Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-11-11
THE NORTH CARo1aNA NoF'R 1851 9


TAeeHg9tssMiue In Chatham. ~
We are indebted to a<sread who recently visise9a
the Egypt mine. in Chatham, fer the following r.
teresaing article i
1M.ssns. Ep,roas The Egypt mine, owned ny
the Governors Greek Company, contains f,SO0
acres Of very valuable tiable land, and is situated
on Deep river, about - miles northwest = Fay
\Qriginaiy the property Of Judge Camfon. THE
plantation was, sold by him to the late Peter It.
EVANS, and by hims conveyed toeLaurens Hayghton
and - Harris, for SIS, coo. I1aughton find Harris
conveyed to Thomas Andrews, the ag}nt Of the
present Corporation, viz:-Charles iinf "ph"mi
citizens Of New York, for the sum of $4,000
Since this purchase other parties have been al
mitted, until the Company now numbers some thirty
persons They are possessed Of ample means for
the prosecution Of the important work in which
they are engaged. T.
They have already expended upon the mine and
plantation $685. coo. and as soon as the river
il opened other expenditures are contem plated,
which will involve an equal and perhaps larger sum-
The works consist Of shaft, which is cut through
alternate of rock. slate, earth, iron ore, COAL
ETC., TO the depth Of AGA feet, and extends horizon
tally some 60 or so feet each side in the veins of
metal and coal. This shaft is now filled with water.
caused by the accumulation Of rain, &C., since last
Spring, when an explosion of fire.damp occurred,
which caused the death Of several of the workmen.
was told by the highly intelligent and accom-
pl;shed engineer in charge. Mr. McI.ane, that they
were able, with the machinery on hand, TO empty
the mine, and begin the delivery OF coal at the rate
of ton per minute, in sixteen days notice.
Connected with the shaft by rods and other apa-
ratus two splendid steam engines each OF 90
horse power, hich well worthy more deIib-
crate exa ination than could bestow. Besides the
large building which encloses these engines, no
ticed others used as saw-mls blacksmith shops,
etc. The mouth Of the shaft is covered with
scaffolding which supports the wheel around which
q rope revolves attached to bucket or cage, which
traverses the mine, and is drawn up or let down as
occasion demands.
The engines and chimney rest upon bases of solid
hewn sandstone rock, quarried in the vicinity, and
have a very substantial Appearance. The chimney
is about so feet high. From the mouth Of the mine
to the river. distance Of 800 yards. amal rail-
road is already constructed and the land shelves in
that direction the grade is overcome by trestlework
about so feet HIGH in some places. The trestle-
work is filled in with a curious looking slate rock,
which upon enquiry ascertained, was nothing more
less than the celebrated iron ore discovered by
Mr. Patton in 1856, to be identical with that from
which "pig iron is made in Scotland. Prof. En-
mons aludcs to this discovery in his last report.
Before it's value was discovered $50 600 worth
had been expended in filing in the trestle work.
The river is about $50 feet wide, and slime fet
deep Mt Egypt; canal is already begun to conduct
the rive under the superstructure Of the road, so
from the above
Imagine these works IN the centre Of plain,
sloping gently back from the rivers bank about one
mile and three fourths, and extending up and down
without a single tree or large shrub. and you will
have tolerabe idea Of the site npon which is seri-
ousy contemplated by men who have the means
and the will to out their plans, to found city
of Is or 20 900 inhabitants.
There already preared an ready to he pnt mp
some thirty five or forty houses. including The store
nr4
of th-m the residence If Mr. McI.anc. the engineer
j, charge. is Substantial and handsome dwell
ling-cost some g 600. 1t contains eight rooms and
large basement and is surrounded by double
piazza, situated in fine grove Of oak.
In company with young gentleman named Nc
Donald, strolcd over the property early one NOR
ming in search Of game: had shot two at fine
flock Of wild ducks. Squirrels, snipe and deer are
also to he found on the premises. The soil is excel
lent producing corn and fruit in abundance, and
covered with pine timber. Some thirty.hve acres
set apart for orchard There are about $500
young nppie trees on the premises. The cror from
about 900 acres under fence. reached 10000 BUSH
els this year. under Indifferent cultivation.
A committee appointed nv the Governor Of South
Carolina is in the vicinity examining the mines
Of Deep river. The engineer and all connected with
the work about the most accommodating and
hospitable people Won can meet anywhere, ana
gladly welcome and entertain the citizens Of this
an the adjoining States. I am much indebted to
them for their poteness and hosri'alify to me.
Returning through Haywood ! learned that Mr..
Morrell. Of New York. had concluded a contract
with the Deep River Navigation and other Compa-
and had already begun operations.
The coal is Of the best quality Of hituminous or
Newcastle coal. There were about Oo0 tons on
the hank waiting shipment. but the chief value Of
the Egypt mine consists in its large and nexhansti
bic stores Of black hand iron. which is Of ncacu-
liable value. The Company estimate this property
at two hundred millions of dollars and have already
contracted to deliver thousands Of tons Of ORE upon
the rivers bank, upon the opening Of the naviga-
ton. This immense sum may he realized in the
course Of few years, and leave altogether, unds.
turbed the original value of the surface for agrcul-
tnral purposes.
Altogether. it is at the present moment one Of the
most interesting localities in North Carolina, and
ought to he visited BY every man who is ambitious
of becoming acquainted with the untold wealth and
resources of the State. No better site could be
found upon the continent for National Foundry,
and Providence seems to have combined here in a
land Of surprising beauty healthlness and fertli.
ty, iron, COAL and timber Of such quality and in
exerton Of that energy and industry, the continued
absence of which on the part If our own people,
will throw this immense field in the hands Of stran-
gers. and operate. ultimately, to the reproach and
injury of North Carolina.
GEORGIA OFFICERs.-The Legislature Of Georgia
has elected the following officers Robt. Toombs
U. S. Senator; Watkins. Secretary Of State; Thweatt
Comptroller; Trippe, Treasurer; Greene, Surveyor
General and Lumpkin, Judge Of the Supreme Court
They we're all Democratic caucus nominees.
HEAVY Court BUs1NEss.-The Superior Court Of
New Hanover County, Judge Bailey presiding, c.
cd session Of two weeks on Saturday last, without
touching the civil docket. His Honor ordered spe
cial term, commencing the last Monday in Janu'
ravt opd IN copt;pno turn Ia