The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1892-04-28
The Verltable Iron Centre
of the South.
Some Of Its Advantages as Seen by
a Competent Observer.
EDITOR COMET:

hN
nooga Times, | propose somewhat to
sound the praises of Johnson City
and its environs in our home paper.
1t is the first thought of capital, in
casting about for new fields of invest
ment, to find a beautiful place, good
climate, good elevation, good water,
abundant water power and irst-class
railway connection, giving outlet in
every direction. Nor is this all. We
must have schools, colleges and church.
es, and ways by which her population
may not only make a living, but be.
come thrifty and rich.
There is no point east of the Missis-
sippi River in the United States, ex-
tending from Canada to the Gulf Of
Mexico, that offers to capital and pop
ulation the attraction that this partic.
ular section presents. Johnson City
and its environs embody all the pre-
requisites in an eminent degree, al
will be detailed further along.
Situated in a rich, wide and produc-
tive valley, with an altitude of 1850
feet above sea level, whose cline is su
perb NO malaria, no epidemics ever
prevail, 40 great heat or cold, and al
together a most equable climate. All
this is evinced by her variety of agri-
cultural products, which nowhere ap-
proach greater perfection than here.
All this brings cheap living, which i,
in strange contrast with many OF our
neighboring cities. Wheat, corn, oats,
flax, tobacco, together with every pos
sible vegetable product, are grown in
great profusion, as we'll as apples,
peaches, pears, cherries, plums, with
every variety of the smaller fruits.
The grapes are abundant, and cheap
~provender can always be had and
where this obtains there will Of neces-
sity abound horses, mules, cattle,
sheep and hogs,
Our geographical situation is most
happy and must eventuate in a great
railroad centre. Il is here that We have
the intersection of two great trunk
lines, the East Tennessee, Virgins
and Georgia, and the Charleston, Gin
cinna'i and Chicago railroads. Radi t
ing from this point are several other
roads, either in operation or in process
of construction, |, aiding to The great
iron and coal fields, which are near al
hand, OF Iimitless extent and of the
finest quality. This great Magnetic
iron deposit is surpassed by none in
point OF richness, or in adaptability
for The manufacture uf steel rails and
structural steel for any purposes
and at a cost of $3.50 per ton. 1t car
be safely said this section is the "hut
aud railroad center o fthe greatest min
eral region in the world" Zinc, alu
minimum, onyx, states, mica, Building
Stone, kayolin, fire and brick clay
with ~magnesia. Limestone, etc, practi
cally without limit.
In close proximity we have an mex
haustable lumber supply, OF all thu
known hard and soft woods, which ar
to be cheaply had.
Thirty-five miles east and southeas
of us we find an altitude OF 6,394 feet a
at Cloudland, and Linville, N. c., VIII 81
average temperature is 60 degrees dun
ing May, August and September, max
ing the most perfect climate in tn,
United States, and when tourists sigh
seers, as we'll as invalids from what's
ever malady, may come, not only TO
pleasure and profit, but for restoration
to health. Nearby we have "Cranber
ry" and "Elizabethton," in the irol
district, easily accessible, with viii,
and varied scenery. AT this altitud
the flora are sub-Alpine, rank and Gu
rious, and OF wide range, where the stu
dent and scientist may regale then
selves, and feast their eyes on mour
tain sides literally covered with Rh(
dodendron blossoms, and at this SCI
son by the arbaters, and hundreds {
other species Of fora,
In the midst OF these superb r,
sources, and in q country SO pictu
: esque and healthful and laying jul
out from Johnson City, r the ne
progressive towns OF Carnegie. Watal
ga and Elizabethton. Gen. Wilde
, presides over the Carnegie Co., an
has "a national reputation. The Sout
: is vastly indebted to him in stimuli
} ting net only the production OF iroI
but setting in motion other industri,
that have resulted in great good. TIL
/ town has been regularly laid out, hi
handsome buildings, wide streets, ele