The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-09-14
Home Views.
From the Anderson Intelligencer.

MIR. ED1TOR: NotllnS Dut want
of: cheap and rapid transportation,
can longer prevent the travelling
multltudes, who are permeating
through every nook and corner of
the wide world in search of novel
ty, health and pleasure, from turn
ing their steps to the now unknown,
unvisited, but grand and lovely
scenery to be found in the Blue
Ridge mountains of South Carroll
IA, North Carolina and Georgia.
The completion of a. few more
railroads by the erterprising peo-
pie of each of the three States
named above, will throw open this
terra ancognita, teeming with beauty,
wealth and grandeur, and the re-
gret and wonder will be that it was
not earlier known and appreciated.
Within eight miles of Walhalll,
there rises the long, level ridge of
a mountain, some 1900 feet above
the level of the sea, and 700 feet
above the level of the town itself,
presenting views at every turn, of
unsurpassed loveliness, traversed
by streams and rivulets of pure,
clear, icy water, groves of magnif-
cent forest trees, beautiful sites for
country houses-within a few miles
of streams abounding in fish and
woods with deer and pheasants, and
yet not a summer house is seen,
and visitors are as rare as Fifteenth
Amendments. Now and then, it
is said, a few curious people under
take to do the mountain and tun-
mel in day, and actually accom-
plish the feat. If the sweltering
people from closely packed cities
and towns along the Southern sea-
shore could only enjoy the embra-
cling atmosphere, the clear, cold
water, the luxurious nights, by
cheap transit of single day and
night, as we hope soon will be re-
allied, how much both sections
would lie improved in all that
makes life enjoyable; but we star
ted out to describe some Of the dis
tinctive features Of this home seem
cry, not to speculate or philoso
phize.
This mountain, yclept Stump
House, a legend about which we
shall rot tarry to relate or create,
is but a spur Of the great Blue
Ridge mountains, and divides Geo.
nee county nearly in half, each
knob having distinctive name, as
Underwood mountaip, Poor moun-
tain, &C., and is now most easily
and pleasantly assembled by a new
and well graded road constructed
by Mr.. Steers, contractor, under
tile direction Of Maj. Thos. B. Lee,
Engineer.
This road carries the visitors in
view of many extensive scenes of
mountain and valley, and up ra-
vines remarkable for the fertility Of
the soils and growth and variety OF
timber trees Hickory, white oak,
Hack walnut, locust, pop,
lar, all abounded, of astonishing
h light and size. About half way
from the base to the summit, this
m ,untain in early spring time, ex-
hibits a strange, though beautiful
condition Of hasty and luxurious
verdure. Weeks before the val
ley below, or the heights above,
show indications of returning
spring, in bud u foliage, this belt is
! covered with green, and presents a
striking contrast with the bleak and
wintry appearance of the country
around and above. The enterpri-
sing owner Of these broad acres,
Maj. Grisham, has long talked of
planting this Southern belt in fruit
/ trees, and should he do so and sue
coed, it would be another evidence
of the existence Of that isothermal
belt or frost line: SO long claimed
by many as characteristic Of our
Southern range of mountains.
Upon the crest Of this mountain
and extending east and west far
more than two miles, it is said that
the Blue Ridge Railroad Company
OWNS sixteen hundred acres of land
once covered with valuable timber
trees, now somewhat depleted by
| the use for tire-wood and building
material during the work on the
great tunnel, one mile in length,
passing under the mountain. This
land is emincntly fitted for country
seats, and a hotel during the hot
summer months, and is productive
in the cereals and fruits. Itis also
rumorcd here, that. this Company
is now offering to give alternate
lots to actual summer residents,
and fifty acres, with abundant build
ing material in wood and stone, to
any responsible company who will
erect q hotel for accommodation OF
visitors during the summer months.
This site, even now so accessible,
with such commanding scenery and
healthful atmosphere, should al
on e be occupied and improved,
and opened to visitors the next sea.
son, .-a...