The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-02-05
THE DEPOT SITUATION.
Letter From President Childs to
President Wright, Of the Cham
ber of Commerce.

OF Commerce, Newberry, S. C.-Deal
sir: l notice report of the proceed
ings of your meeting in the "Obser,
ver' of today. 1t seems to me the
position of the c., N. & L., railway
is not understood by your people and
therefore l think it wise that I give
it to you in writing. ..
When the question Of union depot
was first agitated, took the position
that the, proper place from both q
railroad and the city standpoint was
south of the street where the two
roads cross. The depot placed there
would enable the people from the
most populous part Of Newberry to
reach the train without crossing the
railroad track. | made this sugges.
tion not only to your people but some
members of the Railroad Commits
sion, but understood from a member
Of same that in view of the fact that
The committee has required the South
crm to spend large amount on their
passenger depot, it would be unfair
to require them to remove it. 10
this suggestion | acquiesced, and
thought his position proper and be-
sides, my i'lea was opposed by good
many people in Newberry. Therefore,
| suggested that | move my line and
use the Southern railway depot.
took this matter up with the South
erm people and after long time
made an agreement with them. The
officials of the Southern railway be-
ing so terribly busy it is with great
difficulty that you are able to get
them to consider any serious PROPOSE
ton. Immediately went to work TO
construct the line as. you will see and
within one hour after we agree upon
it | can transfer my trains to it,
thought everything was practi-
cally decided on when committee
composed of your mayor and two
aldermen called upon me and suggest
ed that it was better for all parties
if practicable to have the Southern
street, so that the c., N. & l.. would
be on one side and the Southern on
the other, and the street at one end,
leaving the street where the present
depot is much wider and in better
condition for vehicles. I told the
committee that 1 thought it was a
very good idea and that as far as
the c., N. & l.. was concerned to do
it, and in order that the Southern
railway might not feel that I advo-
Gated this in order to save expense,
that I would contribute 1000, the
estimated cost of the sheds, towards
the expense Of moving this depot. ]
was informed at the time that Mr..
Williams, of the Southern railway,
would visit your town and decide on
what he would do. l did not wait,
however, on Mr.. Williams visit, but
took the matter up direct with Gen'l.
Mgr. Ackert and gave him my views
on the subject. He sent his personal
engineer to visit the place and I am
informed by him in recent letter that
thy are now working on the matter
to see if practicable and that I will
hear from him in few days.
l think you can readily understand
it would be unwise in me to put mon-
cy in sheds after I have committed
myself to spend the money in another
direction, in accordance with the
wishes expressed by your town
through your mayor and aldermen,
until it is settled whether the South
ern will grant the said request, which
I think we will know all about in the
near future.
Please say to your members for me
that there is not one of them as
much dissatisfied with our depot as
am. and I am doing everything a hui
man being can do, consistent with
good judgment, to get rid of it, and
if it is not very soon removed 1t will
be no fault of our. [ feel perfectly
satisfied my friends in Newberry
will do me justice if they know the
facts and will rely on your friend
ship to see they find them out.
Yours truly,
w. G.. Childs,
President.