The daily phoenix. (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, November 04, 1871, Image 6
?ortable traso? Maj.~Beok, we wHlT?at
NO. m.
Whilst rooting at Clayton, Georgia,
after several days' abaeooo.firuiu wail fa?
cilities,' we beard 'th? unwel?ome ibt?lli
?;enoo that yellow fever had re-appeared
n the good; old city of Ch ariosto a. And
since, as scattering papers have reached
Vs, we bavo been mortified and cha?
grined, not only at;the want of sympa?
thy erpr6ssod,: brit at tho eager cupidity
exhibited in many localities to benefit in;
trade and employaient, by this seeming
calamity to others. "Carpe diem" is the
motto Of the present dav; bot at wed?
ding or fanerai, take advantage, and
make the' profit. Bat the oitizens of
South (?rolina, when Charleston soffers,
should not be among the first to publish
st to the world, and join others in de?
preciating her groat advantages, as their
commercial centre. But -why Bhould
Charleston alone perish, because yellow
ie ver again returner*. j Havana, the Very
nursery of this disease, still bves- Yera
Cruz ia still a plac? on the maps-aud
Kew Orleans and Savannah, no more fa?
vored bj Providence than Charleston in
this particular, =re daily heralding their
ta?mense growth and prosperity in oom- ;
meroe and wealth. But Charleston de?
serves,' and should have, not only the
genuine' sympathy, bat the material help
and encouragement of tho.people of ber
own State. ' ! The merchants, jobbers,
traders, the' 'producers and* consumers,
instead of rbnning off elsewhere, should,
by their united action and patronage,
make her, what she' ' perhaps is now,
equal, if not superior, to any contiguous
mart of trade. If the people of the
State would do this heartily, Charleston
need not oare for the gentle side taps she
is now receiving from rival cities, towns
or people. Bat like Earl Derby's "big
barbee," who was in the habit of being
beaten by, bis little wife; when asked
why he submitted toit, philosophically
replied, "It pleases sho, and doict hurt
me."
Bat the wealthy and enterprising mer?
chants of Charleston should keep pace
with the times. Instead of being con?
tent with the' present trade and com?
merce of that city, they should learn
from New York and Philadelphia and
Baltimore* and, by acquiring equal, if
not monopolizing oontrol of railroads
reaching far into the West anf South?
west, (aye, join rings for the purpose, if
indispensable,) by sending out their
capital to where the staple products are
grown, force the trade and traffic to their
city, and then a wise polioy will seonre a
fair proportion of the West India and
South American trade? by far the richest
and most profitable fields now open for
competition. But for fear, Mr. Editor,
that the people of Charleston may think
that we are intermeddling with'things
that belong properly to them, we will re?
turn to our engagement with you.
Babun Couu<y, iu vxeurg??, w?? esta?
blished by legislative enactment as long
ago aa 1826, and still retains its anoient
and original boundaries. It ia aboul
twenty miles square, and from the nam
ber aud grandeur of its water-falls anc
cascades, might, with great propriety
.and fitness, have been called Falls Conn
ty. Bat it was named after a general
and the County seat after a judge anc
politioian. The celebrated Tallalal
Falla, so widely visited and admired foi
immense chasms, and terrible sublimity,
territorially belong te this. County, al
though approached from the Haber
sham side. We viii only mention o
others Dick's Greek, Stiooa and Easta
toe or Mud Greek Falls, all beautiful an<
picturesque, and of easy access-witl
oouptleaa cascades on smaller streams
which would be worthy of notice and ad
miration elsewhere, but are nero over
shadowed by their more famous neigh
bora. Truly, a land of mountains am
cascades-mountains of living green o
every side oat through and through b
these tumbling, brawling, dashin
streams, seeming, in their eager haste
desirous of reaohiog a more level an
quiet country. Bat all theso littl
streams furnish fertile nooks, rieb an
peaceful vales, for the bardy people wh
inhabit them ; whilst the mountains, f roi
base to summit, are olotbed with soo
timber trees, for size, no m bera and varie
ty, aa are rarely seen in other regioni
But who shall venture to predict tb
mines of wealth bidden away in tb
bowels of these great hills. Gold, silve
copper, iron ores and preoious stones, a
have their placea, and all are talked <
and discussed by the present inhabitant
ont i ne SMJIUSI u?v?i?p?i??u of one or 0
of these await the coming men. We di
hear of an M. D. who lately picked v
on the hills, not far from Chatnga Cros
ing, a real, veritable ruby of the size
a hen's egg, and has it on exhibitio
Now, this is near by the old Indian to?
of Tomassee, where, it is related 1
Adair, the old historian of the ear
days and settlement of Carolina, a ce!
bruted Indian prophet and medicino un
lived, who possessed an im menso cc
buuole of the size of a hen's egg;
brilliant that it dazzled and bewilder*
all who looked on it, and evcu illnmim
at night tho cabin where it was kept. Tl
old prophet diod, and this awful stu
was buried with him at tho Indian lov
of TomasBee, aud it is barely possit
that our friend, tho worthy Al. D., b
found thin auoieut stone. If so 1
should be very watchful, Adair says,
rattlesnakes; the reasons wherefore, \
refer him to this venerable historia
But, how strange it is, that this Couti
of Babun, so long a sort of wuif, or u
profitable desert, a pieoe of territoi
hardly recognized by tho great and po
erful State of Georgia, ihoald all at on
loom up and attract the earnest attentii
of rioh and populous cities on theSout
ern seaboard; and even railroad pru
dents and corporators aro obtmuii
charters on all sides, to bo allowed
pass through or unito in this, until li
terly, out of tho way place.
But we are nt Clayton, tho Coun
sent, a modest little villuge, embosom
in tho very heart of great mountuii
and apparently wholly unoontwious of
her preeen* or- future importance. The
great white banks of fog, io bean Hf ni
and.inapeeiDgt.iiow aa of old rome rolling
through the 1 Babun Oap?' and,1 windi
around the neighboring mountains every
morning, os regularly aa the son rises.
Old Screamer etan da out' tho eamo pern
foot cone, one masa of green, her hugo
oaks, oheanut, walnut and locust trees
orowding each other, a perfect mine of
wealth ppe of these days, all untouched
by saw or axe; and the people them?
selves, all seem waiting for the shrill
whistle of the locomotive, the aotive
fore-runner of enterprise and usefulness,
to wake them up from their long dream.
The oldest inhabitant says that the town
was located at this point because public
roads crossed here, North and South,'
East and West. A very good reason;
and we ooujeoiure that long ago Indian
trails orosaed here, the fore-runners of
roads; and long, long, before that, na?
ture herself had arranged her monntaiuB,
and valleys, and streams, unerringly in?
dicating thia unpretending locality as a
great outlet between the West and the
onth. No one oan carefully observe
the formation of thia mountain country
without being surprised and impressed
at its adaptation, from time to time, to
the wants and requirements of each suc?
cessive age. Hero, wo dud, many long
years ago, a few far-seeing citizens of
Charleston eagerly scouring the charter
of the Blue Bidge Bailroad, through
Babun Gap: (the charter having been
grantod by the Legislature of Georgia,
almost in jest, it is said, to gratify Gen.
Coffee, then Senator from these moun?
tain Counties,) because it was known
that thia gap was the lowest depression
in the Allegheny range from Maryland
to Alabama, and furnished the people ol
South Carolina the most eligible ronte
to the great Weet. As science advances,
and the wants arid demands of commerce
inoreaso, other enterprises are inau
gurated and their practicability most
generally demonstrated. Now, look at
what nature baa done to indicate anc
forward such great improvements, ever
in this modest, retired spot. The Sticcoe
Greek rises at the Babnn Gap, almost 01
a level with the little Tennessee, flowi
from North to South through Clayton
just at this point, sending ont e. latera
branch due East, to meet and almos
touch the waters of the Chatuga in tin
direction of South Oarolina and Charles
ton; whilst on the West another brand
goes off, to meet and almost touob ii
successive valley and water oonrse tin
Hiwassee, in the direotion of Duoktown
Cleveland and Chattanooga-the mail
stream flowing Southward towards Au
gusta and Savannah. No one of thos
passes affords obstacles of any import
ance to the construction and operatioi
of the many railroads ohartered om
nuder way. The Blue Bidge Bailroad
literally from Charleston to Knoxville
and thence to Louisville and Cinoinnati
thc pioneer, has, after year? of difflonlt
and delay, approached to snch a poin
as to ensure snocess-the work havin
progressed in Georgia, at the rate c
$10,000 per month, to snob an extent a
tho whole road can be completed in
reasonable time. Then we hear of tb
North-eastern Bailroad, from Athens t
Clayton, with its State aid, and carefc
surveys and estimates. Then from Ai
gusta to Clayton, also with State aie
and energy and go-aheadi ti veness. The
a road from Macon to Clayton or elsi
where. Then a road from Calhoun <
Dalton via Blairs ville to Clayton or son
point in North Carolina; and last, thong
not least in importance, the jliwossi
Bailroad, from Clayton to Ducktowi
Cleveland and Chattanooga. Noi
whilst it is generally advantageous I
particular localities or centres to ha<
ail ibo railroads pui?iule built, yoi ia
wise and consistent with true eoonom
to build railroads to competo with ai
finally eat each other op. Some coi
promise, it seems to as, should be mai
between the North-eastern and August
Hartwell and Clayton Bailroad Comp
nies. The trade and commerce cooee
trating at Clayton will doubtless be mr
and remunerative, bat certainly u
enongh to employ one main road
South Oarolina, and two or four in Get
gia. Railroads are great blessings ge
orally, but every dollar expended
rival or unnecessary roads is so mu
j loss to the general wealth of any COD
try, and snob expenditure should
I avoided and used in the development
other resources.
With a great and prosperous inti
before them, we venture to advise t
-~~^?.l~ t fllavfrkri ?nfl nmnnru r\f rv
r~"t"~ "-j-?* .. -- tr
perly thereabouts, to induce immig
tion and settlers among them, by selli
their reul estate at fair and modori
prices, and not deter them by the ex
bitant rates asked elsewhere, in all otl
newly created railroad towns or citi
Profit by yonr sagacious and far-seei
citizen, cr land owner, Colonel John
Carr, of Athens, who, withous hesi
tiou, aubbu. '<ed 10,000 acres of bis
tensive possessions In your County
aid of the Bluo Ridge Railroad, ti
knowing that tho completion of t
road would mnke his remaining nc
double or treble in value. In this si
scriptiou is included your ever pres
and beautiful mountain, "the Scremnc
which from this day forth should
christened Mount Carr, for his Biigac
and true appreciation of tho means
secure wealth and prosperity to y
County.
NO. iv.
As wo barely intimated in our
number, .the great foreshadowing
signs of nature in furnishing the op]
tuuities for tho developmeut of the
sources of all localities, and supply
tlie wants of man und demands of ci
merco in each succeeding ag?', permil
to recur, and remiud your readers, I
tho great linos of railway, now in opi
tion or wherever projected, in tho So
especially, but follow tho Iudiau
pack-horao trails, from tho seu-porb
tho base of tho mountains, and whore
attempts aro mudo to pass these seen,
natural harriers, tho sumo paths
trails'bnl follow the indentatlooa made
by nature bersojf. The ancient Indian
trail from Qbarieston to the mountains
passed along at many points the same as
the Grr?eOVille and Columbia Railroad,
viz: Ninety Sis:, Greenwood, Honea
Path, to old Fort George, on the Eeo wee,
thence by Ooo noe, over the mountains,
to Clayton and the head springs of the
little Tennessee. At or near Clayton,
they diverged down the Tennessee, and
across to the Hiwassee, whilst cross trails
went Southward to Augusta and Savan?
nah, j We left Clayton with all its quiet
comforts, on the Hiwassee trail, and
commenced the gentle ascent of the
West branch of tho Sticon Creek. For
(our miles, we bad a succession of plea?
sant valleys and farm houses, until wo
commenced the rise of the hills beyond
Stiooa and her neighbor on tho West
side. We found the same rioh moun?
tain sites, oool water and delightful
atmosphere; but soon we commenced the
descent to other streams and farms, and
found ourselves on Timsou's Greek, and
going down at a more rapid rate. Here
again, the monstrous timber treen sur?
prised us. Vast numbers of tho largest
speoimens of all the kinds useful in
agriculture and the arts, aud no ono to
put them into form and shape, lint
stop, at a sudden turn of the road, we
esme across a man, yoong and athletic,
riving shingles or hoards from a tree
and snob a tree! He bad sawn off three
or fonr outs, twenty-four inohes long,
and was riving away. Now we venture,
if ho has finished these blocks, aud in?
tends to rive np the whole tree, he is
there yet, and will perhaps bo thero until
the end of the year. For that tree would
make boards enough to-to-cover tho
accounts of tho city of New York, or the
defalcations of our Radical officials. The
stream grows in volume and tho farms
enlarge, until we arrive at the Tallulah
River.... On the bank, 311st at the cross?
ing, we find a merchant with his solitary
storn house. We look in-seo Northern
sheetings and homespnns, hardware,
spades and shovels, with handles from
Southern ash, nod a few spinning wheels,
certainly made at home.
The Tallulah River here is a gentle,
quiet, murmuring stream, strangely in
contrast with its terrific, boisterous,
foaming leaps and dashes a few miles
below. We eross at a beautiful shallow
ford, torn up its green banks, and imme?
diately find Dink's Creek, of which wt
had heard before and rather dreaded.
In a few miles, on each side of tho road,
the great heaps of quartz, rock, sand
and gravel indioate a senroh for gold,
and farther on, the mnddy stream, and
splashing noise of rockers and flumes,
with the stream carried in succesBiv<
terraoes, until it is high np, on the sidei
of the hill, introduce the visitor to tb?
busy scenes of the celebrated gold mine
now being worked on lease by Col. Han
son. We hear the usual marvellous re
ports'of nuggets and rion yields, bu
have no time to experiment or verify
for Dick's Creek has to bo mu on
to its very spring before wo can turi
down into the lovely valley of Hiwassee
I But we did notice, at this very point
with all tho appliances of gold digger
around us, that here was a large and es
tensive area of rich alluvial soi), mor
than 100 acres, which perhaps, if skill
fully used in agricultural purposes, wouli
yield more than the gold fields, so perti
naoionsly worked by the enterprisioj
lessee. But that is his business, nc
ours, for we are mere passers-by.
After leaving these extensive gol
fields, we approach a point where th
water is taken for ail these washers un
flumes, and we enthusiastically believ
that we are near the summit of Dick'
Creek. Bot not so; we ascend a gres
hill, and then we find the road beaut
?n?iy gradsd along the side of a considt
rabie mountain, with these huge timbe
trees in full view, hickory, poplar, locust
birch, walnnt, the creek (Dick'?) tum!
ling and dashing, and foaming hundred
of feet below, and then we come ot
into a valley and see the mountain sti
above us. We ascend, come to a magn
fie ont orchard cf pcs ch and apple treei
all laden with fruit-stop-and regn
that we had not with us a pocket ban
meter, to show the elevation-bot hei
it is, fruit in the greatest abundance,
short drive, and we are on the su m mi
dividing the waters of the Atlantic fro;
the Golf of Mexioo.
After leaving Clayton this murnini
the number and beauty of the branch*
we wero crossing, induced Master Fran!
who was with ns, tc keep count; and :
this point, seventeen miles from Clay tm
he reported sixty-five streams, and on
numbering one crossing of Dick
Creek, although that stream was crossi
seventeen times in seven miles. To th
day, Frank cannot exactly muke up li
mind, whether it was the road or tl
creek which was so crooked.
But we have left that stream helm
us, aud now are descending the Hitow?
(perhaps Et o wa,) a brauch of tho 1!
wansee. We strike it at its bead, ai
meet willi I he scones of valleys and hil
thu valleys gradually opening and wide
ing, and the settlements morn freq ucl
lu passing over ono of tho spurs or bil
jutting into tho valley, wu hear a eras
a small .scream, and down come:-; thu ci
ringe. Ono wheel broken, crushed, n
thing but tire and bub left. No sho
no mechanic or smith for seven mill
Wo improvise a drag aud get on. T
views ure lovely, but we ? I . ? ? : * r enj
them much. Night com?'? ? 1?, ami ur
and weary wu ding libing mihi neai
o'clock, before we arrive at Mujor C.
where wo worn kindly and hospital
entertained. Near this excellent far
thu Ilitowur empties into tho Htwassi
the main prong or branch, however,
Iiiwnsseereaching for several miles
the direction of the boouliful Nucoooln
with lino and extensivo farms on Ix
sides. Next morning, two miles do?
ttie river, brought us to tho snug lit
village of Hiwassee, in Townes Cou 11
Georgia, with its four stores, court bon
jail, neat dwellings, Arc. Tho river
close by, mid mountains all around. T
trude here seemed brisk, as many st
at?ntial farmera*'were io j'and all making
Eu rehuses. Of con rae the trade ia mostly
arter, bacon being a leading article.
The complete failure of the apple orop
id sorely felt. Portons hero look to tho
fruit and apple brandy for ready money
to buy groceries with, juBt BB we do to
our bag of cotton. There was conside?
rable talk and excitement about the rail?
road from Clayton to Duoktovn, and
every one seemed willing to aid and help.
We can feelingly say one thing, that they
need a railroad, if any people ever did.
Their trade goes mainly to Athens, be?
cause of a better road through Nanoo
oho?; but now that Gainesville, only
forty-four miles, is connected by rail
with Atlanta, of course everything will
go there, an til the same facilities are
offered by way of Clayton. This valley
is quite extensive, and lands in cultiva?
tion are rating at good prices. Copper
ore abounds, and is only awaiting cheap
transportation to become the leading
artiole of oommeroo. One mino, very
near the village, hos been opened, and
many tons of copper ore, of as good
quality as that of Laka Superior, is
lying there, utterly valueless. Gold and
silver also are found, it is believed, in
sufficient quantities to warrant further
enterprise and explorations. Thu time
spout hero waiting for that wheel to be
repaired, passed vere pleasantly. We
were under great obligations to Mr.
MoO, a merchant of the place, who en?
tertained us at his house. The views
from his door were charmiug, and one
could hardly tire looking out, with tho
over changing hues of mountain, river
and valley.
NO. v.
There are certain well marked and dis?
tinctive features in t hese Southern moun?
tains and valleys, scarcely existing in
moro Northorn climes. The grunt ferti?
lity of the soil, from buse to summit,
except in o few peaks of great elevation;
tho luxuriance of pasturage, wild grasses
and peu-viues, enabling stock of nil
kinds to live fat almost during tho entire
year; the great variety, Bize and inux
baustablo supply of timber trees; and
an Isothermal line, or bolt, where the
apple, peach and pear never fail. We
pussed along and through this belt in
vurious places, and foond the finest fruit
in great abundance, whilst in tho valleys
and in lower and higher temperatures,
on the mountain side, tho trees are per?
fectly bare.
Tho Hiwassee Valley, which we enter?
ed near its head, is of great extent, some
forty or fifty miles long and varying from
one-half mile to two miles iu width. Ou
either side of the river, tributaries, auoh
as Shooting Creek, Tusquitta, Peach
Tree, ?to., come in, all affording valleys
of great fertility and betuty. Every
acre of these valleys, whether on river,
creek or branoh, having buen cleared np
aud in cultivation, with comfortable
farm houses dotted here and thero. Per?
haps tho most remarkable and wonderful
vulley in all Western North Carolina it
found on Valley Itiver, remarkable fot
the length and width of rich alluvial
lands, farms and farm hooses. Oue un?
broken cultivated valley for twenty miles,
and two miles in width. But this locali?
ty is also celebrated for the immense
beds of valuable minerals-gold, silver,
copper, iron and marble, are all mingled
and mixed together, so as to perplex anc
confound those who attempt to explore
or describe them.
After leaving the town of Hiwassee
we oroBsed the river, and traverse!i i
great bend, being surprised to see lurg?
traots of undulating country of oak
hiokory and chestnut, very much re
sembling the forests of Anderson oi
Greenville. In eight miles we reacher'
the little village of Haysville, the Ooun
ty seat of Clay County, io North Carob
na. hoing located very near the Bite o
old Fort Hombree, one of these over
the-hills-stockades, erected before th?
revolutionary war. It is very prettily
located, in the midst of grand moan
tains, and in view of the clear and spark
ling Hiwassee. Several stores and dwel
lings, all painted white, with the nuoleu
of a miniatura court house, attest-thi
seat of justice and of oommeroe. W
did not stop, but passed through th?
quiet streets down to the river, whiol
we crossed on a neat and substantie
bridge. Great stretches of this rich, al
luvial soil can bo here seen up and dowi
the river in oom and grasses; the wheat
rye and oats having been harvested am
housed. Ascending tho hill, where
crowd of men were busily at work on th
road, (court; it seem?. being exnent.fi
thero a day or two afterward,) we ap
proached tho residence of Mrs. Sander
son on the -ummit, overlooking the littl
town just passed. Bot what a pauoram
was there suddenly and nnexpectedl,
spread before us. All tho party, mule
female, Muster Frank und the solitar
fifteenth amendment, were alike touche*
with thu grund and beautiful scene. N
words can describo it. lt might faintl
bo transcribed to canvass, by tho be?
masters, but ono must seo it to renltz
mid never forget. The road, minuit
and well worked, runs along tho crest c
a lofty ridge for several miles, pas-in
by tho handsome residence of Oupl
Br ?st oil, muong others, and then ti?
sc end H soinowliut abruptly to the Tm
quitta Creek. \V?> lind this creek hm
tiered on both .sides with line lunns in
sovcral miles, until wo reach tho fun
mu? house of Col. Johnson, where w
proposed to spend the night. Hut on
spit:'* in her fell when ive noticed Hu
Ins (U.e.iotl.s pin/./.i wa-, lull lo o Vet Hov
mg. lint tho gout-roiis hospitality of hi
amiable wife and iiccomplislied dirndl
lei s soon mudo ns feel I hut we went i
home. Wo met thero Judge C., froi
Fayetteville, N. C., who had exchange
with the J migo of thia eiieiiil-i?oiieii?
H., from Asheville-anil several otbt
younger lawyers who practiced hen
?ludgo C. was very affable and agrecabh
aud was enjoying tho sports of thu ll el
quite as much as tho labors of the com
room. Ho bad killed a line deer and
huge riittle-stiuUo tho day before, nu
was busily nrrui . tug lor tho next day
hunt.
'Gol. Johnson's reoidence is in tho
midst of famous bunting and flah?Dg
grounds, and - we know ol' no place
whare a Bummer could ba spent moro
pleasantly. A fine form, lovely scenery,
luscious - fruit, plenty of bunting and
trout fishing, and a charming family.
The next morning we left thia most com?
fortable residen oe, and, after some three
or four miles drive up the Talley, we
commenced the ascent of the Tasqaitta
Mouutaiu, which loomed np to a won?
drous height. The- road, however, ia
well graded, and winda and twists and
zigzags along fearful gorges hundreds of
feet below yon, and ocrosa spurs for fall
four miles before you reach the summit,
and then you tarn and look South and
Westward and you hare another of these
panoramio vioWB SO lovely and grand to
behold, but ao impossible to desoribe.
The Flora of this mountain would al?
ways attract attention, from the Iargeat
and loftiest timber trees down to the
tiniest flowers, which lined the road at
every step.
We oroas the sharp ridge of the sum?
mit, descend rapidly amoug grand trees
and luxurious vegetation, for one or two
miles, and then arrive at what we had
long been anxious to see, the Nahanti
halu River, so celebrated and renowned
for the abundance, size and flavor of its
speckled trout. The stream was about
100 feet in width, BO clear that you could
see, from one bank- to the other, the
smallest pebble or fish-rapid, boiling
and foaming among the rocks and shoals,
but so elevated that water in the hottest
days of August is cold enough without
ice. The trout, these large, fut, speckled
trout, BO sought efter in overy direction
by sportsmen and epicures; so plenty, so
tame, that wo fear to write how we en?
joyed them during our brief visit. In?
deed, this river, its game and fish, and
onvironing scenery, ita peouliar eleva?
tion, being a trough between two moun?
tains, cannot be treated at the end of
this lotter.
NO. VI.
The Nabantabala Hiver and valley
have long been celebrated as a pecu)iar
and favored haunt for sportsmen and
Btock-raisers in Western North Curolina,
but is little known outside of that imme?
diate locality. The river rises some ten
or twelve miles from Clayton, Georgia,
?ettis' Greek making up from this aide
of the mountain, until it nearly reaches
the head-spring of Nabantahala; bnt
there ia no road, and visitors aro forced
to go by way of Franklin, N. G., then
take the turnpike towards Murphy, mak?
ing a circuit of over forty miler, when,
if there was a road graded aorosa the
mountain up Bettie' Greek, this famous
fishing and hunting ground could be
reached in fifteen milea from Clayton.
This river, as we have before stated,
is so elevated that its bed is really but a
trough between two mountains - the
level of the Hiwassee on one side, and
the little Tennessee on the other, being
buDdredti of feet lower. For instance,
ia approaching the river from the Hi?
wassee, you ascend by a winding road,
it is true, the Tusquitta Mouotuio for
four long miles, attaining a groat eleva?
tion above the Hiwasseo, whilst tho de?
scent to tho Nabantahala is short and
easy, and certainly not more than one
half the elevation. Then, leaving the
Nahantahula, the ascent of the mountain
.on the Western side is short and easy,
whilst to reach the valley of the little
Tennessee, at the soarce of the Gartoo
jaja, taken seven long and difficult miles.
Having no means of measurement bat
the eye and distances traveled, of ooaree
no acoarate opinion can be expressed,
but the strange elevation of this stream
is and has long been noted by visit?n
and travelers. The coarse of the river
is thirty or forty miles long, without
cascades or falls, but ono continaooe,
rapid descent until it empties into thc
little Tennessee, twenty-five milea belo?
Franklin.
This range of mountains, on both sidei
of tbis river, formed the great banting
and fishing grounds of the Cherokee In
dian?, and is yet most sparsely settled
indeed, for macy miles, with thoasandi
of acres of rich pasturage lands, not i
houBe is aeon; the only sign of visitation
being a shelter for bunters or lick-logi
for stock. Doer, bears and wild-cab
abound, with pheasants and quails foi
the hunter, and tho speckled brook tron
are so plenty that we fear to tell wba
was (old to na-from fifty to 3?0 in on*
day's fishing was not unusual. Th<
mountain girls mount their ponies am
ride ap from HiwasBoe and Franklin
and actually fish on horseback, riding
down the shallow stream, whilst tbi
hardier race wade. It is noi uucuiuutui
when you throw your fly into tho strean
for several trout to strike, actually jump
ing clear of tho water. This delightfu
summer retreat eau now bo reached fron
Walhalla iu two days' easy travel, aut
we hope, in another season or two, fron
Clayton or Franklin. But the real love:
of these exciting sports should not wai
until a railroad shall bring its noisy um
promiscuous crowds, but should go now
and enjoy them in their present soclu
sion.
For u colony of Swiss or Scotch, wi
know of no placo inoro d?sirable. Tin
river ulVor(Is, towards its bead, largo bo
tiles of table lands of great fertility
some 10,000 or 12.000 acres, which cat
now bu purchased at extremely loi
prices. Tho native pasturage ia so fin
that tho stock-raiser ucl nully cuts tb
bay, (wild pea-vines,) stacks it in th
woods, and uses it for any cattle, colt
ur sheep ho may leave there during tin
winter. The tituber is most plenlifu
and really magnificent-oak, hickory
poplar, buch, and stune spruce or North
ei n (duo. Home 10.000 or 12.000 acre
of this rieb, alluvial laud eau now, as w
?re informed, bu purchased for i>l or S
per acre. What an opportunity fo
dairy und cheese purposes; but, under
lying this rich soil, is tho marvellous mi
neral wealth, almost indigenous to tbi
river ?md adjacent conutry-gold, silver
copper ami iron, with murblo of oven
lino, among others, a flesh-tinted variety
winch exactly reaeiubles flesh and bio'jd
and if used for Btatu?ry, would repre?
sent tb? perfect hoe and tint of the ha?
man form. Beaidoa, these different va?
rieties of the marble contain gold And
other preci?os 1 metale, oonfusing < the
best Of mi neral?gis ts. The climate is
ansnrpasse? for health and vigor, -with
opportunities for wealth, and exciting
and pleasurable sports, rarely equaled in
any country. The medicinal herbs and
roots abound, especially that root so
prized in Obina that good specimens
will command fabulous prims and the
common variety $1 per pound, (Mandra?
gora.)
Bot, Mr. Editor, we feel ..Imbil
ashamed at the meagre description 'of
this marvellous section of Western North
Carolina. People most ooma and abe
for themselves that our description is not
exaggerated. .wi?
After a few hoars of delightful sport
with the trout in this celebrated river,
having no appliances for cooking, we
left and commenced the ascent of the
mountain of the same name. We met
persons driving cattle to market so 1st
that they could scarcely breathe, and
wondered why there were not thousands
instead of hundreds, for the range is,1 or
seemed to ns to be, ?illimitable. The
summit of this mountain, where the
turn-pike crosses, shows a remarkable
elevation, in the size and growth of 'the
trees, especially ia the height, large
chesuut oaks scarcely twenty feet high,
with limbs branching off'very near'the
ground. From this point, -wo obtained
the first view of the ?ahaotahala Bald,
the highest peak in the range, being,-we
should say, 6,000 feet above the lovel of
the sea. The mountain is baro of tim?
ber for hundreds of feet, not from rooks
or sterility of soil, but from its' >' great
elevation. The top and sides are cover?
ed with green grasses or shrubs, and
affords fine pasturage and covers for
game said to be abundant on tho moun?
tain. The view from the summit, wbioh
is accessible on horseback, is most ex?
tensive and grand, and now often visited
from Franklin. The descent of the spur
wbioh the turn-pike crosses, and down
which we went, although well graded, is
wild and in some places fearful. The
immense gorge aronnd which it winds,
in short and abrupt curves, seems almost
bottomless, and in some places strong
banisters are put np for the protection of
travelers. To look down the dizzy height
even reqnires some nerve, and a silent
prayer for gentle horses, and strong ve?
hicle and harness. The descent is foll
seven miles to the valley of the Oartoo
jaja. About half way down the foliage
is wonderful for luxuriance. We noticed
a linden tree here and there, and num?
bera of the black birob, so noted for its
aromatic fragrance. Bat the wonder of
this forest was the number and size of
the oheanut trees; we speak in bounds
when we say that along the road we saw
at least fifty which would measure twelve
to fourteen feet in the girth, and forty
and fifty feet without limbs. At the
foot of the mountain, you find a habita?
tion and a toll-gate, and a good road for
ten miles, with nice farms and white
houBca in close proximity, nntil you
reach the pleasant village of Franklin,
where the party moat be extremely fas?
tidious not to be pleased with the free
and g?nerons hospitality of Mr. A., who
seems to entertain the traveling public
more for their company than for profit,
if we may judge from his merely nomi?
nal oharges. O.
Castor Oil! Castor Oil!!
2BBL9. Prime CASTOR. OIL, for sale low,
by K. H. HRINITBH,
Oct 20 t_Wholesale Drn g gis L
For Sale,
orvr*! f\f\n FEET OF LUMBER.
OVA/,UUU 60.000 '?et of well sea?
soned Fleering on hand.
Orders for Lath, and all kinds Lumber filled
at short not'eo. Apply at our Lumber Tard,
on Laiy street and Greenville Railroad, or
address W. LOWRY db GO..
O-t 24 gmo Box 130. Colombia,, B. C.
Seed Bye.
ff?ri BUSHELS prime SEED BTE, for ?ale
DU by EDWARD HOPS.
Nov 2_
SLATERS
CLOTHS, CASTORS,
DOESKINS ANO TRICOTS.
"In BLACK and COLORS, are recommended
for their thorough manufacture and perma?
nent lustro.
S. SLATER & SONS. Selling Agents,
HS av nd 117 Franklin St , IV. Y.
Oct 6 1T9_
5?SSi*IS? "V . URSSR,
(Successor to Dialogue & Greer,)
FIRE HOSE MANUFACTURER,
520 Nortli Street, Philadelrhia.
ESTABLISH KU IN 1821.
STEAM FIRE KN Ol NE, Forcing and Suc?
tion lioso, Leather and Itubbur Buoketa.
Tipo, Nozzle, .Screw and l'aient Coupling of
all kind-._April 19 fly
Blue Ridge Railroad.
TH 15 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders
nf the Blue Kidge Railroad in Honth Ca?
rolina will he hel l on I'llUhSDAY. tho lGth
day of November, 1871, at th? office of tho
Company, in Columbia, st 12 o'clock. By or
dt r of the ProsldMit.
\V. ll. D. GAILLARD, Secretary.
Oct 18 wt
SWATER WHEEL,
Mill Gearin^Sh?ftin^PuIIevs
M A . ?.? IUI.,..._
Tim rnflt.i for Temperance Hall, A-e., will
positively laka place on tho 10th Nov?mher.
Tim rallie for Tempor?neo Hall, Ac. will
positively lake plano on ibo 10th November