Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-05-12
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM BLACKS STATION.

BLACKS STATION, S. G., May 9-The pro-
gress made in manufacturing in the South
within the past few years is remarkable, and
every enterprise of the kind is an important
addition to the resources and capabilities of
our country. One year ago, there was not
cotton factory in our county. Now two have
been commenced, one of which, at Rock Hill,
is nearly, if not quite, ready for operations,
and the other, near this place, will, in less
than twelve month, be completed. The
company building near here, is organized
under the firm name of j. A. Deal Il Co.,
and is to be known as the Cherokee Cotton
Manufacturing Company. Their mills will
be situated on Broad River, where the old
Kings Mountain Iron Works we're located,
at the head of Ninety-nine Islands. This
valuable water power is made by the Kings
Mountain range, through which the river
wends its precipitous course. The islands
that beset it here are numerous, and beautiful
as the water spreads out amongst them. Some
of these islands are from 80 to 100 acres in
extent on which are fields under cultivation.
The similarity of Doolittle creek, that emp
ties into the river here the mountains, that
ascend perpendicularly from each bank, their
stone brows fringed with the laurel, ivy and
mountain pine, and the rushing waters at their
base, reproduce in miniature the scenery on
the French Broad, in North Carolina.
The Cherokee Manufacturing Company
have, at considerable expense, graded road
on the mountain side, parallel with the creek
up to the site of the factory. A strong force
is now engaged in erecting the building, which
will be 100 feet long, so feet wide, and three
stories high. 1t will be built with brick.
The company propose, as soon as the build.
ing is ready, to put in 5000 spindles, which
they will afterwards increase to several thou
sand more. Neat cottages for the operatives
will also be built near the factory. The en-
tire work is under the personal supervision
of j. A. Deal, Esq, who, from his informa-
ton, skill and business tact, will ensure its
success and pro6tableness to its owners.
In connection with the mountain range
above alluded to. a fact of interest might be
mentioned, and that is, that sheep thrive and
keep fat all the year round, in the open woods,
and are peculiarly free from disease. Some
thirty years ago, an intelligent gentleman OF
this section, observing this fact, and knowing
also that this climate is Identical with that of
Spain, where the Spanish Merino fourishes
and is so priced for its silken fleece, procured
a lot of full bloods from that country,
which thrived well here, and grew as fine
fleece as if in their native Cline. 1t is we'll
known fact that our climate has an influence
over the quality Of the wool of sheep: Other
localities of the Piedmont region of this State
may have a similar effect 1t is hoped the
State Commissioner of Agriculture will IN
vestigate this matter, and use his influence in
developing sheep husbandry, which in this
section might be made profitable industry.
For this season, up to the present date,
Gaffaey City shipped 10000 bales of cotton
and received 1000 tons of fertilizers. This
place also shipped 10000 barrels of lime.
Blacks Station shipped 1,7OO bales of co.,
ton and received 221 tons of fertilizers.
There are fifteen business houses and i've
resident cotton buyers at Gaffney City; at
Blacks there are four business houses.
Gafney City sent delegates to the meeting
of the directors of the N. G. Midland Rall-
road, at Winston, and citizens of the place
have subscribed $25,000 in aid of the enter
prise, provided the road is located via that
place. An experimental survey will be made
to that point. EGO.