The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-17
NEW RAILROAD PROJECT
Will GIVE Closer Touch With all North
Carolina Towns
ELECTRIC STREET RAILROAD is NEXT
Electric Line to Go Down River Eighteen Miles
to Attractive Res9t---k w Bank Build
ing--- Progress" is the Watch
word il Elizabsth City.
(staff Correspondence

Elizabeth City, N. C., May 16.-FeW
North Carolinians outside this immediate
section realize what progress and develop
ment has taken place here during the
past few years and what undertakings
are on foot and viii be successfully ter
minated during the early future. Eliza
beth City claims to be the second city
in North Carolina in point of rapid prog
ress and it is certain to occur to the
visitor that much credit is due to many
individuals for the rapid strides being
taken.
Those of us who are naturally interest
ed in the special development of Elizabeth
City take pride in pointing out its supe-
riority. Commercial life has taken new
grasp on affairs until today every bust
ness interest is in better condition than
ever before in the history of this section.
In addition to the present railway facili-
ties afforded by the Norfolk and South
ern Railway rapid progress is being made
in the construction of the Suffolk ana
Carolina which will connect this city with
Suffolk, Va, thereby making new competi-
tien and affording quicker and more direct
communication between Elizabeth City
and North Carolina points. Within the
next week power VIII be turned on the
extensive electric plant just completed
which has been constructed by Baltimore
capital Mr.. H. C. Tunis, who has been
identified with the construction of rail-
road and in the lumber business in this
section, being at the head. This same
company is laying the mains for the
water supply and sewerage which will be
completed and In operation IN July. In
addition to these improvements this same.
company has announced definitely that as
soon as the undertakings now underway
have been completed that they will take
advantage of their franchise and build the
best equipped electric car system in the
State. Already the apparatus has been
installed in the new power house. The
new power company is supplying motive
power to GHHlber of the milling concerns
and will shortly turn the wheels in the
cotton mills here.
The land and improvement company has
accomplished a great work by marketing
to the most desirable settlers improved
and beautified sections of the city. Few
people realize that Elizabeth City has
long passed the 10000 mark in popula-
ton and is the fastest growing city in
che east.
A well defined plan is on foot for the
extension of the electric line eighteen
miles down the river and the location at
that terminus of resort to be made one
Of the most attractive in the South. The
line of rail is to be run near the river
and the property along the route will be
obtainable only by parties who Will build
creditable residences, thus giving an OPP
"a nv
seekers.
Mr. Tunis, who has been one of the
chief moving spirits in this undertaking,
says that Elizabeth City is bound to grow
rapidly now that its advantages are be-
coming known to the world. He says it
is not on account of any united action on
the part of the people, because some
have not yet awakened to the fact that
they are only prohting and are dong
nothing to aid in the development of the
city. Some are very progressive and nev-
er lose opportunity to advertise the ma
tural advantages of the city to the outside
world At the present time two excellent
brick business buildings are being removed
to open new business street which Will
mean much for the city. This street viii
connect the depot of the Norfolk and
Southern with the new depot to be built ,
by the Suffolk and Carolina and will also
aid in making the wharves more accessi-
BILE to commerce. The most improved OF
steel bridges is now underway and will be
portion of this thoroughfare.
The humber interests here are on the !
increase, the Kramer Lumber Company |
the Blade Lumber Company and others I
constantly adding to and improving their
plants Though the scatch has not been
as large this year as formerly the prices
for fish and oysters has been higher and
the additional success of the trucking sea-
son has made the year unusually bright.
The younger business men OF the town
are showing the proper spirit and every
thing possible is coming out with new
life Among the number of these is Mr..
w. T. Old. Jr., cashier of the First Ma
tional Bank Mr. Old is identified closely
with the leading progressive business IA
terests and also with the social life of the
city.
The Arlington Hotel has made improve
ments and the proprietor, Mr.. Sawyer, IS
among the number who are showing TO
the outside world the advantages of tue
city. 1t may be truly said that the view
from this hotel is a sufficient attraction TO
hold visitor in Elizabeth City. Famous
Peachtree street in Atlanta and Euclid
avenue in Cleveland are said to be the