The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-16

Col. J. D. BlandioR, president of Sumter
and Wa.eree Railroad Company, stated Satur-
day that the Affairs OF the company would be ia
shape By the middle Of this week to adver-
tse for bids for the construction of the road.
The deal for the Rowland property bas been
closed and titles for sbe property executed to
the company by Mr. Rowland Deeds for
the rights of way from the Wateree River to
Green Swamp have been executed by the
landowners along the line, and the rights of
way from the Rowland property have been
granted and titles given by the city OF Sum-
ter and the Sumter Cotton Mill to the limits
OF the city. The road will follow Factory
Street from the Peoples Ice Factory through
the property of the cotton mill TO the souia-
western limits of the city. From the limits
of the city to Green Swamp options have
been secured for the right of way and the
titles are now being executed. The most
vital point of ali, however, and The most i'm.
por!ant achievement in the interest of the
new road is the recent action OF the State
Railroad Commission. Col. Blsnding has
received notification that the commission
adopted formal resolution at its last meet"
ing authorizing tae Sumter and Wateree Rail.
road to cross the track of the Columbia
brauch of the Atlantic Coast Line at the
crossing of Factory Street, adjacent to the
Peoples Ice Factory. This permits the new
road to enter the city by the best and most
available route, and obviates the necessity
for several heavy curves that would have
heen required had the crossing been made at
point nearer the western limits of the city.
From the ice factory the tracks of the new
road will be almost without curve 10 Green
Swamp, and from the swamp the road viii!
be almost 40 air line 10 the river, the curves
being few and uuimportaut. Next week more
important news concerning the road may be
given out if the plans now under considers
ton develop as expected.
l, is stated on reliable authority that the
Lukens Lumber Company las succeeded 10
purchasing one thousand scres Of tiaber in
the upper portion Of Clarendon County and
that the mill will not BE- removed from
Sumter uotii this supply of timber is exhaust
ed This body of timber is bisected by the
wilson ADD Summerton railroad and is
easy of access from this city. The only rea-
SOD for the contemplated removal of the
Luksns Luabes Company from this city
was the inability ,e secure sufficient timber
to keep the mill running foe any length Of
tme, aud now that supply has oeen secured
1t ,s not beliered the mill will be remoy-
ed at all, for before the timber in Clarendon
has all been cnt the Csmden extension of the
Wilson and Snmmerton road will have been
omoleted and 6ne simber country opened up
to the mills. Straws show which way the wind
blows and the fact ihat persons representing
the men interested 10 the proposed road and
the lumber mill have bssn in the country be
tween this city and Camden during the past
two weeks regotiatiog for options 90
timber laods and making Inquiries in
reference TO the probability of securing the
rights Of way for the road to Camden, are
considered very certain indications that the
road is goiug 10 be built soon Another
other fact that lends color to the belief that
the road will be built at no distsnt day 10 the
statement of President Thomas Wilson, WHO
was in the city few days ago, that be bad
arranged to borrow 100000, or as much
more as may be needed to build the road.
he also stated that books Of subscription 10
The capital stock of the road would be open
ed at the proper time 10 this city, for the
purpose OF allowing any of the people OF
Sumter an opportunity TO sake stocklf they
80 desire, but that Snmter would not be asked
for dollar; if they want to take stock ss
an investment they may do 60, but If they
do not want stock he Is prepared TO taks
it himself