The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-09-19
ARGUS.
The Blue Ridge Works.

lhe various efforts now in progress to let
dayligh ht through the Blue Ridge at differ
ent points from Virginia to Georgia are i'm
portant portions of the scheme Of internal
improvements, and are engrossing as much
attention as can Lc given to such enterprise
in the present condition of affairs. The
first thorough opening Of all the operations
IN progress will in all probability be hailed
in South Western Virginia-thanks in great
part TO the "ready made tunnel" whose
discovery VIC chronicled two DAYS since
and will be near the new town of Brooks
vile, Va.
1t may be interesting to many readers to
receive the report Of recent visit to our
Carolina Blue Ridge, and we present accor-
dinghy, from the Camden Journal of tho
10th inst, the experience and reports of
Col. T. J. Warren, the able editor of that
journal:
"On Monday, the 4th instant we reached
Tunnel Hill, in time to visit the tunnel at
the base of the Stump House Mountain
We walked within the excavation as far as
the work had progressed-about three hun
dred feet. The rock is mainly stratificd and
almost solid, by which We mean to indicate
that tine arch is quite sufficient to supper,
itself without assistance. This tunnel, when
completed, will he one mile and a quarter
IN length, and goes directly through the
heart OF the mountain some two hundred
feet from the surface. There are four shafts
being sunk at about equal distances, in order
that a large force may be employed, making
at least ten different companies two at each
SHAFT and one at each end, working towards
each other.
The shafts will range from $50 to 200
feet, one of which has gone to the deptb Of
14O feet. The process of tunneline is ex-
ceed'ngly slow, and we should think dan
gerous. To look at the work as we saw it,
with the unavoidable difficulties at every
step, one might be excused for despairing
OF 1t ever being accomplished-the progress
as yet being hardly half foot per diem.
Still, we have entire confidence in the ulti-
mate completion Of this magnificent enter.
prise, and faith in its entire and successful
operation, opening as it were, through the
bowels of the mountains, great thorough
fare for the rich products Of a country as
yet in an embryo state Of cultivation and
Development.
AHS'S o'o uot IcSs Iudn NIX tunnels on
the Blue Ridge Railroad. Stump House
is the longest and most difficult.
"Below this there are two Others, each
four hundred and eleven feet. Between
this and the Rabun Gap there are two more,
and another near the Tennessee line, on
Smoky Mountain. -
"Stump House Mountain takes its name
from an old settler, who built his cabin on
its margin at = large hollow stump, which
served as aprop aDd chimney to his hut,
the relics Of which are still visible. Captain
John A. Wagner has erected powder
mill short distance below the tunnel, where
it'is expected this useful and mischieYous
article will be manufactured inslares GUAM
cites TO supply the demand for blastipg the
rock in the several tuunels. The present
contractor, MI. CoIlyer, has not a yerys large
force employed At this tunnel; but IL anxious.
if he can get them ITO employ at least three
bdhdred and fifty 7workmsn, ID 3fdeE 70
press the work forward AZ speedily ass si,s pos.
sible, to successful .tsTminatiou.s Sree
cheers for The Plye Riagea r RsiIipad, say
we.s i'''' ~ 'S'1'' = vi E'sH ~ Y