The Brookhaven leader., 1889-11-28
The Fort Scott Railroad.

! Agreeable To announcement, McSSiS
j. W. Chenault and L. s. Shields,
representing the Fort Scott Railroad
Company, arrived here last Friday
evening on respecting tour in the
! interest of their road, having come
overland through Franklin county
from Natchez. They interviewed a
/ few of our citizens soon after arrival,
and OH Saturday morning agood- sized
gathering of the representative bus
mess men and citizens of the town
gathered at Judge Cassedy's office to
hear them explain their probable
plans relative to the new railroad.
As is known to most of our readers,
the Fort Scott railroad is to be a
great trunk line. which has been pro-
iccted from Fort Scott or Kansas City,
to some point on the Gulf of Mexico,
its Southern terminus not yet being
decided upon. About two years ago
Natchez voted the enterprise a sub
sidv of 1920 900 in bonds, and the con
struction has been lately begun and
is being now rapidly pushed forward
from Natche2 northward.
As already stated, the Southern
terminus of the road has not yet been
decided upon. Messrs. Chenault and
Shields explained that this is a ques-
ton that will have to be determined,
and that the Company have under
consideration three different routes
from Natchcz to the Gulf, which pros
pecting parties are now engaged III
examining. One of these Is south
through Wilkinson county, thence
into Louisiana and on to New Orleans.
On account ofthe rugged, broken coun-
try to be encountered in Wilkinson
county, this route is not looked upon
with much favor. \ second route
contemplated is to take an eastcrly
course from Natchez through Frank
lin county, via or near Meadville,
into Amite and Pike, and thence
southwark to New Orleans. \ third
is to pass through Franklin, Amite,
South Lincoln or North Pike, and
thence to Mississippi City, or to Mo-
bile via Hattiesburg. The route to be
taken will be determined in large
measure by the inducements offered
and the spirit exhibited by the people
along the different routes proposed.
1t is not proposed to build the main
line via Brookhaven. The PROPOSE
ton the directors of the road would
have Brookhaven to consider is
branch from this place tapping the
main line in Franklin county and con-
Meeting us directly with Natchez, in
case it is finally decided to run the
main lire through Franklin county.
Mr. Chenault, who is one of the
stock holders of the enterprise, said
that in the event that the Franklin
route is adopted, the Company would
the responsibility of build
ing this branch, if extended the prop
er encouragement by the citizens of
and Lincoln county.
From here Messrs. Chenault and
who we will say by way of
created ia most favorable
upon all our citizens who
met them, went in Il southeastcrly
direction toward Mobile, intending to
examine carefully the whole of the
proposed line in that direction.
After they had finished explaining
the object Of their visit motion was
adopted by the meeting at Judge Cas-
sedy's Office, requesting the Commit
tee on Railroads and Commerce of the
Citizens Association to take this sub
jcct into special consideration and
make a report thereon at the meet
ing tomorrow night.
AS tnc course OF the ROAD from
Natchez is not yet finally decided, of
course any thing our people may do
will be conditional, but it is none too
early for BrOokhaven to show an in
terest in the enterprise and get into
position to act promptly in case action
will avail anything. In fact, the in
terest this place shows in branch
road will have much to do with final
ly determining whether or not the
main line will be run through Frank
lin county. If it should be, and we get
the line connecting us with Natchcz,
it will be but short time in the nature
of events, when we will also get direct
connections with Meridian.
Let there be a large turn out at the
Citizens Association tomorrow night
to hear the report of the Railroad
Committee and discuss the subject.
A standard argument of the anti
Convention ,oo, Ioc bon,, @b,+