Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-03-05

''Rockfsh," has recently been con-
tributing some very interesting remis-
iscences Of the olden times to the
Fayetteville G03ctte. His last paper
is IN regard to the ancient mode Of
navigating the Cape Fear and the in
PRODUCTION of the first steamer on its
muddy waters. As an item Of interest
to our readers, we publish herewith
an extract from the article III questin:
James Seawell, person almost if
not entirely forgotten by the present
inhabitants, was once a distinguished
and energetic citiZ, n. He came to
Fayetteville soon after the War Of
1928. He was Mayor Of the town
in 1929, and represented the borough
in the Legislature of 1851. To
him we are indebted for the early IN
PRODUCTION OF steamers on the Cape
Fear river. Under his direction, the
steamer HcnrictfQ manned in comph-
ment to his only danghtar) was built
at his plantation, few miles above
town, IN the year 1917, and soon there
after commenced to ply between
Fayetteville and Wilmington, and was
Ia active service until the year 1861
a period cf more than forty years
and, too, without meeting, during
that time, with any serious accident.
The Henrietta was constructed by
Tandusen, of Philadelphia, and was a
perfect model of boat Her machin-
cry was from the foundry of the
Mess rs. Taws, also of Philadelphia. a
She was commanded almost during
her whole existence by Capt. Benjamin
Rush, an officer of consummate skill
and ability, and a welcome visitor at
all times and into any company.
Now, when it is remembered that it
was only in the year 1907 that Robert
Fulton made the first successful APP
plicatiOn of steam for prOpelling wa
ter-crafts, and, with his little boat, the
pcrWlOlt (Of about 100 tons), nav
gated the Hudson between New York
and Albany-taklng more than a day
to make the trip up or down that 1t
was III 1911 that the first steamer was
placed on the Mississippi that 1t was
IN 1919 that the SaTaaHuh, the first
steamer that crossed the Atlantic
ocean, land was an object Of great Gu
ri0sity in the several ports she visited, }
accomplished that hitherto unthought
of feat-it will be conceded that we
are under obligations TO the fertile
imagination OF Mr.. Seaw ell for moving
IL the matter at SO early a day.
From the Charlotte Observer.
The Carolina Central Railway.
Editors Of the Observer, Charlotte :
GENrLEMEN-In your issue of the
10th, notice an article signed s. Citi-
gen." complaining OF bad track be-
tween 't McAlpine's and Indian
Path" and more especially Of charges
on cotton from Monroe to Charlotte.
AS to the first complaint, L plead
guilty, and IS they say IN the courts
''submit." / venture to say Citizen
has not been annoyed and mortified
the one-thousandth pant as much as
the undersigned has been by this ''aw-
fully conditioned" road.
1t IS hardly necessary to say to the
public that the last rail connecting
Wilmington with Charlotte. was laid
on the 10th day Of December, 1874,
and that 4 train Immediately passed
over the entire line, and that regular
trains have never ceased to make their
trips since. Only a few days was left
before Christmas TO complete the
track, levellng and cross tieing, when
the contractors force withdrew, and
then followed the deluge of rain that
has continued most of the time since.
followed by frost, snow and thawing.
One hundred hands and several
ditching trains have been constantly
employed upon this track-15 miles
%'to set it mp"
The management has not in any sin
gle instance faitered in its duty AS 1
nd above, we submit to the public
Judgment" with this statement of miti-
eating circumstances.
As to the second complaint, I take
issue with 'fCitizen."
He says: Charlotte has good reason
TO complain of this company in their
.xe}aarnas ,, ssErazn Morro, n CI.o-