Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-10-28
For the Standard.
A Bee Hive.

1t is very large hive of which /
write. 1t is not one made to order by
patent right. In one sense it grew in
another, it was so created. In the lat.
ter sense, it may be called the Monon.
gahela Valley from McKeesr ort to
Pittsburg, Pa. In the former sense, it
is wonderful development into a vast
whirl of industries. 1t is a connection
of villages, towns, and cities, and is
fourteen miles in length on both sides
of the Monongahela river from the
mouth ofthe Youghiogheny to the head
of the Ohio. tsoutlines are all | shall
now attempt to give, because there are
so many interesting objects that they
could not all he described in one letter.
The river itself is about two hundred
and fifty yards wide and is made valu.
able for navigation by dams and locks,
1t runs between two ranges of high
hills, which are rich in coal, and which
lie at varying distances of few yards
and many hundred yards away from
the river.
This western Pennsylvania country
is a region of hills and mountains which
greatly effect the conditions of the
weather. am surprised to find Sc
rious complaint of the rapid and con-
siderable changes in the temperature in
this MOnongahela Valley. But it is
well provided with the means of heat.
ing amidst the cold of winter, as | had
opportunity of seeing in walk to our
reservoir, which lies on the hill above
the city. As we assembled the high
ground, we heard a roaring noise across
the 1oughiogheny river, and turning
around, saw coal road running up the
steep hill on which the cars were busy
carrying down coal from the mine
whose opening was behind houses in
full view. The coal was being depos.
tied in barges in the river to be sent to
market. AS one car loaded roared
down the hill, another which was
emptied few minutes before ratified
up the hill to be again filled and sent
down. There was double track, and
the weight Of the loaded car going
down drew up the empty car which, |
understand, was connected by strong
cables at the top of the road so that the
movement was smooth and continuous
up and down as needed. These mines
are frequent along the valley and far
up the rivers, and thelcelebrated Pitts
burg coal is found in immense quanti-
ties. This is the basis of vast enter
prises which command millions of money
and vast numbers of men.
Just above the limits of McKeesport
are the salt works; next come the
city's waterwOrks at the river and res.
ervoir on the hill; then below are
found saw mills, barges, RATS, docks,
coal yards, steamboat landings, etc.
Woods Rolling Mills follow next in or
der where alone Russia iron is made in
the United States. This monopoly
gives high prosperity and success, and
| am told that the managers are so lib
eral toward their men in sickness and
special want that they have no strikes
or loss of necessary hands. The pro-
cess OF manufacture is kept strictly Sc.
cret, | suppose, and under rigid terms
of contract.
The vast establishment known as the
National Tube Works spreads over
many acres of ground and makes pip
ing of all sizes from one inch to fifteen
inches in diameter. 1t was silent in
the summer time from the strike of its
hands, but now it is all alive with busi.
ness and employs hundreds of men. 1t
literally requires trains of cars to dis
charge its accumulating productions of
piping day by day, and its furnaces and
machinery run day and night by relays
of hands during six days Of the week.
Planning mills, foundries, etc., complete
the general view of McKeesport indus.
trial enterprise, while general merchan.
disc and supplies are active and grow.
ing in amount.
Between this place and Pittsburg, on
this side of the river, are Port Perry,
Braddocksfeld, Hazlewood, and on the
other side, Homestead, and other
thriving places. 1t is almost as one
continuous city the whole fourteen
miles. Near Braddocksfeld are steel
works in which immense amounts Of
money are invested. Two railroads
one on each side of the river, connect
the two cities directly, and a third is il
course OF construction. A person car
go by one road to Pttsburg at o'clock
$3.50, Z, $3.50, II M, and | know moi
how many other times in one day.
The Pittsburg Exposition, BarnumI
show, the celebration of the G. A. II.
all in one day last week, drew tens o
thousands to the city aud made a per
feet jam. Jumbo" created great ex
element, especially among the children
Curious, isn't it? Human nature il
human nature in Pennsylvania and
Tennessee alike, and yet who would
not like to see Jumbo, the big elephant,