Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-02-16
The New Southern Air Line to Florida
from Millen via St. Mary's, Ga, to
jacksonville, Fla

Correspondence Of the Morning -NelCs.
ST. MABY's. Feb. BIN connection with
the new combinations now looming up in our
railroad world, it appears to the writer that
few routes command themselves more to the
good sense Of the general public. in and to
our Georgia systems in particular, than the
new Air Line, as it is being properly desig-
mated, from Jacksonville, Fla, via Jesup
and MIlen. Ga, north. We have taken some
pains to inform ourselves accurately as to
the merits Of this route from railroad men
connected with prominent lines, aud find the
result to be as follows:
Excellent railway facilities exist at. and
from. MIllen. ga, going north. east or west;
but between Millen and Jesup lies a vast nm
railroaded country probably $50 by 200 miles
IN extent, vet possessing splendid tracts
wanting Development. either as an agricul-
tural, pastoral or yellow pine section.
Through this would run the first section
of the new road. The second embraces that
from Jesup, almost -due south. TO st. Mary's,
the southernmost port in Georgia, at which
point an excellent crossing has been located
ON the st. Mary's river. and from whence to
Hart's Road. Fla, Is a distance of only some
i've or sIN miles. At Hart's Road this new
route would be placed IN direct cOmmuni-
cation with Jacksonville and all points south,
as well as with the port of kcrnandina. Fla.
only few miles TO the east Of Harris ROad)
Now, as to the most important factor in cal
culating the probable success of this line. The
holders of this key route 10 Florida viii be
able to announce saving of from six to seven
hours over any other route from the Eastern
or Northern states, and on account of the
geographical position Of the Hne-One that
cannot at any subsequent time be Outhanked
by any other system.
Again. the construction of this line from
Mlllen TO Jesup, and from Jesup via ST.
Mary's to Hart's Road, will cost less than any
other of like length In the South, the grading
being quite insignificant, being little bridging
or tresthng en- route. while the material
for both the latter operations is found ready
TO hand along the whole line, of the finest
quality and in the greatest abundance.
\ glance at any of our good maps sh ,ws
the route from Millen. Ga. to Hart's road, or
Jacksonville. Fla, TO Ne almost a bee line. As
we are informed, the charter for
the line from Jesup to ST. Mary's has
been already obtained. and the charter
parties willing to enter into the combination
on the most favorable terms, while the Town
Council of st. Mary's have in addition indi-
Gated their Willingness TO donate a liberal
portion of the corporation lands. which will
afford ample room for machine shops ware
houses. etc, with splendid water fronts in
connection with their river 'front.' etc. When
10 Is remembered that st. Mary's has been
selected as the Atlantic terminus Of the Flor
ida and Georgia barge canal funds for the
construction Of which have been formed, and
contractors from London are now actually
seeking powers to commence that great work.,
the value of such donations. in such a favored
locality, will become at once apparent. and
" doubt not, and at no distant day, induce
the establishment Of a line of steamers to our
Northern ports modelled on, because they
could hardly surpass the splendid service be-
tween savannah aud the North In fact
there Is no reason why our own .sGeOrgia
Central" of which our State is justly proud,
and which has already connections at Milen,
east. west and north, should not complete its
admirable system by extending it over the
/ route indicated. And while. by so doing
the Air Line secure not only the
key route into Florida, but also, at st. Mary's
one OF the most valuable shipping ports for
/ the southern portions of our state as well
as one OF the most conveniently situated for
the State of Florida
NEW ROUTE TO THE SOUTH