Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-06-14
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CoRREsP ONDENCE.
HoPEwELL, BEDFORD Co., PA, I
June Cd. 1897

AeSSrS. EdHorS-lt affords me much pleas
ure to say to you in relation to your inquiry
in regard to the success of our experiment in
making coke metal at this place, that it has
been a perfect success, as far as demonstra-
ting beyond the shadow of a doubt, that we
have all the requisite material herd for the
successful manufacturing Of pig metal with
coke. The only difficulty we encountered
was the want of sufficient blast-as it takes
a much stronger blast to smelt iron with coke
than charcoal. It appears to have been a
mooted question up to this time as to whether
the coal in the Broad Top coal region would
make coke suitable for the manufacture Of
pig metal. But nov, I am happy to say, all
doubts of that kind may be safely laid aside,
and the position assumed, that we have a
| valley here, that in mineral wealth and natu-
raj advantages for the manufacturing Of iron,
is second to no other locality in our State,
a fact that the capitalists Of this great manu-
featuring State viii not long remain ignorant
Of The great mistake that was made in the
early development Of this region, was the fact
everything else but coal lands were lost sight
Of, instead of the pioneers OF this valley
securing proportionate amount of iron ore
lands with their coal lands, which would have
rendered them independent, in the event of
a stagnation in the coal trade, having the
facilities at home for the consumption Of their
raw material which would enable them to
ship the manufactured article to market and
still be able to realize a handsome profit.
venture the prediction that within FIVE years
you viii be surprised at the progress that will
have been made in this valley. All that, in
my opinion. appears to be necessary is the
capital and enterprise to convert this entire
valley into a busy scene of industry and pros
perity. Very truly yours,
JOHN T. LOWRY,
4 CARD FROM Hon. THADDEus STEVENS
Request
LANCASTER May %, 1867.
| Totbe Chairmu Of the County Committeeman
the assessors oCtHe Townships Of the Com
ties Of 1daus, Fiaaklin, Fulton, Bedford,
| Somerset, Perry, Cumberland and York.
| Gentlemen
As l am about to prosecute the claims
for eonfscation at the next session of Con
gFess, if l should be permitted to appear
there, / desire to ascertain certain facts.
VIII you aid me in procuring them in a small
part OF our own state2 Invite returns from
all the people IN each township Of the amount
of property which the rebel raiders or the
armies Of the so called Confederate Statcs'
destroyed or appropriated to their own use
during their several incursOns into Penn
sylvania, and hand the same to the Assessors
of the different townships who are requested
to return the aggregate for each township to
the Chairmen Of the respective parties Of the
different counties. May here ask that the
various newspapers Of the counties above
named, publish this notice for few weeks in
aid of the object specified as I intend to press
the payment Of the damages done to loyal
men, out Of the confscated property of the
conquered belligerent l desire each and
every person who resided in the above named
counties to make out a list Of the amount ol
all property Of which he was despoiled by the
rebel raiders or the rebel Government, and
return the same to the assessors of his town
ship, who, hope viii forward the same to
to the Chairmen of the County Committees Of
each party, who hope viii take the trouble
10 aggregate the same and return it to me-
desire a fair valuation to be placed on all the
property, whether personal property alb
stracted, or real property destroyed, except
Caledonia Iron works in the County Of
Franklin, which viii not be appraised as no
remuneration is claimed for it. This may
seem to be asking our friends to take CON
siderable trouble, but as a small part OF the
labor only falls to each person it will be found
light. / hope it may finally prove profitable
to the injured people.
Yours, THADDEUS STEVENS.
P. S. Were it not presumptuous in me.
would invite all the loyal men of all the
states who have been plundered by rebel
raiders or confscated by the Confederate
States or either of them, to form associations
/ and furnish statistics, such as are above So
| licited. Claims so imperatiyely just, must
be finally allowed and paid, but the funds TO
pay the same will certainly be raised nowhere
except out of the fines and couGscations Of the
| richer and more atroGious malefactors
Feeble as my powers are, if had FIVE years
more added to my life, should not doubt but
that this would become an accomplished fact
/ Such justice urged by a determined will
though feeble intellect, cannot fail.
If / should be denied that extension of
+ life, Providence viii raise up to the work
/ some younger and abler man to whom these
facts would be of great assistance. 1 trust it
win not be supposed that have abandoned
/ the determination to procure small home
steads for the freedmen, to be furnished by
the rebel masters whom they conquered at our
request. Homesteads earned by the late
slaves and annexed to their masters es-
tates. Let them now be severed by partition.
1 All the Newspapers in the several counties
/ named are respectfully requested to publish
this article. 8t