Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-09-27
EVE OF A NEW ERA
Three Routes Now Being Surveyed
by Chief Engineer Miller's Parties
Great Highway System

Ernest b. hunter IN Greensboro News
Jefferson Sept. 22-Ashe Watauga
and Allegheny counties known as
the "lost provinces" are today stand.
ing on the threshold of anew and
brighter era.
For the better part of half CEN
tury thes people of these far north
west counties Of the state lying this
side of the majestic Blue Ridge have
dreamed of first class railroad with
which to afford them an outlet to
the rest of the state and world, in
other words they have yearned to
become vital force in the state.
This dream of half a century now
promises to be converted into the
real article. Next spring, if nothing
bobs up to forestall it, railroad con
tractors will have their steam shov-
els and other railroad building accou-
trements blazing away in the heart
of the Blue Ridge. 1t will mean the
actual construction Of the Appala-
chan and Western North Carolina
Railroad authorized by the last sess-
ion of the general assembly for the
purpose of redeeming the lost provin-
ces. For the building of the road the
, Legislature authorized bond issue
with which to raise $10,000,00O to
.defray the expense incident to the
completion of the railroad.
Preliminary Surveys
Preliminary surveys are now be-
ing made over three routes across
the Blue Ridge:
West Jefferson to North Wilkes
boro, thence West Jefferson to point
in Tennessee connecting with one of
the roads forming u net.ori of coal
carrying lines.
Boone to North Wilkeshoro, theme.
Boone to point in Tennessee.
Sparta to Elkin thence Sparta to
, West jefferson.
The surveying parties are cperat-
ing under the supervisio nof Frank
T. Miller, Of Greensboro, CHIEF en-
gineer of the commission appointed
by Governor Cameron Morrison to
study the feasibility and rractibility
of building trunk line through the
lost PROVINCES.
Mr.. Miller will submit t.. the CON-
mission soon after the first of the
year his survey reports. The commits
sion will then meet-and select one
of the routes-the most feasible
for the trunk line and Immediately
award the contract tol its coastru"-
ton. 1t is generally predicted in these
provinces that about five year, will
be required to complete the railroad.
In some parts of the state the lost
province railroad is viewed with con-
siderable skepticism not to say alarm
Some people have strong doubts as
to the feasibility of the whole scheme
they look upon 1t rs an idle dream
of Tam Bowie, father of the railroad
bill
1t viii Be Built
But the road will be built! Moth
ing now stands in the way of let
ting the contract but the smashing
of the Bowie bill by the general as
sembly and it must needs meet in
special :ession Tam Bowie isn't wor.
rying over any rashness on the part
of the legislators in the event they
should meet in extraordinary con.
clave. He declares that not enough
votes could be possibly mustered al
a special gathering Of the lawmakers
to smother his measure. He says that
a number Of legislators who VI tee
nay when the measure was passeC
i, have informed him that if they were
given another opportunity would vote
aye.
There has been misunderstood
ing in certain quarters as to the rea
meaning of the bill. Some people be
lieve that the state cannot enter int
the trunk line project until 81 PEI
cent of the stock has been subscribe.
by towns, townships, municipalities
and individuals. This is mistake.
The legislature authorized bon'
issue of $4,000. 900 without any pr
viso attached to it with which to con
struct the main line, type A rail
road from some point on the Winston
Salem division of the Southern rail
wsy running across the Blue Ridg
connecting with one of the variou
roads west Of the Blue Ridge. Ih
commission is authorized to pro /,
the road outside the state.
To Get Direct Line
The idea in tapping one of th
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