The Railroad Again

The bill introduced in the legislature incorporating the Jackson and Indian Spring railroad has passed both houses, as we are all aware, and from what we can learn the projectors of this important enterprise are more determined than ever to carry out the plan of building the road.  Some time ago we made editorial mention of the probability of this road, whereupon an eccentric contemporary threw out the suggestion that the “possibility’ had better be put in italics.  But we still adhere to our original declaration that the road would pay handsome dividends, prove a great convenience to the traveling public, be a benefit to the Springs, to Jackson and Butts County, and the indications are that the road will be built.  Messrs. Watkins & Sons are men of means, as well as men of business sense, and who have never been known to begin a thing and abandon it before it was completed.  Before another season we expect to hear the toot of the engine on this road, and see its coaches transporting Northern visitors to and from the Springs by means that are in keeping with this progressive age.
Then we´ll come in on the home stretch and score another victory for Jackson!

Middle Ga Argus – Week of October 23,1887

Submitted by Don Bankston

THE RAILROAD IS COMING THE C. & M. COMPANY TO BUILD THE ROAD FROM MONTICELLO TO GRIFFIN, VIA. JACKSON Capt. W. F. Smithy, of Flovilla, was in town last week taking deeds to the right of way for the Griffin branch of the Covington & Macon railroad.  The C. & M. Company are the owners of the old G. M. & M. road bed, and the captain says the officers of the road will build from Machen or Monticello to Griffin, provided the right of way can be cleared up without cost to the company.  They have the right of way as secured by the old company, but as their have been some changes in possession of lands it is thought best to have a readjustment of the matter before going to build the road.  The C. & M. company do not want to make the extension bad enough to enter into a scramble or litigation over the right of way, but if it can be cleared up amicably, they are ready and willing to build us the road. Now is the time for us to open the way and invite them in.

Middle Ga. Argus – Week of February 12, 1889

 

A Terrible Collision

On Tuesday of last week while the afternoon passenger train, due here at 4:18, was dashing along at 40 miles an hour it collided with a freight train going 15 miles an hour, two miles south of Stockbridge.  Engineer George Gillon, was killed, his fireman, conductor Kendrick, the messenger and baggage master and several passengers were hurt, but not seriously; also conductor Snodgrass and his engineer and fireman of the freight were somewhat bruised up.   Both engines and several cars were demolished.  The fault seems to be on the freight train as it was attempting to make a siding at Maher´s quarry.  Mr. R. C. Manley and his two daughters, of this place, were on the train but fortunately escaped with only a slight shaking up.

Middle Ga Argus – Week of April 3, 1889