Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-10-02

EXCURSION TRIP TO Coal CREEK.-On Satur
day Of last week, according to previous announce
ment President MeGhee, of the Knoxville anc
Kentucky Railroad, gave a free ride to Coal Creek
distant thirty miles from Knox vile. Those invited
were, the members OF the Supreme Court now il
session, members of the Bar members of the Ten
nesses Legislature, the Governor, the Director
and Stockholders Of the Road, &c, &c, 0
which invitation a large number avaleC
themelves. The party left Knoxville at
o'clock, P. ST., and arrived back at u, P. NJ
being absent % hours. Quite number of ladies
also accompanied the party. We have scarcely evel
seen party enjoy themselves better than did this
President EeGhee had taken care to lay in q stocl
of refreshments before starting and regaled
al along with good eating, good drinking, and
plenty Of good cigars, while all the officers of the
road were unremitting in their attention to theil
guests, and if single individual was rendered un
comfortable unpleasant, it was no fault Of Pres
dent McGhee Col. Terry or Conductor Ault
At about 5 o'clock P NJ, the train arrived al
Coal Creek running right up TO the shute prepared
by Aessrs. Chamberlain & Richards to load the cars
from their pit, when a large number of the party
both ladies and gentlemen, scrambled up the step
sides of the mountain to where the above named
gentlemen are burrowing into the bowels of old
mother earth and forcing her to give up portion
Of her immense hidden treasures Here, after pro-
curing light many of the party entered the pit,
and proceeded through its dark cayernous recesses
to the extremity thereof, something moro than one
hundred feet. 1t was amusing to see with what
avidity the party climbed the steep declivity of the
mountain to see the pit from whence the coal was
being brought. Even the sage members of the Su-
preme Court assembled and partook Of the eagerness
of the crowd to see all that was to be seen. Hon.
T. A. R. Nelson, notwithstanding be labors under
the disadvantage of lame leg, went up and Andy
Knott says he would not have got back at all had
not gallant lady beheld the difficulties under
which he was laboring in trying to descend the
mountain side, and came to his relief. Weremained
there about three quarters of hour, during which
time loaded with coal, being the FIRST load
ed here, when the train started for Knoxville and
arrived at the time above stated, without single
accident to mar the pleasures Of the OCCASION and
sure it win be long remembered by all of US.
Judge Jones thinks that our distinguished friend,
Perez Dickinson, has a mill near the present term-
nus of the road that deserves passing notice AL
though there is no water in a mile and quarter
of it, excepting when there comes great rain, and
although in blasting stone in the road near by few
days since huge boulder came crashing through
its devoted walls, damaging the machinery to some
extent we suppose it deserves its Importance from
its proximity to the railroad and coal banks, and
consequently its marketing facilities. We suppose
At least that it is of much consequence as the cell
ebrated mill built by "Timothy Hill"
The completion Of this road thus far, is a grand
achievement, and one that must materially add to
the future prosperity of our city We now have
assurance that lump coal will be delivered in Knox
vile during this winter at the residence of
mers, for So per ton while COAL such is used for
manufacturing purposes, viii be delivered for 81
per ton. This makes fuel very cheap and manu-
factories in Knoxville with coal at this price to say
nothing Of what competition in the future may do,
viii be able to successfully compete with any city
in the South.
Messrs. Chamberlain & Richards are the only
parties that have yet commenced operations in coal
mining, but other parties are preparing TO COM
r4encs, and doubt ample supplies may be expect
cd in our market in a few days.
NJ y, WILCOX q 70 nave purcnhseu I'VE hunoIeu
acres, known as the John Ross tract" and are
daily expecting their miners, and viii commence
operations Immediately.
Il is matter Of surprise to ourselves why We
have lived 80 long near this vast bed Of coal snd
have not made greater efforts to reach it. 1t is
strange indeed that we have been thus near an ele
ment OF wealth and certain prosperity, and have
been so stupid TO not profit by it. While it has
been at all times within our reach we have utterly
refused and wilfully neglected to grasp it, But we
now hope for better times. We confidently l3ok
upon the completion Of this road to its present ter
minus to say nothing of its further prosecution as
an important epoch in our history, and one that
will cause our Switzerland Of Amerioa to tcem
with wealth, population, and all the elements of 3
prosperous people. Let US lay aside all chickering's
and strife among ourselves, and devote our whole
energies to building up and improving our country.
Let Us invite emigration aud capital among Us and
when they come receive them with open arms and
warm hearts, thereby showing that we are sincere
in our desire for permanent PROSPERITY, End this
will surely come. Let rs ley aside our
foolish preiudices, and show ourselves worthy Of
the goodly heritage which God has given Us.