| From the Wilmington Journal |
| |
| October 30, 1861 |
| |
| Coal |
| We are glad to hear that after
a good many disappointments and delays, the bringing down of coal from
the Egypt mine has been resumed, and that a boat load will leave here
tomorrow morning, destined for Charleston, via the Wilmington &
Manchester railroad. The interruptions to the business have been
unfortunate, but we trust they are now overcome, and that Mr. McClane,
with his accustomed energy, which has sustained him through all the
disappointments about Deep River navigation and of fire-dap
explosions, will now begin to realize the full and profitable results
of his long and skilful labors in unearthing the wealth of that
wonderful region of our State. In these labors he has persevered for
years, and deserves not only pecuniary benefits but a grateful
appreciation by those who are interested in the prosperity and
character of our State. He is the only one, North or South, who has
gone to work in a scientific way, not content with a mere skimming of
the inferior mineral at the outcropping, (which would only serve to
damage the character of the rich coal below,) but working his way, at
a great expense, nearly 500 feet to the basin below. |
| It is expected that in a few
days the quantity will be sufficient to require a daily instead of a
tri-weekly train of cars. When the road {the
Western RR} is finished to the mouth of the shaft, the
transportation will be greatly facilitated. And there are now about
400 hands employed upon the 2 1/2 miles to that point, by the three
contractors, who hope to complete their contracts and the road in
January next. |
| Fay{etteville, N. C.}
Observer |
|