The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-11-04
OOhuMBA o. SATURDAY MORNING, yOI,
Homo Views.

A''s0'*s1osIoSs q ooEie6 VI l06tfuCClV6
letters, with the above title. They we're
written by gentleman who resides in
the up-country. and who knows what he
is talking about:
MR. EDITOR: Nothing but want OF
cheap and rapid transportation can long.
or prevent the travelling multitudes who
are permeating through every nook and
corner OF the wide world ia search CT
novelty, health and pleasure, from turn
Ing their steps to the now unknown, un-
visited, but grand and lovely scenery to
be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains
OF south Carolina, North Carolina and
Georgia. The completion of q few more
railroads by the enterprising people of
each OF the three States named above
will throw open this terra incoQnito.
teeming with beauty, wealth and gran
deur. to the public, and the regret and
wonder will be that it wus not enrli.r
known and appreciated.
T. Within eight miles of Walhalln, there
rises the long. level ridge of n mountain,
some 1,500 feet above the level IF the
sen, and TOO feet abovo the level of the
town itself, presenting views Mt every
turn, OF unsurpassiDg loveliness, tru-
versed by streams and rivulets of pure.
clear, icy water, groves of magnificent
forest trees, beautifui sites for country
houses-within few miles of streams
aboanding in fish, and woods with deer
and pheasants, and yet not q summer
house is seen, and visitors are as re as
niteenth amendments. Now and then.
it is said, few curious people upder,oke
to 90 the mountain and tunnel in day.
lSu1
sweltering people from closely packed
cities and towns along the Southern sen.
shore could only enjoy the brncing
luxurious nights, by cheap transit of q
single day aud night, as we hope soon
Will De realized, how much both sections
would be improved in all that makes
lie enjoyable; but we started ont to de-
scribe some OF the distinctive features of
thls nome scenery, not to speculate or
philosophize.
This mountain. yclept Stump House.
legend about which we Shall not tarry
to relate or create. is but spur of the
great Blue Ridge Mountains, and divides
Uconee County nearly in half, East and
west each knob having distinctive
name, as Underwood Mountain, Poor
Mountain, Nc, and is now most easily
and pleasantly ascended by new and
we'll graded road, constructed bv Mr.
Steers, contractor, under the direction
of Maj. Thos. Is. Lee, engineer.
This rond carries the visitor in view of
many extensive scenes of mountain and
valley, and up ravines remarkable for
the fertility of the soil and growth and
variety of timber trees. Hickory, white
"oounded, OF astonishing height and
size. About halfway from the base to
Inc summit, this mountain, in the early
spring time. exhibits q strange. though
beautiful, condition of hasty and lnxu-
rions verdure. Weeks before the valley
below, or the heights shove. show indi.
cat!ons OF returning spring, in bud or
foliage, this belt is covered With green,
ana presents striking contrast with the
plesk and wlntry appearance of the
country aronnd and above. The enter
prislng owner of these broad acres, Mui
Grisham. has long talked of planting
TINS Southern belt in fruit trees, and
should be DO 80 and succeed, it would BIZ
another evidence of the existence of that
isothermal belt or frost line, 30 long
claimed by many as characteristic of our
oOM'uo' iauBo VI mountains.
. Upon the crest Of this mountain, and
extending East and Wost for more than
two miles, it is said that the Blue Ridge
kailrond Company owns 1000 acres OF
iand, once covered with valuable timber
trees, now somewhat depleted by the use
Tor hre-wood and building material dur
ing tho work on the grent tunnel. one
mile III length. passing under the NOM.
tain. This land is eminently fitted fur
country seats. and hotel during the hot
summer months, and is productive in
the cereals and fruits It il also rumor.
ed here, that this company is now offer.
ing to give alternate lois to actual ann
mer residents. and fifty acres, with
abundant building material in wood and
stone TO any responsible company who
Will erect {" hotel for accommodation oi
visitors during the summer months.
rms site: even now no accessible. with
such commanding scenery and hc.itbful
atmosphere, should at once be occurird
and improved, and opeued to visitors the
next season.
But the nncompleted tunnel is the
great object OF notice, inquiry and re.
mark of the very few who visit it, and
OF the many who only have heard of this
gigantic work, undertaken by the little
State OF South Carolina. With itsarchcd