The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-11-24
Trolley For AbbeviIle.

Elsewhere in this issue will be found an
article setting forth the probable plans OF
the owners Of the Anderson-Belton Trac-
ton Company in extending this line. It is
stated that the line will be pushed through
to G~reenville and thence to .~Spartanburg.
Then it is further stated as a certainty
that the line will connect with the Sea-
board Air Line, at Greenwood or Able
vile, moro probably Abbeville-
Abbeville has no desire to disparage in
the least, the claims Of her neighbor but
she may modestly set forth some Of the
advantages of her position.
A direct line from Bolton to Abbeville
would run slightly west Of Due West, and
would be a shorter line by about five miles
than a direct line to Greenwood. Due
West is a thriving town, with more capt.
tai in proportion to the number of its in
habitants, perhaps, than any town in the
State. Erskine College and Due West
Female College are both located there with
a large attendance, and II they could con-
meet Immediately with the Seaboard, the
student travel alone would mean much
to the trolley line making the connection.
The line from Bolton by way Of Due West
to Abbeville would pass through terri
tory in Abbeville County that is not &C
comodated by any steam or electrical line
at this time, and it is the most desirable
farming section Of Abbeville County.
If it is the purpose Of the promoters to
touch all the towns near its general
course, it might parallel the Southern to
Honea Path and thence tot Donnalds and
then parallel the Due West road. From
Due West to Abbeville is virgin country
in so far as road facilities are concerned.
On q line from Due West to Abbeville
there is an:.excellent ebert bed containing
hundreds of thousands Of tons. It's quail
ity has been shown by actual demonstra-
ton to bejsecond to none in the state. Gov
eminent and railrond experts, after max
ing careful examination Of the quality and
quantity have pronounced 1t the very best
One city alone has agreed to take a thou
sand tons Of the ebert If it can be deliv-
cred on the Seaboard. Here would BE
constant and steady work for the freight
department Of the trolley system, TO say
nothing of the passenger and freight
business, incident to the road going
through the most prosperous and thickly
settled portion Of Abbeville County.
Abbeville Is ready to do her full share to
secure this road, and without any definite
information on the subject, 1t may be safe
ly assumed that Due West will do the
same. Even If 1t should be the policy OF
the promoters to touch at Honea Path and
Donalds, they can Ill afford to pass by
Due West. Which Is not only a splendid
town now, with its colleges. its banks and
its large commercial interests but Is en-
tering on q new era of growth and pros
perity.
The Press and Banner would not pre-
sumo to shape the policy Of the owners Of
the trolley system further than Is indica-
tedin their own statement, but a sugges-
ton may not be amiss.
For years there has been agitation look
ing to some kind Of public conveyance
from Abbeville to Edgefleld, there connect
ing with the road from Edgeield to Aiken.
This would pass through rich and popu.
lous sections OF Abbeville and Edgefeld
that are not now served by any road. "A
most desirable route would be through
the Bellevue 'section and by way OF Nc
Cormick, one Of the most thriving little
towns in the State. Without simplifying
on this extension from Abbeville, at this
time, should the matter be seriously con-
sineredit would be worth the time ofthose
|interestedto go over the route.
There are many great advantages that
can be brought to Their attention,