The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-02
si Getting A SALT MINE.
AIT. BETHELL's PARTY VIEWS a
0hEAT AMERICAN INSTITUTION.
Even Sunday Offers No Barrier to the
Attentions Of Truly Courteous South
ern Gentlemen--Sights Which Aw ed,
Yet Gave Unmeasured Delight.

From Our special Correspondents
New IBERIA, La, Dec. 30-Yesterday |
was spent snipe hunting, about ten miles
from Lafayette. The sport was very poor,
however, as the recent rains, together with
the extreme warm weather, had kept them
from their feeding grounds. Our sport
during the entire day was interfered with
by the rain and only few were brought
TO bay. Our dogs worked well, and your
correspondent made his bag over tho
handsome points Of Gen. Jeb Stewart"
Had they been plentiful, there is no tell
ing how many We would have bagged.
As the shades Of evening began to cast
their mantle over the broad prairie, We
!, turned our course homeward and arrived
at our car just after dark. Col. Devne at
once arranged for our removal and next
morning found us at this point. We break
tasted at 0 O. clock, and Immediately lett by
special train for the salt mines OF New
Iberia, on sightseeing tour, and well
were we repaid. These mines are stu
ated on an island OF about 1000
acres, surrounded on one side by the
Pitanese Bayou and ON the other by the
Gulf They are located about ten miles
rtfrom New Iberia, and are the property OF
y the Avery family. The route to these
mines lay directly through an immense
sea marsh, and had the tide been in we
would have been surrounded by water the
whole way.
At the mines we were met by Maj. ]. G.
Heiskel, the superintendent, who after
formal introduction to our party, invited
us to ''gowith him through the works"
He ordered steam raised Iii being Sunday
the works were not in operation) for the
purpose OF lowering us into the mines.
Scarcely had we finished inspecting the
works when We were invited to step on
the elevator" Some OF our party were
rather 10th TO make the trip, but, being
assured there was no danger, finally con-
sented. The signal was given, and the
elevator, with its heavy load Of living
freight, began the descent into the bow.
els OF the earth. Down, down We
went until distance OF ninety
feet was attained. Here we halted for q
moment while the Major told us OF show
this first mine was abandoned some years
ago by reason OF the water percolating
through the ground to such an extent ~
TO make II impossible for them TO work
it."
Our next stop was made at a distance OF
ICE feet from the surface. The atmosphere
was delightful, and MS we alighlcd FROM
the car each one Of the party was furnished
with head light, cautioned TO beware o
the miroad tracks and follow him. Al
different points OF interest he had his mer
stationed and M We approached wore
from him caused them TO touch of the
Illuminating powder, by which We wer'
enabled to see the mines in all thei
grandeur. The sight was superb. Man!
of our party had visited Mammoth ant
many other caves of this country, bu
when the light OF those fires were p'ilecle'
ON the immense walls OF salt causing then
tosparkle, ia chambers - feet in hight b,
about 100 in circumference. We all agree,
r that all other underground institution
faded into ipsignl6cance. when compares
with this From one chamber We Yer
- nd 10 another where the same scenes wer
enacted, except they grew crander. W
we're shown the process by which the sal
is blasted from lis everlasting wall For
moment We stood In awe, and wondered
II were possible ios man To undo in ic'
short moments what Nature had bee
doing ever since "time was but litu
child, and the world just able to stan
alone" Nevertheless II Is 80. A drill
worked by machinery, Is inserted into III
wall, and after depth OF ten feet IL ol
tanned cartridge loaded with dynami
isthrust into the hole the men retire ini
another chamber, the signal IL given,
loud report is heard and the men reiui
10 find the empty chamber again full
rock salt
After an hour spent thus, We rciurnC
20 the surface 10 wonder, Can such thin
lie and not overcome US, etc, In tie In
II fet.UI purlar Nniui I'LL
standing the day was excessively warn
vet as we wandered through and q
preached the works we were almost caus'
10 SILVER nj the sight of what seemed
be snow upon the house top, the windo'
and frames. the floors and joists oi u
immense structure. Its only salt, 2
marked Capt. Mylcs. We immediate
removed our oyercoats. These mines ca
ploy eighty men, aud their average capa
ity'is $50 tons per day. Upon inquiry
learned that they are run by stock col
many. the Avery family simply getting
ROYALTY for their part OF the profits, viii
Is sufficiently large 10 keep the entire IN
liz in anlucnce aud ease. ! was also e
tIIAt the business for the year jus, closil
has been the largest and most proltal
: during the existence Of the mines. Ca
Fred s. Myles, being the agent for tho
mines and being well acquainted with
gcntlemanly manager, We had no troul
IN seeing them in their entirety, notwi
standing II was sunday.
We returned to the town about no'
and after pariaking OF game dinner. \
pared by our own cook, viewed the =
rounding country from behind spirit
horses in easy riding road wagons UNI
the direction Of Judge 7. $ Taules, v
Is the iruc type Of Southern gcntlcm
Our trip 10 this point WIS grand succ'
and the rccollcciions OF today will alw
bc "grccn spot in momOry's waste. ;"
leave tonight Tor New Orleans, from VII