Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-29
The STANDARD.
For the Standard.
For the Standard. 2
PILGRIMAGE TO TIE GRAVE OF PROBES
SOR MITCHELL g~i

PILGRIMAGE no TIE GRAVE OF PROBES
SOR MITCHELL 49,
The Principal Of the Beaver Creek Academy,
Wilkes county N. G., together with eight of his
pupils, visited the Black Mountain in the month of
June, 1860; the Seafcwiag being narrative of the
same Starting from E&viile, Wilkes county, N
c., on the 18th vf Juue, we travelled up the rich
and fertile valley Of the Kadkin, proverbially known
by the cognctneu IT the Egypt Of Western North
Carolina. distance of II miles, and encamped for
the night Il Patterson, where fourishing Cotton
Factory wxs established few years ago. and Is still
in succesf;,l operation under the superintendency
of its enterpisiRg founders
On the E5sh, We crossed the dividing ridge be-
tween tale waters Of the Yadkin and Johns River
"a tributary Of the Catawba,) a stream which furn-
isbes its R proportion of the most fertile lands OF
Western Carolina We passed this day in full view
Of the celebrated Table Rock situated about fifteen
miles West Of Morganton. This mountain is very
elevated, the body Of the mountain being crowned
with cssteliated rock, about two hundred feet in
height presenting bold and rugged outline to the
beholder At once grand and imposing, having in the
back ground the Symmetrical and beautifully pleas
ing and extended range of the Lnville, "a cordera
IF the Alecghaney) Upon our right and to the
Northwest we behold the heavy, time honored
Grandfather, SO justly styled the father OF rivers
because the sources of the two largest rivers OF the
Caroliras 1.-THE Pedee and Santee) to he found is
suing from his bosom on the Eastern decvity;
whilst the Tennessee and Kenhawa, that feed the
floods of the majestic Ohio, find their beginnings on
his Western slope.
On the 10TH about 9 o'clock A. NJ, we arrived at
the mouth of the Linvlle river (another offspring
of the father of rivers We remained here until
the morning of the 18th, partaking Of the kind and
generous hospitality of Major jackson Corpening
and his estmablc lady; nor can we soon forget the
open-hearted reception rendered to US by our ex
cellent host and hostess May the richest blessings
ofHeaven attend them through this life, and reward
them hereafter in another world, where the sympa-
thies of earth will be lost in purer joys.
On the 18th we resumed our journey up the val
lev of the Catawba, and about 8 o'clock passed
through the village of Marion the county seat of Nc
Dowell In this vicinity We first obtained glimpse
of the Black Mountains, the terminus Of our pill
grimage to the grave of Mitchell. Leaving Marion,
within three miles, we passed the Pleasant Gardens,
name given to an extensive body of alluvial land,
lying upon both sides of the Catawba river, and
reaching for several miles along each bank, and
presenting some of the finest farming lands in Wes-
tern Carolina Crossing the Catawba at Mr.. Err
wins formerly the home Of Gen. Joseph Mcdowell,
of revolutionary memory, and after whom the coun.
ty was named we encamped within three miles of
the Turkey Cove, delightful valley upon the wa
tiers of the North Fork Of the Catawba, the choice
lands of which formerly belonged John Greenlee,
deceased; and is now owned by his son Harvey,
and the children Of an only sister, also decd Pass
ing through this charming and lovely VALE we COM
menced on the 18th, the ascent of the Allegheny,
or, as it is most commonly called the Blue Ridge,
q mountain range, commencing at Catskill, in New
York and running from the Northeast nearly South
west parallel with the Atlantic coast distance of
900 miles, and terminating at Wetumpka, in Ala
bama; and is classed with the great APPALACHIAN
chain, name inseparably connected with the early
history Of North Carolina. The reason why We
would prefer the name of Allegheny, is, to dstin-
guish it from one of its cordilleras known as the
Blue Ridge in Virginia and because it forms the
great watershed which separates the streams that
flow into the Atlantic ocean from those that send
their tribute to the father of rivers and ertze in
part the vast basin of the Mississippi Crossing
the Allegheny at Turkey Cove gap, We had occa-
sionally pleasing view ofAhe mountain scenery,
presented by the various cordieras that separate
the different streams that flow from the Eastern
slope of this great watershed varegated alternately
by the regular and irregular sierras that crest the
numerous isolated ranges of smaller mountains in
tine dim distant perspective with provincial names
as innnmerable the peaks and protuberances that
decorate their misty brows.
Crossing the summit of the Allegheny, we enter
the county of Yaneey, and might onably expect
the same regular outline of mountain scenery which
we beheld on the Eastern side of this great chain,
but it is not so. Group after group Of detached
and isolated ranges varying in height form and geo.
logical position, loom up in the distance though,
uponth whole, presenting to the eye pleasing va
riety of bill and dale corresponding to the irregu-
lar features Of the surface, and deghtng the mag
ination, with picturesque visions Of the beautiful
and sublime. The scene becomes more intensely
interesting when we grasp with the eye of fancy
the apparent approximation Of the blue hills to the
azure heavens by which they arc canopied, and
scarcely perceive the far distant and shadowy boun-
Diary. Upon the right, and in front of the road
leading from the Allegheny to huntsville there
very many elevated mountains of great beauty of
outline, each standing out in bold relief, like some
lone rock in the wild watery waste of ocean, and
bidding defiance alike to the fury of her waves and
the storms and tempests that beat upon its brow
How highly soever our admiration may be excited
and gratied by objects serene majestic and beau
tui, calming every unworthy passion, and soothing
the mind into softened and pleasing tranquility;
yet, when VIC turn our eyes to the left, scene
presents itself altogether new, solemn and unex.
pected At the distance of score aud half miles
the cloud-capped submits of the Black Mountains,
towering aloft from their rocky base above the reach
OF their stately cOmpeers. and clothed with dark,
dense robe of fir, covered by thin veil of mist to
soften the terrors Of their midnight brows impresses
US at once with feelings Of awful grandeur and the
tremendous power Of Him who laid the foundations
OF the earth, and planted the everlasting hills.
On the morning of the 18th we encamped at the
residence Of Mr.. Thomas Young, on Little Crabtree
Creek an name ominous of the bitter trials we were
soon to encounter
On the morning of the 10th, bright and early,
We started for the base Of the Black Mountain, dis
tant abont l6 miles; passing on our right the beau
hfai village Of Burnsville, romantically situated
admidst the high and elevated monuments Of crea.
tive power, which we have }eebly attempted to de-
scribe. and pursued our journey up the pleasant
valley Of Tow river, casting nomcntary glance
upon come desirable FARMS in better state Of cul-
tivation than we usually see in new and sparsely
settled country. We arrived safely at Mr.. Thomas
Wilson's (ogr kind hosptable and intelligent guide)
and within miles Of the summit of the highest
peak Of the Black Mountain range, and struck our
tent TOR the night
On the mOrriag Of the 2Oth after breakfasting
upon some fine trout which we had caught on The
previous evening, and taking up our several bag.
cages, with the necessary provisions, and few in
adequate instruments for observation we commenc.