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Richard H. Thornton Library Oxford, North Carolina
Compits of
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INDUSTRIES
AND
THE
NORTH CAROLIN
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Carpenter's NoLE & Spling Hype
Morrisville Cary
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Jonesborough
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Church Cameron
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RO OHN'S
JNO. S. PESCUD. A. S. LEE. EUGENE GRISSOM.
PESCUD, LEE & CO., WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRUGGISTS +
DEALERS IN DRUGS, PATENT MEDICINES, PERFUMERY AND EVERYTHING APPERTAINING TO THE BUSINESS.
JOHN S. PESCUD.
A. S. LEE.
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, TRUSSES, &c Holiday Presents, Elaborate Toilet Articles, &c. A LARGE SUPPLY OF BUIST'S GARDEN SEEDS Always on Hand
Nowitzky's celebrated Indian Tea, Victory, Vocal Stimulants, etc., etc We particularly invite all strangers to the city to visit our lower store, opposite, the Postoffice, 4 doors from the hotel, which is conceded to be one of the most complete and best arranged in the South, and our SODA WATER FOUNTAIN, All connoisseurs say both in design, material and workmanship, rank with the finest on the continent.
COUNTRY ORDERS RECEIVE PROMPT ATTENTION. Address,
PESCUD, LEE & CO., RALEIGH, N. C.
HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE
REVIEW Francis Bottaro STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
CONSTO
INCLUDING THE
MANUFACTURING and MERCANTILE INDUSTRIES
OF THE TOWNS OF
DURHAM, FAYETTEVILLE, HENDERSON, OXFORD AND RALEIGH,
AND SKETCHES OF THEIR
LEADING MEN AND BUSINESS HOUSES.
1st VOLUME OF N. C.
EMPIRE PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHARLESTON, S. C. 1885.
4
Parties who have more than one copy of this book will, by judiciously disposing of the extra ones, greatly oblige subscribers and publishers.
Landmark Steam Print, Norfolk, Va.
PREFACE.
The general desire of the better class of our citizens to be informed with regard to the social, mercantile, agricultural and manufacturing interests of our country, the material and moral status of the various municipalities, that make the States, our vast National territorial extent, the distance that separates producer and con- sumer, and the impracticability to universal travel, form, in our judgment, sufficient excuse for the publication of this work.
The publishers have spared no time or labor, and have incurred no inconsider- able expense in procuring the fullest and most correct information with regard to the business and business men, the origin and development of prominent firms, institutions and corporations, the prominent professional men, and the incumbents of the more important public offices, city and national.
In the general articles an accurate knowledge will be imparted with reference to the commercial, manufacturing and agricultural facilities of each county and the advantages of the towns as markets for the purchase of supplies.
The detailed sketches of the prominent business concerns and information with regard to the leading men, professional and official, exhibit a degree of active endeavor on the part of capital and enterprise that is highly worthy of the real greatness of North Carolina.
In thanking our subscribers for their very liberal support, which has enabled us to publish over a thousand copies more than was originally intended, we pledge ourselves to spare no money in giving the work the fullest possible circulation, not only in the Union, but in European countries, from which we wish to draw immi- gration, and hope they, on their part, will do the same.
J. L.
The publishers expect to complete their work on North Carolina in some five or six volumes. The volumes will be issued at intervals of three or four months, each will contain separate and distinct counties and matter, similar to those they have prepared in other Southern States.
These books can be procured of the publishers in pam- phlet form, $1.00; bound, $3.00.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
I.C. HARRIS, - RALE MITTE
STATE CAPITOL.
GENERAL ASPECT OF THE STATE.
North Carolina is bounded on the north by Virginia, east by the Atlantic Ocean, south by South Carolina, and west by Tennessee. It is included nearly between the parallels 34º and 3630 north latitude, the latter being that of Southern Spain, and between the meridians 753º and 841º west longitude. The extreme length of the State is 5034 miles, its average breadth is 187₺ miles. Its area embraces 50,704 square miles, which is greater than New York. These diminsions are similar to those of that part of the Island of Great Britain known as England, which is 425 miles long. from 62 to 280 miles broad, embracing 50,812 square miles. With the exceptions of California and Texas, North Carolina is the longest State in the Union, her neighbor Tennessee being a few miles shorter.
Its topograpy may be best conceived, as has been before observed by picturing to the mind's eye the surface of the State as a vast declivity, sloping down from the summit of the Smoky Mountains, an altitude of 7,000 feet, to the level of the Atlantic Ocean. The Smoky Mountains constitute a part of the great Appalachian chain, which here attains its greatest height ; the greatest, indeed, on the continent east of the Rocky Mountains. This 'slope is made up of three wide terraces ; the first a mountain plateau, distinguished as the western section ; the second a submontane plateau called the middle section, some of the best counties of which we have noticed in detail further on ; the third, the Atlantic plain, eastern or low country. From the first to the second section there is a sharp descent through a few miles only, of not less than 1,500 feet: from the middle to the low country a descent of about 200 feet ; through the two latter, however, there is a constant downward grade.
The State is traversed by two ranges of mountains. The first the Blue Ridge, a grand and lofty chain, which, conforming to the trend of the Smoky mountains and that of the coast line runs in a direction northeast and southwest entirely across the State. The Brushy and
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6
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
South mountains are both offshoots of this chain. The second the Occoneeche and Uwharrie a range of much inferior elevation, whose rounded summits and sloping outlines present themselves in forms alike graceful and pleasing-crosses the State in a parallel direction near its centre.
Water power. The State is watered by numerous rivers many of which have their rise on the flanks of the Blue Ridge. Those which flow west empty into the Mississippi, breaking their way through the the Smoky Mountains, plunging headlong for miles through chasms from 3,000 to 4,000 feet in depth, the walls of which are perpendicular to the height of a thousand feet. Some of these gloomy passages have never been explored ; no boat could live in such a current, and no foothold could be found along the sides. Of these which rise on the eastern flank, only one, the Roanoke, reaches the sea within the boarders of the State. The rest, following the line of the softest rock, meander first towards the northwest, then sweeping round with bold curves flow to the sea through South Carolina. The principal rlvers which reach the sea within the State limits take their rise in the northern part of the midde section and on the eastern flank of the Occoneeche range near its northern termination and of these only one, the Cape Fear, flows directly into the ocean. Many of the rivers in every part of the State are noble streams in their middle course : some of those which flow into the sounds swell to majestic proportions, spreading out to a width of from 3 to 5 miles. The eastern rivers are navigable from 50 to 150 miles.
Climate. By reference to the mean parallels of latitude of the United States, it will be seen that North Carolina is situated nearly midway of the Union; and inasmuch as those States lie entirely within the Temperate Zonc, it follows that North Carolina is situated upon the central belt of that Zone. This position gives to the State a climate not excelled by any in the world. She isexempt from the extreme cold which prevails in the Northern States, and to a considera- ble extent from the early frosts which visit the States 'immediately North of her, on the one . hand, and from the torrid heat and malarial influences which prevail in the States to the South of her on the other. Other causes apart from its position occur to produce this result. On the West the lofty Appalachian chain interposes its mighty barrier between the bleak winds of the Northwest and the general surface of the State. On the East the coast is swept by the Gulf Stream, the meliorating effect of which is felt far inland. From these causes combined the temperature of the seasons ranges within moderate limits. The Spring comes in with less of those fickle variations which mark its advent elsewhere on this continent. So perceptible is this that European travellers say the American continent has no Spring, the season opens directly from Winter to Summer. Let those travellers visit North Carolina and they will find a European Spring with all its luxurious freshness. The Summers are not oppressive even in the low country, or if so for a few days only. But in the Autumn nature here exhibits herself in her most benignant mode, in her most favored zone. From the incoming of October to the latter part of December. there is an almost uninterrupted succession of bright, sunny days, during which the air is dry, crisp and pure-a season equally favorable to the ingathering of the crops and to active exertion of every kind. The reign of Winter as respects cold and wet is short, and field labor is carried on throughout that season, with the exception of two or three weeks at a time. Frost makes its appearance about the 15th of October, and sometimes there is not enough to nip the tender vegetation until the end of November. From the Blue Ridge to the seaboard, ice rarely forms a thickness to be gathered, except in localities over- hung and deeply shaded by high northern bluffs. When snow falls it covers the ground for but a few inches and is quickly dissipated by the sun. Fogs are of rare occurrence, and then mainly in the form of a belt of light vapour, marking the course of the larger streams in the latter part of the Summer and during the Fall months. The average rainfall throughout the State is fifty-three inches, which is pretty uniformly distributed through the year.
W. C. Kerr classes the climate of the different sections of North Carolina with reference to their isothermal ranges, as follows : "Middle, and Eastern North Carolina correspond to Middle and Southern France, and Western North Carolina to Northern France and Belgium. All the climates of Italy from Palermo to Milan and Venice are represented."
It is our object in this volume to more particularily speak of the Middle section, reserving for later issues of our North Carolina books the Eastern and Western counties.
7
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Middle Section. Where are located the counties and towns of which we will speak in detail. extends from the Western boundary of the tertiary formation or Eastern section to the Blue Ridge mountains. It comprises nearly one-half of the territory of the State.
In passiug from the Eastern to the Middle Section, there is a marked change in the general aspect of the country, in its uatural and cultivated productions and in other respects. The great Atlantic plain is left behind, which, on account of the uniformity of its surface partakes of monotony even where most fertile. Here on the contrary is an endless succession of hills and dales. Every step brings to view some new charm in the laudscape-some new arrange- ment of the rounded hills, some new grouping of the tracts of forests which still cover so large a part of the country. The hills, indeed, in their gracefully curving outlines present lines of beauty with which the eye of taste is never satiated. These are attractions which depend upon permanent features of the landscape, and which though indefinitely heightened in their effects by the verdure of Spring and Summer are only brought into fuller relief by the naked- ness of Winter. The variations of surface though less defined at first become more marked towards the West. The long leaf pine and the cotton plant gradually give place to wheat, corn, buckwheat, barley and tobacco. Clover and grasses also clothe the hills more or less, the large bottoms are laid down in meadows and commonly the narrow flats between the hills made by the little brauches or rivulets are sown in grass and present belts of richest ver- dure. The change is seen in the streams, while those of the low lands being dyed in a sable hue by the decaying vegetation with which the soil is charged; those of this section are as clear and pure as they flowed from the fountains mirroring in their pools and longer reaches every object on their banks. A difference in the Summer and Fall is felt in the air of the two sections. That of the low lands though kindly and not unhealthy, disposes somewhat to lassitude and inaction; that of this section is invigorating and wholesome (being kept in perpetual motion at those seasons by gentle gales) and favors active exertion.
The hand of improvement is more visible in this than in any section of the State. This is chiefly due to the causes that agriculture was less dependent upon slave labor, many commu- nities withiu its limits, as those of the Quakers having no slaves. Hence agricultural interests were not so prostrated by the civil war. At the end of the war the large proprietors, who were the slave owners, had more laud than they could cultivate, the only use they could make of it was to let it for rent. To young and energetic men a golden opportunity was thus offered. They went to work stimulated by the desire to redeem the time lost during their service in the army and by the hope of acquiring lands of their own. But every one had lost heavily ; the impulse to repair those losses was universal ; labor from the predominance of the white race was adequate to the demand ; hence every kind of business was pushed on with zeal and spirit. The affect in a few years was to obliterate all the deeper traces of the war ; then the work of improvement began and has been steadily carried on. This section is now dotted over by thriving villages and towus. The houses everywhere indicate a high degree of thrift and comfort ; an unusual proportion are built in modern style and tastefully painted. nestled amidst yards and gardens, enclosed with neat painted pailings, flanked with orchards of fruit trees, in which a space is generally allotted to choice grape vines, they give abundant proof of ease and plenty, aud in many instances of no small degree of luxury.
In this section nature has distributed her blessings with a bounteous hand. Its salubrity, the variety and value of its productions, its mineral wealth, its manufacturing facilities, mark it out as one of the most desirable abodes for mau and a future centre of great wealth and population. No where do the conditions which are friendly to health, to the finest physical development, to the successful exertion of industries of every kind. and to rational enjoyment exist in greater abundance thian here. Those bounties are visible only in part. The earth is stored with coal, iron, gold and other metals, ores and minerals. Explorations here demou- strated that these exist in such quantity that localities in this section will become the seats of mining and manufacturing industries on a graud scale, when population aud capital shall favor their full development.
The descent of the slope formed by the surface of the State is greatest in this section ; through its entire extent from 1000 to I200 feet. The rivers in their eastward flow down this descent, make their way with a lively current varied with long reaches of comparatively
8
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
tranquil water. Oftentimes they force their way through huge barriers of primitive rock, and there occur rapids and falls which afford the finest water power.
These have been utilized to some extent by the erection of grist and flouring mills in every neighborhood, and cotton and woolen mills on some of the rivers. Within the last few years the number of cotton mills has largely increased. Those erected lately are spacious buildings, and equipped with the best machinery. Within the same period all or nearly all of the older ones have been enlarged and new machinery put in. The day is not distant when this branch of industry shall attain a great degree of development here. In few other forms have invest- ments paid heavier dividends. The fact begins to be more and more recognized that within. the cotton States there are advantages for the manufacture of that staple that cannot be found elsewhere. Here the cotton is at the door of the manufacturer, and the prime cost of the material is therefore less. Wages are less here than in the northern States, and a lower rate of wages here affords a more comfortable living than a higher rate there, for the necessaries of life arc cheaper and less food, clothing and fuel are required. Less fuel too is required for heating the mill in winter. The laborer can make substantial additions to his means of sub sistence from his garden, which is always allotted here to the head of a family. Here there is no obstruction to machinery from ice in winter, and greater suspension of work from drought in summer, for our rivers are as long as those of New England, and have as many tributaries. The original cost of the site and the building is very much less than the same cost there. The force of these reasons cannot be long resisted.
Trees. The wide range of the trees of North Carolina long since attracted the attention o' botanists. It includes all those employed in the useful and many of those used in the orna- mental arts. Indeed, nearly all the species found in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains are got in North Carolina. Her wealth in this respect will be appreciated when the fact mentioned by that eminent botanist Dr. Curtis, is brought to mind, that there are more species of oaks in North Carolina than in all the States north of it, and only one less than in all the Southern States east of the Mississippi. Those species we refer to, the timber of which or their manufactured products, are exported from this section. The lumber trad of Middle North Carolina has had an enormous development during the last decade, though yet the resources are comparatively untouched.
The white oak is the species in most general use, and is the most extensively serviceable. It is found all over the State, but in abundance in the middle section. It is valuable for frame houses, for mills and dams, vehicles. agricultural implements, cooper's ware, ship building, and for all purposes where strength and durability are required. Tanners prefer the bark of this species of oak for preparing leather for saddles and other similar purposes. It rises to the height of seventy or eighty feet with a diameter of two to three feet.
The white hickory of the Middle Section for weight, tenacity, strength, and for its capacity for receiving a high polish, is pronounced by experts to be superior to any in the world. It is used for mill cogs, screws of presses, handspikes, capstan bars, bows, hoops, spokes and handles of tools. There are large establishments for the manufacture of spokes, rims and handles, which are sent everywhere. The matured tree is about sixty feet high and eightee: to twenty inches in diameter.
The white ash is in this section largely manufactured for exportation. It furnishes the com- mon timber used in light carriages for the shafts, frames and parts of the wheels. Hat hoops, boxes and the handles of many instruments are made of it. It is the only material for oars, pulley blocks, cleats and similar naval appliances, in places where it is obtained. It is 50 t 70 ft. high and 2 to 3 ft. through.
The elm for ship blocks is of the highest value, for hubs of wagon wheels it is preferred to any timber. It is from 30 to 50 feet high and 12 to 18 inches through.
The maple is largely exported from this section of the State. The wood in old trunks is full of irregularities like knots. These, if cut in one direction, exhibit a spotted surface t which the name of BIRD'S EYE maple is given: while if cut in another direction, they pro- duce a wavy or shady surface called CURLY maple. It is used in cabinet work particularly for inlaying mahogany. The tree attains a height from 50 to 80 feet and a diameter of tw + to three feet.
9
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The beech is common here and grows luxuriantly; the tulip tree or poplar, the wood of which is so highly esteemed for carving or ornamental work, for some kinds of furniture und for coach panels, is chiefly cut and prepared in this section, though found all over the State.
The persimmon is in this section obtained in consi lerable quantities: it is employed for surews and many other implements. The black walnut, used for furniture, gun stocks, hubs and in house and shipbuilding, is abundant. The yellow pine, whose uses are so familiar and universal, obtains here a height of seventy feet, with a circumference of four and five and even - x feet. The mulberry tree, though not valued for its timber, is important in another respect. l/ occurs so commonly in the middle section, that nature may be said to have laid the broad- . t foundation for the cultivation of silk there.
This does not exhaust the list; but it will serve to give a clearer idea of the timber re- sources of this section. But though the materials for this branch of manufacturing abound here, a beginning only has been made. There are establishments for making wagons and pleasure vehicles, excellent both for material and workmanship; but great numbers of these are brought in from other States. One branch of wood manufacture is prosecuted here with great success -- that of spokes and rims for carriages, and bobbins and similar implements used with the machinery of cotton and woollen mills. These are sent off in great quantities to distant parts of the United States to Europe and to Australia.
The cultivation of tobacco and the manufacture of the same has had here a rapid develop- sent. The tobacco mainly grown and used is the unique produce known as the golden leaf.
L originated in this section though its cultivation has extended far into the mountains. The effects of this industry have been striking. Villages and towns have grown up at short inter- vals within a few years on the principal lines of railroad, where the large warehouses and t: ctories, the handsome churches, school houses, residences and stores give evidence of high prosperity. In some of these towns almost the whole business consists in prizing and mani- cturing this commodity into different forms for the markets of the world.
The cultivation of fruits of all kinds has been long pursued in this section with skill, energy d judgment. Its wonderful adaptations for fruits was early discovered, and many nur- series were established for rearing the young trees. Here the native fruits were perfected, oice foreign kinds introduced, and new kinds originated. The enterprise of the nurserymen w's planted the finest fruit trees-as the apple, the peach, the pear, the apricot and the cherry. About every dwelling in this section now have the garden fruits --- the fig, the currant, the raspberry and the like receive less attention. The supply of every kind for home consump- tion is unlimited ; that of peaches and apples such that large quantities are fed to hogs.
The Grape .- If the indications of nature are to be relied upon. North Carolina was plainly marked out as the land for vineyards. In the sober narrative of the voyage of Amadas and Barlowe made in 1584 to North Carolina then an unbroken wilderness, the author tells us: "We wewed the land about us, being where we first landed very sandy and low towards the water le, but so full of grapes, as the very beating and surge of the sea overflowed them. of which we found such plenty as well there as in all places else, both on the sand and on the green soil. on the hills as in the plains, as well on every little shrub, as also climbing towards the tops o: high cedars, that I think in all the world the like abundance is not to be be found, and myself having seen those parts of Europe that most abound, find such difference as were incredible to be written." Upon the visit of the voyagers to the house of the Indian King on Roanoke Island, wine was set before them by his wife. It is further mentioned that " while the grape lasteth they (the Indians) drink wine ; they had not learned the art of preserving it. Harriott, a distinguished man in an age of distinguished men, of whom it was justly said that he cultivated all sciences and excelled in all, visited the same coast in 1586, where he was struck with the abundance of grape vines, and he was impressed with the fact that wine might be made one of the future staples of the State. "Were they" he writes, "planted and husbanded as they ought, a principal commodity of wines might be raised." This State is proven to be far richer in this respect than even he expected. Grape vines were found in equal profusion in the original forest throughout the State. They often interlaced the trees to such an extent that they were a serious impediment to the work of clearing away the forest,
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