The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-17
BULLOCK CoUNrY's RAILROAD.
Statesboro Now a Booming Railroad
Town.


weather was rather unfavorable, about
1000 people collected at this place to-day to
celebrate the opening of the new railroad,
which connects Statesboro with the Cen
trial railroad It was a very happy crowd
Notwithstanding the rain. IL was largely
composed of farmers and their families.
The Tennille brlss band was present with
its fourteen pieces, and added much to the
interest Of the occasion.
THE ROAD.
The road is FIR m Dover. at station 55l
on the Central, 10 Statesboro. The last
| spike was driven after night on Friday,
and the event signalized with salvos of
anvil artillery and the most exuberant
demonstrations of JOY. The road is ten
miles In length. and cost about 1000,
which sum was raised by the citizens them
| selves from the sale Of the bonds of the
road, which are readily f1oated at par.
| The company also owns the engine and
equipments, and will run the road for
themselves and keep it independent of all
| other organizations. The company is COM
posed of the following gentlemen: J. Fl.
Buckhalter, F. T. Lockhart, j. A. Fleming
and j. E. Hogan. Mr.. Hogan is from Bull
loch, the others all citizens of Augusta
| TIE trustees are John A. North, b. E.
Turner and j. A. Brannen.
'f-t HE MASo
The mass meeting was opened with prayer
| by Rev Mr. Wilson. Col d. r. Grower
delivered the Introductory address. He
said:
Had any one publicly announced one year
ago that Statesboro would in less than twelve
months be railroad town, such person would
| have brought upon himself the criticism of la
| boring under some mental delusion
But weIlive in an age of progress--a day in
| which apparent impoSsbllities are overcome.
| The grea barriers and obstacles to a railroad
| to this point have been, first, the Ogeechee
river, W tn its broad and murky swamps, and,
| second, the extreme letbargy of our people
| But, thank God, we have been aroused from
| our slumbers, and have been made TO reaiizs
| the necessities and demands of the times
We have contributed our mite to the develoD
ment OF our county, and to-day it is my pleas
| ure and privilege to formally announce to you
that Statesboro, your county site, has railroad
connection with the world. This day marks an
| era OF greater progress and higher civiliza-
| for our people
1t is my pleasure to welcome you to your
county site upon this occasion-al occasion
that win be memorable in the county's history.
would not do my duty did fail in the outset
OF my remarks to return the most sincere
thanks of the people of this town and county
TO the Messrs.. Burckhalters, Lockhart and
Fleming for their enterprise in the projection
and completion of the Dover and Statesboro
railroad. These gentlemen have been our bene-
factors, and we most earnestly appreciate your
labors and efforts IN our behalf
/ believe it is conceded that my friend James
4. Hogan is the father of this road, having first
invited attention to its feasibility; that the
nurtured it from its inception to It's completion
Bulloch is in its infancy. It's future can only
be guessed at. Only 10 to IS per cent of its
lands are in cultivation. We produce more
bales of cotton to the quantity of land planted
than any other county in Georgia.
We plant sea island; make 5000 bales worth
$500, Og0; it is cultivated by the owners of the
soil. There are 200 farms in the county. The
log house has given way TO new framed dwell
lings.
People are jubilant over their harvest for the
year 1889. and out of debt and have money.
Our railroad will pay a dividend, as it will
carry several thousand bales of cotton and
bring our fertilizers and merchandise.
Mr.. Grover further stated that the new
road would open up to the market 500, 900
acres of virgin cumberland, worth over a
million of dollars.
MR.. FREDERICK LOCKHART
of Augusta was introduced and made a
ringing speech replete with humor and
good points. This is the only road in
Georgia whose bonds bear per cent inter-
est, and the issue, which is but s., 900 per
mile, secured by first mortgage.
Hon. Morgan Rawls of Bingham county
was called for and responded in a few
felicitous remarks. After the announce
| ment, by John Brannen, that the company
! was now ready to deliver their bonds to all
subscribers for the cash tire meeting adj
| journed. A bountiful repast was served by
| the good citizens of Bulloch to the immense
| throng in attendance.
| 1t is said SO large a crowd has never been
assembled before in Bulloch county. and
the people are not little proud of their
railroad.
BULLoCHs PROSPERITY.
| Bulloch county, though hitherto destitute
of direct railroad facilities, thus being
| placed at a great disadvantage, still comes
| grandly e. the fore, and puts in her
CAIN to be tho banner county of Southern
Georgia. In proof of this, she points to
the fact that in 1879 her taxable values
were only 81 900, 900, whereas they now foot
up g., 100000, an advance of 100 per cent.
In ten years. OF this amount $3.50. 900 has
been the increase in 1889 over the return of
the previous year. A magnificent showing.
This county was laid out in 1896, and the
first session of the superior court was
held at the residence of William Fletcher
on May 10, 1900, Judge NJ. McAllister pre-.
siding The grand jury chose William
| Cone as their foreman. A quaint old book.
spotted with age, which is still preserved
among the records contains the charge of
the judge on this occasion to the grand iury.
1t is unique document, full of scathing
rebuke for the vices of the times, and the
sternest admonitions to the grand inquest
of the county to do its whole duty in the
promises.
sTATEsBoRo
received its name and was made the county
site in 1913. Until three years ago. hardly
a half dozen dilapidated buildings aside
from the court house were to BIZ seen. The
sleep of Rip Van Wrinkle was not more
profound than the syncope of this old town.
But now, all is changed. Life, animation
and the spirit of improvement seem to per.
wade everything. On all sides new dwell.
ings, cleaning paint aud handsome stores
greet the eye.
STATISTICS.
The place has been incorporated and will
hold its first municipal election early in De
cemoer. Ii boasts thirty neat dwellings,
erected within the past two years, six bust
ness houses, three hotels, two white CHURCHES
two schools, two physicians, four LAWYERS
and population OF about ZOO Here. too
has been established a bright and news,
weekly paper, the StdteSborO EoqLe. owned
and edited b j. A. Braunen.
Among the merchants, some of who's,
establishments would grace any of oul
cities, are Bitch, Jones d Co., who rur
separate dry goods and grocery depart
ments on large scale, G. n. Lanier. form
erly of Waynesboro, Smith & Turner, thu
latter the affa5le and efficient postmaster
and Lester IL Donaldson, the former ais
running a new and excellent hotel All O,
| these firms keen 0eneral stnras wall stOoIya,