The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-10
Great Falls.
The LARGEST ENTERPRISE
IN THE STATE.
Unsurpassed Power Of the Roa-
nOke to be Utilized.

prlses in the South, and especially
in North Carolina, q visit to this
place would be one Of special interest
The work of the canal, projected by
capitalists of New York, Pennsylva-
nie, Virginia and North Carolins
progresses.
DR.. Herndon, of Oxford, and Maj.
L. l.. Emrv, of Weldon, are two Of
the largest stockholders 10 this State
1t is only four miles from Weldon,
and Notwithstanding the season OF
the year, the roads are IN good con-
| dition.
LABoRERs EMPLOYED.
Near the bridge between the two
canals (tbat are very near each other
at this point large steam mill is
actively at work, converting logs of
timber into plank, stills. &C., for
building purposes. Passing the mill
| a few yards and ascending a slight
eminence, you come in sight of an
animated scene. From this point
not only the saw mill and its opera
tIOns are IN full view, but number of
men telling trees and cutting logs,
numerous others with mules and
carts removing large pieces of rock
from the he'd Of tie canal; still others
with mules hitched to scrapers bear
ing off the dirt from the hill sides.
These are free labnrers.
There are also in plain view, some
Wbst removed from the Others all
along in the channel Of the canal for
a considerable distance, about one
hundred convicts with wheel harrows
removing the dirt ana smaller rock :;
while others with large sledge ham
mers are driving steel INTO the larger
houlders Of rock, striking with the
regularity Of clock work, making re-
ceptscles for powder and dynamite
There also may be seen the Civil En-
giheer, and his assistants, moving
here and there adjusting the work,
driving stakes, &c.
THE CONVICT GUARDS.
In view and at different points are
the guards with their Mulligins and
Is shooters, the least animated, but
not the most unimportant Of those
10 sight, for in the force of convicts
here, are some Of the most desperate
men in the State. In charge Of the
forces at work is Mr.. E. NJ. Wheeler
man of considerable experience in
work of the kind. Maj. T. L.. Emry
is to be seen here almost daily, and
for the time being he seems to be
giving this enterprise the most of his
time and attention.
DIRECTORS OF THE WORK.
Mr.. Wheeler has as assistants in
managing and directing the hands,
Mess. A. a. Gross. Mr.. Burris, D.
X. McKeever. W. J. Simmons and
Mr.. Britt. All except the last two
mentioned have had long experience
in rock work and the use Of powder
and dynamite, and their skillful use
OF 1t is attested by the immense
quantity Of work that has been and
is daily being removed, and the fur>
ther fact, that although the work has
heen progressing for months there
has not been the slightest accident.
The heavy blasts are heard for
miles around this section. If you
will listen almost every day, lit.
tie after IL O'Clock, when the hands
hsve left the work for dinner, and
again little after sun set, you can
no doubt hear them TO your town
Mr.. A. Edwin | ehman of PhIlsdel-
phis, gentleman of considerable
reputation in his profession, is cons
sulting engineer. and Mr. George
NJ. Lehman is president engineer To
the president engineer, | au indebt-
tel for the following facts.
ABOUT THE CANAL:
The csnal will re a little o. er two
miles in length, 90 feet wide st toi
sixty feet wide at bottom, "a feet
fsIl, with & horse power estima ated at