The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-10
THE BLACK DIAMOND.
Interesting Contributed Article or
| the PrOpOsed New RnilrOad

Ever since railroads were possibilities, II
has been the desire of South Carolinians to
cross the mountains into East Tennessee by a
railroad.
Under the influence of the immortal John
G. Calhoun an enterprise known as the Blue
Ridge Railroad was inaugurated Large sums
Of money were expended. A link from An
derson 10 Wa!halla was completed; work
valued at nearly one million of dollars was
done in North East Georgia, and about twen-
ty-tive miles of road were completed in Ten
neSsee.
Individual influence and interest diverted
the road along all almost impractlcabIe route.
The Confederate war suspended work and the
subsequent proverty of our State and people
has prevented any further effort on their
part.
Mr. John B. Harrison. son of Gen. James
Harrison, formerly Of Anderson, S. c., moved
TO Knoxville about seven years ago, and is
engaged in the brokerage aud commission
business, carrying with him the desire OF a
South Carolinian TO see the mountains cross
ed by railroad, and feeling ii heritage cast
upon him by his father, who spent many OF
his latter years and much OF his fortune In
the effort TO complete the road, has un-
ceasingly agitated the scheme until many of
the kuoxvlllians have given him the sobr.
quet of the Blue Ridge Crank"
Now, he begins TO see IL bright hope that his
cherished scheme may yet be reality-for
his efforts are beginning TO bear fruit. A live
and an earnest interest has been awakened in
II. Knoxville Is awakening. Western North
Carolina, Gods Country" is aroused. North
Georgia is on the alert, ana South Carolina
Is eager to do her part. Walhalla, Anderson,
Due West, Abbeville, Greenwood, Blackvile,
and even old conservative Charleston sees in
the scheme grand opportunity, though long
deferred. TO ad0 impetus and strength TO the
development OF our Stale and seaports, were
represented i'm q recent convention held in
the city OF Knoxville in furtherance OF this
enterprise.
This convention was called by Col. Albert
T.. Brown, vigorous, active, energetic and
successful railroad builder, and with the ac-
tive and cordial support Of Mr. Harrison. The
convention was held on the 3rd of April and
was a succesS-having put in motion activi-
ties at that end of the line, heretofore dorm
ant, and having unified, TO some extent, the
purpose along the whole line. that the road
should be built.
Col. Brown is giving his entire time and en-
ergies TO the development and shaping of the
enterprise. He says he is backed by strong
financial power, and will probably do all that
any one man can do. He will. however, find
opposition, as there are other bidders in the
field, who will demand recogni ition, and who
on account of their financial standing and
business and honorable characters will be
ormidable competitors.
The railroad as now projected will run from
the JelicO Coal Mines Of Kentucky and Ten
nessee, about sixty miles north of Knoxville,
through Knoxville, Robun Gap. Anderson, s.
c., on TO the coast having two termn |, one al
Charleston and the other at Port Royal. Top
ping the great coal fields of Kentucky aud
1euuessee, VIII give cueap coal, so neCes-
sary for existing and contemplated manc-
featuring enterprizes-Sonth Carolina seems
destined for great manufacturing State.
Knoxville is a city OF about 10000 inhabi-
tants, is rapidly growing, and with the short
route TO tide water proposed by the Blue
Ridge, now being denominated the "Black
Diamond Railroad" her future as one OF the
great cities OF the South is assured.
East Tennessee which will be opened up to
US by this railroad Is beautiful country
abounding In coal and ores OF every descrip-
ton, grain land hogs. Some of them necps-
stiles 10 Us, and on which weneed low freight
10 be assured TO us by the completion OF this
railroad.