Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-03-26
DUB. MoEkTAIa / CORRESPONDENCE
A hLixrai0r CORES the Sea-
board to the Mounfafns-Western North
Car0Iina ~Rafiroad-COl. Tate-Tennes-
see Ohio and Atlantic Railr0ad-CaId-
well CouMfv-PIeasant Summer Resort

III
] well Counfy-P1easant Summer Resort
Wheat Crops, Sc, &c.
IcARD, N. c., March II, 1869.
Dear Editors Il wrote you last from
among the vineyards of Columbus county,
and threatened then to give your readers
description of the manner OF making wine
from the native grapes ; but after more
mature reflection, ! have concluded to leave
that to Mr.. Butner Colonel Richardson,
Captain Rockwell, or some of the expert
enced men of Whiteville, who are engaged
in its manufacture. So here am SILVER
ing with cold in the Mountain region OF
our State. The clouds are hugging the
earth as if to gather warmth from it's en-
brace, and everything betokens a snow
storm. Safely housed with piles Of oak and
hickory wood, and fireplace six feet wide,
[ dare the snow-king, and sit down to
give you few lines. --.s
The Western North Carolina Railroad,
as it is called, begins at Salisbury, and pas
sing west in the direction of the Tennes-
see line, has it's present terminus at Nor
canton, on the west side OF the "South
Mountains and east of the F'Blue Ridge"
It passes through Statesville, in 1redell
county, within two and half miles of
Newton, in Catawba county ITO which point
is a branch), by Hickory Tavern, -
"Icard,' and several minor points to Nor
canton, about eighty miles. You will see
by the profile of the State on Cookies Map
what the elevation is where it crosses the
South Mountain Gap about ten miles east
of Morganton. The road is we'll built and
and the speed very good, averaging, in
Guiding stoppages, about sixteen miles per
hour. The scenery along the route is not
very striking, but sufficiently diversified to
afford interest even at this season in Sum
mer I presume it is delightful Beyond
Morganton-whichs seems to be surrounded
with Mountains, though none are
very near--the Railroad is under
contract through the Blue Ridge, thirty
five miles or more, how much further l
di1 not find out. and is being speedily
completed. In April Col. Tate expects to
commence laying track west, and seven
miles are now ready for the cross ties, by
the time that is laid another section will
be ready, and thus there will be steady
progress up to the Blue Ridge. At this
point the tunnels will delay the work some,
though they are pressing into the heart of
the mountain with great vigor. There are
! three tunnels, the longest of which is eigh-
teen hundred feet, when these are com
pleted they will slide down the valley on
the other side with comparatively easy
work. You can imagine that the ceaseless
energy andactivity of Col. Tate. the Super
intendent will not let the work drag. Yet
the job is enormous and difficulties such
as none but men of practical energy could
overcome
| If you want new sensation come out
of your sanctum, get on an engine at
| MorgantOn about eight o'clock in a dark
nighr, with no head light and ride over the
| South Mountain, pass at the rate of TWEEN
ty miles per hour, with the cylinders OF
your engine pointing toward heaven as sh e
worms and twists round to get to the sum-
NIT, which having attained she points
them as directly for certain lower region
aud plunges with scream down the dark
abyss, ''throttie valve" closed and oil breaks
| on. Those iron nerves of yours would feel as
they felt not in all your battles Of the slate
unfortunate struggle"
y
looked after III the construction of this
road. All the cisterns are filled by pipes
running from springs of pure water thus
saving one hand at each station and keep
ing boilers clean. You can dip tumbler
into any of them and hold up such pure
sparkling liquid as would make the mouth
| OF a temperance man water.
Before [ dismiss the subject of Rail
roads, let me mention that while was in
Lenoir, Caldwell county, [ saw notice
for mass meeting to be held there on
Thursday, 18th instant, to make q sub
scription to the Tennessee, Ohio and At
lantie Railroad. You would never guess
from the name where this Railroad was to
be located. Ny information is that it be-
gins at Charlotte, runs to Statewide
thence to Leroir and then to Jonesboro,'
in Tennessee, The portion from Char
lotte to Statesville has once been in run
ming order, but the Confederate Govern
ment during the war took up the iron, and
the track has not been relaid. Next month
the Company Will begin the work at both
points named. Now can you tell me where
the Atlantic terminus is, and where that in
Ohio ? The route through Lenoir will
open fine country, rs there are valleys in
Caldwell I have rarely seen excelled for
richness, while the people seem intelligent.
INDUSTRIOUS ana energetic. hope
they will have the road there Soon This
place, Lenoir, would be d nice place for
you this Summer you can get board at a
good hotel, kept by-a-a-a-well he's
been a "rebel," at twenty dollars per
month, then you can place your daughters,
in fact, all the female members OF your
family, acko aciH sag lessons, at the Daven-
port Female College, at twelve dollars per
month, perhaps lower. AID I assure you
there is no fear of starvation, but quite the
reverse. The view from the cupcla of the
College is fine mountains on every hand,
green valleys, hill and mountain sides
covered with wheat, already showing green,
and to be covered with corn and other
grains, miles on miles of it in every direc-
tiou.
The wheat through all the upper section
of the State looks well, and this promises
already to be a fine year for it, With no
untoward season North Carolina will pour
down next Fall from her rolling hills a
golden harvest to bless both raiser and
consumer. Truly yours,
In TRANSIT.
Terrible Shooting Anray-Three Men