Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-20
THE SOUTHWEST.
WORK OF THE sourH ATLANTIC AND
OHIO RAILROAD.
Scott and Wise Conn ties Industrial Enter
prises- Material Development
News Notes
Correspondence o, tho Richmond DIspa,cA.l

ltoiIeepOnucbce OF tue klchHlOhu DlspatCn.J
EsrLLvILLr, Va, January Is, 1883.
The completion OF the South Atlantic
and Ohio railroad into this county has
wrought great change in the condition
of the people. Scott and Wise counties
are peculiarly rich in natural resources,
such as could not be practically devel-
oped without the facilities of railway
transportation. Their cosl.beds are said
20 be unsurpassed both in extent and
quality. Rich iron-ore of almost every
variety is abundant. while Manganese
and other minerals are found. The
marble of Scott county embraces some
Of the finest varieties in the world, and
il is understood work will be commenced
in the spring quarrying il. The road
will soon reach the coalfields, and blast
furnaces for smelling the ores are things
of the near future. Thus will open an
era of prosperity and advancement for
this hitherto isolated section.
One of the active industries already on
foot and one which is giving employ
ment 10 hundreds OF men and bringing
great deal Of money into the country is
the lumber business. This section
abouuds in fine timber. which is rapidly
being shipped in the log or rs sawed
lumber. Cars for lumber are in daily
demand.
Besides these many other msnufac-
turing enterprises are contemplated by
men of capital and energy. The ma
chinery for handle-factory at this place
has already arrived, and operations will
be commenced as soon rs buildings for
the purpose can he erected.
The advanced prices home market
has given 10 farm products have infused
new life into agriculture, and broad acres
hitherto barren are being improved and
brought under profitable cultivation.
Men who could not find employment
and whose families in consequence were
almost destitute, now find steady en-
ployment at good wages. A happy re-
suit OF this is that many children who
hitherto were unable to attend school are
now in regular attendance.
A feature Of the South Atlantic and
Ohio railroad, and one which per
baps has not parallel, IS that it passes
through a natural tunnel-at tunnel hewn
out OF solid adamant by Gods own
handlwork. This Is the celebrated
Natural tunnel, or bridge, of Scott
county, fifteen miles northwest of Estill
Vile The tunnel is about one fourth Of
n mile long, and curves somewhat in the
form of the letter :. Here is some of
the sublimost scenery Of the world. At
the southern entrance to the tunnel a
perpendicular wall three hundred feet
high rises on either side and curves IN
the form of the letter L. Quite near the
tunnel is a cave that has been explored
10 a great extent, containing a natural
ballroom, crystal fountain of purest
water. and many other features that en-
title it to he ranked with the most cele-
brated caverns yet discovered. Many
thrilling Indian legends are connected
with this romantic place.
The South Atlantic and Ohio is push
ing its construction on toward tie Mecca
of tourists and capitalists, Big Stone
Gap-"the future city OF Southwest
Virginia.
Thousands Of dollars have been invest
cd in the rich mineral lands OF Scott and
Wise counties 10y northern and eastern
capitalists. Prominent among the pur-
chasers are William ID. Jones of Phila-
delphia, and Barton Myers and James
W. GerOw, of Norfolk.
Attorney General Ayers was here last
week He is having extensive improve
ments made in his valuable property at
the Holston Springs.
The trial of George Adams, charged
with numbering NAPOLEON l.. IcmDlCtOn
in December last, is set for the February
term of tho Scott County Court, and
that OF T. p. Hcnsley for the murder of
II. l.. Watkins for the March term.
An unusually large amount of live
stock has been shipped from this place |
recently.
Revenue officers have recently cap
tured several Illicit distilleries IN this /
section and brought the offenders to JUS
fica