hand.
But. like all other dreams, it vanished
into thin air, and for many months the
people did not know to whom this prop
ertv belonged. The only evidence that
there had been a change was that they
were instructed to write Brunswick and
Western instead of Brunswick and Alba
nv, as heretofore.
About a month or two ago change in
officers occurred, accompanied with a
change of schedule. This awakened a
new interest, and the eyes of the people
were turned in a new direction. The re-
port swept over the country that the Sa-
vannah. Florida and Western Railway
and the Central had leased the road, and
that it would never be carried farther
west. This was a sad disappointment to
many. The growth Of the city was doomed,
Notwithstanding its natural advantages
and its anticipated development. The old
charter was hunted up and its require
ments brought prominently to the con-
sideration Of the owners of the road, and
an onward movement demanded. Every
thing was wrapt in mystery. Once more
Flint river was TO be bridged, and the
| Chattahoochee must be crossed by a GER
| tain date, or certain chartered privileges
would be lost. The curious were anxious
to know how all this could be done, and
the citizens thought that the authorities
of the road would be compelled to go to
work at once.
This difficulty was at once relieved, and
the aIdor of the most sanguine put at rest
| The authorities of the Brunswick and
| Western made arrangements with the
| authorities of the Savannah. Florida and
| Western Railway to cross the Flint river
| on their bridge. So with just little cost
| this matter was amicably arranged and
/ the clamor hushed. But how about the
| other difficulty? 1t was as promptly met
| The charter did not specify at what point.
| or Just where the road was to cross the
| Chattahoochee. Hence this supposed
combination of the Central and Savan-
nah, Florida and Western suggested the
use of the Blakely extension. This would
! meet all requirements and secure all the
chartered rights. Another solution was
suggested: That the Southwestern Rail-
road bridge at Eufaula would meet every
demand. The public mind mad almost
settled down upon this arrangement OF
| the difficulties, when, 10! corps OF engl-
neers commenced surveying a route to
! the citv and locating a point for the cree
| ton of a bridge across the Flint. Some
/ thing had gone wrong. The whole ques-
/ ton was enveloped in mystery again.
learn the cause of the difficulty was
| that Mr.. Seligman, of New York, who has
| control of the Brunswick and Western
Railroad, had put his figures so high that
the other parties were compelled to de-
| cline further negotiations. This threw
the company back on its own resources,
/
| Mr., Wise, the Chief Engineer, located
| the route by which the Bruins
| wick and Western Road would
enter Albany, and located point at
| the front of North street for the erection
of an iron bridge, and the contract given
| to Wilkinson. Post & Co., who propose
to erect the bridge within the next two
months. Col. Tiff. it is said, who owns
| the land on both sides of the river, signed
/ ~ ~irraf
of way. This is the most definite action
vet taken, and consequently the people
are happy, but still their JOY is not un-
mixed with suspicion,
had conversation with Col. Nelson
/ Tiff, who assured me of the facts above
stated, and that he had no doubt but that
| the bridge would be built within the next
sixty-five days. He felt assured that the
| company was acting in good faith, and
that they would finish the road to Column
bus by the appointed time.
| The engineer corps has LETT for Column
| bus. where they will commence survey
/ of route this way. L was unable to an
| swer the question asked by one curious to
| know, why the engineer did not survey a
route from here to Columbus instead OF
! going all the way to Columbus to begin
| his work. 1t is understood that Messrs
| w. & 6. G. McLendon, of ThOmasyille.
have the contract of changing the present
route or line of road in order to reach the
/ city, three miles distant.
Notwithstanding all these demonstra-
tions. l find a good many who still doubt
as to the carrying out of these contracts.
They claim that the Central has too much
| interest at stake to let a rival corporation
tap so good a section as that lying be-
| tween here and Columbus, and that the
| movements of the present are only a mat.
ter of delay until other negotiations can
\ be inaugurated. What truth there is in
! all this | know not. We await further
developments, and should the question
assume any new phase, you may expect