The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-05
GARNER'S FERRY CROSSING.


Sumter Board of County Commission
ers Request Survey of Crossing.
Mr.. F. III. Murray, acting State
Highway Engineer. has written Secre-
tary e. l. Reardon the following in
formation about the steps so far TAX
en- looking towards rebuilding the old
Gamers Ferry causeway across Wa
teree swamp and establishment of a
bridge or ferry service across the riv-
er at that point between Sumter and
Richland counties.
Il beg to advise that, at the request
Of the Sumter County Commissioners,
we have recently made surveys for
this proposed ferry crossing, and are
now making estimates which will be
submitted to the Board of County
Commissioners in few days.
! have no information as to what
siOners will take with regard to the
proposed Gamers Ferry Crossing,
though i presume they are awaiting
our estimate of cost for this work. \
The Board of County Commission
ers has requested us to furnish them
the estimates above referred to be-
fore the general assembly meets, and
we are rushing them as fast as pos
sible, and expect to send them these
estimates within the next few days.
So it begins to look like Sumter
county will be in cross river connec-
ton with the western portion Of South
Carolina before many months have
passed, either by the Pinckney's
landing causeway and bridge over the
Santee river. near st. Paul in Clar-
endon county. or via the Garner's
causeway and ferry in Stateburg
township Of this county.
Public hearings were given by the
State Highway Commission on the
Pinckney's landing. and Lenud's
bridge projects which the State High
way Commission have recommended
and agreed to pay half the cost of for
both Of the crossings.
Nothing has been given out by the
Sumter County Board OF Commits
sioners regarding their plans for the
proposed Gamers Ferry crossing.
doubtless due to the fact that the
commissioners naturally preferred to
have the State Highway Commission
to survey the Gamers Ferry cause
way. and to furnish them with ex-
pert and practical plans, and esti-
mates Of cost before the Sumter
County Commissioners decide what
hey will do about this crossing.
II the Sumter County Commission
ers decide to 60 into this matter with
the view of rebuilding the old Garn-
er's ferry causeway, and the estab-
lishment of a bridge or a ferry across
Wateree river at that point, they
will no doubt give the public full in
formation regarding their plans and
The estimated cost. the method Of
financing same. etc. before the Sum-
ter county legislative. delegation en-
acts any legislation looking to the re-
building Of this crossing.
Doubtless the commissioners and
the legislative delegation will hold o
public hearing before doing anything
in order that all interested parties
may be heard from, if any interested
parties there be.
Sumter would be fortunate indeed
| in having both the Gamers ferry
and the Pinckney's landing crossing
put in, as these two crossings would
| place Sumter on two important intra-
| State and Interstate or national high
ways.
1t is surmised that Sumter and
| Richland counties will seek national
| highway and State highway depart
ment financial aid in rebuilding the
| Garner's ferry, or putting in bridge
at this point. if after receiving the
plans and estimates of cost OF this
crossing these two counties decide to
| undertake this project of connectine
| up the eastern and western section