The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-20
TO Be SOUTHPORT
Will it be Deep Water
Terminal?
Visit of Col. Fries of Southbound, and
Mr.. Ferguson, Representing North
ern Capitalists. Point 10 Gisan-
tic Possibilities.

The Wilmington Messenger speak
ing Of the visit of Col. F. II. Fries,
Sa--S
Col. +. II. Fries. of Winston, one of
the promoters of the Southbound
Railway, which is seeking an outlet at
some port on the South Atlantic Coast,
with the idea of eventually making
the place selected an immense coaling
station. arriving in Wilmington yester-
day and went at once to Southport
spending the day there considering
the advantages of that place.
1t will be recalled that the original
plan of the Southbound was to seek an
outlet at Charleston, but later strenu-
Gus efforts were made by both the
business men of Southport and Will
mington, to induce the promoters to
run their road to the mouth of the
Cape Fear, their argument being that
in every way Southport is preferable
to the South Carolina city, its advan-
tageS far OutnumberinS those OF
Charleston.
Col. Fries went to Southport with
Mr.. Il. G.. Smallbones, of the Clyde
Steamship Co, and Hon. Jno. d. Bel
lamy,, and they were met there by
committee of the Southport chamber
Of commerce. Messrs. f. c. Hood
the lower Cape Fear, took the visit
ors in charge and showed them the adj
vantages Southport has to offer. Dur
ing the day Col. Fries met most of the
business men of the town and he was
given a cordial welcome by them all.
The Winston capitalist spent the
day in thoroughly looking over the
situation. He viewed the water front
and was shown government charts
the bar and in the harbor. He dis
cussed the matter with Southport citi
zens and found them enthusiastic con-
corning the possibilities for develop
ment of their town.
Col. Fries expressed the desire that
Southport would be chosen, but he
said he would of necessity have to
submit all the facts to the syndicate
that is constructing the road and that
their decision would be final.
How to Get the Road.
He stated Of course that the road
would be run through the country
that seems most to desire it and he
expressed the opinion that the prom
Use of several hundred thousand dol
lars worth of bonds from Brunswick
and Columbus counties might have
great weight in the final decision. He
recognized the possibilities of develop
ment in both of these counties the
great thing that is needed now. being
admittedly, railroads.
Col. Fries requested Messrs. Hood
and Pike to write him fully, at once,
all the advantages that Southport has
to offer. with the probable help that
can be counted on from the coun-
ties that will be traversed and any
other facts and figures that may be of
interest or value. These facts he has
promised to submit. with his own
views. TO the capitalists assoEiated
with him, with whom he will be in
consultation in few days. and he
thinks it probable that within ten
days time he will be able to give the
Southport people q definite answer as
to whether their city will be the ChO-
sen outlet or not
The Southport people are enthusi-
aStiC over the visit of Col Fries, and
they greatly rejoice in the interest
that was manifested by him. They
are confident that if he really recog-
nizes the advantages of their location
there will be no doubt about his de-
cision. 1t takes only a faint imagina-
ton to picture a great city at the
mouth of the Cape Fear. Ideally sit
uated, in safe harbor, and near the
course of all ocean steamers, it is
q wonder that long ere this some en-
terprising capitalists have not made
it the terminus of railroad. with
great coaling facilities. a bright flu
ture surely awaits the town, and the
time now seems at hand when the
beginning is to be made.
Messrs. Hood and Pike will get to
work at once on their report and will
send it to Col. Fries within a day or
two. They await news from him with
eagerness, of course, but they have
confidence that his wisdom will die
tate the choice of Southport
To Meet the Conditions.
Col. Fries intimated that his COM
pany would expect q bond issue of
probably 100000 from Columbus
county and $4,000 from Brunswick.
Those in a position to know believe
that these amounts can be yaised
without any great effort.
The lower part of Columbus County
is composed of rich timber lands and
fine trucking lands that only need
railroad to make them the source of
unbounded wealth to their owners.
MIR. Hood intends to make trip
through Columbus county within the
next few days to talk over the Situa-
ton with the people and to gain some
definite idea as to what could be eX-
pected from them.
Mr.. Mark Ferguson. of New York,
a former Southport citizen, represent
ing some Chicago and Western CAPT
talists. has been in Southport for some
time considering the advantages of
that port as a great export center.
The idea is to build a railroad, con-
Meeting with western lines, with ter
minus at Southport, where connection
will be made with a line of steamers
for South African ports.
Mr. Ferguson will not talk much
concerning the plans of those whom
he represents, but from statements
made by him. it is believed that the
plan mapped out is gigantic one
and that it's fulfillment would make
q prosperous and thriving city, dong
an immense foreign trade.