The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-05
THE RAILROADS.

"a AOW AOulO bCaNdIu 10 Iuuh
lined by correspondent OF the Nash,
vile american
Huntsville is anxious to come tC
Nashville via Elora. The survey was
made recently by the Nashville, Chat.
tanooga and st. Louis people, and esti.
mates OF the cost are far below what
was anticipated. The prospect for
that undertaking is most encouraging,
and in two weeks it may be decided
upon, if sufficient aid is procured out
side the railroad named, to be consis-
tent with its progressive reputation,
will build it. So far, very good; but
should il stop there? 1t is less than
forty miles to Guntersville, through
a beautiful county, and there it
would connect with the Coosa and
Tennessee road now being built. On
this line $780, 900 have been expended
and from Alfalfa TO Gadsden cars are
row running. By the travelling road
it is but twenty three miles from there
to Jacksonville on the Alabama Great
Southern. Thence TO 0pelika and
Columbus, Ca, various routes have
been planned, and desirable connect
tons could evidently be made. Below
Columbus l have quite familiar
knowledge, having been for the past
year secretary CT the Chattanooga, Co.
lumbus and florida. The movements
of the Georgia Midland people from
Columbus to AtlaDta-have cancelled
the advantages of the projected line
north OF Columbus except in so far as
it might be utilized in these
connections and the work done
the grading south for sixty miles
along the valley of the Chattahoochee
at a cost OF Goodnight be so
utilized. Thence through to Talla-
hassee the country is very level, so it
would be very cheap line to build.
From Tallahassee there is a road to the
sea already by the mouth of st. Marc
river. More connections-more cross
ings OF other railroads and richly
freighting rivers-would be secured
than by any other route know. The
fish of the sea and the various kinds
Of commerce along the line of this
route; the finest cotton staple on the
continent and the richest iron ores
truthfully be claimed, as will be
shown, are features commendable to
the enterprise. Moreover, each link
will be made Independently in
its progress south. That which
may cause the first halt be.
yond Huntsville in considering the
scheme is the country between the
Tennessee and Coosa rivers. But that
is really in process OF construction
now. After years of litigation Judge
Wyeth of Guntersviils and Mai. Hugh
Garlic have recovered the property,
aud have judgment for rents against
those who had it in possession. | had
q talk recently with Maj. CArlile, who
has been prominent railroad builder
for many years, and he told me much
Of interest in regard to ii. The
operated part between Alfalfa aud
Gadsden pays $500 per month. Be-
tween Alfalfa and Guntersville $780,
COO have been expended, and the road
is out OF debt, except an indebtedne 8
due himse,f. Its completed property
is worth 100000, and a low estimate
of the lands granted by the State he
puts at $550,000. 1t comprises 67,7S5
acres, besides 10000 acres more in
controversy. An illustration OF the
value in the ore lands belonging to
this area may be had in the fact that
Messrs. Christopher 4 Stuart have
paid in royalty to the estate of John
Morini $4,000, at 10 cents per
ton, aud it is expected that the
yield will be as much more. AS
soon as the owners can sell bonds
to the amount of $4,000 per mile on
the incompleted part they will put
down the iron and equip the road,
From Huntsville the connection might
be readily made and then the connec-
ton with that extensive system, the
"Star and Crescent Route" would
open many new avenues of COMPETE
ton from Nashville. Columns might
be written of extraordinary advan-
tages in the southern section OF coun.
try which would be connected by this
system, but this gratuitous pointer is
given to stimulate those who would
become interested in the Huntsville
extension if they felt assured it would
nav,