Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-07-28

Are we in danger of being swallowed up by earth
quake? trow not. Thisis Tunnol Hill, altas Stump
House mountain, and those explosions are the blasts
in the "great tuunel."-The blue Ridge Railroad, ,ex-
tending from Anderson to Knoxville, will be 195
miles long; 50 miles in State, II in Georgia,
73 in North Carolina, and SO in Tennessee.
The Stump House Tunnel is one mile 572 feet in
length its entire grade upward in Wssternly direc-
ou is 66 feet; it is 20 feet high by l6 in width-an
opening large enough, it would seem, to admit any
train of cnrs. saw it stated in tho papers, some
time ago, that The Blse Ridge Tunnel ia Virginia was
found to be too small, and have been surprised to
learn that many of intelligent citizens had gotten
themselves into the belief that this piece of iufurma
ton had reference to tke Stump House Tunnel.
But am about todigress. Therocky mass, through
which the tunnel passes, is composed mainly of quartz,
which, according to Dana is an essential constituent
Of granite. 1t is due to truth and science however,
to state that there is also gnciss formation or in
other words, that in places the rock is made up
of thin parallel plates capable of being separated by
splitting Though this latter feature would escape
tho notice Of casual observer for ut no point in the
tunnel has prop or an arch been found necessary.
Wherever the full section is excavated the tunnel is
complete and self-sustanng. both at the top and at
the sides, and will thus remain for years.
From the Eastern portal, the tunnel is open 1900
feet Curiosity generally impels visitors to explore
this artificial carOrn although the gloom, tue smoke
tho horrid din and tho constant drea of premature
explosion aro apt to work fearfully upon the nerves
and upon the imagination. After stumbling and
CROPPING along tho dsrkcncd way for considerable
distance, one is rather surprised to find, in such
place. brace of smtheres in full BLAST but is nec-
essary for the blacksmith to follow up the work so
that the drills may be kept in good order. The ring
ing anvil the shooting sparks and the stencil Of salt
pore bring to mind tho fabulous story about the Cy-
cops assisting Vulcan to forge the thunder bolts of
Jove And as the Cyclops are tabled to have had but
one eye iu the middle of the forehead, almost hidden
by the lowering brow,-the little lamps, "making
darkness visible" and suspended from each work.
mans oil-cloh hat are not at all calculated todctract
from the illusion.
Shaft No. is now useless except for ventilation,
and it serves admirably for that purpose-tho curront
of air rushing alternately up and then down. through
the opening. Standing moro than 40 feet beneath
the surface Of the earth and catching glimpse of the
blue sky through this shaft is prepared to set
right estimate upon tho light of day. Not quite u
months ago, could 60 into the mountain, from the
East end, only 42o feet, but this occasion, went
in 1900 feet, or noarly fourth of mile!
At shaft No. g which is 226 feet deep, The progress
of the work is very good,-thc excavation having
been carried so feet East and about 70 West. The
contractors prepared to take cut the full section
of the tunnel at this point.
No. 3 is the only shaft not finished but will be
broxght to grade by next October. Here an unusual
quantity Of watcr has been encountered for while
this summer 25OO gallons per hour brought out
now reduced to 1900. A beautiful oseillating en-.
gnc md fan for sending fresh mir down to the toll
ing miners, have been added atthispont The black
smiths shop here, and also the one at No. a. is con-
ncced with the FAM and thus the labor of two hanls
at the bellows is saved.
At shaft No. A. the slide md cage apparatus may be
seen. Two sets Of uprghts about five feet apart, ex-
tend from the bottom to the top of the Shaft between
these passes up and down hugh box, attached to a
strong cable and having pieces of iron on the aides
exactly fitting the upright timbors. This arrange
ment works somewhat like railroad, and there is no
chance for the box either to oscate or turn in auy
direction the advantages are safety to hands and
much greater power and capacity for serving the men
below. Formerly, about rs operatives could be en-
ployed here, but now from so to 60. Tho hardest
rock is found in this shaft; it has been worked 12O
mol has been eIcavated pretty closely to tho heading
(The "heading" extends down about feet from the
roof Of the tunnel)
The three shafts, last mentioned, are worked each
by steam engine. steam pump for the West end
will be put up in short time. The tunnelinc on this
side Of the mountain has been driven into the rock
40 feet.
And now conclude my "bill of particulars" by
stating that this mammoth tunnel is open in a 1880
feet or more than Onethirl Of the entire dstunce
through it If We take into estimate tue prepara.
tory part Of the bu$iness-such as the putting up Of
machinery and Of cabins for the hands, the sinking of
four deep shafts all now finished except one it may
be safely asserted that the work is more than half
DONE was informed Ly scientific gentleman who
kindly furnished the figures in this letter. that The
excayatiDg process is accelerated moro and more eve
ry month. Tsis partly upon the principle that "prac
ticc makes perfect" and then ihe numberuf hands il
constantly on the increase. II was told by tho book
keeper that there at least GOO on "he HILL"
Moreover, each shaft is sunk to grade, two new
faces in the rock arc presented to the sedge and
drill.
But this communication is growing entirely too
lengthy. will add only few more words, although
there are several other matters upon which wished
to expatate The showers in this region Of the State
continue copous and refreshing; but we have had |
neither storm nor freshrt to destroy the growing
crops. Corn and cotton promise an abundant yield.
We arc now having some very warm weather the
sun peers down upon with unwontcd fervor and
splendor, md on one occasion the thermometer was
up to 020 in the coolest shade. am going tv the
Smoky Mountains next week. Look out for several
,hort letters
Yours in great warmth, L. X.
---$s<---
For the Advertiser.
WHERE'S THE POLICE"