American Literature B 1840-1900

Civil war. Major loss for this area. A whole generation lost along with all its money and prosperity. All railroad production stopped. No money was left. 300 men were subject to military duty. 211 were married. (Ritchie 274).

One-third died from wounds, disease and injuries. (Ritchie 278).

There was no progress until 1869 afterward

Rabun county gained a lot of interest as a railroad hub possibly. So a lot of entrepreneurs took interest in this area. Including the prosperous and well known Clayton Citizen, Thomas (Red) Kelly." (Ritchie 281) Some of Red Kelly's wealth listed in this "Will.

Calhoon was also pushing for a railroad here in the 40s. Until he died in 1850, Calhoun often wanted a link into the mountains, he said it would connect the two worlds. (Ritchie 271).

$5m Was donated to get the Blue Ridge Railroad going. Failed because people were working the the Black Diamond Railroad.

"There were only about 60 families in Rabun County that owned slaves in 1862 when the Civil War was well under way." (Ritchie 278.)
Total number of slaves was 248.
Ritchie says they were treated well like "a good horse."

Slavery in literature became less racist and derogatory. It moved towards a more understanding stance. John Spencer Bassett was a southern journalist who called Booker T. Washington "the greatest man, save General Lee, born in the South in a hundred years."