The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-20


road at some point between Cheraw
and Camden. The shortest and gem
orally the most feasible route was
that via Bishopvilie to point at or
near Bethune. Some seven or eight
years ago a movement was undertake
en- TO promote a local enterprise to
dicated. Nessrs. Neill O'Donnell. l..
|. Manning. w. III. Ingram, the late
Marion Noise. of this city and Mr.. T..
c.. Mcleod, of Bishopville took the
Initiative i'm the matter, and, after
several conferences with representa-
tiVcs OF the Sea board, which was then
and associates of Richmond Va. an
understanding was reached that the
Seahoard would cooperate in the
undertaking on certain conditions.
chief of which were that the route
he surveyed and demonstrated to be
feasible and not too costly. that the
rights of way be secured and termi-
, nal sites in Bishopvile and sumter be
provided. Pursuant TO this agree
ment Maj. W. Loring Lee and Mr..
Thomas. of the Seaboard Air Line
construction department, an expert.
enced railroad engineer, were en-
ployed TO make the survey. Several
preliminary lines were run and finally
the best route was chosen as the
permanent line. This line was sur
veyed. the profile plats were made
and everything was in readiness to
go forward with the work of con-
struction. a large percentage of
the required rights of way had been
pledged by landowners and the road
would undoubtedly have been builr
In short time but for the financial
difficulties that overlook the Seaboard
Just at this time as the result Of the
hight made by the Ryan interests to
wrest control of the Seaboard system
from the Williams syndicate. Ryan
who had powerful financial backing
gained control, bond issues were piled
up on top OF bond issues and the
Seaboard was soon forced into the
hands of receivers on petition of
bondholders. This ended for the
time all hope Of building the Sumter
BishopNille line.
The Seaboard proposition was
dead issue for five or six years. and
nothing was heard Of it, except an
occasional newspaper article urging
that the enterprise be revived and a
determined effort made to obtain
connection with the Seaboard--the
one thing necessary to perfect sum-
ter's railroad facilities. During that
time. however. several interviws were
had with Mr.. Manning by Seaboard
officials and representatives Of the
bankers who were financing the sys-
TEN. and confidence that the branch
would ultimately be built was revived.
After the lapse of few years the
finances of the Seaboard were ad-
justed. its business improved, the diff
ferences with the bondholders were
settled, the receivers were discharged
and progressive syndicate regained
control. Then began an era Of ex-
pansion and development. Branch
roads were thrown out from the main
line at various points to serve as
feeders. The SeaboaId entered Ma
rion. Dillon. Bennettsville and Null
lins in this State and several towns
in North Carolina But i'm every in
stance these branch roads were given
free rights of way. free terminal sites
and other substantial inducements by
the towns and sections through which
they were built-some of these towns
had no railroads. but majority
sought and We're willing to pay
reasonable sum to secure additional
facilities and a competing railroad
system.
This policy of expansion on the
part of the Seaboard increased the
hope entertained here that the sum
r-Bishopv!lle branch might lie
built in the ncah future. The rail
road committee of the Chamber of
Commerce took up the matter with
Mr.. w. X. BOnsal. who was promot-
'ng and building the branch lines Of
the Seaboard. Considerable CORE
spondence and several conferences