The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-12-01
THE MOUNTAINS OF N. CAROLINA

From letter to the National Inte.igen-
Ger, we extract the following:
"The Black and Roam Mountains are the
highest in the United States east of the Mis-
sissippi, and the chief authority upon which
this assertion rests is Cooks Map of North
Carolina, published by j. H. Cotton & Co.;
work not only officially recognized by the
Legislature of North Carolina, but one
which has received the commendation for
general accuracy of Prof. Emmons, the
State Geologist, and also that of the late
Prof. Mitchell. In submitting a table of
the heights of the Carolina mountains, Mr.
Cooke mentions the fact that he is indebted
for them to Prof. A. Guyot, of Princeton,
who completed his survey in the summer of
1856, and it is proper to remark that his
statements have been adopted by several of
the leading gazetteers and aliases of the
U. States in their latest editions. The
peaks and heights are as follows: Cling
mans peak of the Black 6.7O1 feet, Guyot's
Peak 6, ,66l. Sandoz knob 6,612, Cattail Peak
6,595, Hairy Bear 6.597. Mount Gibbes
6,596, Mount Mitchell 6,576, Rocky Trail
6,48l, Sugar Loaf 6,4O1, Potato Top $3.50,
Black Knob 6.377, Bowler's Pyramid
6,345, Dome Gap 6,341, Roam Mountain
6,3lS.
All these heights exceed Mount Wash
ington, in New Hampshire, and are not ap-
preached by Tahawus, of the Adirondack
range. In confirmation of the general ac
curacy of Prof. Guyot's measurements, it
may be stated that during the last summer
a line of levels was run to the top of the
Black by Major J. C. Turner, of N. Caro-
lima, and that he found. by the most accur
ate of measurement known, the height of
Clingman's Peak to be 6,7l1 feet. Though
Guyot and Turner differ to the extent of ten
feet, (not as far as deer or salmon can
leap.) yet there is substantial agreement
between them. and this proves the barome-
ter may be relied on for the measurement of
elevations.
Though opposed to the American custom
of naming hoary headed mountains after
living men. however distinguished, yet do
net deem it improper that certain peaks of
one huge mountain should be thus designat-
ed. But mountains are proverbialiy as hon
est as they are sensible. and those of Yam
cey and Buncombe counties (of the good
old North State'') fully appreciate the luxu-
ry of having their own way. Often has the
smoke of a camp fire attracted their atten-
! ton on the extreme summit OF Black Noun
tain; and when they have subsequently
seen their friend Clingman. laden with
geological specimens, weary and worn, des-
cending to the lower world, it was not
strange that they should learn to apply his
own name to his elevated camping ground.
| That they should have attached to anotehr
peak the name Of Mitchell was perfectly
natural and proper. for they well knew that
he also was not only lover of the noun
tains, but had done much to make their at
fractions known. If the flower which Mr
Clingman may have plucked from one sum-
NIT should have little more of the blue OF
heaven than that picked up by Prof. Mitchell
on another, let US sympathise with the for
mer in his good fortune, and. gathering to-
gether all the blossoms of a good name
/ strew them upon the bier of the departed
| Very respectfully, yours,
! CHARLES LANMAN.