New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-10
DOWN TIE FRENCH BROAD VALLEY.
A WILD COCNTRY-THE UNIONISTS OF NORTH
CAROLINA-ACCOUNT OF THE LAUREL MAS
sACRE DURING THE REBELLION.
IPROM OUR SPECIAL CORRH sPOyDENTl

WILD COUNTRYWIDE UNIONISTS OF NORTH
CAROLISA-ACCOUNT OF THE LAUREL MAS
sACRE DURING THE REBELLION.
IRON OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
WARM SPRINGS, N. c., July 20.--A few miles
north OF Asheyle the valley of the French Broad
gorge, walled in at first by steep wooded hills,
and afterward by wild. preciptous mountains, upon
whose almost perpendicular sides the pines have hard
struggle find foothod among the huge masses OF
rocks that in places overhang the ravine and in
giant starways from the waters edge to the
mountainous. The river runs for forty miles through
savage gorge is furious torrent dashing among
the great powders that the mountains TO have Hung
down 10 stop il in It's headlong The rock fOrna
ton is in some places exceedingly curious At point
the river divided into many narrow channels by sew
eral great slabs of brown stone Of regular, pankke
shape set upon edge in the bed Of the stream few feet
apart and rising several feet above the surface OF the
water. In places there tall masses OF rocks
standing like old castles by the waters edge and over
grown with of vines In other places the rocks
are piled upon each other, forming gigantic walls.
The savage character OF the scenery Is greatly m0d
fed by the uxuriant vegetation. Pines eedars, and
great variety of deoduous trees grow among and upon
rocks the rhododendron bushesimake dense hckets
the tree trunks and there an abundance OF
beautiful climbing plants and of trumpet creepers now
in full bloom Every bend in the river opens new land
scape which would delight artists soul. When our
landscape painters have gone reproducing Caskil
Mountain and Hudson River views few years longer, it
be hoped they will that there here
In North Carolina far worthy OF their attention,
and that they will turn their steps in this direction.
LETT Ashevlle with two friends afternoon, and,
after making ten miles in four hours shocking bad
road, in a vehicle with obdurate springs, glad
to halt for the night long, low building with the in
evitabe broad Southern piazza, that proved to be an
agreeable combination OF hotel and farmhouse. The
place was thoroughly comfortable. We supped upon
fsh-fresh from 1.-THE river, the tenderest Of Spring
chickens, waffies rice. honey, milk, and tea. and
were wellodged upon clean beds in carpeted
In the morning after breakfast as good az the
supper, expressed surprise the landlord that
so excellent hotel should be found in wild country
far from any town. thinking to compliment his house
but he took the remark dspara gng the country,
and said lie did not why man should not keep as
good hotel In the country in town. IL he knew how.
Noticing the front of the house the burned
tiuG,crs of bridge inquired how it he de
strOyed The Yankee soldiers did it, landlord re-
Piled, and wish they had 1t burning in their bellies
now" He seemed to consider the destruction OF his
bridge, from which he had formerly derived rev.
the shape of tolls the most Important event
the war; and refused 10 be convinced that bridge.
burning sanctioned by the rules of civilized warfare
Journeyin along the riverside in the morning we
passed and then log hut and patch of tilted
up at steep angle that it mystery how it
ever could he Isowed. The trees had been re-
moved these precipitous fields, but had been killed
by cird.ng. Toe cabins invariably without
dow, and from escn there swarmed numerous brood
haclad, uHKcmpt tOwheaded children, at the sound
of our wheels We saw, perhaps half dozen Of these
cabins In or drive during the forenoon. 1t is hard
say how their occupants subsist. They to have
nearly solved the problem OF how 10 live upon nothing
for beside their wretohei little brcakneck corn-lelds
they have 30 visible OF subsistence. Doubtless
they catch f.h and shoot deer a'iOndlly and
manage TO keep from starving.
Early in the afternoon came to village that had |
N.Y.4.
street between tle mountain and the river. The place
is c!, ar.ial, Is the county seat Of d..n County,
and nine dwelling houses, three stores, two
hotels, blacksmith snop, Ia shoemaker shop, dhapi-
dated brick courthouse, aud dcoayed wooden JAIL from
which an energetic prisoner ought to be able to cut his
way out with Jack knife after few hours work The
most promising Of the hotels decided TO be story
and ha cottage ia frOnt Of which small rough pine
board nailed 10 locust tree bore the inscription Mar
shalt House" There five small rooms In this hos
telry three below and two ABOVE, beside a detached |
Kitchen, and all were bedrooms except one. where the
meals served. In OF the he'd rooms waich |
served also sittng-roOm, there large portrait
of Gen. Lee hanging upon the implanted pine WALL and
quantity Of slyerware upon table, testifyng 10 the
better days that the landlord had The house was
comfortably iIrn ed aii perfectly cat and the food
Wa. excellent, and thero determined to s,snd the
nj ght.
Tie events Of the afternoon IN this miniature capital
ipon hdrr-bacso1 horse down bridle-pill ont