The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-09-09
The Excursion Last Week.

The excursions which Mr.. L. P. Smith,
of this city, assisted by Mr. R. It. Smith,
Of Williamson, have been running for
some years past to Atlanta, Charleston,
Asheville, and other points have grown to
be deservedly popular and have come to be
looked forward 10 from season to season
with degree Of pleasurabe anticipation.
There is every reason why these gentle
men should receive the liberal patronage
accorded them, for hesides being home
folks enjoying the full confidence of the
general public thoy are, both of them,
perfectly familiar with the details Of rail
roadipg, thus ensuing safe and rapid travel.
1t is worthy of mention, that 10 one has
yet been heard to complain of Mr.. Smith
as to his care for the comfort and accom-
mediation of his passengers.
We think 1t not amiss to pay the Messrs.
Smith this deserved tribute, which we are
sure will receive the unqualified endorse.
ment Of all the 1NTELLIGENCER readers
who have, at some time or other ridden
with these gentlemen.
To those who had never been through
the country traversed by the Savannah
Valley and Georgia, Carolina and Northern
roads the trip was of more than ordinary
interest.
That is pretty stretch Of level country
almost the entire length Of the road in An.
derson, and the towns while unpretentious
as to sizs are nevertheless fresh and bright.
Lowndesville and some places on the
G. c. & N, present the aspect of ming'e
age aud youth. But the advent Of rail-
roads not only caused these places to take
on new growth, but the withered face OF
age thet marred them is being rejuvenated
by the spirit Of push and pluck that has
possessed the people. Elberton, on the
G. G. e N, and as the Southern terminus
of the Elberton Air Line, is easily one OF
the coming towns of Northeast Georgia.
In fact, it has already come. The stop of
but few minutes here enabled the stran-
ger to catch the evidences of her business
energy and substantial growth. Her cot.
ton factories, fire proof warehouses, large
stores, imposing Church ediiccs-all be-
token that live people are on the march.
Conner and Winder, which are cornered
upon by three counties-Madison, Jack
son and Gwinnett, and once known SO
Jug Tavern, are thriving, clean towns that
owe their existence to the great G. G. & N.
Lswrenceville-old Lswrenceville, where
Bill Arp got his wife, is out of sight, not
iguratively bat literally, for the average
the car window. Athens, the hub OF
Northeast Georgia both as TO comm ercial
and manufacturing activity and as to
learning, is at one side from the G G. &
N. depot, but enough may be seen 10 war
rant the conviction that the old city Is
'lengthening her borders md strengthen
ing her stakes"
The Seaboard Air Line, the Georgia,
Carolina and Northern division Of which
ia but few years old, has perfect road
led and its equipment for passenger and
freight traffic is thoroughly first cless. In
deed it is rare thing for new trunk line
to enter the field az competitor for freight
ald travel as thoroughly equipped as WAS
the Seaboerd
Leaving Anderson at 1890 p. m. Tues
day the run was made without incident to
Atlanta in just six hours, and the return
trip would have been made in equally
good time, but for the delay caused by
dastardly attempt to wreck the train near
Lowndesville by piling cross ties on the
track. Fortunately the train was run ming
slowly at the time, or there might have
been q great loss of life. Nobody was hurt,
but the engine was too badly damaged to
proceed, and Mr.. Smith telegraphed from
the nearest station to Augusta for another,
which appeared on the scene in due time
and hauled the sleepy, hungry and dust
begrimed excursion into Anderson.
Atlanta is comparatively so near Us and
so many of our people have been there.
time and again, that 10 write anything OF
the city would appear to be superfuous.
Bat if to say or write anything of the
Gate City" is of no interest, it should be
of no interest to visit it, but people never
weary of wandering through the town and
out on the suburbs. The fact Is, Atlanta
is as replete with sight seeing and places of
absorbing wartime interest as it is full OF
busy life, and Atlanta's commercial and
industrial supremacy as Southern city is
conceded. Atlanta may not have any
more money than Charleston has, for in
stance, but she has what Is infinitely better
and wiser, willingness to pour it into the
arteries of trade and lavish it on herself
and thus while since the war Charleston
has been content to jog along in the old
ruts, making money to be sure, but hoard.
ing 1t, her young sister, utterly destroyed
by the desolatiDg hand of war and with no
prestige but geographical position and the
pluck of pertinGcity Of her business men,
Atlanta is mounting to place in the Bis
terhood of Southern cities of which her
present Importance is but an augury.