The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-06-22
Great Seaboard System.
THREE BIGRAILROADS TOBE con-
SOLlDATED.
The Seaboard Air Line. Georgia &
Alabama, and Florida Central &
Peninsular-Throug Line From New
York to Jacksonville Will Soon be
an Established Patchwork Pro-
crossing Rapidly Between Richmond
and Ridgeway-Plans on Foot Which
Will Revolution Things.

RICHMOND, June 15.--There seems to
be no reasonable doubt that a deal is
now in progress and will probably be
completed by the first of July, which
will cause a revolution in the railroad
world
1t is said that three systems are TO
be consolidated, namely the Seaboard
Air Line, including the Richmond.
Petersburg and Carolina (Which is a
portion of the Seaboard Air Line. the
Georgia and Alabama and the Florida
Central and Peninsula railways.
Mr.. John Skelton Williams, Of this
city. is at the head OF the syndicate
that controls these lines. and it is
said that it is his hand which is
engineering the great movement,
which will result in giving the South
ern Railway a formidable competitor.
The consolidation of these lines, if
| effected, will doubtless cause a furry
in railroad official circles, for it is
said that quite number of changes
will be made. and that some heads
will necessarily fall In the shaking
| up which must attend such con-
solidation it is impossible to predict
| with any certainty to whose lot the
| important offices, such as general
passenger agent, general freight agent
and others would fall.
The main division of the Seaboard
Air Line runs from Portsmouth, Va,
which is it's deep-water terminus, to
Atlanta. Ga. The Richmond, Peters
burg and Carolina, as has been
stated, is portion of the system,
and work upor it is progressing
rapidly.
AS soon as the latter line is COM
pleted from Ridgeway, n. c., to Rich
mond. and traffic arrangements wit h
the Richmond, Frederick ksburg and
| Potomac and connecting lines have
been completed, direct route from
Atlanta to New York will have been
established.
| The Seaboard Air Line also has a
branch running from Wilmington, n.
c., to Rutherfordton, n. G., passing
through Charlotte, known as the
Carolina Central. The country
through which it passes is well set
| tlSu anu PIoVuSoiNN'
The Georgia and Alabama, which
has made great strides under its pres
ent management, runs from Savan-
nah, Ga, through rich cotton belt.
1t will prove paving portion OF the
| great system.
The Florida Central and Peninsula
runs from Columbia, 5. c., through
Savannah, Ga, to Jacksonville, Fla
The Seaboard Air Line is arranging
to build a link from Cheraw. 5. c.,
thus connecting the Seaboard Air
Line with the Florida Central, and
thereby securing through route
from New York to jacksonville in
competition with the Southern Rail
wav.
The Georgia and Alabama are now,
it is said, perfecting traffic arrange
ments whereby Birmingham, Ala.
will be reached, and an effort prob
ably be made to secure connection
with Memphis, Tenn, and Kansas
City, Mo.
! The above lines, the consolidation
of which now seems SO near at hand
are controlled by Richmond, New
York and Baltimore capital. Th'
members of the syndicate are al
active and progressive, and tn
inkling of the proposed movemen
has aroused great interest among
railroad men.