Wilmington journal., 1869-09-03

This was between the hours of twelve and
one. / saw no more of the bishop until
after sundown. He took a by-path and
got lost Waited at a stream that crossed
the road near the twelfth mile sign for
more than two hours. Rode back to where
he got out. But no where was he to
be seen. I was of course anxious. L
pushed on thinking he had gotten ahead
of me, and when [ reached Kennerly's,
six miles down the mountain, anxiety
reached almost to excitement. Returned
Immediately on fresh horse which gen
tleman from Morganton whom [ found
there lent me. He accompanied nr.
Many speculative ideas wero entertained
None of them very favorable to the Safety
of the Bishop. We had gone nearly five
miles when we met him tired almost to
death-but to his very great JOY as we'll as
to ours, he rode the rest Of the way For
tunately no evil consequence happened I
think it will cure the Bishop from ever
again taking a by-path IN mountainous,
woody and unknown country. The Ken
nerly house il known as Fort Scott 1t is
still rebellious according to the slang Ian
guage Of the day. 1t has never surrender
Ell. Nor will 1T ever surrender. 1t is gar
risoncd by Il true soldier, and one of the
greatest takers this side of Babel lie
has been in The Black Hawk war in the
Mexican war; in the late war, an1 is ready
for another war. He is mastering his for
ces, and | would not wonder if Greeley
will not head artc!s, pretty soon call
cd, "fFhe War Renewed. Loyal Men
Driven from their Homes, &c, a." Yes.
sir, this old soldier has two ferocious
cut bears, one deer, several dogs, IL couple
of shot guns, and good mule. lie Is ur.-
firing III his attention To his guests. llla
house ls not very Inviting. HIa table il. -
The NnntaiIala river tumbies over rocks
and dusha5 along near the home of this
fine specimen Of morntaincer. The
finest Specklcd trout are taken not many
yards from his door. But onward We must
go. On over the Valley mountain, and
down its rugged slope. We now enter the
Valley river bottom. Narrow at first. 1t
widens rs you travels on, and grows much
more fertile looking Waving fields of
excellent locking corn everywhere greet
the eye We travel on to Mrs. Walkers.
Here We dine. This place was always re-
markaEle for the hospitality of
its owners No language of
mine is needed to recommend it. A stop
of two hours refreshed rs SO that we felt
the rest of the road to Murphy compare
lively easy, as it was level but excessively
dusty. Next day was Sunday. A day of
rest Murphy, the county-seat of Cherc-
kee is fianked by two rivers, the Valley
River, and the Hlawassee. The site Of the
tower is not very picturesque, nor are very
many scenic pictures to be seen from it,
certainly not so many as can be contem
plated in passing over its fertile valley. It's
population consists in about forty five or
fifty families. It does not carry on as yet
much trade, but there is beyond doubt
bright future dawning. It has two churches
and school. An Episcopal lady is to build
q church of marble found on her own land.
She will after that erect a seminary for
the instruction of the poorer female child
rem, and teach them the useful arts, such
as will make them good housekeepers.-
This is lamentably needed. We found Mr..
Davidson's Hotel a pleasant place to put
up at, and the host and hostess extremely
kind. The Bishop preached, baptized five,
and confirmed five, four of them adults
The price of provisions at this place range
thus Bacon 20 to 25 cents p tt. Flour
1b., &c. The county OF Cherokee abounds
I vii speak of those only which fell under
my eye. Soap stone, Or, as it is popularly
called, cotton rock, is very abundant
Quarries of it are now being worked, and
the marble looking, slippery feeling, and
very heavy material is carried in wagons to
Ducktown or to Cleveland, Tenn At the
latter place it is sold for sixty dollars ton.
It is coming into general use throughout
the United States, both for stoves and fur
naces, and also it is being manufactured
into ripples for gas burners. I saw one
that Mr.. Campbell very kindly gave the
Bishop. It answers for that purpose much
better than iron, for it does not corrode,
nor prevent the easy burning of the gas.
An f7rthop inf int Will
be given by the gentleman just named
His address is Murphy, Cherokee county.
On our return the Bishop turned off the
road for two miles, and within seven of
Franklin to baptize and confirm two. At
Franklin he preached to a congregation of
Methodists. We found all along the road,
and wherever we had occasion to stop,
these people to be most kind in their at
tentions. but at no place SO much as at
franklin. In Pigeon Valley We took the
road to Leicester, and renched the house
of Mr.. Chasman that night. Next day the
Bishop preached. It was excessively hot.
At this village Rev. Mr.. Holmes, gentle
man from your section, sofficiates, and con-
ducts school. He is highly competent.
In this noble work he is assisted by his
wife, as refined lady as one can meet any
where. That part of the country is bless
ed in having such christian humanizing
couple. A few boys have just reached
them from the lowlands. Cannot the Cape
Fear send some of their delicate ones p
The climate is bracing and genial The
location is good and pretty, especially the
sights from the immediate hills. The
board and tuition very moderate. Per
haps not one half what it is below.
We got back to Asheville after ride of
eleven days, dusty and dirty Q'll warranty
but ready after days rest (if there were
one on hand,) to start on another expedi-
ton.
The drought hero has been very great.
Everything is crisped. No rain for nearly
two months. Asheville is the centre of a
fiery belt. More anon.
MONONTA,