The Richmond & Danville to the Front.
The Richmond & Danville Railroad Co. has issued the following circular
offering special inducements to settlers:
“The Richmond & Danville Railroad adopts this means as one of its many
methods of bringing to the attention of prospectors and home-seekers
the numerous advantages possessed by the territory which it traverses.
“Realizing that each section of this great land of ours is dependent to
a certain extent upon the prosperity of the whole, we have no desire to
depreciate any section, but to make known the possibilities which are
within the reach of those who contemplate a change.
“We have received hundreds of inquiries from parties located in the
North and Northwest who desire information in regard to a milder and
more congenial climate, the character of soil, etc. Those and all
others who may desire information, we invite to visit points upon
our lines which cover the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, and to induce immigration
we will make to _bona fide_ prospectors special concessions in rates
from our Eastern junction points.
“The climate and products of the last four States above named are well
known, but Virginia and North Carolina have not been so fortunate in
this respect.
“The climate in these sister States (Virginia and North Carolina)
is about the same, showing an average the year around of about 55°
Fahrenheit, with no extreme heat or cold, which enables farmers to
raise two or more crops upon the same land in one season. The soil is
adapted to any crops which are raised in the Southern or Middle States,
and is especially favorable for trucking, the profits of which are
enhanced by reason of the close proximity to the best Eastern markets,
viz: Lynchburg, Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New
York. It is also admirably adapted to fruit and grape culture.
“Without discriminating in favor of any portion of either of these
States, we feel at liberty to direct especial attention to the Blue
Ridge section of North Carolina as being excellently adapted to the
culture of fruit and grapes, the mountains and hillsides at many points
being now covered by vineyards and orchards, which yield handsome
revenues to their owners, while the rich valleys are utilized for
cereals and tobacco.
“Considering the productive qualities of these Virginia and North
Carolina lands, they may be had at most reasonable prices and on
accommodating terms.
“In order to protect ourselves against imposition, it is necessary
to throw some safeguard around the issuance of reduced rates for
prospectors, as above indicated, and as all prospectors, before
starting on a trip of this nature, correspond with some land agency or
real estate agent, we will request all applicants for these reduced
rates to obtain identification at the hands of such agent or land
agency as they may have corresponded with.”
Inquiries may be addressed to W. A. Turk, general passenger agent, 1300
Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, D. C.
Another Mississippi Bridge.
The Southern Pacific Railroad Co.’s bridge to be built across the
Mississippi river at New Orleans, La., will, it is believed, be the
largest steel railroad bridge in the world, considering the quantity
of metal used in its construction and its length. It will be a
double-track bridge about 10,500 feet long. The approach spans will
vary from twenty-five to 150 feet in length, according to the height
of the towers. The main river bridge will be built on the cantilever
principle, and will be 1070 feet in length, with spans of 608 feet
on either side. The pier foundations will extend from a point eighty
feet below the bottom of the river, and will be sunk by open dredging.
The estimated weight of metal required is 25,000 tons, or 50,000,000
pounds. The cost will be about $5,000,000.
The bridge will give the Southern Pacific system an all-rail entrance
into New Orleans, and form a most important link in railroad
communication between Texas and the Southwest and the Gulf States east
of the Mississippi river.
The largest railroad bridge completed is over the Firth of Forth in
Scotland. The main structure is 5330 feet long, but the approaches are
said to be shorter than the New Orleans bridge.
A Judicial Decision of Great Interest to Railroads.
In two suits recently brought against the Texas & Pacific road, a New
Orleans judge has rendered a decision that is of very general interest.
The decision in brief is that a railroad is bound by the admissions
contained in the bill of lading just as the shipper is bound by the
terms. Several weeks ago two suits, exactly the same except for the
amounts involved and the complainants’ identity, were filed against the
Texas & Pacific road. In both damages was asked for cotton received
in a damaged condition, which the bill of lading sets forth had been
received by the road in good condition.
In both cases the plaintiffs introduced the bills of lading in
evidence. They showed by the signature of the authorized agents of the
road that the cotton had been received by the road for shipment in good
condition. The road in its defense attempted to prove that the cotton
was received in the same condition as when delivered, and that it had
not been damaged in transportation.
The plaintiffs both proved that upon the receipt of the bills of
lading, specifying that the cotton had been received by the road in
good condition, they had paid for it by sight drafts in favor of the
shippers.
In his decisions, both of which were the same, the judge held that
evidence to disapprove the statements contained in the road’s bill
of lading was inadmissible, and that the bill of lading placed the
responsibility for the condition of the cotton with the road. For these
reasons judgment in both cases was for the plaintiff. The conclusion
of the court was that when the consignee pays by sight draft upon
the averment of the bill of lading evidence that the goods were not
received in good condition is not admissible.
* * * * *
It is stated that in furtherance of a plan to shorten the distance
between St. Louis and points in Western Texas and Mexico, a syndicate
has been formed to complete the Red River & Southwestern road, which is
projected from a point on the Rock Island road in the Indian Territory
through Western Texas to San Angelo, to connect with the Southern
Pacific at Spotswood Junction. It is estimated that the new route would
shorten the distance between Mexico and St. Louis fully 600 miles,
while points in Southwestern Texas will be 200 miles nearer the latter
city.
* * * * *
C. W. Cheers, formerly assistant general freight agent in Birmingham of
the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham, but who resigned on January 1,
has been appointed general freight and passenger agent of the Savannah,
Americus & Montgomery, with headquarters at Americus.
* * * * *
Much interest has been aroused by the bills pending in the Virginia
legislature to incorporate the Richmond & Northern and Richmond &
Manassas roads. The former is claimed to be a projected road from
Richmond to Fredericksburg, and the latter between Richmond and
Manassas. Either would form part of a line from Richmond very nearly
to Washington, and it is intimated that the Baltimore & Ohio may be
interested in one.
* * * * *
It is stated that the Baltimore & Ohio is preparing to build its branch
road from a point north of Georgetown, D. C., to Fairfax C. H., Va.,
on which work was begun some time ago, but suspended for some unknown
cause. Fairfax is but a short distance from the Richmond & Danville
road, with which the Baltimore & Ohio has close relations, and it is
evident that the building of this branch means a connection with the
Richmond & Danville.
The Norfolk & Western road is also securing the necessary legislation
to enter Washington.
* * * * *
One of the indications of the rapidly-developing trade between the
North and South is the establishment of a fast through freight from
New York to the South by the Atlantic Coast Line. Freight under the
new regulation, no matter how small the consignment, is rushed through
from the North without delay. With each succeeding season this service
has been expanded and improved, keeping pace with the development
of the industries which produced it, until finally it has reached a
point of usefulness and perfection upon which it would be difficult to
improve. Until the present season, however, this special service has
been confined to a northward-going schedule, but lately it has become
apparent that the demand for a similar service from the North to the
South was daily becoming more and more urgent. The Atlantic Coast
Dispatch has also established a line of refrigerator cars out of New
York for Charleston, the service being designed to furnish the safest
and most expeditious transportation for all southward-going perishable
freight. These cars will prove of especial advantage to the large
shippers of apples, butter and other perishable articles.
* * * * *
It is believed that the Richmond & Danville’s present management
will soon secure a seaboard outlet at Norfolk or Portsmouth, either
by acquiring the Atlantic & Danville, which, as stated elsewhere, is
to be purchased by the English bondholders at foreclosure sale and
reorganized, or by building a new line. The plans of a new company
which has been formed to build an extension of the Atlantic & Danville
from Danville to Bristol, Tenn., passing through rich and undeveloped
coal and ore lands, are told of elsewhere. The building of the proposed
Virginia Seaboard & Western road, and the control of the Atlantic &
Danville by the Richmond & Danville, would give the latter not only a
new seaboard terminus, but also a large coal, timber and ore traffic
from Tennessee and Virginia, as well as establish a new route from
Tennessee, Kentucky and the Northwest to the Atlantic.
* * * * *
The projectors of the Gulf & Interstate Railroad to extend from North
Dakota to the Gulf of Mexico have secured an option on property at Port
Bolivar, on Galveston bay, opposite Galveston, Texas, with a view to
making that the terminus of the road.
* * * * *
The New York, Texas & Mexican and the Gulf, Western Texas & Pacific
roads, both parts of the Southern Pacific system, have elected the
following-named officers: President, J. Kruttschnitt; vice-president,
W. S. Hoskins; secretary, B. M. Smith; treasurer, W. J. Craig.
* * * * *
A movement is on foot to establish a steamship line between
Jacksonville, Fla., and Providence, R. I.
* * * * *
The Baltimore & Ohio is said to be planning to extend its Valley
division from Lexington to Roanoke.
* * * * *
The Clyde Steamship Co. is considering an extension of its service to
New Orleans.
* * * * *
Business on the Norfolk & Southern is developing to such an extent
in North Carolina that the company has decided to establish six new
stations in that State.
* * * * *
The Illinois Central Railroad is exhibiting great energy in the
matter of inducing immigration to the South. Mr. E. P. Skene, land
commissioner of the road, at Chicago, Captain J. F. Merry, Manchester,
Iowa, assistant passenger agent, Mr. J. M. Eberle, of Chicago, land and
immigration agent, Mr. C. W. McGinnes, land commissioner of the Yazoo
& Mississippi Valley Railroad, located at Memphis, Mr. J. T. Savage,
division superintendent of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad, at
Greenville, Miss., are all giving active and comprehensive attention to
this work.
* * * * *
Mr. C. J. Haile, the general passenger agent of the Central Railroad,
of Georgia, is taking advantage of the excursion rates offered to
prospectors, by authority of the Southern Passenger Association, to
distribute in the Northwest circulars setting forth the agricultural
attractions of the country tributary to his roads. Mr. Haile is an
enterprising and progressive railroad man, and fully comprehends the
value of having the country traversed by his road thickly populated by
Northern farmers.
* * * * *
Mr. W. C. Rinearson, general passenger agent of the Queen & Crescent
route, is trying to arrange with the Southern Passenger Association
to have tickets for his line, via Chattanooga, carry the privilege of
stopping over at Chattanooga, so that travelers may have an opportunity
of seeing Lookout Mountain, the National Military Park and other
Chattanooga sights.
* * * * *
At the request of Col. C. P. Atmore, general passenger agent of the
Louisville & Nashville Road, the passenger agents of roads having
interests at Memphis, Tenn., met in that city February 14, to arrange a
passenger association.
* * * * *
At a meeting of the truck farmers, held at Chattanooga, S. C., February
19, to consider the matter of transportation of vegetables and fruits
to New York, a member had this to say in praise of the famous Old
Dominion line of steamers:
“They have fast steamers especially constructed for carrying highly
perishable freights; they have ample tonnage for handling all the
business that comes to them, and their deliveries in New York are not
only convenient to the trade, but are made more rapidly than any other
line with whom we do business.
“In addition to their already large fleet they are about to launch
two splendid new steamers, the “Jamestown” and “Yorktown,” which will
be ready by April 10, and are expected to be the fastest coastwise
steamers out of New York.
“Our experience with the Old Dominion Co. covers more than thirty
years. During that time they have always been found willing to do
all in their power to assist the grower both in improved service
and in giving as low rates of freight as are consistent with fast
transportation.”
* * * * *
The Atlantic Coast Line system has been one of the most liberal and
progressive roads in the South in fostering the trucking business along
its line. It has made a specialty of its truck traffic for many years,
and to its enterprise is largely due the magnitude of the business
which is now done out of Charleston.
* * * * *
The Middle Georgia & Atlanta road, from Atlanta to Milledgeville, has
just been completed. It is seventy-five miles shorter from Atlanta
to Milledgeville by this route than by any other. Over forty miles of
the line between Covington and Eatonton has no bonded debt whatever,
$450,000 of the stock being taken and paid for by Georgia people. The
ultimate destination of the line is Savannah. W. B. Thomas is general
manager.
* * * * *
The Atlantic & Danville, which extends from Danville across Southern
Virginia to the Seaboard, has attracted considerable interest from the
fact that a company has been organized, composed largely of bondholders
of the road, to build a line from Danville to Bristol, Tenn., to be
called the Virginia Seaboard & Western. The Atlantic & Danville is to
be sold by order of the court on April 3, and, it is expected, will be
purchased by the bondholders. The new road, if built, will be about
115 miles long and connect with the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia
system at Bristol. It would give the latter an outlet on the Atlantic
seaboard and develop much mineral property of east Tennessee and
southern Virginia, the product of which now has no means of reaching
furnaces.