The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-05-02

The Due West Railroad.

The Due West Railroad.
Following up some previous correspond
ence with President Barr Of the Seabeard
Air Line railway Messrs. r. c. Brownlee,
R. 8. Galloway Inc A. 8. Kennedy represent.
ing Due West, and Messrs. G. A. Visanski
and Hugh Wilson representing Abbeville,
took the Seaboard train Monday afternoon
for Norfolk, Va, arriving at Norfolk about
eleven O'Clock next day. being two hours
late. AS soon as the committee was quar-.
tered in q hotel, telephone message was sent
to Mr.. Barr, notifying him that q committee
from Abbeville and Due West was In the city
and desired TO call OF him. He replied that
he would be pleased TO see the committee al
half-past twelve. At the appointed time the
committee appeared at his office.
Each member of the committee was intro
duced TO Mr.. Barr. Mr.. Visanskl stated the
object Of our visit.
Mr.. Galloway was called upon to give an
estimate az to the business or freight that
the proposed road might expect.
Mr.. BrownIee or Mr.. Kennedy, we believe
1t was, suggested as al inducement for Mr..
Barr to build the road, the ebert beds OF
Messrs. Lin and Aiken which were about
midway OF the line, and which would be
valuable as ballast for the railroad.
In reply to this proposition! MIR. Barr
knocked that argument out on firsti base.
he said: ION account Of Its cohesion IT
would not do for railroad ballast. Railroad
ballast must be porous, 30. as to drain the
tyoa Cbert had heeo triad in Alabama and
1t would not answer the purpose"
Mr.. Barr asked for what purpose 1t had
been used, when he was told that the tow
was hsulded II to spread on the streets and
sidewalks OF Abbeville.
President Barr then said that the building
Of q railroad was q matter Of business, and
that. he would send an officer within the next
ten days 10 investigate the probable profit.
II his report was favorable he would send
q surveyor or engineer TO report upon the
probable cost of building the road. The cost
OF rolling stock would not enter into the
calculation. This .oficer would be sent 10
MI. Viaanski from whom the necessary at
tention will be expected.
Mr.. Brownlee made the statement that we
proposed 10 give $780, 600 toward the construc-
ton Of the read.
President Barr asked the distance when he
was told that 1t would be eleven and q hall
miles.
Mr.. Barr said the cost, I presume, would
be about 100000 or $4,000.
Mr.. visanski asked II Mr.. Barr would con-
tribute to the building OF an electric line from
Abbeville to Due West.
Mr.. Barr with q smile on his face said hat
steam roads were q little jealous OF electric
liner; and that we would take up thai ques.
ton at some future time.
The committee then took their leave, feel
Ing gratified at their reception and the re-
suit.
The committee spent the afternoon seeing
the city. The trip TO Old Point where Fortres
Monroe guards the country from invasion by
fleets. The Fort Is surrounded by
and the guns guard q front age OF per
haps n or two miles.
On the spacious and beautifully kept
grounds are officers houses, churches and
other buildings. Among the notable build.
ings is the Chamberlain hotel. which cost to
build q million and q half and which was
sold for 100000.
=. 40 eo"0 ' VI k"ohsy
miles from Norfolk on the river route TO
Washington.
Mr.. Visanski and Mr.. Galloway returned
that evening leaving Norfolk at nine O'Clock.
Mr.. Kennedy, Mr.. Brownlee and Mr.. Will
son remained In the oily until the next
night.
During Wednesday they made the trip
over to Portsmouth,, and saw q little OF the
navy yard, viewed some OF the great vessels
In the waters, and went aboard thu Arkan
sas. We had been aboard but a little while
until we had the pleasure OF meeting
Lieutenant Thomas Parker, formerly Of this
Thomas Parker, like all other sons Of
The late w. H.. Parker, is an honor to bis
native town. He conducted US over his ship in
\ way that was exceedingly pleasant to US
al. A battle ship, or by whatever ~technacal
name the Arkansas may be called, is most
Interesting, and as we contemplate Its
strength, and the scientific skill with which
t is constructed, we may place confidence
md tust In the guns and the men behind
he gune. The Arkansas, we believe is
What Is called q cruiser. for coast defense. |
But whatever its name and whatever is
particular line OF duty, 1t is q comfort to the
and q terror TO any who might make
var on us.
Later In the afternoon the Virginia was
" ed past Us as We stood on the great plat.
orm that faced the water. |
We boarded an electric car for the James
own Exposition grounds, where work pre-
to the great show ia being done. AS
We returned q great number Of lsborers filled
he car and occupied every vacant seat. A
ady and her crippled companion, her son
We presume, come in too. The cripple found a
eat. The lady was standing. when Mr..
srownlee OF our party offered her the seat on
which he had been sitting. She replied
No, I thank you. l don't mind standing"
Mr.. Brownlee replied: 1--WE are not the men
o sit while a lady stands" And 40 the lady
vas seated. Her dress, her behaviour, and
Ter speech ali indicated that she was a lady
whom the gods would be proud