Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-06-30
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
AN EXCURSION.

AN EXCUHSlONs
Mr.: Editor with your permission, will give
you and your readers, a description Of things
seen and observed during recent visit to the
mountains:
On the fourteenth instant, availing myself Of an
opportunity offered by friend, we set out, and
very pleasant and agreeable ride brought US to
Shelby, N. c., where we found Court in session
and a large assemblage Of persons present, and
among them many friends, whom ewere delight
ed to meet. We took dinner at CARRoLL's Hotel
Mr.. C. is we'll acquainted with the art Of prepar-
ing q very neat table, and more particularly, the
decking it bountifuy with the necessaries Of life.
Shelby is very pretty place; not in point Of
beautiful buildings alone, but the ground on
whichit is situated beingleyel, and having beau
tiful white sandy soil. $3.50 ,,,e -
At two o'clock we resumed our journey, and
arrived at Mr.. N. THoRN's residence, where we
spent the night, and were very Hospitality enter
tanned. Morning found US on the road making
our way toward Columbus Court House, our .desti-
nation, and were only deferred occasionally by
the beautiful fields Of waving, grain, which seemed
to bid US look upon. them and admire their per-
fection. .....,-. - -. -
We arrived at the house Of Mr.. J. W. HAMp-
TON, near the town, in the evening, after very
pleasant day's ride. We were then at the foot Of
an immense ledge Of mountains in the form Of q
semi-circle, extending thorugh the Counties Of
Rutherford and Polk, and into Greenville District
The principal peak is called Tryon, in honor Of
Gov. TRYoN's visit to it, and eating his dinner up.
on it. On the succeeding day we had the plea
sure of stroll over its precipitous sides. The
day was unpropitious for pretty view: Dark
clouds bedmmed the horizon and rendered dis
tant objects very obscure, but still there was much
to admire. The country Ground looked truly
magnificent, being interspersed with farms which
resemble oases in desert There is small stream
Of water near the,summit of.the mountain, known
by the name Of Horse Greek, which forms beau
tiful cascade. The water falls three hundred feet
perpendicularlg, ifmy informants be correct. The
water pours over q space about seventy feet
wide; and by getting behind the falling stream,
apparently under ahanging rock, you can, at all
times, when the sun is shining, see every beau
tiful and well developed rainbow.
The sides of the mountain are very fertile, and
are cultivated in patches, exclusively with hoes,
by people who live in small huts and are very far
in the rear in this age of 'Hight, and knowledge
being very INDECENT and supsrstitious. There
was never any dew or frost On the mountain, with
in the memory of the old mountaineers; yet they
have no fruit this year, which is very singular
phenomenon that has never occurred before.
Columbus, the County seat of Polk County-a
town in its infancy is situated at the foot Of this
mountain; from which beautiful view Of the
falls, and mountain scenery can be had. Mr.. J.
W. HAMPTON, on whose land it was situated, made
donation to the County Of one hundred acres,
and on portion ofthis, the public buildings were
situated, and site given to each Of four differ
emit religious sects the remainder cut up into
lots, of which q number have been sold, the pro-
ceeds of which are more than sufficient to pay for
Ln6 VI puullO anu saSiS JSs
remain to be sold about twenty lots. Honor is
due Mr.. 81. for his generosity. His name should
ever occupy high place in the memory Of his
fellow citizens. It contains two hotels, flourish.
ing schooian debating society.
Its citizens are warm on the subject Of q rail
road. The spartsnburg and Union Railroad viii
be extended to the line, leaving then only sil
miles for them to build and to decide whether ol
not the people shall be taxed to raise the requi
site amount, they hold an election the second
Thursday of July, proximo.
On Thursday, we bade adieu to the mountains
toGolumbus and to our newly formed acquaint'
| snces, and steered our course toward the habita,
ton of our former friend, Mr.. T., where we were
cordially entertained another night. Morning
came, we wended our way homeward much pleas.
ed with our ramble.
This is beautiful portion Of country for either
agricultural or mechanical pursuits. The soil is
deep, and in most places rich. The heavy crops
of wheat that are produced this season, will bear
witness to its productive qualities, The farmers
of this section must say, are in advance OF those
of York, in the way ofprOducing large crops; yet,
they are not skilled in Agricultural Literature,
therefore, the only reason that can give Is, that