Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-07-05
SAVANNAH RIVER NOT IN GEORGIA.
Middle OF the Stream 10 the Dividing Line
Largo Interests are Involved.
GThe State.1

uc cV8tcb VI OOuIu SaTOllu8 duu
Georgia may be involved in a long
discussion as to the ownership of the
Savannah river and of islands therein.
1t will be remembered that this mat
ter was brought to the attention of
Gov. Hayward last spring by Audi
tor Pollitzer, of Beaufort county,
who stated that be had assessed for
taxation an island in the Savannah
opposite the city of Savannah and a
very valuable piece of the property,
as it contains the terminals of the
IsSeaboard Air Line Railway. The
taxes will be paid in Georgia, proba-
bly,, although Mr.. Pollitzer made the
assessment on the ground that the
island had been leased to the city of
Savannah for police protection alone,
and that for property purposes il
remains part of South Carolina.
And now the contention comes
from the other end of the great
stream. A gentleman whose name
is prominer. in all the State and who
just now engaged largely in manu-
featuring enterprises in the Pied
mont, writes to the editor of The
State that "there is the prospect for
some stir and discussion growing out
of certain water power rights on the
upper waters of the Savannah river
between Habersham county, Georgia,
and Oconee county, South Carolina.
"Our State records are quite clear
as to joint rights, but some good
folks in Georgia are endeavoring to
back the boundary to low water mark
on the South Carolina side. l ven-
ture to suggest as extensive improve
ments are to be made on both sides
of the river and as Georgia's claims
are prejudicial to South Carolina
plans, it might be well for the matter
to be examined carefully and the
truth established. So far as 1 have
seen South Carolina has half rights
to the water between the two States"
U. X. Gunter, Attorney General,
was asked yesterday for statement
in reference to the agreement be-
tween the two States as to the ripa-
Than rights along the Savannah river,
but he was unable to make declara-
tion without giving the matter care
ful attention and investigation. He
has been in correspondence for some
time with the Attorney General of
Georgia, Mr.. Hart, and they will
investigate the matter to the bottom,
as there is 80 much involved in the
recent agitation. Mr.. Gunter de-
clared that it would be some time
before he could give statement, as
.Azsld records must be examined. Tho
49, of South Carolina, defining the
DO ndaries of the State, are easily
acc ,s'ble, but there may he other
papers 7hich will give additional
light o. the subject. Mr.. Gunter
will reIucst A. S. Salley, Jr., clerk
of the South Carolina Historical
Commission, to assist in determining
this matter, or Mr.. Salley is familiar
with the re- IDS and can find them
more readily m ny one else.
A month ago Coz Hayward had
this matter brougL to MS attention
by Louis b. Magid, L. 's dent of the
Seri Culture and Manufacturing
Company of Tallulah Lodge, Ga, a
concern with a capitalization of
$250,0O0, which is engaged in the
manufacture of silk. Said Mr..
Magid in his letter: 81 am interested
in some property in Oconee county,
South Carolina, and beg to inquire
of you to give me definite opinion
Of where is the dividing line between
eS2he States of South Carolina and
q Georgia. From owners of land on
both sides of the river cannot
arrive at definite conclusion as to
where the line is.
"Georgians claim that the division