Henderson gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1911-19??, 1911-06-01
PLANNING FOR NEW RAILROAD.
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
Hears Reports ofAutomobilists Who
Came to Henderson Over Route of
prOposed New Road.

ar the Chamber OF commerce nhli
there was large gathering OF mem
h-r. TO hear the reports Of those who
r.r.ntIy went over the route Of the
rrnDo3ed Greensboro Burlington
Grabam- -Roxboro- Oxford Henderson
Railroad in automobiles, and to con-
slider plans for providing funds for
the road. At the meeting were many
Of the most progressive business
men Of this progressive city, evidenc-
ing plainly that interest in securing
another railroad out from Greens
boro is deep, determined and sound.
Among the many reports made OF
what was seen along the route, there
was not a single spread-eagle speech
made but simple statements of a
splendid country, flied with intelli-
rent farmers, fine timber, evidences
Of progress in road building, agricul-
tnre, and manufacturing were made
by such leading business men as
Capt. J. W. Fry, president of the
Greensboro Loan and Trust COmpa-
nv and former manager of the G. F.
&Y. Y. Railroad; A. l.. Brooks, for
mer solicitor and leading financial
progressive and investor; e. ID. Ben
bow, known everywhere as one Of
the States most aggressive business
men and capitalists; K. &. Hood,
president of the Chamber of Com
merce, n wonder of progressive en-
ergy in business development, and
connected with the Southern Real
Estate and Trust Company; j. T.
Fain, editor of the Telegram, who,
recently coming from South Carolina,
has in a brief space shown Green's
bJrO that he is not only capable OF
running a first class daily paper, but
determined to line up with business
progress in all healthfui undertake
ings, Postmaster r. d. Douglas, al,
ways foremost in public service enter
prisrs and prudent investment in such.
After relating what was seen on the
trip, how the the new road would not
only tap some of the prettiest farm
ing and timber lands in the State, in
Caswell and Person, now twenty
miles from railroad, they spoke OF
the factories or the line, and dwelt
on the bright prospects OF aid and
encouragement of the enterprise from
the thriving, developing towns OF
Gibsonville, Burlington, Graham,
RoxborO, Oxford and Henderson.
Hon. A. l.. Brooks, who was raised
in RoxbOrO, and is therefore familiar
with the whole section, spoke more
particularly OF the fine character OF
the people, their prosperity, intelli-
gence and progressive desires. He
showed the density of the population
by census returns, comparing it with
other prosperous railroad sections
with much smaller population and
wealth per mile of road. He gave
facts and figures to show how much
Greensboro could be benefited by the
road, if for nothing else than by
gaining connection for freight and
passenger accommodations with the
Norfolk and Western at RoXboro,
the SeabOard Air Line at Henderson,
possibly with the Atlantic Coast
Line, and certainly putting Green's
bOrO fifty miles nearer Norfolk.
Capt. j. W. Fry, in his report, talk
ed as railroad builder and opera
tor of years OF experience. After re-
lating what splendid opportunities
in natural resources the route, as he
viewed it, offered, as compared with
other territory through which sue
cessful enterprises had been carried
years ago, he said the physical dit
ticulties to encounter we're remarka-
bly, few The whole route, lying on
ridge, was comparatively level and
but few streams would have to be
brdged. On this account, an ex-
pert engineer, who had made a care
tul estimate, put the cost of the road
ready for operating at $4,000 pei
mile. This would make the entire
line less than S2,0O0,OOO.
Something like half q million dol
lars would have to be guaranteed by
local interests along the line before
bonds could be <fiOated and the re-
maindpr of the money secured tC
build the road. Capt. Fry said the
interest on the bonds would be $3.50
per mile, but contrasting net earn
lngs Of other much less favored
Roads IN other sections, he said the
proposed road he confidently be,
Ieved, would earn net 81 200 pei
mile, leaving good income over in
terest charges.
From the fact that the road goes
through large section of the wealthy
counties OF GuilfOrd, Alamance, Gas
We'll, Person, Granville and Vance
touches splendid back country anC
passes through so many progres
slve, enterprising towns of industria
and commercial magnitude like Glib
sonville, Burlington, Roxboro, Ok
lord and Henderson, besides going
through several insulated cottoI
mill villages, the prospect of getting
The half million necessary by privat'
subscription, county, town and town
ship bond issues, is first class.
he outcome of the meeting wa
Tile unanimous adopting OF resolu
ton by the Chamber OF Commerce
TO at once employ an expert to max
careful and detailed examination
and report of the entire country be
tween Greensboro and Henderson
lor the purpose OF ascertaining th
probable business of the ffne, and th
exact cost of construction. Thi
preliminary work will begin as 500
Gs d.. the proper expert can be secured
WITH this work done, and the repor
made, the Chamber of Commerce wi
oe prepared to give exactly what tn
road will cost and what it will earn
ana will then actively and persist
entity begin campaign here an
elsewhere to raise the needed amour
ne 4iTe7cessary to finance the project
Lnere was some talk last night {
lue more nrontinnl 1lan and NOR