The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-21
Columbia's Opportunity.

With the railroad tide sweeping on
all around US, it is not as we will,
but as We must. Let us look at the
railroad situation all around US. Let
US begin with Charleston. Whilst
the old city seems asleep, there is
somebody moving on the board for
her, and We are glad 20 see it, for it
is not a comfortable thing to see the
old city die like rat in corner.
What does the Eutawville Road
mean for new and important con-
nection for Charleston ? With this
road at Eloree in Orangeburg Coun-
ty, it taps a most fruitful country,
hitherto without any railroad facili-
ties. At this point the new road, as
| measured on the State map. is fif-
teen miles from The Congaree, cross
ing between Fort Motto and King
Vile, and just twenty miles from a
direct connection with the Camden
branch at Wateree Junction. From
the Wateree Junction to the forty
one mile station is exactly fifty
miles drawing through a splendid
country. From the Congaree trestle
to the forty-one mile station is forty
seven miles. From Waterce juno
tion by the present route via King
vile and Orangeburg to the forty
one mile station is sixty-eight and a
half miles. Here, then, would
be a saving Of eighteen and a
half miles to Camden and a
good country opened up tie whole
way. But from the forty. one mile
station by the present route TO
Congaree, it is Coz miles; the new
route is Al miles, showing about Il
miles saved without a stick Of trcstle
to build. But at Camden by this
valuable connection, Charleston sits
ready to make connection with the
Monroe, \. c., route, or the Shelby,
route pointing for Camden. 1fit be-
comes the interest Of kershaw and
Lancaster County-as it undoubtedly
will be-to 60 TO Monroe, n. c., as
that line may swing on through
Chester and Abbeville to Atlanta, we
see the new Charleston Camden line
is ready to strike for Monroe, 50
miles distant, with the counties of
Kershaw and Lancaster behind the
link. Here, then, we find new
Charleston line tapping the Robin.
son system at Monoe, all to the ad.
vantage Of the North Carolina-Vir,
ginia system, and very greatly to the
advantage Of Charleston. But this
line would pass twenty-five miles
East of Columbia.
Charleston has another string to
her bow, and one looking to taking
the wind out Of the sails Of the Col
umbia, Newberry and Laurens char
ter. This scheme is road running
from Orangeburg to Gilbert Hollow
pointing directly Tor Prosperity anC
Newberry. The road will undoubt
edly be built. Orangeburg very
properly takes great interest in it
The Lexington townships are fully
alive u itS Importance :.a,pr to them. The
South Carolina Railroad engineer:
surveyed the road for the parties g 2
interest and it is generally under
stood that the road is going to b.
pressed right through.
Should we fail to stand up to tn
Lexington Fork, Prosperity, New
berry and Laurens people in th
Columbia, Newberry and Lauren
charter, the Gilbert Hollow line vii
Immediately hold out proposals t.
the Prosperity and the Newberr,
people and press right on for Lar
rens. That is the nearing of th
Gilbert Hollow connection throug
: and through. Here is another Char
lesion line, then, threatening Colun
bia twenty miles West of her. S
fur as the Chester-Abbcvllle link
: concerned, VIC see another air lin
road sweeping across the State fft
miles north Of US. The Registe
pointed out two years ago the feas
bility Of this Abbeville-Atlanta rout
. There is much in it for the localitie
Interested, and We can't blame pe'
pie for looking after their own il
8 tercsts, even though it should cut tt
dirt from under our feet. We ha,
got to take care Of our ourselves,
nobody will do it for US.
Again, Greeny;!le is pressing for
route to the sea by her new narro
!, gauge road, and is already at VOL
upon it. All the roads that hay
+, been undertaken in the State thu
far have gone through TO completio
with the exception { the Sparta
! burg and Asheyille road, which
now being pressed to completion.