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Old News Stories
Railroad From Dalton to Spring Place, 1888
From the North Georgia Citizen, published at Dalton, Georgia, September 20, 1888:
A Railroad to Operate between Dalton and Spring Place?
Some Facts and Figures about the Project–Will
Whitfield and Murray Counties Build the Road?
A railroad from Dalton to Spring Place! This is a project that the people of Dalton and Murray County have quietly agitated for some time. We do not know that it has ever been put squarely before the people, but it has been discussed more or less by them and through the public prints. It is generally admitted by everyone who has given the matter thought and consideration that road would pay. It would be the only road tapping the County of Murray and it would be the means of developing a rich section. That county furnishes a large amount of trade that Dalton receives, and, if by chance it should be lost to this city, it would materially affect our business interests. It behooves our people, then to unit with the county of Murray and give them what they have long wanted and needed–a railroad connection.
If this is not done by Dalton, it may be done by some other place. If the Augusta and Chattanooga railroad is built it is not certain it will come by Dalton and if it goes in another direction this town will be completely shut off from Murray County trade...as well as the trade of that section of the country. The citizens of Cartersville will apply to the next legislature for a charter for a railroad to run from that place to Carter's Quarter and if built, and Dalton will have no railroad into Murray County, the trade will be directed that way.
As to the question of whether or not the road will pay...The agricultural products that Murray County annually sends out, the passenger traffic, the express business the carrying out of mails and the new business that will be developed, offer to those who will go into it a safe investment for their money.
The running expenses would be very small. What would it cost to build a road? It is only ten miles to Spring Place and the cost certainly would not be great. People of the two counties could build the road and not feel it. To be exact, the road can be built and equipped and ready for business and with everything necessary to run it for one year for forty thousand dollars at the most. (This includes an engine, 2 depots, switches, 2 bridges, 2 tanks, a roundhouse, 2 safes, and office supplies, picks, shovels, and 4 side tracks.)...Now how is that $40,000 to be raised? Forty men subscribing $1,000 each could build the road. There are gentlemen who have large interests in Murray County who have expressed themselves....to subscribe to one-third of the stock if the people of the two counties would raise the balance.
The Citizen gives the above for the consideration of all who are interested ...hopes that it will meet with the attention that it deserves. We are here to advocate the interest of this section of the country and any scheme that will be of benefit of the people will receive the enthusiastic aid and championship of the paper. If anyone feels disposed to say anything on this subject, the columns of the Citizen are at his disposal.
Old News Stories
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