Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-11-15
FACTS ABOUT EAST TENNESSEE.
big valley.
No. XIV.


From reliable correspondent we obtain
the following facts in relation to well
known body Of land in East Tennessee:
WALLAcE's 4 ROADS,
Anderson co., Tenn, Oct. 13, 1871.
The subject of this article is portion of
East Tennessee, bounded upon the south
east by what is known as Lone Mountain,
and for considerable length upon its
northwest by the Clinch river ridges, COM
mencing at Powell's Mountain in Scott
county, Va, then through Lee, in Virgin
ia, to the State line, thence through Han
cock, Claiborne, Union, Anderson and
Roane, in Tennessee, finally intercepted by
Walden's Ridge about two miles south of
Kingston-its entire length being more
than one hundred miles, and from one to
one and half miles in width. 1t is mark
ed by n characteristic common to all of our
valleys-i. e. of pursuing course parallel
to our great eXtremitieS the Cumberland
and Smoky ranges, and merely indicated
upon the new map of Messrs. Munson &
Bailey by the words "Big Valley
1t is more directly that part lying in
Anderson county that we describe that
what is said of it applies with equal truth
to the extensions. The soil of this valley
in its virgin state is exceedingly fertile
with base considerably diversified, rang
ing from the argilacous to the calcareous,
thus adapting it to the growth of all vege-
tation common. to this latitude. BY a
proper mode of culture fifty bushels or
more of corn per acre may be readily pro-
duced and q corresponding yield for other
crops, but attention IS principally directed
toward wheat aud corn--to the latter by
reason of its multifOrm facilities of being
converted into money This, like many
other parts of the country, has depleted
lands, but with its base, may be easily re-
stored, and experience is fast teaching our
farmers that to reGuperate is about as easy
and far more remuncrative than to eX-
haust
Big Valley is most excellently watered
of quality, health-inducing and inspr-
ing to the energy, Brooks, flowing from
thousands of bold springs, irrigate the
land everywhere, and, forming into larger
courses, make the entire length of the val
ley network of streams almost unrivalled
for mill and manufacturing purposes. At
present, principal among these are the
mills and machines of Messrs. Wallace &
Hall, near this place, upon Clear Creek, a
brief, bold stream with these facilities
every two or three hundred yards, and af-
fOrding perennial supply of water. To
these gentlemen we refer all persons desir-
ing information upon this subject. We
know of farm not exceeding one hundred
and fifty acres upon which there are sia'
well-distributed, never-failing springs, and
All luSa OF llS general ADuUua1lCe may De
gained when we say that almost every
family is supplied with convenient spring
water; and we do not know of more than
two or three wells or cisterns in the entire
valley.
Our section affords profuse supply of
excellent, valuable timber, of nearly every
quality. The Clinch river ridges are a con-
tinuous forest of lumber-producing mate
rial-principally pine and poplar-whose
contiguity to the river and easy modes of
transportation renders it quite a fruitful
source of revenue to the many citizens
who, of late years, have been engaging in
the traffic, for which there is ready sale.
The mountain range, with an exterior belt
of two or three miles, is well timbered with
almost every variety, the principal in val
ue being the oak, as it affords a great
abundance of mast, of much value to hog
rasers. .r .
School houses and churches dot the val
ley from end to end, and, as u general
thing, the people are good patrons of edu-
cation. Big Valley Academy" at this
place, is the most prominent, and is des-
tined to extend a wide, good influence.
The society is of a moral character not to
be eXceled-almost entirely free from the
contaminating evils which afflict other
communities The citizens are very hos
ptable and ever ready to welcome stran-
gers i'm quest of information concerning
the country.
The facilities for transportation of the
products of the country are very goOd-a
considerable portion of the Valley being
conveniently located to the Knoxville and
Kentucky Railroad, and for considera-
bic distance near the Clinch River, a stream
of sufficient tide during the fall and win
ter months to cary small boats.
In conclusion, we would sey that des-
rable homes or lands can be purchased at
any time. Some valuable real estate is now
the market.
No specific price can be safely indicated
here, rs this varies with locality and quail
ty, but in no case are the prices immoder-
ate. Very respectfully, POLK.
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