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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 144/340

A Period of Grozvth and Development

question of the election’s validity since 93 apparently negative
votes were counted as yes votes. Because the election’s legality was
in question, the bond holders who had agreed to the compromise of
thirty cents on the dollar decided not to accept the new bonds. The
bond holders did agree to a new election which was held on
December 14, 1880. This time the issue passed without any
complications. The new bonds were issued on May 4, 1881.10
Since other counties along the railroad lines of the state were
in similar difficulties, the legislature offered relief. In 1885 the
legislature enacted a law “For the Relief of Bond Counties.”
Internal improvement funds were distributed to the counties for
the redemption of railroad bonds. With such state assistance the
railroad counties were able to meet their bond obligations.11
During the 1880’s and 1890’s Columbia County gained new
railroads which increased its importance as a transportation hub.
The Atlantic Coast Line between Lake City and Fort White was
completed in 1888, while the Georgia Southern and Florida Rail­
way completed its line between Lake City and Macon, Georgia in
1895. In addition steam boats connected Cedar Key with the
southern part of the county via boats which operated up the
Suwannee and into the Santa Fe River. In 1901, the Lake City
Reporter listed two trains daily traveling from Jacksonville to New
Orleans over the Seaboard Line. A traveler could leave Lake City
at 11:30 a.m. and arrive in New Orleans at 7:40 a.m. the next day.
The Georgia Southern and Florida Railway offered service to Lake
City with its Macon, Georgia, to Palatka route, and with its Lake
City to Gainesville route. A traveler could leave Lake City at 9:08
a.m., arriving in Macon at 4:15 p.m. and with a connection in
Macon, reach Atlanta at 7:35 p.m. The same traveler could make
another connection in Atlanta and arrive in Chicago by 9:15 p.m. of

i0Ibid., Meetings of June 30, September 8, November 10, 1880, May 4, 1881.
uShofner, History of Jefferson County, pp. 357-358; Tallahassee Floridian,
March 12, 1885.
141

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