The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-12
TEARING UP r. r. TRACK.
A Citizen Of Murfreesboro Gives The
View Of The Matter Entertained by
The Citizens Of That Place.

The Citizens Of That Place.
Murfreesboro, n. O., May 10, 1896.
To the Editor: Reading your paper Of
the Sth inst. / came across this heading:
Tearing up the S. A. L. Track" After
reading the article thus headed, feel it
my duty as a citizen of the town Of Muir
| freesboro to ask you to print the follow
ing that it will in a slight degree explain
| the action of the citizens of this noble
! old town in a clearer and more truth
full light than same accounts sent ou
by the s. A. L. officials. 1.-THE item pub
lished in the News and Observer came in
regular news channels, and no s. A. l..
official had anything to do with it.-Edi-
tori
In order to do this I will have to go
back a few years into the past 1t has
| only been a few years ago since Muir
| freesboro was thoroughly progressive
and prosperous town, with back count
ry from which to draw patronage second
| to none. At this time all of it's transpor-
tation was done by the AlbemarlS Steam
| Navigation Company down the river to
Franklin, Virginia.
! When the Seaboard road determined
to build the branch into this section, now
known as the Roanoke and Tar River
road, every effort was made and induce
ments offered to get them to run through
| Murfreesboro. Through the influence Of
the old mot the present. Albemarle Steam
Navigation Company, this was prevented
and instead the road was built within
six miles. cutting off the principal bust
ness feeding portion Of our back country.
Being thus blocked, Murfreesboro.
| through private subscription and issuing
bonds. constructed a six mile branch to
PendletOn. known as the Murfreesboro
Railroad Company, and leased it to the
Seaboard road for five years, for the con-
siderable amount Of NOTHING, and
keeping the road up.
! Since the 4th day of January, 1892, it
has been half run by that company-never
having convenient schedule, passengers
always having to wait in Boykins for
many hours.
| The lease terminated on the 4th day Of
January this year, with the road in de-
plorable condition. Since that time the
Seaboard has operated it as before, but
no definite agreement was made.
| On February 18th, the road was sold,
|
Railway Company. which company now
owns the road "AND NOT THE S. A.
l., LINE"
This company has tried every means
to make fair contract with the Sea-
board in order to have them operate the
road, Or to so prorate as to operate it
themselves. No proposition would be con-
sidered, it seems, except that the road be
given them or else that it should be
placed under such obligations to them
that they would soon own it. Seeing
that our people were not inclined to be
so liberal, especially to those who seem
to so little appreciate former favors, they
became very mad, and suddenly, without
any notice, stopped their train, leaving
mail, express and freight on the other
Iroad, much to the inconvenience and dis
lcomfture Of it's patrons. 1t stopped its
train Wednesday evening and on Thurs
lday morning, as the Virginian says, Mr.
Porter and his gang, (and GANG i,
was). were here to remove what property
1.-THE S. A. L. had at the depot and turn
table.
They Immediately, in an insulting man
ner, took charge of the warehouse, etc.
property Of the Murfreesboro Railway
Company.
Their actions, leaving the mail, express
etc, out Of reach, their insulting manner
together with their utter disregard for thu
convenience Of our citizens, thorough!
enraged them and justly so, for it IS ;
Novel experience in Southern railroad
ling" as we'll as a disgraceful and un
:. principled proceeding for railorad t
: thus suddenly stop it's trains to the incon
. venience and discontinue Of shippers ant
;. patrons generally. 1t was indeed an out
4 rage to the community.
q What burning Of bridge, track, etc
4 as was done was the track of the Nun
d freesboro Railway Company, and no
i that of the S. A. Line. 1t was done mere
It ly to inconvenience and delay, and as
v slight lesson to teach them that Nun
freesboro people did not intend to be i'm
posed upon by them any longer, and tina
- further tresspasses upon their right
xx,o,1I JNo mama ~ayAro1v pupishpI No n