The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-24
Letter from North Carolina.
Correspondence Of tie Democratic AIroeaie.

PAETEGo, n. c., AuGusT I6, 1873.
heSsTS Editors II thought it might inter-
est your readers to learn few particulars of
this section OF our country, so widely different
from their own. Pantego, a village of about
100 inhabitants, is situated rear the Pungo
river, IN the northern part Of Beaufort county,
N Z: The majority of its inhabitants are en-
gagged IN agricultural pursuits. The other
professions and trades are well represented
except lawyers Merchandising comes next
to farming, we believe, six stores doing a
good business. Two mills have al they can
do. They are run by water power, one being
saw mill, while the other furnishes the place
with bread. Two cotton gins prepare the
cotton for shipping. One of these is operated
by steam, and the other by water power.
There are three churches, Protestant EDisco-
pal, Methodist Episcopal South, and Baptist.
a hne large Academy has Just been built and
contains two rooms, and is in use AT present.
though not entirely completed. The public
school IN the village is also open. The sale
OF intoxicating drinks is prohibited in the
place, and we meet only intelligent, indus
trious, and quiet citizens. The greater por-
tlon OF the village is new, having been built
within the last five years. 1t is unlike our
Maryland villages, having the houses more
scattered, with large yards and gardens at
N~-~N- "a AAN AohAlAGE VI luESE Is 70 be seen
the beautiful Grape myrtle, shrub 20 or 25
feet high which blooms at this season, bearing
protuslon OF large pink flowers.
Beaufort county, IL which the village is sit
uated, Is the largest county in the old North
state, and on account of its contiguity to the
ocean Is generally low, and many portions of
i covered with heavily timbered swamps.
But the land is unlike that of other portions
OF the eastern shore of the South Atlantic
States, which have a sandy soil, while this
section has clay subsoil, and contains fine
mari and peat lands, which aided by the fa
vorable climate render vegetation luxuriant,
ana IN almost endless variety. The principal
crop, or at least the one representing the lar
gest amount OF capital, is cotton, consider
able portion of which is shipped from this
place. Rice and corn came next to cotton In
amount produced, while sweet potatoes are
largely grown as food for stock. Other kinds
OF grain are raised only to a limited extent.
Abundant crops OF all varieties of vegetables
can be secured with little attention. The
swamp lands of the county are not to be
overlooked. They produce immense quaint.
ties OF timber and give employment to large
numbers of men. The great 'Albemarle
swamp, which is for the most part covered
with juniper and cypress timber, extends
southwark from the Albemarle Sound, cover
A"A g SAbSht VI country, luu,UUU acres
OF which is owned by the Albemarle Swami
Land Company, which was organized in 1910.
with a capital of S60,000 This COMPANY
have worked the swamps since that time, save
an interval occasioned by the war, from 1861
to 1867. Shingles and all kinds of cooper
ware ere manufactured from the timber, loo
men IS the average number employed. The
lumber is brought from the swamp over rail-
roads constructed with wooden rails. The
open cars or trucks are drawn by mules.
Three OF these roads have been built by the
company, the longest one extending from this
place to the Pungo river is ST miles long. By
the others the lumber is conveyed from the
swamp to the ship yard at this place, where
all the shingles are dressed, and shipped by
chartered vessels direct to Philadelphia and
Providence, r. l. The ship yard frequently
contains $50, 900 worth of lumber at one time.
The company own several buildings in the
village, both mills, one store and blacksmith
shop, besides several dwellings being their
property. The swamps are not valuable
for their timber only, the land when drained
produces the finest crops. There are grow
ing at this time on such lands corn crops,
many stalks of which measure 10 feet.
Wild game is plentiful, as is also fish in
variety. Among the wild animals, the largest
is the horse, which, however, is too small for
working, but make fine riding ponies when
tanned. +. i. Nj.