Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-08-06

r9DGRtic with the beautiful. After
half an hour VIC passed on from this
happy scene observing Others, how
ever, which though less attractive to
the eye were sill. from their higher
position, or greater degree of expo
sure 10 the breezes, exceedinly pleas
ant-for the breezes that plays al
most constantly on these mountains
are certainly luxury 20 one aecus-
toned to the rcnovating sultriness of
the valleys below You would not
think to find any evidences of indus
try away up here, seven miles from
the railroad and separated from it by
roads almost impossible. But here
the woodman's axe he's made its i'm
prcssion-as large quantities of
smooth cross ties. 2ud huge piles of
tanbark of prime quality will testify
and here too has the husbandman
been plying his honest hand-and his
toll has been recompensed by the
large yield of yellow grain already
harvested, and by the So atisfaction of
seeing high up on the mountains
sides, luxuriant fields of smiling corn.
Tobacco too they plant, but in small
quantities as if instir c5iyely to avoid
the revenue officers hand by antici-
pating some additional instance of
0diouS imposition. The next point
of interest on our route was what is
known by the appellation of Devils
Backbone. 1t is elevated above the-
rivers level about six hundred feet.
and is so steep that it is inaccessible
on horseback--the ridge or Back
bone being about one hundred yards
long, very narrow, and covered With
a soft, green. carpet of moss. From
this point one can see for miles On all
sides. Immediately below are tall
trees whose tops do Mt reach as high
as ones head, whilst beyond lie cul>
tiyated farms, and away in-the dis
tancc are the "Serrated Range" of
mountains encircIing the view Of the
eye and finally melting into the blue
ether with an exquisite delicacy.
" FdciliS deSceRs'ts AUsTpi,' but [
can't say that the descent from this
spinal column OF his satanic majesty
(or Deiil's Backbone) was easy for
we had to lead our horses half mile
down before finding a suitable place
to mount. Continuing our journey
we soon arrived at the Holston, roll
ing its placid clear waters in silent
majesty among these towering bills.
Il was very low, a d we we're to d bus
little fishing was going on. We
crossed and passed on to the AlGm
Wells, place which should be more
widely known than it is. It's waters
possess many medicinal properties,
being composed of alum, chalyheate,
sulphuric acid, magnesia, soda and
potassa. There were only two visi>
tors, one Of whom, very enthusias-
tic admircr of the water, says it is
the best in the whole country. lie
speaks from experience, having tried
lis virtues many times, BY the Poor
Eailey road it is easy access from
Abingdon, and it is probable that ma
ny visitors could be brought TO our
mountains # suitable accommodA
tons we're ercc.ed on the place; for
it is quiet healthy region, surrom-
ded by moantains-'' Ciinch" on
one side and the i" River Hills" on
the other. The poor valley road
would furnish an excellent drive.
Running directly up the valley it is
well graded ard kept in fine order
About two miles below the Wells, on
the river are the Blue Sulphur Springs.
rising near the river bank and send
ing forth bold stream of pure sui
phur water, very pleasant to the taste
and invigorating in effect. With
these two waters and some energy, |
cannot see why an attractive summer
resort could not be established
We drark largely of the healthy
mineral waters of this gifted region
and recrossed the mountains with re-
luctance at leaving those cool dales
We fain would have staid in longer.
ROBAH.