Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-21
MARION COUNTY.
Sequstchie Valley and Surrounding
scenery.

scenery.
To the Editor OF the Union and American:
BATTLE CREEK MINES, Nov. II, 1872
told you in my letter of Oct. Is, that
would shortly give you description of a
fine "view" which we have off one of the
mountain points in this vicinity. Knowing
that person always describes thing bet
ter when it is Immediately before him than
from memory, determined upon writing my
description of this ''view, while on the point
from which cit" is obtained. In coming up
the mountain to this point we pass by
place memorable in the criminal calendar
of Marion county-the place where muir
der was committed, and which resulted in
the first and only hanging known to this
county. This has only been some thirteen
or fourteen years ago, yet the house near
which the murder was committed has fallen
into disuse, and is now nothing but a
"heap" of decaying logs, and the old field
in which the house was situated has grown
into field Of bushes and briars. The place
appears as if the hand of God was upon it,
and like Cain, had been branded with the
mark of a murderer, and was to be forever
more outcast from all that is human. We
also pass directly by the mines of the
"Battle Creek Coal Company" where we
find our striped miners from the old
Nashville red top, hard at work under the
diligent charge OF Capt II. A. Chumbly.
am now seated on a rock on the very
edge of the mountain and looking out upon
the grandsst and most magnificent sight
that the eye has ever beheld. The forest
around clothed in its autumn foliage rend
ers the scene doubly besutiful. Under the
mountain and little north of where am
seated is seen the meanderings of
Battle Greek as it winds its way along to
the Tennessee. Immediately under me- is
plainly heard the "puf," puff, puff, of
Clark & Bass stave and lumber mill. Turn
ing south and placing my glasses to my
eyes and following the windings Of the
Tennessee it appears as if could almost
place my hand on the bridge of the Nash
vile and Chattanooga railroad where it
crosses the river at Bridgeport, Alabama,
five and half miles from this point. Turn
ing at right angles from my former posi-
ton l view the scene to the east and south
east. In front Of me the silvery waters of
Tennessee river glisten in the sunlight.
Farther ON the rosd-bed of the Nashville
and Chattanooga road is partially visible.
We follow this on up the river to She'll
mound where we lose sight of the road in
the forest. ShaIlmound, a station on the
NSsheille and Chattanooga railroad, is only
partially visible from here. 1t is situated
on bend of the riye7- six miles distant.
From gazing at Shellmound we raise our
glasses slightly and view the mountain
point on which Tennessee, Georgia and
Alabama corner, being about seven miles
from here. We change our position again
aud once more Tennessee river looms up
before US, this time q little north of east
and as far in this direction as the eye can
reach, the river is seen. The two islands
in the river-one just below our position
and the other above it-are plainly seen
from this place. The island below US is
seven miles long but all of it is distinctly
seen. This island is under cultivation and
is considered about the best land In the
county. The bridge of the Nashville and
Chattanooga railroad crosses this island.
The other island is about one mile in
length, partly cultivated, but most of it is
covered with thick growth of forest trees.
Northeast of US Jasper, the county seat of
Marion county, appears, and by the aid Of
the glasses we can draw it apparently al
most under Us. Jasper is situated in a val
ley seven and half miles from our view.
We have everything in sight from here
which goes to make up magnificent scene.
Fine forest scenery in front and on all sides;
a village to the RIGHT of us, another on our
left, and one directly in front; a creek in
the foreground to our left, and river in
front of US; islands to the right and left,
and few gIades and fields all around Us.
A painter could indeed make a fine picture
from the position which now occupy.
B. &. M,