Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-08-26
August IA, 1854.
FRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

August H. 1854.
FROM 0UR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
PlcKRNs DISTRICT, s. c., Aug ~, 1901.
Mr.. EDITOR The growth Of our country is a
wonder, marvel and almost miracle. The no
man Empire after an existence of three hundrea
years, did not extend more than twenty miles be-
yond the gates of the Eternal City" Gwen
pckens or Edgcfcld is larger than that } Less
than three hundred years ago, North America was
one vast wilderness But now the United States
have an extent of territory, which is almost tabu-
lous. and their rank as first class power has al
ready been recognized by the whole family OF ma
tions Some of the most important improvements
of this wonder-working age had their origin i'll this
country. For instance, the railway and the telc-
graph. These means of annihatng time and
space arc at the present more ample in the North
ern section of our Confederacy, than in the South
and some people, who never reflect aright seem to
think that such will ever be the case. The Yam
KEGS, grant, are very cute restless and enerprl'
sing-much given to moncy-making and money
saving; but they have neither the fire, the iron
will, nor the tremendous energies of the Southrons
Internal improvements at the South really cost less
than in any other part Of the world. Because any
considerable force abstracted from the cotton fields
dimiuishes the crop, and per consequence, enhan-
ces the price Of our staple commodity. In this
way. it can be shown that the amount of money
realized by cotton planters in grading our Rail
Roads is clear gain-to say nothing Of the re-
sources developed Who then can object to the
policy of those, who would checker the sunny
plains of the South with network of Rail Roads
and Telegraphs.
The Blue Ridge Rail Road, when completed,
will be the crowning glory of our beloved Com
monwealth We shall then have direct indepen-
dent communication with the Great West. 1t will
then be demonstrated that the Palmettoes have ca
pacity for something else besides talking and fight
ing The stream of commerce, which is to pass
through the Blue Ridge opening will be certain to
overflow, either at Anderson or New Market
doubtless at both places in process Of time,) and
run across Edgsfcld in the direction Of Hamburg
and the South Carolina Rail Road.
On recent excursion to the mountains, passed
along the line of the Blue Ridge Rail Road nearly
oil the way from pendleton to the Rabun Gap.
Having taken notes, shall go somewhat into de-
tail respecting the contracts on this part OF the
route, even at the risk OF being little tedious.
In my last letter, made some mention OF the
Rail Road Bridge at Seneca. In connection with
this, ought to have stated that there is to be
heavy cmbankmcnt, forty feet in height, and six
or seven hundred yards long, extending eastward
from the end of said bridge across Mr.. CNERRY's
bottom to the gap in the first hill. Messrs. MAX
WE'LL e. SIMPSON arc the contractors, and they
seem to have COTTON fairly under way with an ex-
ccllent negro force. Nearly the whole of the gra-
ding between Pcndlcton and Walhalla is compile
ted. In a short time, Messrs. SCOTT & PRATHER
will have finished grading the site for the Wahal-
Ia Depot which has been located little more than
mile below the Corporation limits. The German
Company, however, own all the lard around the
Depot and will therefore be able to keep their
thriving Town in its present stuatlon-a most
beautiful one-and at the same time, llackmcn and
omnibus drivers will have chance of turning all
honest penny The road from the Depot to the
City leads along high and level road, which COM
mands charming prospect of the mountains. l
have never known place to improve mo's rapidly
than Walhala. The citizens Of the place arc much
engaged in the manufacture of houSes-the very
things which 90 to make up Town. Most Of the
other trades pertaining to civilized life are well
represented, and two good schools show that the
"young idea" is not neglected. One Of the sharp
shooters of this District says that ten years ago, at
a roint within the present boundaries Of Walhalla:
there was one of the best stands for deer has killed
several big bucks there lie knew of in the coun-
try. But now at the same spot, ten-thousand-
dollar Hotel stands ready for the reception and
entertainment of summer tourists, the weary trav-
cller, or-bueks Of the soap-lock order. So much
for the march of improvement in Pickens.
Speaking of improvement reminds me Of my
friend, Col. ]. A. EAsLEY, Jr., with whom spent
night during my late rambc, and who has more
machinery in operation than any other man in
Pickcns Tile Coloncl's Mills are about three miles
from the Court House village, and about the same
distance from the isolated mountain of Six Mile
from the top of which you have birds eye view
of the surrounding country. A mineral spring,
not yet analyzed has been discovered just above
the mill. The over-shot wheel at the mill thirty
six feet in diameter and it may be turned nearly
all the time by the run of the creek" A circu-
lar saw, a planning machine, q shinge machine. and
other labor-saving contrivances, as well as blast
or fan connected with iron foundery, arc all put
in motion by this big wheel. It seems to me that
manufacturing company with such financicr at
its head as presidcs at Grantcvile might spin cot
ton here to great advantage. THE South Caro-
lima Powder Mills " are not more than half mile
from the Saw Mill. Col. EAsLEY expects to be
making powder before the middle of September
next JACOB II. BEsENrELDnE, and W. II. FoEsTE
of Germany, have charge Of this new Powder
Mill.
At Tunnel Hill your correspondent and his trav-
Cling companion had tho pleasure of falling in
with several agreeable persons, who like them
selves were bound for :" the State of Rabun."