The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-18
letter from North Carolina.
EGYpT-wHY so CALLED--TEMPERANCE FEAST
COTToN--yIRGINIA ELECTIONS.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatcll.l
EGYPT, CHATHAM COUNTY, n. CO..


COTToN--vIRGINIA ELECTIONS.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dspatch.l
EGYPT, CHATHAM COUNTY, y. CO..
August II, 1878.
Dear Espatch,-Did you ever hear of
Egypt-this Egypt--before! Or did you
know that you had a friend in this corner of
the globe, or that you had correspondent
that ever wandered hither: All you and
we know observe the ,re), and the public,
too. is beginning to learn and appreciate,
that the Dispatch has its devoted friends
everywhere, and its army Of correspondents
visits in detail the same ubiquitous region.
Egypt is no dark corner, as it name might
seem to indicate--itS Egyptian darkness be-
ing applicable only to the carbonaceous
product of the mine," which is here found,
and of which presently. Many years ago the
village now known as Egypt, consisting OF
some half-dozen residences, one or two OF
them really comfortable and attractive-look-
ing, and perhaps eight or ten country stores
in lr7,il, temporary, dingy, low-browed struc-
lures, together with railway depot, was then
q part of handsome and Wel-cultivated
farm belonging to Peter Evans, noted clti-
zen, and somewhat of Il philanthrOpist in his
day. His extensive plantation of nearly
three thousand acres, lying largely in the
!oW-grounds Of Deep river, was famous for
lis corn, and in times of drought and great
scarcity, from far and near people would
flock TO his SranarieS and cribs, the poor
especially. assured that with or without
money they could find enough to drive Off
the wolf. During one Of these seasons of
calamity a poor man applied Tor corn, and
old Peter Evans asked, How do you know
have any," "Aint this our Egypt" he
answered; whereupon Mr.. Evans filled his
bag, thanking him for the name. And so
it has been known ever since.
Some twenty-five years ago coal was 10und
along the course of Deep river, ana Mf.
Evans, yielding to the opportunities OF specu-
lators, sold his estate. The Egypt mine was
shortly after opened, but was not in successful
operation till just before the war. The
coming on of that unpleasantness, the lack
of capital and of railroad facilities, and the
Indifference OF its owners, have caused It TO
lie i'm Il sort OF sem-conat0se state. The
mine is not now worked, though the coal Is
of excellent quality and has been shipped IN
large quantities TO Portsmouth ana thence
North, TO Raleigh, the shops of the North
Carolina railroad, and TO nearer points. Inc
capacity Of the present shaft / am t0ld IS
from ten to fifteen tons per diem, though IL
might easily be increased to seyenty-tive or
d hundred tons. Only about forty laborer5
were employed. Several thousand tons are
raised now. The coal is bituminous, but
excellent both for consumption in the dwell
ing and in the machine shop.
The coal-beds of Chatham are widely
known, Professor EmmOns, former State
geo!ogist, and Professor Kerr, the present
State geologist, now representing North
Carolina at Vicnna, have carefully examined
the specimens, the leads, and outcrops, and
pronounce them not ouly superior but we'll
nigh incxhaustibIe. The Taylor estate,