The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-10-05
For the anderson MtelHgencer.
Home Views.
No. V.

There are certain we'll marked and distinc-
tive features in these Southern mountains and
Valleys scarcely existing in more Northern
climes. The great fertility Of the soil from
base to summit, except in few peaks Of great
elevation-the luxuriance of pasturage, wild
grasses and pea vines, enabling stock of all
kinds to live fat almost during the entire year
the great variety, size, and inexhaustible
supply of timber trees; and an Isothermal
line or belt, where the apple, peach and pear
never fail. We passed along and through this
belt, in various places, and found the finest
fruit in great abundance, whilst in the yallies,
and in lower and higher temperatures, on the
mountain side, the trees are perfectly bare
The Hiwassee Valley, which we entered near
its head, is of great extent some 40 80 milees
long, and varying from one half mile to two
miles in width. On either side of the river
tributaries, such as Shooting Creek, Tusquitta,
Peach Tree, &C., come in, all affording vallies OF
great fertility and beauty. Every acre of these
vallies, whether on river, creek, or branch, hav-
ing been cleared up, and in cultivation, with
comfortable farm-houses dotted here and there.
Perhaps the most remarkable and wonderful
valley in all Western North Carolina is found
on Valley River, remarkable for the length and
width of rich alluvial lands, farms and farm
houses. One unbroken cultivated valley for
twenty miles, and averaging two miles in width
But this locality is also celebrated for the i'm
mense beds of valuable minerals-gold, silver,
"copper" iron and marble are all mingled and
mixed together, so as to perplex and contound
those who attempt to explore or describe them.
After leaving the town of Hiwassee, we
crossed the river, and traversed great bend,
being surprised to see large tracts of undula-
ting country, of oak, hickory and chesnut, very
much resembling the forests of Anderson or
Greenvlle. In eight miles we reached the lit
tie village of Haysville, the county seat OF Clay
county in N. c., being located very near the
site of Old Fort Hcmbrec, one of these over
the-hills stockades, erected before the Revolu-
tionary War. 1t is very prcttily located, in the
midst of grand mountains and in view OF the
clear and sparkling Hiwassee. Several stores
and dwellings, all painted white, with the nu-
cleus of miniature Court House, attest the
scat of Justice and of commerce. We did not
stop, but passed through the quiet streets down
to the river which we crossed on neat and
Substantial bridge. Great stretches of this
ricu, alluvia soil can be here secnup and down
the river in corn and grasses the wheat rye
and oats having been harvested and housed.
Ascending the hill, where crowd of men were
busily at work on the road, Court, it seems
being expected there day or two afterwards
we approached the residence of Mrs. Sander
son on the summit, overlooking the little town
lust passed. But what a panorama was there
suddenly and unexpectedly spread before US.
All the party, male, female, Master Frank, and
the solitary Fifteenth Amendment, were alike
touched with the grand and beautiful scene.
No words can describe it. 1t might family be
transcribed to canvass by the best masters; but
one must see it to realize and never forget. The
road, smooth and we'll worked, runs along the