Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-08
MOUNTAIN TRAVELS.

presSgGng, we, the Associate, are determined to
have the glory of article all to ourse and there
fore proceed to note some of our recent Incidents
of Travel" and 'Inkings of Adventure in the
mountains Suffering from the effects of chils and
ouinine VIC repaired, about the last of August, to
Marion, Mcdowell county, where we reposed for a
bout three weeks in mastery inactivity" which
being rendered into plain English means, that we
INDUCED in most luxuriant laziness. Marion is a
neat and pleasant little village situated almost in the
shadow of the Blue Ridge, and noted for its health
fitness and lazy inhabitants. The chief sources of
amusement, among the men, are few "greasy
decks at "a cent corn" while the 6oys during
my stay, gathered chinquepins half the day and
played marbles for them the other half The ladies
generally stay at home and attend to their chill
dren and household affairs; and are by far the bet
ter portion of the population. Yet Marion has
many redeeming qualities; and the kindness and
urbanity of it's citizens well calculated to endear
it to the heart of stranger. If you wish to do
nothing, and want help to do it. any other favors
it is the very place for you to go to.
Having " waxed strong" by our supineness we
concluded to take little tour through the noun
tains on horseback Leaving Marion one fine Mon
day morning we set off for huntsville, the county
seat of Yancey, crossing the Ridge at Gillespies
Gap. The road is steep and rough but the Mcdowell
and Yancey Turnpike is now in course of construc-
ton through this gap; and will no doubt be much
better than the old road. The view from the top
of the mountain is of the most pleasing we have
ever beheld. Beneath you lies fertile Cove, circu
lar shaped, and several miles in extent almost
level as floor, while beyond and around it the
mountains rise, "a wilderness of hills " forming
vast natural amphteatre, diversified with every
riety of pleasing scenery, mountain rising over and
beyond mountain, mingling in the distance with the
blue sky above the dividing line being scarcely per-
ceptble; while below you, dotted with FARMS repos-
es the Cove, like lovely goddess sleeping in the
arms of giant protector.
But we cannot pause here-nor did we pause long
on the mountain to view this scenery, for shower
of rain rather threw dampcr upon rising ro-
nance and we rode on. On the Western slope of
the mountain we observed two tunnels commenced
with view of finding copper. One of them had
been abandoned but hands were still at work in the
other.
About dark we reached huntsville, partially wet
with drizzling rain; but were soon made comfort
able with our old friend Broyles, who keeps good
hotel and will feed a man a week for what he will
have to pay for one day in Raleigh. huntsville is
an ancient looking place. but its inhabitants have
some public spirit. The College here is in -four
ishing condition present under the charge of Rev.
Mr.. Thomas. The College building is of brick, IS
feet long and So wide and well adapted to the pur-
pose to which it is applied. The cheapness and
hcalthfulness of the place, the grand scenery by
which it is surrounded, the absence of temptation
to vice and immortality with many other causes,
recommend it to the favorable consideration of pa
rents and guardians.
In Yancy we found the copper Jeuer something
above blood heat, and ''specimens" were as plen-
tiful as backberries in June. Nearly or quite all
the vacant lands have been entered and contentious
fights and lawsuits were predominant-far more
abundant than copper. AT the risk of being con-
sdered offcious, VIC would merely suggest to our
Yancy friends to simply test their supposed mines
and see if they are worth fighting having for be-
fore they plunge into either.
Having tarried half day at huntsville, we pro-
ceeded to Ash evile, where we arrived on Wednes-
day evening. The road between these two places is
moderately good-pretty fair mountain road. Of
Ashevile need say but little. AS one of the
Captols of North Carolina, it is already very well
known. 1t embraces many wealthy and enterpri-
sing citizens and is neat and thriving place. We
here had the pleasure of taking by the hand that
gallant young Democrat David Coleman, Esq, who
last August beat &" Old Nick" for the Senate and
taught him to speak right good, plain English.
On Thursday went to Hendersonville. It be-
ing Court week there we had the pleasure of meet
ing, among others, with Judge Person, Hon. 7. L.
Clingman and DIR. Columbus Mills. Judge Person
is highly esteemed, both by the bar and the people
generally. Mr.. Clngman and Dr. Mills were in fine
health and spirits. Hendersonvile is beautifully
located, and is prosperous and thriving. A great
many wealthy planters from the lower Districts of
South Carolina have built them summer residences
in the vicinity giving air of wealth and gaiety to
the place.
On Friday morning we left Hendersonville and
took route towards Marion again. In few
hours were once more in the famous Hickory
Nut Gap, the scenery of which has often been
attempted to be described. But it is almost impos-
Sible to convey any just idea of it to one who has
never seen it. We shall not attempt it now.
Taking "nigh cut" we passed through Mumford's
Cove, over very rough road, and reached Marion
On Saturday morning, quite willing to resume our
former occupation of doing nothing, and finding
plenty of hands to assist us.
In regard to internal improvements there is but
one voice in the west-aH for them "Give US
aralroad" is the universal cry. We trust they
may receive what they ask. They need it-they
ueserVe it. Open an outlet to market for the pro-
luce OF the West, develop its resources and it will
e one OF the fairest and portions of
the globe.