The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-22
TUESDAY. APRIL %. 1902.
WILMINGTON 81 ATLANTIC COAST
LINE.

Wilmington has for a long time shown
itself to be highly a~ppreciative OF me
benefits and Importance Of railroads.
When they were very imperfect in all
of their appointments the foremost and
most progressive citizens OF this town.
when il had but some 1000 inhabitants,
were among the very first to become
active and s~elf-sacrificing in order 10
secure railroad communication with
other sections. No town or city began
earlier to plan and work in this direc-
ton. The expenditures according tc
population and wealth were great, and
were not surpassed. probably not equal
ed. elsewhere. If a great prize were to
be awarded to the most liberal and ear
" community that took action for the
construction Of a railroad it is proba-
BILE that Wilmington would win It.
With the lapse of time the public spirit
in behalf of railroads on the part of OIL
city has not diminished. The apprec;a-
tion OF the utility and very great inn
portance of railway communication in
different directions has never diminish
ed in the least. Passing events and
wide experience united to give emphatic
emphasis to the blessings of railroads
as public carriers and developers IF a
country. The best and surest friend a
town can have is z good railroad sys-
tenn. This is true and there are hun
dreds Of towns and cities all around
our great country that are evidences
and ready witnesses in behalf Of this
positive statement. The vast growth,
the swift extension of population ever
greats areas, the immense develop
ment of industries, the tremendous
amount OF products transported to the
outside countries and countries beyond
seas. nave been mainly owing to the
widely extended communication by rail,
the rapidity of service, the great 2
bilities and of the various or
CARNATIONS. and the competition be-
tween them. No new country rapidly
develops, attracts population easily,
and increases in its values until the
railroad comes into it with all proper
and sufficient service. The increase in
h price Of property along all railroad
lines. and growth of population are to
be, credited to the railroads above ali
other help and causes.
Wilmington felt it's need sixty or
seVenty years ago, and its progressive
men went to work to secure a railroad,
n it was accomplished. It feels it's
need more than ever as the town has
expanded and the population has
steadily increased. The improvements
here within ten years are a surprise as
well as a cause Of admiration to visitors
who have been away for a decade. We
heard n such say lately that the new
buildings, attractive and capacious.
were a constant surprise and delight,
and that Wilmington was almost a new
town out and out. In ten years hun
sreds of new and handsome residences
nave been erected. and large, imposing
and solid public buildings have been
Quilt that adorn the city.
The Wilmington and Weldon railroad
mas had no little to do with this al
vance on substantial lines. 1t has
been both a feeder and a builder. II
has in many ways served our people
n they appreciate it. If there had
been no Wilmington and Weldon rail-
road and its systems there would be no
such city as Wilmington of 1902. ,
The extension Of this old line until
1t was embraced in the Atlantic Coast
Like now grown into Il great system
widely ramifying, has continued It's
good work for the city. 1t was injured
the Wilson road was constructed.
and yet the road felt no need OF chang
ing its other plans relative to Whining
ton. So far from this it has strengthen
ed and enlarged its advantages and
capabilities here, has added much to
its facilities and comforts in the build