Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-10-10
CARD FROM Mr.. DoUeHERTy.
The Reason Why the Promised Trains Did
Not Run.

The Reason Why the Promised Trains Did
Not Run.
Editor Yorkville Enquirer:
I have read your account in your Sat-
urday issue Of the Sam Jones lecture
at Yorkville on the 25th Of September,
in which it is charged that I am per-
sonally to blame for the financial fall
ure, which you seem to attribute who'll
ily to failure to operate the special
trains, and that my conduct, as seen
from your end of the line, was shame
full.
For the benefit Of those concerned,
and in justice to myself, desire to ex-
plain my position and give you view
of the situation from this end Of the
line, and trust you will give 1t space
In your next issue.
About a week prior to the date on
which the lecture was to be given,
met, by appointment, the committee,
composed Of Mr.. s. L. Hobbs and two
other gentlemen at the depot, and
white the train stopped we discussed
the advisability of running special
trains from Rock Hill and Gaffney. I
explained the cost would be In the
neighborhood of $125-not less than 500
Ito charter the proposed trains, and
that this amount would not be realized
unless large crowd turned out, as the
distance in either direction from York
Vile was short, and Of course the fare
would necessarily have to be very cheap;
but. stated that I was Of the opinion
that If the occasion was thoroughly ad-
vertised, a sufficient number would go
to pay the contract price Of the trains,
which subsequently was arranged for
s10O. In this opinion the committee,
including Mr.. Hobbs, fully concurred,
and I was assured that If the amount
was not realized, they, the committee,
would at least stand their proportion
Of the loss. With this understanding I
decided to operate the trains and gave
Mr.. Hobbs a memo Of the schedule,
fares, &C., to have circulars printed
and start the advertising as quickly as
possible.
Mr.. Hobbs and others, I have no
doubt, did all they could to promote
the undertaking; but I individually
was no less interested in the success Of
the scheme than they were, having
spent money and time going to diff
ferent places and sending others at my
expense'to advertise and induce people
to 60.
I took hold Of the project in good
faith. determined to carry out my part
and run the trains according to pro-
gramme; and would certainly have
done so, if it were not for the advices
I received about o'clock p. m, from
all points from which the trains were
to carry people, to the effect that on
account of the rain at that hour, and
the indications that it would continue,
very few people, If any, would go. I
made diligent inquiry by telegraph and
and they all reported that the bad
weather conditions would prevent the
people from buying tickets. The out
look and prospects generally were so
very gloomy that was advised by sew
eral parties at. different places that 1t
the people would not venture out. At
ter celebrating on this advice and in
formation, I could reach no other
practical conclusion, except to annul
the trains, which I finally done; but
very reluctantly, and sent out word
promptly to agents and others to notify
all concerned that the trains were
abandoned; and from the information
gathered, very few, if any were disap-
pointed, except possibly small num-
Der from Hickory Grove and Sharon,
and they received the information in
ample time to attend by private con-
veyance.
If Mr.. Hobbs and others, who are con-
demning my action, will consider the
matter from an unprejudiced and
practical point of view. they will, no
doubt, agree that, for our mutual in
terest, I pursued the proper course; for
certainly If the trains were run it
would be at loss Of at least $50 or
$S5, and this would be borne, If Mr..
Hobbs was sincere in his promise, by
myself and the committee; it is, there
fore, very clear that the committee
and management are benefited very
materially by my disseminating the
runs. OF course if Mr.. Hobbs forgot
his promise and did not consider him
self or the committee under any obli-
fn RI
pate in the loss sustained by reason Of
hauling empty coaches, or practically
so, then he or they would be ahead
possibly $40 or s12, and I personally
would be in the hole, as you express
it, for the full amount, $50.
1t is unfortunate indeed that the
weather and other conditions were so
unfavorable; and I sincerely regret
that our efforts met with such poor
success; but don't see how I can rea-
sonably be held responsible for the
failure of the Yorkville people to ap-
preciate or patronize the lecture.
l think, and others directly interest
ed share the same opinion, that my
action was justifiable and proper.
1 done what any other man of good
sense would have done under the cir
Observation-Disclosures the train.
Yours truly,
E. F. DoUGHERTY.
Blacksburg, S. c., October 6, 1900
Upon receipt of the foregoing Mon
day morning, it was sent to Mr. S. l..
Hobbs. who replied as follows: