Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-09-10
FACTS ABOUT EAST TENNESSEE.
Garter and johnson Coun-
ties.
NO. cXX.

... ..-. No. .CXX. .-
These two counties are situated in the
extreme southeast portion of the State
adjoining North Carolina and Virginia.
Carter was one Of the first organized coun-
ties in the State, having been constituted
in 1776, at which time it also composed the
territory now known as Johnson. One of
the first settlements in the State was made
in johnson. Carter has an area of $50
square miles, consisting of high noun
tains, picturesque scenery, productive val
leys and rich iron mines. Johnson has
800 square miles, the general features Of
which are very similar to Garter. Both
taken together, they are considerably
larger than the State of Rhode Island and
nearly as large as Delaware. OF this large
and really valuable body of land, only
about one-third is in state of improve
ment, according to the last census. A large
proportion of the unimproved lands is
rich and highly productive. Both coun-
ties are watered by the Watauga river and
its tributaries: and along these various
streams may be found large bodies of as
fine farming lands as can be found any
where.
Along these streams may. be found some
of the finest grass lands in the State.
Heretofore the people have paid compare
lively little attention to these crops, but in
this they have certainly failed to take adj
vantage of great source of wealth. They
ought to raise thousands of tons of hay
where they raise only hundreds. For rails
ing all kinds of stock, we know of no To-
cality more suitable than this. During
the summer, in the mountain lands graz
ing may be had for thousands of cattle and
sheep, and if proper attention is paid to the
crop, enough hay may be made in the val
leys to keep them well through the win
ter. Now,t these mountain lands are cover
ed over with luxuriant wild grass. If they
were cleared, the very best of domestic
grass would grow upon them in great
abundance.
In the matter of wool growing
alone, there are fortunes in reserve
for those who will engage in it
properly in these counties. The splendid
climate, its high ground, and the rich soil,
all combine to make wool growing q most
profitable business; and. we only wonder
why more men are not availing themselves
of such an opportunity. The time will
come when the agricultural products OF
Carter and Johnson, counting from this
source, will be eqnal to any in the South.
We know of no better place for paying
dairy business, especially for the manufac-
ture of butter and cheese, than is afforded
in these counties. The thousands of fine
springs of pure, cold water, together with
the fine mountain climate and excellent
grazing, all combine to make them so. In
addition to sheep and cattle, horses, mules,
hogs, etc., may be raised to perfection.
Over two-thirds of the territory we are
~ 10 Nxyar wi fha hne
of timber. 1t is abundant in quantity and
in quality unsurpassed. This timber is
situated along water courses, furnishing
good water power for driving
machinery for manufacturing ii
it into lumber. Among the various kinds,
we will mention pine, poplar, walnut,
cherry, maple, beech, birch, bass, oak, etc.,
etc. There is perhaps more walnut and
cherry among the forests of Johnson and
Carter, that can be found in any similar
territory of the same area in the country.
Added to all this, these two counties
have large beds of the very best iron ore
in the world. A number of furnaces have
been in operation there, on a small scale
for several years, and the character of their
iron is we'll known to be of a very superior
quality. The Knoxville car wheel manu-
factory is making iron there and using ii
in their business. Their wheels have beeu
tried and found equal to any in the world
Owing 10 lack OF shipping IacllllleS
these vast beds of iron have not yet be.
come profitable. The East Tennessee
Virginia and Georgia Railroad passes
through the north side Of Carter, but does
not touch Johnson at any point. With &
branch road, diverging from the main line
at Johnson City, or some other point
near there, running up one of these rich
valleys, TO Taylorsville these iron mine:
will be utilized, and will make that local.
ty sought after by iron men everywhere
Then agricultural facilities will be increas
ed, manufactures will spring up and John
son and Carter counties will become famous
for their wealth and prosperity.
The population OF thess counties is com
posed of as hospitable, peace-loying, law
abiding people as can be found in any
counties North, South, East or West
Emigrants looking for homes there viii
find a warm welcome, and will have NJ
cause to fear ostracism of any character.
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