Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-27
Coal CREEK, EAST TENNESSEE, /
December 20. 1869


Eptr6Rs LEDGER :--Presuming that o
hr,ef sketch of this heretofore secluded
corner may not be uuinterestipg to some
of vour numerous readers, / hope you
will grant me . small space in your
worthy columns. / really think it is JUS
lice to this little "burgh," and its people,
10 say word in it's behalf to the outside
world. 1t is completely hemmed IN oy
high mountains, with the exception oil
one narrow gorge, or pass, the only pos
sible route for a railroad, without which
the place would virtually amount TO nom
ing.
The surrounding country, when seen
from the eminence of one OF the TAI
peaks, with which this place is shut 10
from the world, presents a scene OF rare
picturesqueness and beauty. East ana
west. the eve bebolds only broken chains
of mountains and hills, while south, to-
ward Knoxville, can be seen a level por-
ton of country, interpreted with creeks
and rivers; and north, the beautiful
lands of Powel's Valley stretch away 10
the distance as far as the eye can reacn.
The climate of this mountain region 10
probably the mos healthy in the state.
The inhabitants re seldom troubled with
epidemics, and live to good old age.
have seen quite number OF men, from
sixty to seventy years old, apparently
able-bodied, and understand there are
several persons ia the county near
hundred years of age. would advise
+" medical man" coming here to learn
some other trade, as that alone would be
more ornamental than useful
Gal Creek took its name from the dis
covery of coal in the vicinity many years
ago. 1t has been, until recently, the
terminus of the Knoxville and Kentucky
railroad; but now the trains run IS Tar
as Careysville, eight miles north OF here,
where q inc vein of coal has been lately
discovered, and is in fair wSy to be
opened and ready for market. The
mining companies here are doing a
thriving business. especially at this time
of the year. There are three companies
-McEweD, Wiley 4 Co., the Knoxville
Iron Company, and M. G. Wilcox Il Co
These are oil in half a mile of each
other, and working in the same vein OF
coal. The amount OF coal clipped from
here to different markets by the three
companies, during the winter, is some
thing near i60 tons per day, which would
be perhaps doubled were the facilities Tor
transportation better. The number OF
men employed in single mine ranges
from eighteen to thirty. An ordinary
hand can make from four to seven
dollars per day. The coal trade circu-
lates considerable amount of money,
but the greater part of is carried Oft by
the different merchants of the place.
| II is worth the trouble to any one to
| make q trip underground and ace the
miners at work. Generally, they treat
strangers with due respect and kindness,
but occasionally, when they conclude
that visitor to their subterraneous
abode is rather soft and afraid OF every
thing that looks black, which is every
thing be sees, they PCT out the lights, tell
him few yarns of dismal pits without
bottom, etc., till be is ready to DO any
thing to get out, when they request him
to treat to, it may be, q jug Of "the
lively" ani that done he is allowed TO 60
Oh bis way.
The miners are Of different rationale
ties, Germans, Welsh. Irish, etc., and are
generally straightforward. industrious
people, and, though not extensively edu-
Gated, very intelligent.
Public schools are 10 progress all over
this and adjoining counties, and | think
this portion of East Tennessee is rapidly
improving both in wealth and intelli-
gence. Politics are, by the msjorities,
almost entirely ignored, who seem TO
think more OF personal matters at home,
them of something abroad 10 which they
really have no voice. Candidates for
the Convention attract very little stten-
ton. / don't think the majority of voters
vent to the polls, and 4 really don't
know who was the successful candidate.
The whisky trade is pretty lively here
Just now. The immortal General Joe
Cooper, of milish" notoriety, hAs, after
lonS and arduons toll and labor. settled
himself down in the capacity of Internal
] Revenue Collector, and occasionally
mskfs tour through the country to in
spect, and, of course, calls at all the
principal groceries, Sometimes be
seizes on an unlawful still" and at
tempts to carry it away, but the noun
taineers are too old for him, and be never
ge's far With such treasures.
I am Stopping with Captain z A.
| Reed, Of Ohio. and formerly OF the firm
| of Wilcox & Co, but who has recently
| sold his interest therein. He is whole
souled gentleman, the very life Of Coal
| Greek, and ha5 been doing q splendid
business 10 the mercantile lice.
EDwARD.