Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1897-06-16
For the Herald and Tribune.
Washington County waterpower Along the
Watauga Front.

washington county Waterpower Along the
Watauga Front.
what now write will surprise most
OF your Washington County readers.
1t is necessary for me to revise nv
reported estimate Of the aggregate
waterpower of the county. In what I
intended as a concluding article on the
subject, l reported 115 power sites in
active use, Or available for propelling
machinery; and, ranging from six to
thirty horsepower. l have since OBJ.
tanned a careful report of the water.
power sites in the northern area of the
county, or what l call the "Watauga
Front" Let the fact be kept in mind,
that Jonesboro is located on a high
bridge of ground extending from east
to west across the county, As a plateau,
1t is the highest ground in the great
East Tennessee basin between Bristol
and Chattanooga. If a pipe was laid
from Jonesboro to Bristol, water would
flow through it from the former to the
latter place.
From this Jonesboro plateau, all the
streams in the northern section of the
county, flow to the Watauga River.
In a map of the 8C's Railroad, fur
nished me by Engineer Molesworth of
that road, counting streams of all sizes
flowing into that river along our
county's Watauga front, there are no
less than fifteen. Eight of these streams
are small ones, and although some of
them might be used for driving light
machinery, will only designate them
as good locations for either stationary
or portable steam engines. OF the
other seven, furnishing good powers. l
have numered them commencing at
the northeastern part of the county,
and in figures following each number
and name, give the number of power
sites.
No. l, Brush, Az, Knob, 10; 3, Car.
rol, 2; 4, Boon, 8; s, Sinking, 25, 8, Co.
dar, 70; Z, Big Sinking, %. Making in
all 80 sites, only 81 of which are in &C..
tive use. This leaves 50 valuable sites
either never having been used, or, il
used, abandoned for want of paying
custom. To this number of available
finland" w%aterpower sites las l call
them,) may be added at least six shoals
in the river along the northern line of
the county, where wallowing wheels,
as designate them, may be employed
to generate power ranging from thirty
to fifty horsepower, making ninety two
sites in all. This changes my former
estimate of 115 to at least III good
available w%aterpower sites of the
county.
What a large wealth of manufactur.
ing if all these available powers were
actively employed in driving the right
kind of improved machinery.
In conclusion, let us look back again
to what l call our Watauga front.
Note the fact that the &C., as we call
it, is already built and in use along the
southern shore of this river front; and
l feel sure that inside of twelve months
it will be completed to the Ohio River,
then not only the seven larger streams,
but the entire fifteen will be employed
as locations for active machinery.
There is not only reason, but exceed
ingly good reason for this estimate.
First, industries that employ ore and
coal as raw material, can get their sup.
plies along this river front on all the
way down grade on as favorable
freight terms as Johnson City or Car
negie, and will have alike favorable
facilities for shipping to market.
Second, they will escape corporation
taxes, and for their operatives house
rents, fuel and farm, dairy, orchard
and market garden supplies will be a
considerable per cen cheaper than
town or city rates.
Another fact must not be overlooked:
Out and mp these numerous and beau
tiful vallies along our Watauga front
will speedily be laid tracks for freight
and passenger switch lines; and the
adjacent ridges and projecting foot
hills will become the most desirable
residence location, not alone for those
interested in the local industries, but
of many engaged in business in John
son City, Carnegie, and even some-if
not many-may come out and down
from historic J%onesboro to live happily
and well on Knob, Carol or Boon's
Creek and close to the Watauga fish.
ing grounds. o yes. One or more OF
of the valley lines, driven by steam or
electricity, must be extended as far as
Jo%nesboro-s belt line will be best,
using both Knob and Boon's Creek
vallies. N. A, PATTERSON,
Vineland, Tenn.