Farmerville's 1902 Railroad Planning, Union Parish Louisiana 
Submitted by:       Timothy D. Hudson
Date of Submission: June 2008 

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Farmerville's 1902 Railroad Planning, Union Parish Louisiana  

Farmerville "Gazette", issue of Wednesday, 19 March 1902, page 3, column 2
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                                Timber Options.
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     We are glad to state that the land holders of Farmerville and vicinity manifest 
a readiness and willingness to give options on their timber in aid of our contemplated 
railroad. They see something tangible in the pending proposition to construct a 
railroad; and realizing the vast benefits to be gained by the people at large from a 
road through the center of the parish, they are willing to lend their aid in 
furtherance of the enterprise. 
     Farmers who heretofore refused to give options on their timber are now doing so. 
They appreciate the fact that without a railroad their timber is worthless, on account 
of its inaccessibility to market. They further understand that their timber, at the 
price offered, will along bring them more money than today they could get for timber, 
buildings, land and all. If they part with their land and timber, it will be only a 
few years before they or their children will have to go to other communities and buy 
land, timberless and of so better quality, at a greater price; or possibly repurchase 
the bare land (which they sold for $2.50 to $4.00 per acre with the timber on it) at 
a higher price after the timber speculator has cut every merchantable tree off and 
pocketed the money therefor. Is this good business judgment? It is stated by timber 
experts that numbers of acres of land in this parish will cut ten to fifteen thousand 
feet of merchantable timber to the acre. At fifty cents per thousand, this would 
amount $5 to $7.50 per acre for the timber alone. The owner would retain the land, 
which with a railroad running in its vicinity would be worth that much again for 
farming purposes. We hope all land holders of Union parish will view this matter 
from a practical business standpoint; benefit themselves financially, benefit 
their country materially and industrially, by using their timber resources as a 
lever in pulling a railroad through the parish. With sufficient timber options a 
railroad is assured.

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Column 4
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Another railroad is projected through Farmerville. The promoters of this enterprise 
contemplate constructing a line from Little Rock, Ark., to the Gulf. Representatives 
of this project say they will visit Farmerville soon -- possibly early next week -- 
to look into the situation here. If matters appear favorable they propose to start 
active work in a short time and have trains running into our town by the end of the 
present year. While our chances are now bright for the early construction of the 
proposed McShane road, still if one railroad is a good thing for Farmerville, two 
roads will be much better, so every possible inducement should be offered the 
promoters of both enterprises.

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