Pursuing his own interests and satisfying his curiosity, geologist and adventurer George W. Featherstonhaugh visited the private Bechtler Mint in Rutherfordton, N.C., in 1837.

He penned this account later published in two volumes whimsically titled A Canoe Voyage Up the Minnay Sotor.

Quite a few years ago I bought these copies. The other day, more or less by chance, I came across the text on the Internet.

My gosh, how simple can research get? I share his account (excerpted):

To read the complete article, see:
Trekking to private Bechtler Mint in North Carolina: Q. David Bowers (www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/2016/02/trekking-to-private-bechtler-mint-in-north-carolina.html#)