The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-09
TO START AT ELLABELL.
GRADING OF THE ATLANTA SHORT
LINE TO BEGIN THERE TO-DAY.


LINE TO BEGIN THERE TO-DAY.
Col. Machen's Road an Air Line from
g Nile West of Savannah to Tennille.
al of the Roads Projected from sa-
vannah Westward TO Traverse a
Country Through Which the Central
Yves Originally Intended to Goa
Rich Section TO be Developed.
The engineer corps Of the new short
line to Atlanta is at Ellabell, uwenty-niue
miles west of Savannah on the Savannah
and Western railroad. The permanent line
was located yesterday and Supt. McEvOy
said that he will begin building the read
toward Savannah to-day.
The route viii he almost an air.
line from the intersection Of the
Charleston and Savannah railroad and
the Ogeechee road. about a mile from
the limits of Savannah. TO Tennille. At
Elabel the road crosses the Savannah and
Western track and the roadbed of the
Savannah, Dublin and Western. The
latter is good piece of railroad work, ex-
tending in an airline almost due east and
west as far as the eye can see. 1t is now
used for several miles as a wagon road.
1t is curious fact that the roais now
built or which are being projected
are westward from Savannah through
the very country which the first
chief engineer of the Central railroad
recommended as the proper route over
which to build that road. The road was
graded as far as the Ogeechee river accord
ing to his Recommendation, but the direct
ors preferred the northern or present route,
and the chief engineers resignation was
asked for, new engineer was appointed,
and the line was changed.
WISE ENGINEER.
The name Of the first engineer is not
mentioned In the printed reports of the
company. 1t should be, because he was a
wise man and apparently far ahead in his
ideas of railroad building of the directors
who retired him from their employ.
The mistake made over half century ago
is about to be remedied, and it looks as
though three lines of railroads will soon
make up for the time lost in the develop
ment of the tier OF fertile and healthful
counties lying between the Ogeechee and
the Altamaha rivers.
The citizens of Ellabell were expecting
another invasion OF railroad builders yes
second invasion did not take place and up
10 nightfall the tents of the Machen
forces held the field.
Heretofore the explorations Of the average
Savannahian into Bryan county have not
been farther than the Ogeechee river, ex-
cept the occasional visit of politicians who
wanted old Bryan to back up Chatham, or
lawyers who had cases in its courts. The
county was veritable terra incognitd I'M
til the building of the Savannah aud West
ern across its western limits.
BRYAN's RARE FERTILITY.
The upper half of the county is undu-
iating. the surface sometimes rising to hills
of considerable elevation. The soil is a
mixture of sand and clay, and responds
generously to cultivation. 1t produces
long staple cotton, corn and other staple
products, and fruits Of all kinds do we'll.
There are still dense forests of pines. but in
many places. especially near navigable
streams, the pines have long since fallen a
prey to the necessities of man. In many
places where the pine trees have been cut
of a growth Of oaks has sprung up.
Ellabel is situated on a high, level
plateau, where fifty years ago stood pine
forest, but which is now an oak grove.
Capt John Morrison, an energetic young
South Carolinian, is the factotum of Ella
bell The town is named after his two
daughters, Miss Ella and Miss Belle. Capt.
Morrison carries on q large turpentine
farm, store, etc. He says that be and
his family and his $50 employees
enjoy the best Of health, even better than
thOJ Aiu III tAe NH country OF carolina.
Among Others whom a representative of the
MORNING NEWS met at Ellabell yesterday
were Pembroke w. Williams, ESQ.,, aud
Messrs. G. Ii. Digger and Joseph A.
Morgan Of Bryan. These gentlemen
are old subscribers to the Savan-
nah MORNING NEWS, and, very
properly, think it the best paper In the
world. Mr.. Williams has laid of a town,
named after him, and known as Pembroke.
1t Is thirty-two miles from Savannah.
RAILROADS AND RUMoRs OF THEM.
There is quite an excitement in BRYAN.
Bulloch, and Emanuel counties over rail-
roads and rumors Of railroads There Is
room without crowding for million of
people in those couRties, and as soon as the
railroads are built the advance guard of that
million will be moving in, If the people
don't keep them out by asking too much for
land. 1t will be well for those
who want to see good class of white farm
ers come into the south from the north
and west to look around them and see the
immense area of land that has not the sign
of ever having had hoe or a pillow put In
ii. There should be no other argument
needed TO convince them Of the necessity of
liberal terms with settlers.
The people of Bryan. Bulloch, Emanuel.
and other counties In the Altamaha and
Ogeechee river regions have no superiors in
the south in everything that goes to make
up good population, but they want more
help TO develop their heritage. One rail-
road is built and more will be. and with
their advent there must necessarily be
many changes. However, there is no fear
that with such grand opportunities as are
now opening the people will not be equal
to the situation.
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