| From the Raleigh Standard |
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| July 17, 1861 |
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| Deep River Coal |
| As the coal of the Deep River region is
now about to be brought into notice, it may not be inappropriate to
make some explanations concerning it, and the operations being carried
on there. All the Bituminous Coal contains more or less sulphur, and
this sulphur increases in quantity the nearer you approach the
out-crop; hence the best and purest coal is obtained from deep shaft
workings. There is but one shaft yet in the Deep River region, it is
at Egypt, and persons purchasing coal should b e particular in
inquiring if it came from Egypt, if they wish to obtain the best
quality mined, so far. |
| So many exaggerated statements have gone
forth as to making of oil and iron in that region, that I took the
trouble to examine into what had been done and to observe what is
likely to be done. At the Farmville place a great mass of machinery,
&c., has been put up, but so far as the making of oil, it was a
failure -- only one barrel having been made in a week. This result was
the fault of the works and their management, not of the black band
iron ore. A good quality of oil can be made and profit accrued to the
operator, if a different style of works were put up, and it is now
worth the attention of our people. |
| At the Tysor place, where I had seen
announced in the papers that the vast quantities of iron had been
made, I found several changes from the original plan of the works --
changes which have resulted in nothing but loss; but as now they have
returned to the original old plan of a Catalan forge, something may be
done when the works are completed. |
| At Ore Hill, 10 miles north of Deep River
a furnace is being put up, and will be at work in about two weeks. The
ore at this place is very superior and was used during the revolution. |
| At Egypt a very superior quality of coal
is being taken out and 100 tons a day can easily be taken out. The
only drawback is the unfinished state of the railroad. {Western
RR} |
| I make these statements because I learn a
quantity of outcrop coal has gone to market, and given some
dissatisfaction, and that the plain simple truth as to what is
doing on Deep River may be known. |
| Fayetteville Observer |
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