The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-12-18
Letter frcm the Coal Regions.
TAMAoUA. Pa, Dec. 9th. 1869.

Letter frcm the Coal Regions.
TAMAQUA, Pa, Dec. 9th, 1869
Mr.. Z. f. EwING-Deur Sir A cknowl-
edging my obligation to the editor of The
Wig for sUndry courtesies Gin days of
other years, and having respect for pro-
mise made only too long ago, to communi-
cate with the readers of your wieely-circu-
lating journal, from my home amid the
mountains, l now attempt it, in tho hope
that it may be well received.
As contributor from the "coal regions"
I have been ferestaled by 'Traveler" and
"A. L. H." in your columns. This, in
stead of occasioning regret, actually affords
relief, as it obviates the necessity for de-
failing further the modus operandi of the
coal business.
The description of Minersville, in the let
ter of A. L. H., which appeared in your
issue of Oct. 10th, might answer in the
main for other towns in Schuylkill county,
as their interests, occupations, and habits
are similar. Tamaqua is the protege of the
"Little Schuylkill Navigation, Railroad,
and Coal Company" Its located midway
between Philadelphia and Williamsport,
on the famous "Catawissa Route The
latter road properly commences six miles
above Tamaqua, from which point to Port
Clinton, twenty miles below, runs the L.
S. r. r., leased and worked as one of the
''laterals - of the p. & r. r. Road. Eigh-
teen passenger and ''mixed trains arrive
and depart daily, Sundays excepted,) and
fourteen mails, daily, pass through our
post-ofice. Through passengers, going
east OF west, are allowed twenty minutes
here for dinner.
Thirty-five years ago, this was an insig-
nifcant village, hidden away among pine
clad mountains, whose subterranean treas
urcs were then but imperfectly known OF
developed, while through their gorges flow
ed wildly and i'll virgin purity, the "Litte
Schuylkill,' to join its kindred waters
twenty miles away. Since that date, the
spirit Of adventurous enterprise, more po-
tent than the wand of the magician, has
made the ''barren wilderness to smile. -
Capital has been adventrred and multi
piled. Skilled labor has been rewarded.
The various industrial arts have here found
patronage; and expansion and improvement
have followed. This is now borough,
having mixed population of more than
seven thousand, the foreign element pre-
dominating, as is usual in mining districts
There are
Black spirits and white,
Blue spirits and gray"
but not all the lamentations employed will
make them "mingle." Their clannishness
is seen even in the churches, as well as in
the other institutions of the place. We
boast of eleven churches, nineteen secret
societies, "ancient" and modern, native
and foreign. There are as many breweries
as public schools, and an incredible number
Of establishments for the sale of intoxicat-
ing drinks. To these there is the organized
opposition of four temperance orders, but
the strife is very unequal. The Reading
Railroad have located here large machine
shops for repairing cars. Besides these,
there are two printing offices, one rolling
mill, two sove and hollow ware foundries,
two foundries and machine shops, one boil
or-making establishment, four stove and
tin ware stores, one large tannery, two
steam flour mills, one saving and planning
mill, gas works. Odd Fellows Hall, bank,
and dealers in every household commodity,
some of whose stores and fixture" " would
do credit to more pretentious places than
this.
The best and most elisibly located church
edilice is that Of the Methodist Episcopal
denomination.
Our town presents singular appearance
to the eye of a stranger. 1t is not a city
set on a hill, which cannot be hid" nor
does it resemble the sevcn-hilled city,
of ancient story. 1t is built on three hills,
or mountain spurs, and in the narrow val
legs between them. On fourth eminence,
overlooking the main thoroughfare of the
town, is the Odd Fellows Cemetery in the
centre of which is located the soldiers
lot" A movement is being made to erect
a monument over the remains of the fallen
braves who sleep here. Doubleday Post
1S9, G. A. r., will hold fair during the
holidays in aid of the enterprise.
In my capacity as @ friend and guide -
to visitors, who wish to see the town. it
is necessary to do as did Balak with Ba-
laam, when he wanted the latter to curse
Israel, must lead them to different posts
of observation, as the whole cannot be seen
from any one standpoint.
Everything the "marllct Affords may
be obtained here at small advance above
city prices, while the single item of fuel is
of couse cheaper Egg and stone coal is
worth this week 81 a ton at the Mines
AS the railroad companies control the trans
portation, dhey constructing all the branch
es or "turn-outs " leading to the "break-
ers,') the small consumers of coal are in
about the same predicament as the writer