Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-08-07
oUR AsHEVILLE CORRESPONDENCE.
AsHEv11LE, N. c., July Goth. 1868.

OUR ASHEVILLE CORRESPONDENCE.
AsHEv1LLE, N. c., July Goth. 1868.
Messrs Editors Having been compelled to |
leave dear old Wilmington and seek a refuge in a
purer atmosphere, for the benefit OF my health, |
haye thought that brief communication from |
this Trans Montana country might not be de- |
void of interest to your readers.
My first month was spent at Morganton, where
about thirty Wiimingtonians, learn. are spend
ing the hot and sultry days of Summer. Realizing
decided Improvement by this stay, determined
to go farther, the principle that if this far West
had proved 80 beneficial, farther West would be
more so. I therefore took up the line of march,
or rather the line Of stage, for this place. We
were late in our departure, and night soon coming
on had but little opportunity for observation,
but thought our route a pretty rough one, and
was confirmed in the opinion by finding myself
precipitated to the bottom of the stage more than
once during the night. The next day proved that
the toughest portion WAS still to be travelled
Breakfast at Widow Greenlee's having refreshed
the inner man, the outer was prepared for any
adventure, and the journey was resumed. Away
in the distance the Blue Ridge doomed up, its
high peaks towering to the clouds. Approaching
nearer and nearer-now ON hill and now in
vale, now fording creek and now rafting away
level, we in proper time arrive ut the base CT
the mountain. The ascent was very steep, and
we found the road in an awful conditi IN for
highway, and as it wound around the mountain,
hanging over frightful precipices, prudence,
which has been said to be the better part of vaor,
counseed to get out and walk. which was fire.
duently done. At about twelve o'clock we stood
on the summit, the dividing line between Bun
combe and Mcdowell counties. The scenery
from this standpoint sublime, and amply
paid for all the fatigue incurred. We crossed
through Swannanoa Gap. The descent was over
a better road and we made better time and soon
arrived at ar. Alexsnder's for dinner. We found
the fare, as at breakfast good the appeti was
better, and if our host did not complain, most
tainly his guests did not. It is astonishing what
wonderful appetite one has in this region
Asheville is how twelve miles distant, and we
again prosecute our journey. Save the breaking
of a wheel no incident occurred, and arrived,
glad to exchange quarters.
I found a home at the Carolina,'' very
pleasant house for Eastern Carolinians to board
at. The proprietor, Z. J. Smith, Esq is polite
and affable gentleman, and exerts himself TO
render his guests comfortable.
The work on the Western North Carolina Rail-
road is being pushed on through the mountains
and ere long the shrill neigh Of the steam steed
will reverberate through these hills and daies. On
the sides of the mountain observed N quarry
ing stone for the building of arches, abusments,
&c. had fine view of Black Mountain, called
also Mt. Mitchell. in honor of Professor Mitchell,
who lost his life in exploring it. Ashyie, as you
know, is in the Estate of Buncombe." On the
North are spires of the Black Mountain, go near
that it is pleasant walk there. One goes by the
appellation OF Beau Catcher and learn that it
Is favorite sort for ladies and gentlemen, and
that great many beaux are trapped there and
hence the name. On the summit of Beau Catcher
is battery built for the defence Of Ashevilie du-
ring the On the West flows the romantic
50 French Broad" not very broad at this pace,
and learn, in some places so narrow that it can
be crossed with jump. while in other places it
from two to three hundred yards wife. In it's
waters are to be found the specklcd trout, red
horse sucker, black perch &c.
On the South the famous SwanDanoa rushes
by-it is beautiful river as it's name indicates.
Says the "Ashvile Pioneer " The Swaunauoa is
a small river flowing through the Western Noun
| tain country of North Carolina Its Indian name
| means beautiful. legend exists that the river
| was named in honor OF m alden of the tribe of
the Iroquois.
sob sweetest voice of Southern streams.
Thy mellow music bringeth dreams
| Of days gone, when by thy waters
Wandered the tawny Indian daughters,
Who, in primeval solitude
Like Eve Eden sW69tiy nude
Made lonely Natures perfect plan
More perfect and divinely sweet.
| Alas, the blighting wiles of man
That came with Waiter Raleigh's fleet"
On the Southeast of Asneville, extending around
| to the setting OF the sun, is a smil rsnge Of
mountains, prominent among which is Mount
| Pisgah-not the mount from which Moses viewed
the promised land. though he might have stood
even here ana saw q land of fertility and beauty.
| About five mile. distant is the Elk Mountain
| Cheese Factory, which manufactures, [ think
about two hundred and fifty pounds da ly. They
! milk one hundred and fifty cows, more or less.
! word about the crops may be of interest
! Wheat will not yield abundantly anticipa-
| ted-not damaged much by the rust, but the
heads didn't fill well-it is said to be better in
other Western counties. Corn is promising, but
needs rain badly-dry weather has prevailed for
some time past, ard vegetation generally is suf
| fering.
The weather is uncommonly hot for Buncombe
Thermometer ninety-three, and think it has
! been higher.
| Much attention is paid to curing hay. Cast the
eye over the fields and shocks OF golden grain,
and piles of new mown hay is seen gracing fields
and meadows.
As general thing the nominations of Seymour
and Blair meet with favor, and will, I doubt not,
be we'll supported.
This is a great fruit country, and soon We shall
have apples, peaches and melons in abundance
Any quantity of cider, and sweet, at five cents
| a quart, but as l am subject of General
Vance, don't indulge. The General is enjoying
fine health, and appears never to tire in We'll do
ing. nope 10 accompany MIN next thursday
over to Madison county, whore he goes to organ
ize Council of the sons of Temperance. won
der how the cause prOspers in Wilmington, End
whether Mount Olivet continues to increase.
This Is land of plenty full of good things, at
| low prices. Water excellent air pure, and scene
ry grand. I would advise hea It'll and pleasure
seekers to visit it-they will be amply repaid.
W., in.
For the Journal
Meeting at Giddensville, July 25th, 1868.
81 al;