Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-04-26
THE BLUE RIDGE ROAD MATTER.
Strong Delegation Will Present Prop
OSitiOn to Officials Of Southern.
anderson Mail, 22d.)

"'h SSos
AT a meeting Of the Blue Ridge
railroad committee-named by the
Chamber of Commerce-held in the
Office of Gen. NJ. l.. Bonham, the
chairman, to-day, it was decided that
a committee go to Washington, for a
conference, On May 5th at noon, with
the officials Of the Southern rail
road, with reference to the proposed
extension Of the Blue Ridge railroad
over the mountains to Knoxville,
Tenn. Many who attended the meet
ing volunteered to make the trip,
and a resolution was adopted author
izing the chairman to ask all cities
between Knoxville, Tenn, and Char
lesion to send delegations, 70 meet
with the Anderson delegation at
Washington, and later with the
Southern officials. In Anderson bust
ness men. not members Of the COM
mittee, but who may be able and will
ing to make the trip, are asked to
hand their names to Gen. Bonham.
1t is desired that the committee be a
large me-.
Present at the meeting to-day
were: NJ. l.. Bonham, ~. Frank Wat
kins, b. +. Martin, J. r. Shelor. j. r..
Anderson, J. r. Vandiver, j. j. Fret
we'll: Lee G.. Holleman, Of Anderson;
ID. A. Geer, Bolton; J. D: McIClroy,
Sandy Springs; G. w. Sullivan, Will
liamSton, and DR.. E. G.. Doyle. Sen
eca. Those who signified their intcn-
ton to do so. or sent word that they
would go to Washington, were the
following: j. S. Fowler. Robert r.
Jayncs, J. J. Fretwcll, j. r.. Vandi-
YER, DR.. L. c. Doyle. NJ. l.. Bonham,
ID. A.. Geer, b. +. Mauldin, Lee G..
Holleman and }. r. Anderson.
On calling the meeting together
Gen. Bonham read a telegram re-
ceived by him from Col. Andrews, in
which the latter said that he and
President Finley, Of the Southern,
the 2Oth Of April, the date first ar
ranged for a conference.
A letter from President Finley was
then read. 1t stated that while APP
pretiating the interest shown by the
people along the line, the Southern is
not in a position at this time to take
up the work Of completing the Blue
Ridge through the mountains. The
receipt Of this letter led to the call
ing Of the meeting held to-day.
1t was decided by Gen. Bonham,
after the letter had been received
that the best plan would be to send
a strong committee to Washington,
to present the matter before the
officials Of the Southern, assuring
them Of substantial support from
the cities and towns along the
route from Knoxville, Tenn, to
Charleston, inclusive. Arrangements
had been made at these points to
send committees here for a confer
ence, and they are now to be asked
to send delegations to Washington.
There a discussion as to the
nature Of the proposition to be laid
before the Southern officials this
finally resulting in the decision to
make it short and plain; asking
what IS desired Of the people alone
the line to influence the officials to
take up the work at once. Delega-
tons from all along the route were
desired in order that the matter
could be more forcibly presented and
some decision reached.
At the meeting there was no lack
of enthusiasm. Every member pres.
ent was determined to leave moth.
ing undone that would help toward
the end sought, and the same inter.
est, Judged from the letters received
by Gen. Bonham, Is felt all along the
line, that the Blue Ridge should &C
through!
The committee to go to Wash,
ington will leave here on the after
noon of Thursday, May 4th, and the
conference with the officials is tt
be arranged for Friday at noon, Ma!
9TH.