Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-09-23
A DAY IN THE MANY SINKS.


Singularly enough the period of the
autumnal equinox was chosen for q
campaign raid into the neighboring
county of Scott. On Thursday eve
ming last Capt. J. II. Wood and the
Editor of the Ne,cs turned their foot
steps in the direction of the region
known as Many Sinks. The hour of
starting was quite late, and when we
had reached the cOZy country resi-
dence OF Col. /. B. Dunn, which as We
emerged from the narrow mountain
defile. burst upon our vision like
beautiful picture, softened and sha-
ded by the twilight hour, we found
such accommodations as were neces-
sary. The Editor was mounted on an
elegantly gated mule. which suisse
quently was chrisjened "Balam," 10y
Parson Hancher, at whose hOspitable
mansion we arrived at the hour of
p. NJ. We had slipped down the acute
angle, which makes the Western cor
ner of Washington, and found our
selves "crOssing the lines" of Va.
Tenn, Washington and Scott. which
all find common point in the road a
pistol shot West of Mr.. Walter John
sons. The sharp evening air had been
bracing and invigorating and our hos
pitable friend Rev. J. il. Hancher
met us at the front and extended US
hearty welcome. Talk of untimely
hours, for administering to the inner
man but at such table as Mis- Hancher
had spread for US, the laws of hygeine
absolutely disappeared from the field
of discussion. The midnight hour had
well nigh found us enjoying the con-
versatiOn of the Parson, whose broad
and well authenticated views on the
Great Secret" were more than worth
the hearing. Morning came wrapped
in sOmbre clouds and dripping
with real equinoctial rain. The
prospect was not inviting, but accom-
panied 10y the Parson and Prof. VOL
ford. we mounted our horses and Ba-
lam and turning their heads toward
the North pressed across the ridges be-
tween us and Virginia. At little
Mountain stream yclept BOOzy we
found ourselves confronted by form
liable hill known as BrO,Udcrs. Brow
ders" exclaimed the ParsOn" IS in Va
and Booty is i'm Tennessee" So we
were soon across the line again, but
not so soon across Browder, which in
common parlance we found to be IA
Descending therefrom we
found ourselves for at least two miles
one of the narrowest defiIes
to be found in the country. When
we emerged therefrom we were in the
open country known as
THE MANY SINKS
and lying Immediately South of the
HoIstOn. For several miles the coun-
try is a succession of Sinks or depres-
sions, peculiar to cavernOus limestone
We stopped at Rocky
Point Church where we found the
people awaiting US, and according to
expecting to be addressed
on the subject pertaining to the cam
paign.
The rain had ceased and the day was
pleasant enough. Capt. Wood made
speech which was marked for its meth
cd, and its dispassionate force. and it
was listened to with marked attention.
Quite number of the audience were
and this was the first oc-
,asion on which they had been adj
dressed from the stump by Conserva-
live speakers. 1t was evident that
his appe;I to their reason was well re-
,eived by them. At the close of Capt.
Woods address the editor of the Ne'cs
in an address of some length.
We think the occasion was
he means of arrousing very decided |
interest in the canvass, and that much |
rood will result. We were kindly in
,ited to share the Inequalities many |
# the good people of the Sinks, but
,ur friend Rev. J, X, Hancher does
nothing by halves, and leading the |
ray, commanded us to follow. 1t was /
hen sunset, and darkness found
is in the gorges of Browder's Creek.
The hills We're high and precipitous |
he timber heavy, the clouds thick
md often the road and the stream; like
wo parties we had met at the point,
.ontended for the same bit of
round. The darkness was indiscri-
,able, so dropping our reins, we trusted /
o brute guidance. Sounds ahead in
Heated that some one was approach
mo- us. The voice was evidently that
# man, and as he neared us, we
leard the words Of his song,
His track see and IN pursue
The narrow way till him / view,
That there was technically more poetry
han truth in the song was soon pro-
zen, for we have the word of the par
on, that just at the close of the coup
ct, the nose of the singer and that of
he parsons horse, came into collision.
On we went. Up BrowdeF, over
}rowder, and down Browder. The
title glow worm WED with the Foxfire'