The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-08-05
The Blue Ridge Railroad.
FoRr HILL, June 80, 1868.

General j. ". Harrison, President OF tho
Blue Ridge r. r. Company:
1t affords me pleasure to comyly with
your request to inform you in letter of
the agricultural and mineral resources OF
Pickens District. With beautiful scenery,
delightful climate and thousands of acres
of tillable lands now in forests, we only
need an importation of Industrious farmers,
to make this, not only the garden spot OF
the State, but of the South. The District
is watercd with many beautiful streams,
afIording fine water power for machinery,
and rich, alluvial soil for agriculture, hand
somely compensating the laborer,. even
under the present careless system OF cultl-
walton. With tic importation of foreign
ers, we will of course attain the improve
ments in farming which have made sections
of the North and Europe bloom like
garden. The soil and climate--both much
the same as Central and Southern France
are admirably adapted to tho culture OF
the grape and beet, which, must In the
course of time, become important elements
of wealth. In the present condition OF
society and of agriculture, great facilities
are afforded for stock-raising-mlles OF
range or pasture lands, open to all, on
which sheep can be fattened all the year
round, and horned cattle for nine months
in the year.
Although the influence of climate and
soil are sufficiently great to attract the I'M
migrant, who desires to find o profitable
and happy home, and the monied man,
who looks for delightful summer resort,
still these will have but small influence Ill
attracting capital, energy and labor to our
country, in comparison with the great
mineral resources, which, as yet, lie hidden
and wholly undeveloped. But few at
tempts have been made to develop these
great resources. The few, however, made
with little capital and less practical or
scientific knowledge, have proven remuno-
rative and paid handsomely for the outlay
Gold, silver, copper, lead, iron and manga.
nese exist in considerable quantities. J
have also found traces of platinum and
nickel, and have been informed that these
abound, nearer the mountains.
Gold can be found, in small quantities,
all over the County, but, as far as my OBJ
servation, will only pay in three belts,
which pass through the County in North
east and Southwest directions. The first,
and, as far as tested, the richest belt, runs
along tho West branch of Seneca River,
crossing Conneross Greek, below Kilpat-
rick's Mills, until it reaches tho course OF
the Seneca, then crossing and along the
East branch of Twelve Mile Greek. Until
recently, but few efforts have been mado
to open the veins in this belt. Many thou-
sands of dollars have been taken out OF the
deposits on the lands of Brown, Is. Phil
Inns. Mrs. Lorton, Dr. Lewis and others.
The second belt runs across from near the
source of the Conneross Greek, to the neigh
borhood of Walhalla. On this belt, Banker
& CO. have opened a vein, about three
miles from Walhalla, reported to be rich
in gold, and handsome traces OF silver and
copper. The third belt commences IN the
old Indian boundary, and extends along
the Blue Ridge Mountains, including the
rich deposits and veins of Cherokee and
Tomassee. But little attention has been
given to silver, but, from several specimens
/ have seen, in my opinion, with proper
investigation, several rich veins will bo
discovered above Walhalla. Copper is
known to exist, in great abundance, along
the range of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Iron is found all over this County, but
would only pay near the Mountains
These two last mentioned minerals Will
afford an inexhaustible stream of wealth,
as soon as we are in communication with
the coal region beyond the Blue Ridge
Mountains. The completion Of the Blue
Ridge Railroad will enable us to develop
these various mineral interests, and, by
bringing them together quickly and cheap
| ly. foster and encourage manufacturers.
l have overlooked, so far, the extensive
and valuable beds of limestone immediate
ly on tho line Of the road, not far above
WalhalIa. These, at small expense, can
and will be opened, and this great fertllI-
zer put within the reach Of the most moi
crate farmers.
In conclusion, allow mo to say, that,
| nowhere else in the South, can the enter
prising capitalist find a better, more Ger
tain. or safer investment for his money,
than in this region.
The immigrant can find cheap, profit
able and peaceful home. Here is fine
climate, beautiful scenery, mountains ane!
vallics, picturesque waterfalls, productive
soils and inexhaustible mineral wealth.
We want capital, an Industrious and frugal
population, and the extension of railroad
facilities, to fully develop this beautiful
and healthy section. In addition to the
immense increase of the commerce of tho
State. the development of the mineral
wealth alone would fully compensate for
the small amount now required to finish
this great railroad. Yours, Sc,
D. G. CALHOUN.
= n littlo five yoar DID, who was hun
CRY ono night recently just at bed time,
but didn't wish to ask direct for some