Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-08-20
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer
LETTER FROM CHESTER

CHESTER, August 1.-THE Lee Light In
fantry lately received from the Governor q
supply of new guns of an improved char
acter. The gun was manufactured in Spring
field, Illinois, and is the same kind that
soldiers of the United States Army are arm
ed with. In addition to the guns which the
Lees are greatly pleased with, the Govern
or sent a supply of new equipments. The
cartridge box especially is "thing of beau
ty." The old guns and equipments Will be
returned to the Governor.
In answer to call of some citizens of the
neighborhood of Mount Zion Church, near
the Chester and Fairfield line large num-
ber of citizens assembled last Tuesday to
discuss the proposed railroad route from
Camden to Chester, and through to the
North Carolina line. This railroad, if built,
will cross Chester county diagonally from the
southeastern corner through to the north
eastern corner, and 40 or so miles thereof
will be within the county. The railroad
was the absorbing theme of the day. Old
man and young, maiden and lass, husband
and wife-all with one consent talked rail-
road. A few opposed and an overWhelm-
ing majority in favor. Some advocated,
''let those who wanted the railroad build
j." others were for taxation. The meet
ing was called to order by Capt. w. S.
Hall, the chairman. Rev. Mr.. Cartlege
opened with prayer, invoking the divine
presence and blessing upon the enterprise
which was now to engage the attention OF
the assemblage, and prayed that it might
prove Il success and promotive OF good.
J. X Henry, Esq, was then introduced.
He spoke of the political benefits to our
government accruing from transportation
facilities as an element of the strength and
durability of our Republican government.
The government, in aiding the construc-
tion of railroads was preserving a wise pol
icy. The Roman republic pursued the same
policy. 1t was nothing new for govern
ments to assist in great public works. 1t
was the policy of the United States gov
ernment, and of our own State. He proved
by the sworn returns from the auditors
books, Chester county, by comparing town.
ships with railroad facilities and those with
out, the enormous enhancement of the val
ue of real estate, and the increased amount
of personal property. That lands in Lands
per cent. within five years from the compile
tion of the Chester and Cheraw Railroad.
He brought to the attention of the farmers
the benefits of railroads by showing from
statistics that to bring 4 market for cotton
five miles nearer the cotton-feld would
save enough expense in the two items OF
guano and cotton to pay railroad tax of 81
mills on three horse farm. Mr.. Henry
answered many of the objections to rail-
roads, and their construction by taxation,
and closed his forcible remarks by saying
that the roar of the Catawba Falls (near the
place of meeting) was voice of condemna-
tion Of the lack of enterprise of the people:
Major Julius Mills was next introduced
and in good speech of three-quarters of an
hour spoke of the line and course of the pro-
posed Railroad, and the different points it
would touch. He showed the danger of al
lowing this opportunity to cooperate with
the Massachusetts, Construction Company
to pass without embracing it. He said that
if railroad was now constructed opening
new route to the great Northwest, and
that line did not run the proposed way,
that portion of the country would ever re-
main without railroad.
Col. j. D. Blanding, President of the
Georgetown and n. G.. Narrow Gauge Rail
road, arrived upon the ground while the
meeting was in session. He was welcomed,
brought forward and introduced. He first
paid his respects to the ladies in some very
appropriate pleasantries, and with reluc-