New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-07
THE AUGUSTA EXHIBITION.
AN IMPORTANT DISPLAY IN A SOUTHERN
CITY.
COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF AUGUsTA-PRo-
GRAMME OF SPECIAL GATHERINGS AT
THE EXHIBITION.

Augusta, Ga, Nov. Awhile at the beginning vi
the present week NewYorlS and many OF the great
cities Of the country surchargcd with the poti
cal excitement attendant upon important electoral
contests, this enierprlsing little metropolis was IN
tercsed IN opening IFS grcnt industrial exhibition.
And this latter event In which much larger
city than Augusta might well take keen interest Not
that Augusta Is by any means an 1nsgnncaht Guy.
The proud title of metropolis may be applied 10 "
adviscdlv II has move II Is true only about 4o,ooo
Inhabitants Bnt 1t IS. both IN theory ana In prac-
flee, the industrial and commercial centre OF vast
extent OF the richest territory in the Empire state OF
the South. The country that is tributary to It, W
which business is controlled by the Augusta market
includes about 1850 square miles, with nearly
million Inhabitants and property valuation OF fully
81 20 600 600 This city Itself contains S21 100000
Of taxable property and has $s,00O0OO invested IN
cotton mills alone while its volume OF trade Is more
than $75 900, 600 year.
Augusta was II is said, the objective point o the
first railroad ever built in the South the South Caro-
lima Railroad. running hitler from Charleston; and II
was the starting point OF the second, the Georgia Rail
road running hence to Atlanta. Now 1t Is the
centre to which many important roads converge.
Beginning ut the north and making circuit OF the
city. these roads found TO enter it, First there
are the savannah Valley Railroad. from Anderson and
valhalla and the Columbia and Greenvie, when
enter the city along with the Port Royal and Western
Carolina. with which they connect at GREENWOOD.
Next IS the projected Carolina Knoxville and western.
which will be one OF the most important OF all The
Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago comes next then
the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta. and further
on. connecting with the latter ut Columbia, l. the
Wilmington. Columbia and Augusta. giving access TO
the ports of Norfolk and Wilmington. At orange
burg Is encountered tn, Atlantic Coast Line, which
great system Is certainly heading this way and must
take in Augusta as its distributing point making here
complete connections In all drcc lions, North, South
East and West. thus putting Augusta on the line q
through travel from Florida to the North, rs well as
from the great West and Northwest to the South.
Next comes the south Carolina Railroad. Leading
{, the port of Charleston. This road, 1t is pretty
generally conceded is to fall into the hands of the
Louisville and Nashville system. which VIII use IL
and the Georgia Railroad to complete its highway to
the sea from the markets OF the West. Then comes
the Port ROYAL road leading to the famous deep water
hsrbor OF Port Royal. Crossing this road at camp
belltOn. some fifty miles from Augusta. is the new
South Bonnd Railroad from Columbia 10 Savannah.
whose projectors are anxious to bring branch lino
into this city. Swinging round the circle, ono
next comes to the Augusta branch Of the great Cen
trail Railroad system OF Georgia. which gives rail- con
ncction with the port OF savannah, and next TO TINS
another important line, which is now biding-fhe
Augusta ard West Florida. This road is now being
worked in conjunction with the Knoxville and western
and will be another important through line from tho
South to the North and West The Augusta and West
Florida will be built to Thomasvlllc and extended TO
the Gulf coast through West Florida. IT Is certain
10 he completed, and large force of hands is now
grading south from Augusta. Yet further to the south Is
the Augusta Gibson and Sandersville Railroad
narrow gauge line which extends TO Sandersvle in
Washington County. 1t was recently purchased by
men in NewYor1 friendly to the r. ard d. system
and there is little doubt that In the near future TINS
line will be extended and developed. 1t has been
valuable feeder 10 Augusta, and when its gauge IS
broadened and its line extended it will be one OF the
best lines entering the city.
Beyond this is the Macon branch OF the Georgia
Railroad, and then the main stem OF this famous
line which has won the sobrQuet of 1.-The Ola Re-
liable by its freedom from serions accidents and its
accurate schedules. This line, like the Port Royal
and Western Carolina and the Augusta. Gibson and
Sandersvile has its headquarters and principal or
fees I'm Augusta. The freight depots, warehouses,
roundhouse, machine and car shops OF the georgia
Railroad all in Augusta, and arc all complete IN
every arrangement and Kept in high state OF eN-
oellence. The terminal facilities and equipment OF
this road at Augusta represent nearly half million
dollars and give employment TO $50 hands. who re-
ceive nearly 100000 year in wages. The georgia
road has terminal points at Augusta Atlanta, Macon
Athens Gainesville Monroe and Washington. and taps
81 rich and prosperous section of the state The
Macon, White Plains, Gainesville. Athens and Wash
ington branches all valuable feeders to the main
stem, and all increase Augustus railroad territory.
Passing these there is found a projected line whose
building has been longer delayed than iS friends be-
lIeyed would be the case, but which is certain to be
constructed before long, namely, the Augusta and
Chattanooga. 1t Will place Augusta hundred
miles nearer to the seaports OF Port Royal, Charles
ton and Savannah. 1t will make Augusta the dis
trbutng Point for all the Western produce shipped to
these seaport points, and will increase the value OK
the counties through which IL will pass at least fifty
per cent. Finally there Is thu extension Of the WASH
ington branch to ElberOn, T0ccoa and Talluah Falls,
which will give Augusta direct communication with
MT lie
that Augusta has already established lines enter
ing the city from the various points of the compass,
and The Atlantic Coast line and Louisville and Nash
vile pushing their way TO join their forces here. while
three other important lines now building and one
or two other are bound be built before long. Nor
should the electric railroad I'm the city aud its suburbs
he forgotten with is twenty odd miles In operation.
The city has besides these railroad lines another
important artery of commerce In the Savannah River on
which il is situated. This river Is larger than the
Hudson. II drains area Of 800 square miles,
The homes Of 100000 people 1t is the highway by
which taken 10 market every year 100000 bales of
cotton and $500 900 bushels Of corn. 1t has here
clear channel of five feet DEPTH easily traversed by
iatbottomed steamers of great size. Besides its value
as route of transportation the river affords splendid
power for the factories Of the city. The Govern
ment inspectors rate ii at total OF 100000 available
horsepower, but it is probable that more thorough
Investigation would show double treble that amount
Connected with this is the great Augusta canal also
furnishing water-Suppy, waer-power, and transp0-
tatlon 1t begins miles above the city. where the
river is barred by massive stone dam. The canal is
$50 wide ut the surface and LOG at the bottom and
has minimum depth of eleven feet 1t is divided into
two levels and furnishes TO the industries of Augusta
400 horsep 7wer and water supply OF 100000
gallons Il day.
The idea OF holding great industrial exhibition
here first took practical form in the winter of 18S1sS
II was entertained cordially by the public, an organi-
zaton was effected, and stock was subscribed for In
quantities large and small by nearly every citizen
~ Augusta fine tract OF land was purchased and
mt in condition, and enormous buildings were erected
The exhibition of 1883 superb one In Itself. 1t
I'm NIT md cQnS