The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-04-03
FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
ED. REPUBLICAN,

rival here IS welcomed by the writer,
and each fine is eagerly read for the
news from home. My journey here
was long and tedious, particularly
after reaching the terminus of the
Northern Central Railroad at Cape
Charles, Va, where we take steamer
across Chesapeake Bay for Norfolk,
Va. The Bay was not on its good be.
havior the morning l introduced my.
self to it, and since the Cobb Flood"
On the Clarion River, years ago, l
have never had much confidence in
my ability as a sailor, aud l have less
now than ever. ! tried my best to be
brave and look bold, but twas no use !;
[ was knocked out on round 1st. The
only pleasant feature of the trip across
the Bay for me was, that l recovered
from my sickness almost instantly
after going on shore. We again took
the train at Norfolk for Elizabeth
City, going due south go miles, passing
numerous large and extensive lumber.
ing establishments along the route,
where the out put Of these mills reach.
es far into the millions. mostly of pine
lumber. On arrival at Elizabeth
City l found the Compsny's steamer
in waiting for me, but from the roar
of the Sound, l concluded to not place
myself at the mercy of old Neptune
while she is in such bad humor. On
Sunday, 18th, we steamed across the
Sound Albemarle, a distance of 80
miles, and 1 enjoyed the trip greatly;
the water was very quiet and calm,
and the sun bright and warm. We
are in view of the Atlantic Ocean,
from several places along the Sound,
on our trip over; the sight was a
grand one, and not soon forgotten.
The Captain was anxious for me to
pick out the entrance to our creek
into which we 60 with our steamer up
miles to the mills. The mouth of
this stream is SO narrow that the ever.
greens from each side of the stream
almost completely obscure it from
view; it is only 40 feet wide, but fully
that depth. On ascending the stream
it gradually widens nut until we are
in lake from one. quarter to one.h half
mile wide, and as handsome body of
water as l have ever seen. The land
is very low and level and sandy; this
purchase includes the whole of this
Co., 80 that every human being on the
island is more or less subject of the
company and governed by company
rules and regulations. The employ.
ment of from 300 to 400 men for
woods work will give you an idea of
the magnitude of this business, with
an extra force Of fully 100 more at
the mills, which consist of 3 circulars,
With q capacity Of q log each minute,
to the mill. These mills are construct.
ed with all modern improvements and
facilities for handling the output rap.
idly. The lumber is piled in the yards
for short time and then forwarded
by steamer to markets throughout the
world; large cargoes constantly in
transit for Europe.
A very interesting feature of this
county is the ancient bitches which
were dug throughout this island a
hundred years ago. These canals are
feet wide and from 2 to feet deep,
running in every direction, but all
leading to the creek, in which cypress
timber was foated ont in the block
and loaded on board of vessels, in
olden times, the excavations thrown
out now making good roads over the
land. The wonderful popularity Of
this juniper timber, is the manner in
which it grows. 1t is very dense, and
not very tall, and the other timbers
with it, all of rank growth, make il
extremely difficult to see any distance
ahead, and you are compelled to travel
entirely by compass, let the distance
be ever so short. 1t will cause many
a laugh, and remark from our old
Tionesta ", 'smen, when l tell them
that they >an not go out of hearing 10
this country without getting lost, with.
out the use Of compass; look in any
direction and the appearance of land
and timber is the same. Ia order to
survey line of contemplated r. r
or rope tram way, we are compelled
to send a man to the top of the tallest
tree, for observation, and from his
position there, strike line to the OBJ
jective point. The manner of trans
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