The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-30
F., G. & c. R. R.
A GRAND HIGHWAY PROJECTED FROM
TAMPA TO AsHEvILLE.
County to be Greatly Rene.
fitted by Having Another Railroad
Through its Center.
MilledgevlIIe Kecoruer.


About three months ago public meeting
of the citizens of Mt Carmel, s. c., was held
10 devise ways and means for opening more
direct Southern outlet from that superb
section of the country 10 the sea. Aner a
that by building a connecting link OF 40
miles between Abbeville. S. C.. and Washing
ton, and between Gordon and Eastman, in
amounting in all to less than 2OO miles. an
almost air line road connecting Lynchourg
Va, could be built; thus connecting the fine
and poetic winter home Of Florida and the
sky OF the Carolinas. The great fruit and
vegetable interests of Florida want en-
larged markets. South Carolina and Georgia
want the Florida phospbates. The Piedmont
region Is increasing in manufactures and
want a better southern outlet. The best port
for mutual benefit in this direction, in
travel and trade, is Tampa. Fla. Here 1t is
that reciprocity with our Southern neigh
bors''-tte West Indies Islands and South
America-promises the richest develop
ments.
Robinson, the shrewd railroader and
capitalist had In view ABOUT the sn same t route
ern. His plan was to build the Northeastern
road in the same general direction, through
Lexington, Ga, TO form his northern n
get into Florida. The advantage OF the
present route Is that it opens for develop
m ent new and fine section Of Georgia by
building road from Gordon to Eastman, and
Southern terminus. For the trade OF the West
Indies aud South America this Is the best pos
sible port.
Impressed with these thoughts, the citizens
of Mt. Carmel appointed Capt. w. A. Gaines
to open correspondence with leading citizens
along the proposed route. This was done and
the suggestion was received with enthusiastic
favor all along the line and call was maze
for q convention to be held in Milledgeville
on the nth inst,
That convention was accordingly held on
Thursday last.
The following. delegates from South Car,
olina are men Of ability and influence, and
they think when the proper frachises, rig ht OF
way, &c. are obtained there will be no trouble
In commanding the capital to put the scheme
into gRerasGR9 Gsyv M and W Bradey OF
Abbeville; John w. Ferguson and +. NJ.
The The proceedings pr of the Convention are as
follows: ,oo,
meeting TO take into consideration the con-
struction of q railroad from Ashv!lle, n. u,
via AbbeviIle. $. C., Washington and
Milledgeville, Ga, TO Tampa, Fla, was held
at the court house in this city.
The meeting was called TO order by Captain
w. A. Gaines, Of Mt. Carmel. S. c., and on
his motion, Hon. P. J. Cline was called to the
chair. The Chairman in behalfof the city wei
coined the delegates present from South
Carolina and Georgia.
On motion Of Judge Sanford, Jos. T.. Pottle,
ESQ.,, was made Secretary.
Capt. Gaines gave minute and rnteresting
account of the proposed line, Its length, the
place Of construction, organization and opera
tion.
Abbeyille, s. &. provisional organization
was gone into. Capt. w. A. Gaines was
nominated and elected provisional president.
Hon. J.. Cline was nominated and elected
vice president.
The following named gentlemen were
Messrs. Augustus Dupont; c. E. Frazier,
l.. w. Lee, OF Wilkinson county D. B.
Sanford, ]. C. Whitaker of Baldwin Wilkes,
VIM. Nj. Reese and 7. Burwell Green, j.
Wilcox, D. Maynard, Rev. NJ. Fuller; Tai.
liaferro, w. D. Mitchell and Jordon Berrien,
H. B, Peoples Twiggs, Hon. Wimberly and
j. S. Vaughn Hancock, Hon. L. l.. Little
Abbeville- Allen Smith, Henry P. Nc
Gee.
Greenvllle-James L. Orr. H. c. Beattie.
Asheville-Richmond Pearson, I. ID. John.
son.
municate with the above named gentleman
inquiring If they were willing to accept the
position. If any decline, the vacancy shall be
filled by the President and remaining direc
tors.
Similar action was taken with reference to
such counties as may be unrepresented on the
board of directors.
vention delegated to the president and
directors such authority as it possesses in the
premises.
At the suggestion of President Games, the
proposed road was named "The Florida
Georgia & Carolina"