Wilmington journal., 1876-08-25
For the journal.
A Day In Durham-Its Wonders
Reanf5ea and Attractions

For the journal.
A Day In Durham-Its Wonders
Beauties and Attractions.
And day of surprises it was. Will
no little annoyance / had contemplated
my unavoidable detention at this, a.
in my ignorance regarded it, railr 1at
station, and surprise the first awaited
me when the cars landed me in from
of large and handsome hotel anc
we'll dressed servants ushered me into
a spacious and airy dining room, where
was served with an excellent meal
and on expressing my intention of re.
manning a large and pleasant room
was given me where I found myself
surrounded by all the comforts of the
best city hotel.
A friend proposed a visit to the
tobacco factory of W. T. Blackwell &
Go. (the company being Messrs, Day
| and CARR Here I was lost in wonder
as passed through story after story
of the vast brick building rearing it's
lofty belfry opposite the hotel and con-
tiguous to the depot.
[ gaZed in amazement as the
numerous sons of Ham fed and
tended the ponderous machine hy
Iaboring with never ceasing toll to
supply the world with a mere article
of luxury.
From the lower floor, where the
leaf was taken in the rough, we fol-
lowed it through the process of cutting
and screening, sitting and seasoning,
until finally we stood where, working
the heavy lever by hand, the men
filled, packed and labelled the pound,
half, and quarter pound bags, which
| had so often excited my wonder IT'S to
the aaOdus Operandi by which such
exactness and comEactness had been
attained. len years ago the proprIe-
tors of this gigantic business beat the
leaf up with sticks, cleaned it with a
common Hifter, and packed it by hand.
Creating a market by the superiority
of his prepared tobacco, the oldest
member of the firm, by his untiring
energy, and almost unsided, invented
or evolved the machinery to it's pres
ent perfection, by which, in times of
high pressure, he can turn out from
ten to twelve thousand pounds a day,
never less than five thousand.
Once ono thousand pounds was
large order, now three flashes along
the wires calls for tens of thousa nds;
then the market was mostly local, now
demands are made on them from every
quarter of the globe. AS / gaZed 1
though" must be the brain power
capable of evolving from such small
beginnings such mighty results" All
honor to our native genius and perse-
verance Better far than inherited
name or wealth.
Leaving the Blackwell ia tory we
strolled through the main street, pass
ing other factories, but none on so
large a scale. numerous brick stores,
dry goods and groceries, butchers,
bakers and candle-stick makers, out in
to the suburbs, and en- passa,at let me
remark, that it has never been my good
fortune to meet in SO short a distance
as many pretty maidens and handsome
matrons.
The residences we passed showed
wealth and refinement, lacking only
shade. Had the earlier settlers only
needed Dandy Dintmont's advice to
his sons "to be au sticking in tree,
for it would au be growing whilst you
sleer," they would have added greatly
to the looks and comfort of their
homes.
Quite tired out, gladly welcomed
the sound of the supper bell, and re-
turning to the hotel, learned I had
seen only the half of Durham, some of
the prettiest residences being over the
hill and on the Chapel Hill road.
While refreshing the iuner man with
strong coffee, and iced tea, light waf-
fes, cold chicken. beef stake, &c S'.,
observed, though the tables were
full, most seemed to be mere table
boarders, 'hough there was not want
ing the ubiquitous, irrepressible in
surance agent and drummer. This
surprised me, for with it's lofty halls,
long piazzas, it's wide stair-cases and
suites of rooms SO adequate for fami-
lies, [ expected to hear it was crOweded.
Ladies whose fathers, husbands and
brothers are now engaged in heated
political contest leave them to their
clubs and their election grounds and
come to Durham to enjoy the pure air
of these hills. Those of your resi-
dents of the low country can find, I
am SIRE, no pleasanter change from
your swamp lands than these red
hills. Situated midway between the
capital and time honored Hillsboro.
that sleepy hollow of the Old North
State, that veritable home of Rip Van
Winkle, a pleasant ride of few hours
will carry you either into its shady
depths or into the busy streets of
Raleigh, while the mails and telegraph
give every facility for intercourse
with the outside world.
would whisper to the young ladies
that the beaux of Durham bear high
character for gallan'ry and these large
rooms and long piazzas are most sug-
gestive of social meetings, merry
dances and moonlight walks. AS ]
sat enioying some of BlackwelIs s
"best," Fancy whispered of all the
sweet nothing, said and listened to on
the return of that moon now flooding
the scene with it's August radiance and
wishing I might be here if not as &C
tor at least as locker on in Vienna, /
was reused from my revery by the
painting of the overloaded freight
train, and saying good bye to my kind
host [ thought surely no pleasanter
June home can be found when even
these few hours have been so delight
full to A PAssER BY,
August 18th.