The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-09-20
CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN LET.
The Charleston, Virginia and Ohio
River Railroad Will be the Title
Of the Great Through Line
From the Coal Fields to
the Canal.


through line between Charleston auc
Chicago, in which the great Cincili-
natl. Hamilton and Dayton system
was largely interested, has been mac
at intervals during the last fe
months, but it is only reeently thu.
the details of the plans have been gir-
en- out by those in authority and tt.e
matter assumed more definite shape.
From New York yesterday the in
formation was received that Mr.. A.
M. Lee, of Smvthe. Lee & Frost. and
Capt. Thomas Wilson, president Of
the NORTH western Railroad, are row
in that city for the purpose Of confer
ring with Mr.. John E. Bleekman and
Others who are interested in the pro-
iect. The new lire will be known as
! the Charleston, Virginia and Chicago
River Railroad and, will, with its
connections from direct line be-
tween Chicago and the Atlantic Ocean
at Charleston.
| The Railway and Engineering Re-
view. Chicago, for September 9. con-
/ tains the following, which gives
general idea of the plans as understood
Bin railroad circles:
Plans are under way by the Cincin
natl. Hamilton and Dayton Railroad
! for Improvements. including an exten-
sion, which. will give through line
from the Atlantic seaboard, at Char
| lesion, S. c., to Chicago. AS this
new route will pass through rich coal
fields, the extension will make the
road essentially a coal carrier. In ad-
dition to its rail lines, interests afh
| lated with the company will establish
a feet of steamers on the lakes for the
transportation Of coal and iron ore.
When all the plans are carried out
| the line will be able to handle econo-
mica]ly coal from the Ketucky fields
and ore from the fields of Lake Su-
per:or. The company has acquired
$50. 900 acres of coal lands in Ken
tucky. A line will be built from
| Charleston to connect with the new
| line into the Kentucky coal fields 1t
is understood that new company is
to be formed. controlled in thu inter
est of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and
Dayton. to carry On the improvements
and extensions.
AS has been explained 10 some
length previously, the line to be con-
structed by the c., b. and D. will
include the building of a bridge at
Ironton, which has already been con-
structed for. and which will cost about
a million of dollars. A line will then
be carried through the mountails S to
Norton. and here connection will be
had and the line towards Charleston
taken up.
The Charleston proposition is the
building of short road for this city
to ST. Paul, where it will connect
| with the Northwestern, of Souh Caro-
| lima, and another link in the chain will
be between Chester and Camden. a
construction company has already been
| projected here aud considerable
amount-probably half Of the money
needed, has been secured. Further
movement in this matter will be made
after visit from Mr.. Zimmerman.
which may be within few weeks.
Mayor Rhett. who is greatly inter-
ested in the project, as be is in any
and every matter pertaining to the up
/ building and progress of the city, vls-
tied Mr. Zimmerman at Cincinnati a
| few weeks ago. and bad most salts
factory talk with the railroad presi-
deut in regard to the proposed through
line from the coal fields to the sea
Mr.. Zimmerman indicated his will
lingness to coue to Charleston and
explain the matter fully to all inter
ested, and while it was not deemed ex-
pedient for. the visit to be made while
a great number Of business men we're
away for the summer, the president Of
| the c., b. and D. will come within
a.few weeks and give his views of the
excellence and practicability of the
| new line.
Mayor Rhett went out to Iropton.
where the c.. b. and D., has already
contracted for million-d dollar bridge
and has also let contracts for con-
struction toward the coal fields. Ho
! is not only hopeful. but enthusiastic
on the subject. and says unreservedly
that the building of these connections
and the establishment of this through
| line between Chicago and Charleston
must be of the greatest possible benefit
to this city.-News and Courier.