Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-01-17
East Tennessee as a Health Resort

The area OF country now cmUIWtu Will
i'm the United States and Territories, Is 50 /
extensive both In latitude and longitude,
that the climatic differences are very obvi- !
Gus. We have not only range extend /,
ing from the Canada line on the North, to |
the Gulf of Mexico on the South, but one
more widespread, stretching from the At
lantic ocean to the Pacific.
Within our National limits there is al
most every degree of elevation above the
level of the sea, aud a great diversity of
climate, including the cold regions of the
North, and the hot Of the South. For va
rious reasons we'll known to ALL the people
of our country are constantly changing
their places of residence. The superior adj
vantages afforded to the young men of the
NewEngland and NTiddleStates in the Great
West, induce many to leave the homes OF
their birth and travel toward the setting
sun. The desire to accumulate wealth, or
secure a better social or political position,
is constantly leading the American people
OF every age and condition TO change OF
place. There is one reason Which has not
been, but which should be, promin ent in
the mind when the subject of change of
residence is considered. That is health.
The great Mississippi valley was originally
settled by people from healthy locations
along the Eastern side of our country. In
process Of time, malarious diseases seized
upon the Western pioneers, and laid them
upon beds of sickness. But this did not
deter people from venturing upon perilous
ground, if their pecuniary and other inter-
csts were 10 be enhanced. The difference
in climate was found to be bat slight be-
tween New England and New York and
the Western States lying OIL the same line
Of latitude. Accustomed from infancy to
rigorous winter, they were prepared to
Withstand the unbroken blasts OF the vast
rrairies, and made no complaint. But
within few years, public attention has
been called to the question of securing a
warmer climate when they leave The East.
The mildness OF winter on the Pacific coast,
soon after the settlement of California, has
suggested the idea to many, that a less rig
orous climate might be secured while 9
change was being made.
During the late war thousands of North
necplo were introduced into the Southern
states, and for the first time, began 10 APP
preciate that there was Il section within
our limits East of the Rocky mountains
where the rgor of winter might be avoided
The South had even since the first settle
ment of the United States, been considere,
unhealthy. The most that was known o
the South, was derived from accounts 0
localities lying along the Mississippi rive
and its tributaries. Respecting the NOR
elevated regions lying away from larg
rivers, comparatively little was known
Respecting the region lying between tn
Allegheny and Cumberland mountains
known rs East Tennessee, the Who'll
North, until recently, has been ignorant
Isolated and unconnected by railroads wit
the North and East very few came here
till brought, in connection with the Fed
cal army.
since 1865 there has been Il constant in
fiux Of people from north of the Ohio, I
this section. a very great proportion {
those who are now living here, are highI
satisfied with the change in respect TO cl
mate and healthfulness. It is eminent
proper in this connection, to present som
lbcls DedTlnB upon Ine question:.
The whole section now under conside
ntion is elevated OH an average about / on
feet above the level OF, the sea. The SUI
face IL diversified with hill and valley, an
along the latter are found streams Of pun
water, which find their origin in gushin
springs upon every hill side. In the higl
or portions, along the Virginia line, ca
he found the speckled trout, which, TO II
New Englander, will be suggestive of h
native hills.
The valleys are narrow and the stream
rapid. No wide marshes can be found /
the whole region, and, except along I'll
larger streams and rivers ~ we approac
Chattanooga, no considerable bottoms al
found, which give rise 10 maIarious III
eases. ....
\ very prominent feature then of la
Tennessee, Is its freedom from disease
which are 80 prominent in the NoIth-we7
ern and southwestern States. The Al
tumnal fevers which have become an obje
~ dread in so many parts Ofthe Union, a
seldom found here, and never, except upC
some Of the streams. In fact, the healtl
lest part of the year In the ldlly portion
j. from July to February; whereas in man
states that portion Of the year is invariab