Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-04-14
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MANCnEsrER ALUM sPEINCs.

MANCHESTER ALUM SiisiHSF'
MEssRs EDIroRs The underei med is not ae-
customed to writing FOR public observation, ana ne
hopes the information communicated viii De sur
fcent apology for any error that msy occefs
Recent development. ia dis portion oil The '0tale
are OF rare demonstration aud open up a VIDE heid
for the investment of capital the accumulation oil
wealth and die enjoyment ot pleasure As the
,r,,soar,z snd wealth of the Mountain country al
vancs new resources, novel, various and interest
ing. are brought into requisiton, which brishtens
hope and gives a wider scope 10 a system of ope-
rations already well conceived. The opening up of
this remarkable interior country is just beginning
to invite the attention of capitalists and scientific
men. Public improvements and individual enter
prise are truly the great motive powers by which
large aecessions to human improvements are SUI
perinduced. Though it is not the intention, at
present, to notice anything further than to give
such information as is proposed in the proposition
The country along Duck river, in the vicinity
of the Stone Fort, and about the confluence OF the
Bark Camp and Barren Fork, s perhaps the rarest
piece of ground to be found in Tennessee. The
escarpments along the river sides rise up usually
more than hundred feet above its bed, crowned
with beautiful forest, and fringed here and there
with cedar, ivy, and holly
It is true the scenery is not Of that wild charac
ter which startles at once the visitor ike the for
est deer bounding from his lair but there is a
beauty in it. and romance about it, that every one
loves to admire On the South side Of the Bark
Camp fork, opposite that remarkable structure
known as the Stone Fort, and about midway be-
tween the falls on said river and its junction as be-
fore mentioned, is break in those mastery walls
which fence in the stream, extending back nearly
hundred yards, which presents the appearance of
having been excavated by the force of water con-
tinualy playing upon its surface. At the terrnina-
ton of this singular opening may be found what is
usually called by the people here "The Cave" but
the name is inappropriate. There is no cave here
But there is arrangement peculiar to nature her
herself, perhaps more grand, novel and beneficial
in its construction than anything of the kind yet
pronounced
There is an amshitheatre or semi-eircle as reg
ular and uniform in all its parts as if drawn by an
instrument Immediately from and above this
symmetrically drawn half circle, stories of rock,
transition formation appear in successive projection
presenting an irregular front and forming roof or
covering over space ranging from thirty to fifty
feet the under surface of which presents hsnd-
some and romantic appearance. . s
The water from spring just back falls over the
rocky roof above described distance of more
than fifty feet, form ng beautiful cascade and one
of the most spacious and delightful bathing privi-
eges that could be wished. Issuing from another
department and near one extremity of the semi.
CIRCLE from between the strata layers Of rock, is
spring of pure free stone water which falls in
solid streams about ten feet. -...
At the base of the semi-circle, is a column of
shae, about thirty feet in altitude whose surface is
very irregular, excoriated and partially covered
with crystslzed incruststion, and whose parts
yield readily TO force, are very symmetrical and
rather argiIlaceous At the base of the shale and
nearly the whole length of the half circle perhaps
some forty yards, isa heterogeneous mass, composed
of disintegrated slale, debris, &c and partially
ndurated, upon the removal Of which, it is found
that water porcolates the whole volume of shale
This water may be had in abundance; it contains
Aurnina, Protoxi1e Of Iron, Suphurc acid, Mag
nesia, and other properties highly conducive to
make it one Of the most desirable watering places
in the Slate. II is true the water has not as vet
gore through the ordeal of scientific observation
but recent and partial investigation shows that it.
more than probable, has no superior
For more lucid description Of these springs
report of the Rockbridge Alum Springs, in Viz
ginia, is referred to. Those springs changed hands
some six years ago at the round sum of Sl2 900,
some two years thereafter for the sum of $500 O00
and recently at the advanced sum of $3.50 ,O00.-
These figures show very concluslvely The charae-
ter of such watering place.
Hear what learned physician says in compar-
ing the Rockbrdge with the Bath Alum Springs:
"Ths Rockbridge Alum waters, on the other hand,
have thin iron salts almost washed in their action
by the performance Of free sulphurc acid and tri
sulphat Of Aumina. In these, too, we may ex-
pect the same general relation Of kind to prevail,
although more or less of the salts is present in the
water. Both contain a portion of iron oxide,
united to organic compounds, which, independents
ly of other salts and acids, would constitute them
Chalybests waters. In their origin they are quite
dergoing decomposition, take from them soluble
minerals and organic matters" The remarks in
quotation would perhaps apply with much certainty
to the springs in question.
The Manchester Alum Springs are about half
mile from Manchester and eleven miles from Tulla-
homa, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad;
from the latter place visitors may find ample con-
yeyance by the line of Hacks now under the charge
of E. f. HUsr, Esq, to the Springs. The cars on
the McMinnville and Manchester road are expect
ed to lun TO this place some time in July. Board
ing can be had for quite respectable number of
visitors. Fishing, hunting and other amusements
may be enjoyed as beautifully as desired. These
springs are situated on the lands of A. B. ROBERT
SON, Esq, Of Nashville, energetic and persever-
ing gentleman, who is well aware of their value
and will do every thing necessary TO make them
answer that valuable end for which they are mani
testify designed. Respectfully, &c,
D. c. IsBELL.
Manchester Tenn, April II, 1855.
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