received its tributary, the Little Tennessee, from which latter stream may be derived the magnetic and specular ores of iron, roofing slates, soapstones, &c Within two miles of the town, immediately on the Tennessee, is the White Oak bed of fossiliferous red hematite, which is noted in Alabama (at Cornwall and Red Mountain) as making a quality of iron which has not been surpassed for car-wheel purposes, and cannon made from it during the late war came out triumphantly from the most severe tests. The same ore is found on the Clinch above Kingston, and runs in Roane county a distance of near thirty miles.

The climate of Kingston and of the whole county is mild in winter, and equable in summer. The peculiar advantages of the town caused it to be selected as the first capital, but it was soon abandoned as there were not then houses enough to accommodate the delegates; it was also selected by the United States Government as the site of their chief fort in operating against the Indians, and from a fancied resemblance to the "Pride of the Hudson," as well as the impregnable position, it was called South-west Point.

The Cincinnati Southern Railroad Company proposes to build a branch from Emory Gap via Kingston to Loudon or Lenoirs, to connect with the railroad from Knoxville to Charleston. This will eventually be built. There are two or more groups of mineral springs, to which persons resort during the heated term. Respectfully, HENRY E. COLTON.

SCOTT COUNTY.

COUNTY SEAT-HUNTSVILLE.

Scott county is bounded on the north by Kentucky, on the east by Campbell county, on the south by Anderson and Morgan counties, and on the west by Fentress county. The act establishing this county was passed December 17, 1849. It was composed of fractions of Anderson, Campbell, Fentress and Morgan counties. By reference to the map of Tennessee it will be seen that it is one of the extreme northern counties of East Tennessee. It lies on the Cumberland Table Land, and possesses all the characteristics of that region. The only lands -that are valuable lie upon the creeks, and these are narrowed down to small strips.

Huntsville, the county seat, is a small village of about 200 inhabitants. Of course there is but little business done there, and its distance from the markets of the country and from railroads will always operate against its advancement.

Chitwood is another town, but still smaller and more insignificant than Huntsville. It may yet grow considerably, in consequence of

the fact that the contemplated railroad from Cincinnati to Chattanooga will pass immediately through it. Indeed, this road will be of incalculable benefit to this entire region, cut off, as it is, from the commercial world.

There is a sparse population in Scott county. It has had no benefit whatever from immigration. Perhaps not a dozen families have gone there in as many years. This is owing to causes already indicated. It is out of the way, the farming lands are not good, and the trouble, expense and annoyance of reaching market, have operated as a barrier to immigration. There is no difficulty about buying land. Thousands of acres are for sale, and upon satisfactory terms. Improved farms can be had for about five dollars per acre, and unimproved for from fifty cents to three dollars per acre. The citizens are extremely anxious to augment their population, and would do all in their power to make new-comers welcome in their midst.

In some respects, immigrants could do very well here. Sheep husbandry and fruit-raising would pay largely. The extensive plateaus of land spreading over the surface of the mountains, and the rich growth of mountain grass found there, make it suited for the rearing of sheep. The county is not much annoyed by mean dogs, and, therefore, sheep would not be disturbed from this source. The cost of raising them would be only nominal. The winters, as everywhere in East Tennessee, are mild and short, and the summers are pleasant in this mountain region.

Fruit could be raised to any extent. Apples, peaches, pears, cherries and all the smaller fruits grow to perfection. An enterprising man, taking hold of this interest, could turn his means and his energy to good account.

There has been but little progress in the system of farming. The old plans are still adhered to for the most part. Improved means of husbandry have not been introduced to any extent, and most of the farms are cultivated with the ancient implements in vogue half a century ago. Bull-tongue plows do all the turning of the soil, the bar-shear being regarded as an innovator. There is scarcely any sowing of clover, and but few meadows. Corn is the chief crop, and that is fed to an inferior breed of hogs. Very little wheat is sown. Every species of stock belongs to the scrub race. The farmers have little encouragement, in consequence of their isolation, to improve either their lands or their stock. They need railroads, and they need markets.

The prevailing rocks of the county are red sandstone and freestone. Limestone is seen scarcely anywhere in the county. The water is pure freestone, and is very fine. There is an excellent mineral spring near Huntsville, consisting of sulphur water. The healthfulness of this region cannot be questioned. Sickness is rare. This is owing, of

course, to the pure mountain air and the excellent water.

The prevailing timber is black oak, post oak, poplar, walnut, pine, etc. Of this there are vast quantities, but of no great value at present, owing to the lack of the means of transportation.

The principal streams are Straight Creek, Buffalo Creek, Paint Rock, Brimstone Creek, Wolf Creek, Clear Fork, Smoky Creek, Difficulty Creek, Roaring Pouch Creek, Tellico Creek and New River. Along the most of these streams there are narrow strips of fair land, capable of producing from twenty to thirty bushels of corn to the acre, and about eight or ten bushels of wheat. None of these water courses are reliable for water power. The most of them go dry during the summer season. Consequently there are but few mills in the county, and no manufactories of any kind.

Its mineral resources are said to be very great, consisting, for the most part, of iron and coal, which may be developed when the railroad project, to which reference has been made, is consummated.

The county needs badly a better and more efficient school system. There are but few schools that are doing much good. There is one at Huntsville, but not what it ought to be.

For the character of the soil, see Cumberland county, of Middle Tennessee.

SEVIER COUNTY.

COUNTY SEAT-SEVIERVILLE.

Sevier county was erected in 1795, one year before the admission of the State into the Union. It was named in honor of Governor Sevier. It is bounded on the north by Knox, Jefferson and Cocke counties, on the east by Cocke county and North Carolina, on the south by North Carolina and Blount county, and on the west by Blount and Knox counties. It embraces a large territory, much of it valuable, and considerable portions of it not fit for cultivation. Its entire eastern and

southern borders rest on the Unaka Mountains, and this portion of it, especially, is too rough and mountainous for cultivation. Some ridges and hills make through it, which are not valuable for farming purposes. The valleys and river bottoms are exceedingly fertile.

The principal town is Sevierville-indeed the only one. Its population is about 220. The nearest shipping point is Knoxville, some thirty miles.

There is a number of chalybeate springs in the county, one especially worthy of note. It is situated in Wears Valley, eighteen miles southwest of Sevierville. It would be a place of considerable resort but for the distance from the railroad, which is about thirty-six miles. It is in the mountains in the midst of wild scenery. It has performed a number of striking cures.

There is a large amount of undeveloped iron ore, also some lead, alum, epsom salts, etc.

Most of the clothing worn is homespun goods, spun on the oldfashioned spinning wheels, and wove on the old hand looms.

Sevier county contains some of the finest soils in East Tennessee. There is a belt of country several miles wide which passes through the county, of strong limestone land. It goes through Boyd's Creek Valley, crossing the French Broad River, and on by way of Henry's Cross Roads. Another belt passes immediately south of Sevierville. This dark red land is the best for wheat. There are fine valley lands on Little Pigeon and French Broad rivers. Then, there is a large amount of what is called knob lands, forming a belt five or six miles wide, and running through the county. It is very productive. Wild grapes are found on this belt in great abundance. It is the opinion of some of the best informed citizens of this county, that the day is not distant when these rich hills will be more valuable than the river bottoms, on account of the fact that they are so well adapted to the grape culture. While there is a considerable quantity of excellent land in the county, there is at the same time much that is worn out by bad tillage.

There are five valleys or coves in Sevier county. Wear's Cove is the most noted. It is about five miles long and three miles wide. The mountains wall it in on all sides. The coves next to to the Unaka Mountains are very rich. They afford a range sufficient for thousands of cattle from the 1st of April to the 15th of November.