NP, RSTD 8/14A/1861

From the Raleigh Standard
 
August 14, 1861
 
"Deep River Coal
   Mr. James Browne, Coal Merchant of Charleston, S. C., is here making arrangements for the transportation of 30,000 tons of coal from Deep River to Charleston and Columbia. He obtains it from the Egypt shaft, where several hundred tons have been raised to the surface. Yesterday afternoon a specimen of about 15 or 20 tons came down by the train, and Mr. Browne informs us that it is the most beautiful coal he ever saw.
   At last we begin to see light, for the Mineral Region and for our Railroad." {Western RR}
   We clip the above from the Fayetteville Observer. We rejoice with the Observer that the light is breaking over the coal region. North Carolina and the South must look to the vast benefits to be conferred upon them by the mineral region of Deep River, and must promptly go to work to develop them.
   A friend residing in that region writes us, "I am happy to say that the Egypt shaft is now in full operation under the management of Mr. Wm. McClean and produces a large quantity of the finest coal I ever saw. Mr. McC. will commence shipping to Charleston, S. C., in a few days."
   Can no scheme be suggested by which the coal can be brought to Raleigh this fall at a reasonable price? Our people will need coal, and a supply can only be obtained from Deep River. We should think it might be brought here and sold for 8 or $10 per ton, and money made by the operation. We ought to have a Railroad {the future Chatham RR} to the mines by all means.

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