The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-12-04

products, by a route cheaper and more direct
than any other--it will tepd, more than any
existing line, TO the development Of the vast
treasures Of mineral wealth--lron, Copper,
Lead, Manganese, kaolin, Steatiie, &c, &C.,
which, are known TO exist in that part Of the
great Appalachian chain traversed by this
Road. Under the magic inf ,ence Of sueh n
system Of Improvements, these mineral de-
posits would be developed aud become the
sourcs Of large revenue, both 70 the Road
and TO the State. The sound OF the pick and
the sledge in the mines and the cumming,
wbirring, Gathering, rosting machinery will
be heard all along the Doe when this Road
is done. 10 ali our rambles, we have never
seen a stream which supplied such abundant
power for manufacturing purposes. With
such a line completed-wilh the vast mineral
wealth referred to existing 10 the contiguous
inOuntains-with water-power SO abundant
and so ~eheap-and yet, withsl, our vicinage
to the cotton. growing States, why should we
not become to the rest Of the South what
New England lie now to the Uniou2 We pre-
dict such destiny fer the valley OF the Doe
when the tread of the Iron Horse" shall
echo in her mountain gorges,
The hrst section Of fourteen miles on
Mr., Simmerly's Road was let, we believe,
last summer, and under the vigilant super
vision Of President Slmmerly, and of Colonel
Nee, Chief, and Captain Winston, Assis-
Saut Engineer, Doth gentlemen long and IA
vora6ly known to- our community three
foGr,bs OF the work are already completed.
The approaches TO the tunnel, through the
mountain above EliEsbethton, are finished,
and y regular day and night force are bow
engaged on each side Of the tunnel. This,
II IS expected, viii be completed and the
track laid to this point by the lst OF June
next. The tunnel will be SOME as or 500
feet in length. Cross.ties are bsi0g furnish.
ed, and the whole work is in a stale Of for
warduess highly creditab!e to the energy and
general efficiency OF the President and En-
s%ineers.
We do hope our Legislature will be neither
tsrdy nor sunted in the extension Of aid To
this great enterprise. Tint 1t will reach
forth a helping hand 10 the brave, generous
and nospitable people who inhabjI this re-
gion Of county omen up to them an outlet
to other portions OF our great couutry aud
bid them GUd-speed IN the great race Of lie
From the valley Of the Doe, IN company
wish Messvs. Arouse aud siumerly, we pro-
ceeded on our way TO the Crab Orchard,
sbou, II or IL miles d.stiut. This is In.
another extensive valley on the same stream,
or rather embracing a Lumber OF valleys Sill
usted on the Doe ard its tributaries. Our
road WSs through q Wild, romantic country,
and along the route Of the projected Rail
Road almos' the eulire distance.
Crab Orchard, too, is famous for the fer
tility Of its soil-:he generous hospitality Of
the citizens-the beauty Of its women-the
number Of children-tbe maEnifcence Of her
nouutRins--the magnitude and quality Of
her mineral deposits, land her illinitable Wa
ter-powtr for manufacturing purposes. Here
were the guests, over night, Of Mr.. Fran
els Hampton, who, although in i'll health, ey-
US a most cordial welcome. We were
1sre struck with 3 truth which we have had
occasion before TO observe, viz the great su.
Of vegetables grown in elevated,
mountainous regions over those grown in
ground. This is true, particularly Of
irish potstoes, Cabbage, Pumpkins, Tur-
Sc.
After going some three miles east Of Nr.
Iamptou's, We made the circuit If the He
lp-fcup M ~ouutain and returned to the
forge Of Nr. Lawson, COW EuGcr lease 10 Mr..
Symmetry. Here We had, for the FIRST
'hs opportunity OF seeing the famous
Iron Ore. The iron elaborated from
ore, under The fkiilful manipulation Of
'apt. jenkins, so closely resembles steel that
inspection viii not sunce to detec,
difference. The iron Is exceedingly hard
nd tough, and is very frequently used for {
ointing ~ploughs, hoes, &c. The ore is mag
etic and rich. The lode is some $50 or 300 I
pet IN wijyh. This forge is uader the sbsd-
of the koane, With water-power ample 10
rive any amount OF mscbin,ry aud with the
re so convenient that II might, without diff.
Guilty, be preciyitated from the bank direct
into the forge. We're there no other in I
gctmtnt offered Tor the investment Of CAPT \
j in the Road referred 10, the magnitude I
"a value Of this great bed Of iron ore should ,
e sufficient; for, be il remembered, IL is the ,
valuable quality Of iron known 10 exist, &
I'd i' found here, J doubt not, in greater [
,undsnce than anywhere else 10 the world. |
The manufactured of steel Eeeds it-the
achinist needs it, and in short, every srti-
IN working 10 iron nee3siL /. And now, after
4 good dinner with our irieVd, M. =
At. ~Simerlv, We all set our faces again home .
ard. Night brought us again to the valley
the Doe and to The residence OF our guam {
I'm host. Here We met our old friends Col. p
&c ard Capt. Winston and that venerable :.
50 handy with bis tongue" and Ut
notedfor the quality Of Doth his miilstoncS .
ID his medicines, and Inventor Of Shields 4
pyspeptic Bitters'- O
Morning finds US hut 70 miles from home. y
psrtaking Of a sumptuous breakfast, .
2 baie farewell to orr friends. At BuG,lo :
: parted with our most excellent friend, Mr. /
rouse, who had accompanied US through
c entire tsip. with many thanks 10 him aud
upon him, for his kind deeds ard II
~nevolsnt heart. Two hours more and We q
= E" home agate" Y. p
November 20, 1868.