The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-05-17

Latest evidence OF the intention Of
the Seaboard Air Line to extend its
tracks TO Charleston is had from the
recent activities Of a corps Of survey.
ors between here and Georgetown.
No official statement has yet been
forthcoming concerning the purposes
of the railroad, but various incidents
strengthen the belief that it will not be
long before the Seaboard will be ope-
rating trains to Charleston. According
TO the line taken by the surveyors, the
railroad will build from Georgetown
or Andrews--between Georgetown and
Lanes-almost in a bee line to Mount
Holly, the line into Charleston parai-
telling the Atlantic Coast Line, being
built to the east. The surveyors spent
some time in the section they covered.
but had no report for publication. Per-
sons making inquiries were told that
when the SeabOard was ready to pro-
claim it's intentions a formal statement
would be issued from headquarters by
the president or by the chairman Of
the board OF directors.
Since the construction of various
lines - the Pee Dee section and the
extension into Georgetown 1t has been
accepted that the Seaboard would
build to Charleston. Valuable termi-
nal property is owned here and quite
recently representatives of the COM
pany have come to Charleston on
business connected with its real .es-
tate holdings. 1t is also believed that
the Seaboard will build terminal ia
cilitls at Mount Pleasant. in proximity
to Remley's Point. In connection with
the reports regarding Mount Pleasant,
it Is stated that the railroad will en-
ter Charleston by a line down the
coast from Georgetown, passing
through McClelianville, thereby open
ing up section rich in natural re-
sources, the development OF which
has been retarded by lack OF trans
portation facilities. People who sx-
pect the Seaboard to use the coast
route think that the company will
make use Of the proposed electric
railway between Mount Pleasant and
McClellanville. which Jas Sottile and
his associates intend to construct in
the autumn at a cost OF about stOO,-
600, s0-pound rails being laid for he
entire thirty-six miles.
A business man who is belIeV,f 10
be In fairly close touch with officers
OF the Seaboard said yesterday that
he was personally satisfied that 10
would not be long before the COM
pany made an official statement OF
its purposes, though he was not pre-
pared TO say that any one had inform
ed him definitely concerning the COM
pany's plans. He said that the Sea-
board realized that Charleston was
progressing and that the operation OF
the Panama Canal would bring about
marked activities here. He personal
ly believed that the surveyors at work
between Mount Holly and George
town recently represented the Sea-
board, but could not speak with any
authority. The directors OF the COM
pany are said to have been looking
to Charleston for a long time, satis-
fed that through operations here
the seaboard would profit handsome
ly.
When the Seaboard sends trains
into and out Of Charleston il will be
in active competition with the South
ern Railway and the Atlantic Coast
Line, and the railroad will penetrate.
Tor the most part, a section rich in
its possibilities. The region through
which the Seaboard will probably op-
crate has been lacking transportation
facilities and with means for getting
freight moved quickly it is most prob
able that the section will be rapidly
built up. 1t is reported that the COM
pany will build steel and concrete
trestles through the Santee swamp.
the roadoed to be OF the very best
type, suitable for operation of heavy
trains at high speed. For months re-
ports Of the Seaboard's intentions
have been abundant but the officers
have never made Official announce.
ment of their plans in so far as Char
lesion is concerned. However, obser-
vers hereabouts appear increasingly
confident that the Seaboard will be-
fore long. be actively going &c, ward
with plans for extension of Its tracks
to Charleston.
Real Estate Transfers.