Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-06-04

some handsome villas, until We came in
full view OF Mr.. Gilbert 3. Tenants. 1t
stands on high elevation which gradually
slopes down to bottom land through the
middle of which runs the, French Broad.
The view is especially picturesque, and
will repay hundred fold the drive ont
there We tarried not very long contem-
plating the glowing visions, but wheeled
about and trotted towards the Swannanoa
to drive some miles up stream. In mo-
ment almost we crossed it and were on it's
fair west bank. ''Beautiful" indeed !!
That is its English translation. Give me
the Cherokee It's borders are enamelled
with flowers. The rhododendron lines
them thickly, and the Towering ivy. I was
pointed out the white ash bending with a
dropping, fieecy, snow hake-like flower.
Black walnut stood on either side. The
shrubbery is thick. Huge grape vines ex-
tend their limbs, creeping and climbing,
and as it were, jumping to the very
highest tree. But listen to the Swannanoa
Through the laurels and the beeches.
Bright thy silvery current shines.
Sleeping now in granite basins,
Overriding by trailing vines.
And anon careering onward
In the modest froc mood,
Waking, with it's sea like voices,
Fair; echoes il the wood"
The colt and the saxon is now found
scattered in peaceful happy homes along
its borders The poor Cherokee is wander
ing an outcast, Parioh in the land of
which once he was lord. Alas, poor
Yorick A roar of falling waters attract
ed now my attention. 1t was their tnmb
ling over dam. Here was mill owned
by Mr. Patton--a grist-mill, Towering
mill, and a saw-mill, turned by the same
rush of wafer power. At every point along
this bright river mill conld be Put mp at
very little cost Plenty Of timber. Plenty
of water. All that is wanted is immigration
to turn the fruitful soil into a land teem
ing with wealth.
On my return down this
''Chiid of Appalachian hills"
broke off some budding rhododendrons,
and pIucked some ivy fowcrs When they
are in bloom they render the air most fra
grant, aud the banks very rosy and gay. =
A rest, and refreshments at MIR. Chees-
borouch's and made our return back to
Asheville comfortable. / parted from the
Swannanoa with the hope Of seeing it in
the Summer.
The Valley OF the French Broad. to
beauty spot of which [ have alluded, will,
in IL couple of years, resound to the whist
ling locomotive. The Paint Rock or
French Broad Branch is forty five miles
long, and will be in contract the tenth Of
June next. The construction of this i'm
portant line will he economical as the
grade is beautiful, light and level. This
connects at the Tennessee State line with
the Cincinnati, Cumberland Gap and
Charleston Railroad. Running from Ashe-
vile the aspect Of the country will be
found as lovely as it has been already de-
scribed The most remarkable point of
observation on the route is the Warm
Springs. Here stands Il hotel fully fitted
for the accommodation of two hundred
and fifty souls.
The Chattanooga is the main branch,
running due west fifty five miles. it will
be also under contract the tenth of June.
This is the western division of the old COZ
poration of the Western North Carolina
Railroad of 1855. The Salisbury road
which is now as far as Morganton, viii. pro-
badly be late in the summer up as far as the
foot of the Blue Ridge. This fact will
place Asheville within thirty miles CT rail.
The time is merely coDjectured as to when
the Chattanooga branch will be inished,-
When these roads meet here it will be tho
cause of great Joy to tho people, not only
of the Immediate vicinity, but to the whole
western country, and to the State in geu
eral.
This contract of the hundred miles has
been the result of the late meeting, 4th
May, at Morganton. The object of the
meeting was to accept the amendment to
the charter. It granted the additional
funds Of three millions of dollars, with au-
thority to borrow two more upon security.
What his security is is matter OF specu-
latiOn to those who are not in the secret.
Time will reveal what is meant by this
authority to borrow on security. No doubt
this las created misunderstanding in the
minds of some. Harmony existed at the
meeting. This action will ensure the CON
nection of the rich Valley Of the Tennes
see with the heart of Western North Caro-
lima at Asheville.
The old line that has been spoken of for
the last twenty years will perhaps never be
put in operation I mean that from this
place to Spartansburg. 1t will be bles
sing to this State if it will not. 1t would
drain this region of all freight and carry it
to Charleston, the more direct way to the
Atlantic board.
The people must take great interest III
these roads The Rip Van Wrinkle idea
will be exploded. The wealth of coun-
try consists in keeping what it has acquired
The Conestoga wagons will be forgotten.
Civilization will De carried to all parts OF
our country and State in q comparatively
short time. We can see this by rapidly
scanning the map of the nation. A direct
Southern line will run from North Caro-
lima on the Atlantic to California on the
Pacific. On from Wilmington to Asheville.
On to Chattanooga. On to Memphis. On
to Fort Smith, Arkansas. On to Albnquer-
que, New Mexico. On through Arizona
to San Francisco, California. We have seen
by the operation of the U. S. Senate be-
fore it's adjournment, that a Southern line
was expressly worthy of consideration
That the South has a right 10 that line
But what particularly strikes the people of
this State is to see their lines built up,
and put in good running order. carrying
in wealth and prosperity. This will make
the State rich, powerful. and respected
Emigration is called strongly for by the
people of this region. No other country in
the world offers better home to the me-
chanic, or the farmer, or the retired
man of business. The valley OF Ten
nessee and the fourteen Western coun.
ties of this State are as productive as any
soil beneath Gods sky.
70 those soaking summer retreats,
would particularly Recommend this town.
My former letter will show its salubrity.-
Nothing is too dear. Board can be had