The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-05-13

W. 5. LIGoN, Treas.
On motion of Col. L. B. Murray, the
following resolution was adopted:
ResOlrcd, That the Board of Directors of
the Savannah Valley Railroad be requested
to secure an Act Of the Legislature which
will require persons entitled to unfunded
Stock for taxes paid towards constructing
the road, to take up their Stock before the
next annual meeting, or forfeit the same to
the Company.
Mai 3. T. Whitner offered the following
preamble and resolutions commemorative
of the services of the late Col. James NJ.
Latincr, which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, Col. james NJ. Latimer was
the first to suggest and openly advocate
the revival of the Savannah Valley Rail-
road The old corporation of the Savan-
nah River Valley Railroad had died Of
inanition during the late war, and it was
mainly through the efforts Of Col. Latimer
that the present, new and distinct corpo-
ration, was formed Having conceived the
idea he advised with friends ofthc enterprise
along the line, collected information as to
ways and means best adapted for building
the road, and caused the charter, under
which the Company was organized, to be
framed and adopted. Hc is justly entitled,
therefore, to be regarded as the originator
of the enterprise, and from its inception to
the day of his death his devotion to its i'll
terests never tagged, nor was there any
cessation Of his efforts i'll its behalf. In
recognition of his earnestncss and zeal he
was made the first President Of the COM
pany-in 1S79-with great unanlmity, and
served in this capacity for four years, hav-
ing been successfully reelected. These
were, for tho most part, years of difficulty,
IL i,f ho hictpr,, Of
road. The plan of building a railroad,
controlled by a private corporation by tax
alton was new to our people, and many Of
our most substantial citizens and largest
taxpayers stcrnly opposed itas dangerous
innovation. Contributions or taxes were
paid in slowly, large part was for q time
dcliantly withheld, and the treasury Of the
Company continued in crippled condi-
ton, amounting almost to chronic state
of depletion. Yet these difficulties did not
dampen the ardor or shake the resolution
of Col. Latimer, or disturb his eQuanimity.
The work was commenced, and steadily
progressed with the means at his control
and such was the !sindlincss of his nature,
his great urbanity and consideration for
the opinions of others, that all opposition
and resistance was overcome and men were
persuaded and caioled into paying their
contributions. His suavity OF manner,
combined with his high character, enabled
him to render conspicuous service in secur-
ing rights of way from landowners along
the line who were the enforced contribu-
tors to the building Of the road. lie was
indeed no ordinary man Of Il command
ing person and pleasing address, endowed
with high sense Of justice, with great
charity, he combined the iirmncss Of man
with the gcntlencss of u woman. Modest
in asserting his own opinions, he was al
ways consderatc of the opinion Of others
and yet had the courage OF his convictions.
After declining reelection as President
he was made a Director OF the Company,
and continued i'll this relation to his DEATH
cvincins 10 the last the same untiring en-
ergy and devotion to the interests CT the
road, in whatever field his services could be
employed. Indeed, though past the prime
Of life, the last six or seven years OF his
life were consecrated to this work, and the
very last net of his life, outside the routine
Of his private duties, was to join with his
ncighbors in celebrating the completion OF
the grading Of the road by q festival to the
working force. lie died u day or two a(-
tcrwartls-OcL. Il, 1SS5--to the great regret
Of his friends and co workers that he could
not have lived to enjoy the fruition of his
hopes and efforts in The final completion OF
the road The singlcncss of his devotion
to our enterprise, and the eminent services
lie rendered TO its advancement has secured
for his memory place in our most grateful
recollection. BE it, therefore,
Rcsolrcd, by the Stockholders of the Sal
yannah Valley Railroad in Convention rs.
Scmbled-