The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
NIAGARA OF THE COTTON BELT
Everything is Now Ready to Commence
Work on ''The Narrows'

Everything is Now Ready to Commence
Work on '1he Narrows."
Definite plans have been undertaken
for the development of aSbig water pow
er property in North Carolina under the
direction of Baltimore engineering and
contracting concern. j. G. White x Co.
who built the now widelyknown line
transmitting electrical energy from Nj
agara Falls to Buffalo, have the work in
charge. On account of the magnitude Of
this new development and its location
the enterprise is already called THE
Niagara of the Cotton Belt" It's situa-
ton is at the ''narrows" of the Yadkin
river, in Stanley county, y. G. The total
power available in time of dry season is
about 40,000-horse power BY the adop-
ton of storage reservoirs, which the
high banks of the river favor, this pow
er can be greatly increased, says the
Baltimore Sun.
Mr.. G.. G. Young, of ]. G. White X
Co, has returned to Baltimore after eX-
aiming the property and pronounced the
project entirely practicable and the basis
of most important development. Mr..
Young said that surveys We're now near
ly completed that will enable the engin-
GERS to determine final plans for the con-
struction. Baltimore engineers and me-
chanics who had part in the work
which brought the electric current from
Niagara to Buffalo and furnished the
means to turn the wheels in that city of
the street cars, factories and other pow
er consumers are engaged in this new
project.
The North Carolina Power Company
is the name of the corporation that will
carry out the plan. Mr.. Il. Il. G. Ham
bley is president of this company and DR..
Dillon Brown, treasurer. Financial ar
engagements have already been perfect
ed and there is now no obstacle to the
commencement of the work of construc-
ton Just as soon as the plans of the en-
gineers are worked out. The company
has a capital stock of S5,000,000, and il
is proposed to issue bonds to the amount
Of S2,50000U. 1t owns the entire prop
erty along the Yadlsin river where the
power development is to be made, in
Guiding 1900 acres of land on both sides
of the river, thus controlling the sitna-
ton.
The Typographical features are regarded
as particularly well adapted for econom-
ioal development, as the river ut the riv-
err at the "narrows" passes through Il
granite-lipped gorge but seyenty-tve feet
wide at its widest and only thirty FEET
wide at its narrowest part In the twelve
miles the total fall is 220 feet. The de-
velopment will probably be made in two
divisions.
Following this water-power develop
ment is to come the movement to this
section of New England cotton-mil in
telests Plans are now being formulated
for large cotton mill TO be built on the
property. This mill is designed to be ain
advance upon present plants not only
in the South, but in the North as well.
Besides modern machinery of approved
type, the whole plant will be electrically
driven. Some novel features will be in
troduced in this regard to simplify oper-
atoms Possession of an abundance OF
good labor, cheap living and cheap pow
er are also expected to influence other
industries besides cotton mills to locate
in this section. +. a
This development of water power
promises to be one of the most interest
ing yet made and it is contemplated TO
transmit the power to points within
radius of fifty miles. 1t has been deter
mined to install machinery of the most
modern style and make the big Develop
ment the most effective that money aud
skill can secure. The Yadkin river for
term of years has been particularly
regular in flow, and as there is no dan
ger of interruption by freezing in win
ter, there will be no need of auxiliary
steam plants, as in New England.
a short extension OF the Salisbury and
Norwood Branch of the Southern Rail
way is to be made to reach the property
and a new line under construction from
Durham is also to run through it.
The scenery, high altitude and climate
of this part of the South is especially
inviting and after the industrial develop
ments are under way hotel and resort
will probably be the next move.