The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-18
A GLAD DAY AT DURHAM
The seaboard Makes Proposition
The Southern Presents Counter
Proposal---This the Seaboard
Promptly Accepts--Site
Selected.
Especial to News and observer.l

Especial to News and Observer
Durham, N c.. July 17.-Durham is to
have her Union Depot and that at once.
When compelled to face an order FROM
the Corporation Commission the Seaboard
and Southern Railway both laid down
their contentious today and have agreed
upon the terms and site for the Union
Station.
This climax in the hearing of the matter
before the commission was reached lst,
and counsel were preparing to argue the
case. 1t came after q proposition from
Judge L. r. Watts. chief counsel for
the Seaboard Road, which was greeted Jy
applause by those gathered in the court
house.
Acting upon the instructions of Col.
A. B. Andrews, Col. N A. Henderson,
chief counsel for the Southern, accepted
the proposition and then came some argu-
ment as to the exact meaning of the
proposition. Finally the Southern made
a counter proposition which was quickly
accepted by the Seaboard.
Upon the agreement of the two roads,
the scene in the court room was one
that has seldom been equalled In the
State. Everybody burst into a storm of
housekeeping and it was so general and
so involuntary a burst of enthusiasm ard
appreciation on the part of the people of
Durham who were present that the court
made no attempt to stop the demonstra-
tion.
The proposition Of the Seaboard was in
substance as follows: Thai they were per-
fectly willing to enter into an agreement
for depot at either the old market lot
or al site In that vicinity. all three roads
to pay one-third each, provided the Sea
beard could reach the site and that the
Southern would lease an easement for one
track up Peabody street to the freight
depot and Duke factory, the price to be
paid to be assessed By three disinterested
railroad men.
After this there was a short confer
ence between Col. Andrews and Col. Hen
derson, chief counsel for the Southern. and
a moment later Col. Henderson announces
that the proposition would be accepte..
This was the signal for the popular out
burst. Then followed some argument
again which looked as if the Southern WAS
trying to crawfish out of the accepted
proposition. Finally the representative OF
the Southern made a proposition that II
would go into a Union Depot with the
other two roads using he site suggested
by the Seaboard counsel, regardless of the
suits now pending regarding the ownership
OF Peabody street this agreement carrying
with it that the Seaboard and Norfolk
and Western roads are 10 have the right
to track to the depot.
Judge Watts, of the Seaboard Air Line.
was quickly on his feet and said that
this was an entirely different proposition
from the ore he made and charged that
during the days proceedings, the Southeru
had undergone a complete change in its
attitude towards the question, but that
in order to get n depot for Durham the
Seaboard would accept the proposition aud
then meet the Southern in the courts.
Philippi, or anywhere else as to who owns
the street west of the proposed Union
Station.
It had been moment Of great suspense
and there was another demonstration of
approval, when it was known that tsle
two roads had at last reached an agree
ment and that the Union Depot would
be built at once. 1t was suggested that
an adjournment be taken tlIl tomorrow
morning SO as to give the representatives
of the roads time to draw up and sign
the necessary papers. The attorneys for
the city thought this best as the city
wanted the matter settled at once and
forever
Tomorrow morning the Corporation
Commission will hold another session and
the necessary orders binding the roads
viii be made and the long fight over tho
Durham Union Station and the rights un-
der the Fuller Bill will come to an end
THE DEPOT LOCATION
The Union Depot is 20 be alongside Of
Peabody street two blocks east of the
present Southern Depot and near the
county court house. This is just one block
from Main street ard the street car line.
and two blocks from the centre of the
city as established by an act of the las
Legislature.
The property on which the new Union
DcDot will be located is that used until
reccltly by the city as a place for a
market house until the erection Of the
new market house was completed a few
months ago. 1t is an admirable location