Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-07-02
The Murkrille enquirer,
YORKVHLLE. 8. G.. A:
THURSDAY MORNING. JULY 2, 1885,
RAILROAD SURVEY.

| On Wednesday of last week, Capt. y. A.
Ramsour, engineer in charge of surveys for
proposed railroad between Marion, N.
c., and Georgetown or Charleston in this
State, to be built by the Massachusetts and
Southern Construction Company" complet-
ed a survey from Hickory Grove, in the
western part of the county, to this place.
This survey crosses Bullock's Creek at
Blacks Ford, near the residence of Mr.. John
A. Byers, and thence by Walnut Grove
Church, about half mile north of Sharon
Church, passing on the south side of "Lo-
Gust Hill" and crossing to the north side OF
the Howell's Ferry road, in the vicinity OF
Mr.. 4. F. Loves residence; running thence
along the ridge about two miles, to the resi-
dence of Mr.. WI. Stephenson, crossing there
to the south side of the road and running
nearly parallel with the HoWell's Ferry road
and crossing Turkey Creek about one-fourth
of a mile south of Herndon's mill; continu-
ing on the south side Of Howell's Ferry
road to a point about half mile west OF
the Court House, near the house of Aaron
Moore; thence across to Madison street, en-
tering that street near the residence of Mr..
Barber, and continuing along Madison to
the crossing of the street by the Chester and
Lenoir Railroad, near the A. R. P. Church.
The distance from Hickory Grove to York
vile by this survey is 13 10 miles.
After reaching this place, the surveying
party left for Shelby, n. c., for the pur-
pose of of running line between that town
and Rutherfordton.
AS our readers are aware, it is under di-
rection of this company that several surveys
have recently been made through this Sec
ton, one from Gaffney City to Chester. AS
we understand the purposes ofthe company,
and the provisions of their charters in North
and South Carolina, they are restricted to
no specific route, but in the location of their
road will be governed by the line along
which the people offer the greatest induce
ment, Typographical conditions and estimat-
ed amount of traffic on the route also being
considered. The line via Yorkville con-
templates Rock Hill and Lancaster on the
route.
AS to the intentions and the good faith of
the Massachusetts and Southern Construc-
ton Company, we make the following ex-
tract from the proceedings of conference
of delegates representing different sections
interested in the road, held at Blacks on
the 10th ultimo:
After several delegates had spoken COM
mittee was appointed to invite Mr.. A. A.
Urquhardt, the agent Of the Massachusetts
and Southern Construction Company, and
Capt. Ramsour, its engineer, to address, the
conference. In a few moments these gen.
tlemen appeared. Mr.. Urquhardt said that
he did not care to make an address but
would answer, as far as he could, any ques-
tions that might be propounded.
In response to number of inquiries from
various gentlemen, Mr.. Urquhardt said
that two of the leading capitalists of the
company were Mr.. Chas. Whittier, owner
of the Whittier Steel Works, of Boston, a
large holder Of Bell Telephone Stock and
acting president of the Construction Com
pany, and Mr.. +. Howard, the treasurer,
who was bank president
The company was absolutely sound finan-
cially, and had millions of dollars back of it.
The original route was from Cincinnati and
Chicago to Charleston and Georgetown. Its
construction was to be under four charters,
the Georgetown and North Carolina Mar
row Gauge Company's, with its amend
ments to permit broad gauge, the Ruther-
ford Construction COmpany's, the Ruther-
ford, Marion and Tennessee Company's,
and the Union, Gaffney City and Ruther-
ford Company's. Two points had been
definitely settled upon, RutherfordtOn and
Marion. The contracts with RuthertorltOn
and Marion would be kept in good faith.
The route to Gaffney City had been consid-
cred probable, but could be changed. From
Gaffney City to Chester, the route had
proved heavier than had been anticipated
hence another had been suggested. The
company would adopt that route that pre-
sented the most commercial advantages and
offered the greatest assistance in the build
ing of the road.
The company was after through line to
carry the trade between West and the West
Indies, which was enormous, employing
two steamer and seven packet lines from
New York, besides lines from Baltimore
perishable commodities which now could
Scarcely be taken to the West at all. Asid
from the settled points, the line that offered
most inducements would secure the benefits
of the road, about whose construction there
was not a possibility of doubt.
He would advise early action upon the
part of the communities interested, al
though he could not guarantee that any par
ticular points would get the road. The
company does not care for promises. 1t
wants something definite. Grading would
first begin at Rutherfordton to either Gaffney
City or Shelby. Any propositions should
be made to Col. R. A. Johnson, supern-
tendent Of the road AS to the financial
condition of the company Mr.. Whittier or
Mr.. Howard could be communicated with.
Capt. Ramsour, the chief engineer, was
then called. He said there would be little
difference between the cost of the road via
Gaffney City or via Shelby. Hickory Grove
had been the common point Of the surveys
already made. Three or four miles from
there the survey being made had diverged
in the direction of Shelby. The company
had begun the work on October and had
shown no disposition to hurry the work, but
seemed to want all the information possible.
All expenses had been promptly met. Over
$4,000 had already been spent. A line had
been run from Blacks to Chester and anoth-
er would be run from Blacks to Yorkville.
The speaker would advise all the gentle
men present to take steps to secure the
road, as it would be one of greatest trunk
lines in the country.
Such are the representations of members
of the company or those in their service,
which we place before our readers for their
information and guidance.