Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-01-16
East Tennessee as a Health Resort.

extensive DOtn III latitude and longitude
that the climatic differences are very obyi
Gus. We have not only range extend
ing from the Canada line on the North. t,
the Gulf of Mexico on the South, but on,
more widespread, stretching from the At
lantlc ocean to the Pacific
Within our National limits there is al
most every degree of elevation above tn,
level of the sea, and a great diversity o
climate, including the cold regions of thu
North, and the hot of the South. For va
riOus reasons well known to all, the people
of our country are constantly changing
their places of residence. The superior adj
yantages afforded to the young men of the
NewEngland and NIiddleStates in the Great
West, induce many to leave the homes of
their birth and travel toward the setting
sun. The desire to accumulate wealth. OF
secure 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, nlalarious 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 to be enhanced. The difference
in climate was found to be but slight be-
tween New England and New York and
the Western States lying OH 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 less rig
orous climate might be secured while
change was being made.
During the late war thousands of North
people were introduced into the Southern
States, and for the first time, began to APP
preciate that there was a section within
our limits East of the Rocky mountains,
where the rigor of winter might be avoided
The South had even since the first settle
ment of the United States, been considered
unhealthy. The most that was known of
the South was derived from accounts of
localities lying along the Mississippi river
and its tributaries. Respecting the more
elevated regions lying away from large
rivers, comparatively little was known.
Respecting the region lying between tho
Allegheny and Cumberland mountains,
known as East Tennessee, the whole
North, until recently, has been ignorant. !
Isolated and unconnected by railroads with |
the North and East very few came here. |,
Till brought, in connection with the Fed |
eRtl army.
Since 1865 there has been a constant III
huX of people from north of the Ohio. to
this section. A very great proportion of I
those who are now living here, are highly
satisfied with the change in respect to eli
mate and healthfulness. 1t is eminentlv
proper in this connection, to present some
facts bearing upon the question.
The whole section now under consider
alton is elevated OH an average about 900
feet above the level of the sea. The sur
face is diversified with hill and valley. and
along the latter are found streams of pure
water, which find their origin in gushing
springs upon every hill side. In the high
eF portions, along the Virginia line, can
he found the speckled trout, which, to the
New Englander, will be suggestive of his
native hills.
Inc valleys are narrow and the streams
rapid. No wide marshes can be found in
the whole region, and, except along the
larger streams and rivers as we approach {
chattanooga, no considerable bottoms are
found, which give rise to maIarious dis +
eases. !
n very prominent feature then of East i
tennessee, Is its freedom from diseases. f
Which are SO prominent in the Northwest q
'rn and Southwestern States The Au- =
lLmnal fevers which have become an object +
II dread Ill so many parts ofthe Union, are o
eldOm found here, and never, except upon \
ONE OF the streams. In fact, the health v
est part OF the year in the billy portions, N
from July to February; whereas in many n
states that portion of the year is invariably O
A.. IL.