The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1890-04-02

ment, and docks and warehouses arr
filled to repletlon.
One Of the most interesting, al
we'll as one Of the most amusing
sights, is the construction and burn
ing Of the tar kilns, which is atten-
ded with scenes of the greatest jol-
LITIGATION and hilarity BY the inhabi-
tants. A rudely-constructed one
story frame building, locatedin the
corner Of a worm fence at the forks
Of a road, marks the entrance to the
mighty forest. This unique struct-
ure is long and narrow, void Of
paint, and is enylroned by a rough
porch. In every direction through
this mighty wilderness Of trees
lights twinkle like thousands ofstars
and dense columns Of black smoke
rise slowly above the tree tops, fill
ing the air with fumes Of burning
tar, while men and boys fit silently
about like grim spectress, the whole
presenting a peculiarly wild and
weird scene.
The tar kilns are constructed
from the stumps and cast-off trees.
Nothing appears to be wasted, for
even here the refuse material is
utilized adyantageously. Even af-
ter these cast-off trees have been
worked" for the gum turpentine
several times the sap still maintains
u vigorous vitality, and in the old
stumps also, and it adheres to the
refuse limbs lying about, which it
coats with a thick gummy substance
highly combustible, and as quickly
ignited as powder. The stumps and
trees are cut into lengths Of from
four to five feet.
An excavation about two feet
deep Is made in the ground, in the
middle Of which is placed the mouth
Of an iron pipe, which extends for
some distance underground beyond
the excavation. Dirt and refuse
matter are then filled in about the
split pieces until the pile assumes
the size and shape OF an immense
cone. The whole is then covered
with earth and the fire lighted. This
is termed the smother" and as the
intense heat softens the tar it rams
down into the centre of the earthly
basin and drops into the pipe,
which it is conveyed to the
outer edge Of the excavation. Men
and blys are constantly on guard,
armed with shoyels, to prevent an
outburst Of flames. They are re
quired to be vigilant and unceasing
in their attention 10 this important
part, or disastrousresu may follow.
There are two sets Of watchers,
night and day. Occasionally agreat
sheet Of flame bursts suddenly forth,
the gloomy surround
ings and cracking and bissing ter
With wild shouts the
watchers hastily scoop up shovel
fulls Of earth and quickly "smoth-
err il. Some Of these kilns will
Weld from two to three hundred
barrels Of tar. Fifteen DAYS is.the
limit for the burning out Of kilns,
and when the cone has settled to a
fiat surface and the last ember died
out then il is that the watchers
throw down their shoyels with a
loud huzz and the women and chill
dren come issuing forth from their
forest homes, and the festivities be-
gin.
All cJnyentionalities are thrown
aside. The whole community is Al
bewildering chaosof fun and excite
ment. Here is the kiln-burner in
his red shirt, tow-linen trousers, and
perhaps barefooted; here is the maid
and matron dressed in the primitive
calico "frock," and the dirty, healthy,
cunning-looking scions Of the tar
heelers In medley Of colors, all mixed
up in inextricable confusion. A
venerable negro or two plays the
violin, and the inevitable black Jug
plays q conspicuous part on this
general hilarious occasion.
A loyal North Carolinian, who
served in the Union army, tells q
very amusing story in connection
with the rosin beds mentioned above.
During General Sherman's famous
march TO the sea apart OF the TWen-
tieth Army Corps was halted in n
section OF this forest and prepared
TO camp for thenight. The soldiers
we're somewhat mystifed at finding
so large stretch Of smooth, solid
rock, but congratulated themselves
that they would not have to biyouac
in the mud.
Knapsacks were unslung, guards
were mounted and fires were kindled
at different points, and the tired and
WARY Veterans Wpfp nranat inaf 4.