The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-19
JoURNEYINGS IN WESTERN NORTH
CAROLINA

CAROLINA.
Correspondence of the N. G. Presbyterian.
CHARLOTTE, Oct. 1860.
Leaving Morganton, in a stage ride of thirteen
miles found the cars of the W n G Railroad in
the woods, and shipping myself aboard them was
soon on my way. The first station is Hickory
Tavern-so named because an old log house still
stands there which was noted place in the days
of the revolution. Quite a fourishing place has
grown up there and it promises to continue to
prosper
My business carrying me to Lineolnton, left
the cars at Newton with view to take the stage
for that place. Newton is pleasant little place
and is fast coming out of its good old quiet Dutch
sobrety. Strolling about the depot | noticed
quantity of pig iron lying the track, and upon
enquiry learned that it Was made only few miles
distant After pleasant stage ride of Is miles,
I was delivered safely in Linconton. This place
stands beside Hlsbnrough Charlotte, &C., in hav-
ing claims upon every North Carolinian for the
revolutionary association connected with it, Not
a mile from the town fought the battle of
Ramsour's Mill; more than one other skrmish oc-
Cured in the county, and she furnished many
brave son to swell the number at Kings Mountain
and other battle fields of the South.
In MY visit to LiRcolton | was not favored with
good weather, and hence could not look into some
interesting matters that desired. Lincoln coun-
ty the first in North Carolina and probably
in the Southern States, to commence the manufac-
ture Of iron, and was among the first to put up
cotton factories. In the town of Lincolnton there
are two very good iron foundries, at either of
which any kind of casting can be made; | saw
some very handsome iron railing which had been
made at one of them. At one of them have been
manufactured several town clocks and its proprle-
tors-Messrs Stubbs-are still prepared to exc
cute like orders. Through the assistance of
friend I am enabled to give list of the iron works.
factories, &c, in Lincola and the adjoining coun-
ties:
IRON WORKS
Abernathy & Bynuns forge, on South Fork of
Catawba, not in operation. Brevard's forge on
Maiden Greek, not in operation. JAS NJ. Smiths
forge, on Mountain creek, not in operation Jonas
Derr's furnace and forge, on Sleeper's Creek. c.
j. Hammerskold's Spring Hill forge, on Sleepers
Greek. R. A. Brevard's forge, on Sleepers Creek.
F. Reinhardt's furnace and forge, On Sleepers
Greek. This is the only one that | was able to
visit, and [ had but short time there. William
Johnston's forge, Sleepers Creek, not in opera
ton. Ben. Briggs furnace, forge and Rolling
MILL on Crowders Greek in CASTOR CO. High
Shoals furnace, forge, rolling mill and nail works
i regret to say that this water power-no doubt
one of the finest in the worlds now lying idle
and the buildings going to ruin. Fronebargcr's
forge, Buffalo Greek. Chambers forge, Fhst
Broad river
PAPER MILLS
Oates, Wiswel & Co. manufacturers of print
ing wrapping and some writing paper, South
Fork of Catawba, FIVE miles south of Linconton
Childs, Hoke & Co., printing and wrapping paper
IL miles from Lincolnton on South Fork Frone-
barger, printing and wrapping paper, on Buffalo
Creek, in Cleaveland CO., near Shelby.
FACTORIES.
Childs, Hoke & Co., Cotton, near Lincolnton on
South Fork. J. F. Phifer cotton, one-half mile
from Lincolnton. Jasper Stowe cotton, on South
Fork in CASTOR CO. T. r. Tate cotton, and wool
en-, on Catawba. Linebargers, cotton on South
Fork A. Homesly & Co., cotton and woolen, |
on first Broad, miles from Shelby Fronebargers
cotton. near Shelby on Buffalo Shufford cotton,
on Catawba near W. N G. r. r. Powells, cot
ton, on Catawba near W. n G. r. r.
In Mecklenburg is the Rock Island Woolen |
Factory, the goods manufactured at which have of
late become so deservedy famous, owned by Young
& Wriston, Charlotte N. G.
As I cannot very intelligently explain the pro-
of making iron by the old fashioned forge pro-
cess without the aid of drawings, | shall not at
tempt it here. The iron from some of these torges
is we'll made, at others imperfectly Limestone
has been found in those regions, but as yet not
fully opened Copper is found in some places and
is thought to exist in others; gold has for many
years been obtained.
My ride from Lincolnton to this place was drea- |
ry one; cloudy and rainy weather. Here l have
spent several days very pleasantly have visited
the Military Academy and Female Institute and |
such other objects chanced to attract my notice.
This afternoon | spent an hour very agreeaby in |
looking over Dr. Andrews cabinet of minerals. DR. |
Andrews collection is probably the largest and |
best in the South and certainly should be preserv
ed by some of our literary institutions from any
loss by those events which unavoidable in pri- |
vate affairs. A proposition submitted to the |
Legislature to buy it, which was not considered; |
do not think the State ought to have it, but the |
University or Davidson College. There are in it /
sope specimens which it is almost impossible to
get now leave here tonight and shall close this |
letter in some other place farther east
SAD Loss.-We learn that Mr. John A. Trout |
man, of Cabarrus, had four valuable horses drown |
ed in attempting to cross Adams Greek, Saturday
week. with bis wagon. The creek was swollen by /
the recent heavy rains. His driver and one horse |
narrowly escaped .-iSafisbury Watchnaon.
THE NATIONAL HOTEL" PoIsoN.-Dr. Geo |
Seymour, of Litchfeld, CT, died the 29th ult, /
from the effects of the National Hotel disease at
Washington, contracted four years since. So says |
the Hartford Times.
An AccIDEST.-A negro, we understand, be- /
longing to Mrs. B. Hoyle, employed on the N. G. |