Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-06-15
From Knoxville to Rutledge-CrOps-Re
= eHiscences-SceneS, &c.
SUMMIT VALE, Tenn, june. 6. :

-,fs-t.. SUMMIT VALE Tenn, June6
To the Editors of the, Chronicle: For two
weeks past have been, or most of the time
at least, enjoying the hospitality of Uuion
and Granger county farmers; and right
well do they know how to entertain the
,CedYy and make one feel comfortable.
j am now thirty miles from your city in
one of East Tennessee's loveliest valleys.
Clineh Mountain whose azure tipped peaks
can beseen i'm the hazy distance farup and
down the valley guards us on the south
ward, whilst on the ncrthward Lone
Mountain liftshighits rugged sleeps where
grows the tall cypress aud graceful maple
whose leafy boughs make cool the limped
streams and green meadows of the beauti-
full valley below.
When started to make the trip am
now on, distance of over two hundred
and fifty miles, expected "good time''
and my expectations have been realized,
and so different from ride / took seven
years ago, DER the self same road, cannot
but refertO it, for SO great the change 'twixt
now and then" Then under the cover of
darkness, hadlto steal away closely pur-
sued by men of my own county, cOnfeder-
ate soldiers whom now meet as friends
and good nnion loving citizens. Then L
travelled in one day a distance that now re-
quires two; then large farms were lying
idle, scarce rail TO mark where fences
had been T; then tall gaunt ciiimneys and
blackened heaps of rubbish where once
had been the stately mansion, empty barns
and granaries that were once store-h0slsesi
of plenty, barred windows and nailed up
doors where once trade had fourished and
still as death were villages where once all
was life and animation, but 'so,c all has been
changed again. The farms are fenced and
large herds of cattle and droyes of mules
now Craze where all was then a barren de-
serted waste. Beautiful and improved res
licences mark the spot where the old ones
stood "before the war; The barns are full
and the granaries overfiowing. Tin cups
and buckets hang out the store door as they
did in the "other day. the postoffice has
again become an institution of the neighbor-
hood. The village court house has been re-.
modelled, painted, and the soldiers register
obliterated, for such the court house was,
and the Sheriff calls at the door for Timo-
thy Buystody as was his want in days
gone by, and all things now work as
though there had never BEEN any trouble
in our beautiful mountain homes. And
cursed be he of God and of man that would
again wish to crimson our valleys with
the blood of brothers and-devastate our
happy homes. There is more life and en-
ergy exhibited now by our farmers than
at any time before the rebellion; every
farmer is trying to outstrip his neighbour
raising grain and stock every improve
ment in farming implements is eagerly
sought after, improved stock is bought and
brought into the country every month of
the year, and the quality of wheat, corn
and oats is fast becoming quite an object
with the farmer before planting, and the
cultivation after planting and the prepare
ton before hand is now looked after with
a, great deal more of, interest than WAS the
CUSTOM a few years since. My. horse
back ride has afforded me ample
opportunities for observing the grow,
ing, crop, and, / am pleased to, sayt that
the wheat crop will be much Abetterithan'
was generally expected. From Kingsport
70 R0gersvilie there will be almost an av-
erage yield. At Rutledge and in that vi
cinity wheat will be very good. The best
field of wheat have noticed was at Kings
port and the second best upon the farm OF
Gen Mabry, near Knoxytile; though there
is an excellent prospect for wheat on Esq.
Coles farm, in what is known as Grassy
Valley, in Knox county. The best oats
and corn that came under my obseryation
was in the last named valley. There will
be an abundant grass crop; meadows ail
look splendid ;clOver fields are unusually
fine; and stock of every kind looking mag
nificent. Atf 2isi -
MraRyan. n gentleman who has LATELY
bought and moved on to large and excel
lent farm in Union county, on Clinch
river, lis displaying spirit of go-ahead-
ativeness that will certainly do that region
of country good, ifexample- is worth any
thing. Mr.. Ryan has oyer 100 acres in
corn, and besides his large crop is building
a handsome dwelling and conimodious
Darns and stables. Twas Shown by him. q