The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-05
THE RAILROADS.
Time to Come Down With the Cash,
The Memphis s. Atlantic Enterprise
Waiting for This City.
Every Other Community Has sa-
credly Kept Its Promise.
Do the Business Mon Really Ap-
precia to the Open Opportunity
The Tennessee Midland Being Pushed
to the Tennessee River and On to
Nashville-The Blessed Bag
MISUNDERSTANDING.

Mr.. John Henderson, editor and propri-
etor OF the West Point Miss. Forum, ar
rived in the city last night Mr.. Hendcr-
son is one publisher, with no city like
Memphis to back him, who iulflls every
requirement of his admiring constituents.
During the recent quarantine blockade
throughout the south West Point, like
hundreds Of other towns and villages,
was cut of from the outside world, being
deprived of even unsatisfactory mail iacili-
ties, It's $500 inhabitants were hungry
for news, and they got it. Mr. Henderson
promptly arranged with TuE ArrEAL for
condensed local and general news to be
sent him daily. This was done, and for
week or more the Forum was issued daily,
and the people of West Point were saved
and happy.
An APPEAL reporter met Mr.. Henderson
shorty after his arrival. Affairs in general
were discussed, when the visiting Misss-
slppian inquired as 10 the status Of Mem
phis on her promised subscription Of $780,
600 to the proposed Memphis Il Atlantic
railroad. That is an enterprise that has
effected permanent Judgement in the
fancy and desire OF Mr. Henderson, and
for the sole reason that he wishes, on be-
half OF his city, 10 secure direct railway
connection with Memphis The only re-
Spouse the reporter could give to his in.
quiry was that Mai. Yves j. Crawford was
striving heroically to raise the sum, but at
present IL was not guaranteed.
I'VE people in Mississippi and Alabama
are only waiting TO hear the good news
from Memphis 10 begin confidently look
Ing iof the road. Every cent promised by
communities elsewhere has longsince been
raised, and some construction work has
already been done. Ii the business people
OF Memphis onl y knew what the completion
OF this road meant for them, | do not be-
licvu II would require moro than two DAYS
nj the outside TO have the subscription
safe and secure. Take my town Of West
Point, for example. Last year We handled
1900 bales Of cotton, very little Of which
came TO Memphis. Shipment here can
only be by a round about and expensive
way. Most Of IL goes either to New Or.
leans and Mobile, or 10 eastern mills,
agents for which are among us every fall
and winter. II we had the Memphis 4
Atlantic road or direct connection, fully
one-hali OF the 30, 600 bales would be- sent
here. There is Houston, in Chickasaw
county, as another strong invitation
TO the investment. II IN about the
center OF one OF the finest agricultu-
raj regions in the country, and not
railroad within thirty miles ol IL. In order
TO emphathi1o It's oarncsincss for the
road, Lafayette county increased its
subscription from 500 TO $4,000. II
not. IA your people here seem To think,
settled fact that the road will be built
whether they put up tho money or not.
The Mobile x Ohio road Is prospecting for
a continuation Of its Columbus branch on
10 birmingham; the Georgia Pacific IL nj.
ready extending from Columbus 30 Green
vile, and rails on the extension were laid
Wednesday. so, you see, while the coun-
try in being covered with railroads, none
Of them lead toward Memphis | am
deeply impressed with the fact that your
business men do not properly appreciate
the acquisition 10 their trade Il would
surely bring. Then there is the additional
fact that the money subscribed il not
10 lie paid until the road II in full opera
ton from hero TO Tuscaloosa, in the very
heart Of tho Warrior coal fields"
Now that even the memory Of the late
nervousness II rapidly dying out, and bust
ness IL going on with all the rush aud
solidity characteristic Of Memphis, would
IL not be well 10 make long pull, a strong
pull and a pull all together and plank
down the full amount, $4,000, without
any further hesitation or delay. Maj.
Crawford and his committee Of thirty, Il
no other way appears possible, could settle
the whole question by subscribing q, 900
each, but where would be the justice In
allowing them 10 do III There are more
than 100 gentlemen here who can. aud
doubtless will, II they will but step 10
think, como down with their pro rata
share. Give the matter another deter
mined whirl, gentlemen, and LET con-