The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-01-18
THE CUMBERLAND GAP.
NOW Are OUR BRoWS BOUND WITH VIC
TcRIoUs wREATHs.

Long Steel Rails and Cannon EaIl
Trains SInmberinG Ed.etirld
/ Aroused fro.n IIer Rip Van Win
sIe S.eep.--V;ih Me--y Greetings
sscr citizens Change their Drcary
Marches 10 Delightful Mrnsires.
We had the pleasure of meeting yeSter-
day MIR. VI. H. Schotirld, Jr., Of the Carolina,
Cumberland Gap and Chicago Railway. lie
| il now enthusiastic over the prospects or the
| road. and assigns substantial reasons for the
| faith that is in him. After series OF d1Sall'
pOiutmcnIS success is about TO crown his Of
| lortS, and he would therefore conilne his talk
| to tangible realities.
Mr. Srhntleld dealt in facts. was frank and
open in what hn had to say; exhibited papers
as to prospects and progress lie had no dE-
Mantle secrets to hide or to explode oyer
the heads OF newspaper repnrters.
Mr.. Potts has signed Il contract to finish the
road from Aiken 10 Ehge1cd in six months
from the 25th of November last-the distance
being twenty-five miles.
| Although the weather has hcen un(avorablc,
with the christmas holidays intervening. he
has already finished one. fourth Of the grading
| which he had to do, and has Smoothed much
CT the Old graded track that has been exposed
| to tho weather for years.
Many thousand crosS-lies have been gotten
ont. Thirty mules are now engaged in haul
ing them to position along the line. The peo.
| pie have readily and freely sold him the
| choicest timber trecs-close TO the line, ana
cheap.
| Last Saturday over orc hundred men We're
on the pay roll. Arrangements for one hun
| drcd and fifty are complete.
| Mr.. Potts is associated with prominent
house in New York, who are large dealers In
able able to furnish ali the needed ready cash.
Iron for the whole twenty-five miles from
Aiken to Edgeteld has been contracted for:
Edgcfed is on boom: Real estate Is being
sought, and the town Is thoroughly aroused at
| the certain prospects of railroad.
The South Carolina Railroad Company are
entirely friendly, and have made most liberal
and generous traffic arrangements, and the re-
bate is to the holders Of income bonds.
These we believe and understood Mr.. Scho
field to say, were hard pan, bed rock. incon.
trovcriibe and indisputabe facts. Then let
him who has doubted, now doubt no more
that Edgefield Will get tho railroad. We
leave old Edgeticld now to her glory.
What of Abbevile? That is the question
asked Mr.. Schofield particularly. as TO our
chances of the road. OF this he had less to
say of q definite and positive nature. MIR.
Potts, he said, had taken the contract for the
first twenty-five miles on the express condi-
tiun that he should have the privilege of con-
tinuing the work, If the necessary arrange
| menls could be had for the money.
Mr.. Schotield gave it as his own opinion.
| that II rested entirely with our own people, as
to whether the road is extended from Edge
| field to this place. If the people, along the
would be extended. No doubt about that. IF
they did not contribute it would not he built.
| No doubt about that. Plain talk. What are
you going to do about 1t?
The probability is that the townships along
| the line will be called upon ut an early day to
vote a subscription TO The enterprise. Think
about ii. 1t Is Il business proposition.
II is possible that some of the readers of the
| Press and Banner may remember that we had
decided views of our duty In the matter some
| two or three years ago, when subscription
| to the read was agitated. Under similar con-
ditiOnS which existed then, we still hold TO
| the same earnest convictions, and If the prop
osition Is presented as before, we shall urge
| our views. and then trust the people 10 act as
| in tn cir Judgment may seem best
We welcome Mr.. SchOeld to our commun-
| itv. We are impressed with his earnestnesS.
We are convinced of our duty.
While yielding due Difference and proper
| respect to the opinions OF those who may dis
sent from our convictions, we trust that this
community, may be alive TO the issues, and
may have the Courage to do the right, rs II
| mny appear to each Individual citizen.
When we have presented our views. our re.
Sronsibility as 81 journalist ceases, and the In
divduul voter, in collective capacity, as
| sumcs the safety and welfare of the town.