Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-09-10

western virginia. East tennessee, aHu
Western North Carolina.
In response to a desire entertained long
since, the writer of this left Knoxville on
the early morning train of August 2lst, in
company with Mr. +. j. Sanford, the sue
cessful wholesale druggist, and Jas. r.
Ogden, the popular and efficient General
Freight and Ticket Agent of the East
Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Rail
road, for an exc1rsiOn to the mountains
of Southwestern Virginia, Western North
Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Our origi-
nal promgramme was to go to johnson city,
procure horses there, go thence to Roam
Mountain, from thence to Mount Mitchell,
North Carolina, and thence to Warm
Springs. Wewere induced to change this
however, and take the celebrated White
Top Mountains of Virginia in. We sent
our baggage through to Warm Springs,
except a pair of saddle bags each, and
went to Abingdon, Virginia, where Mr..
Ogden had made arrangements for horses
and a man to accompany us. We arrived at
that ancient town about twelve o'clock, NJ,
and found our horses-O. X. in charge of
young Mr.. Hammer, of Bristol, and were
told that to enjoy White Top, we must see
Charlie" Coale, of the Abingdon Virgin
idn, who has made frequent visits to the
mountains and knows all about them.
We accepted the advice and inquired for
him Immediately on reaching the Colo
made hotel, where we enjoyed n first
class Virginia dinner. Mr.. C. soon
put in an appearance. We found him
an unassuming gentleman and pleas
ant, genial companion. He gave us much
valuable information about White Top and
the road thither, and it was piece of good
fortune that we met him. In accordance
with his advice, we left Abingdon with
view of reaching the hospitable residence
of Mr.. Jacob Debusk twenty-five miles
distant, in Taylors Valley, q miles from
the summit of White Top. This we made
- about sunset, the last three miles being
z,erformeJ over wild mountain road,
through drenching rain.
THE ROAD.
The road from Abingdon 20 this point,
with the exception of the three miles men,
toned, is very good. The trip all the way
may be easily made in buggy. On the
way, JD6 Mluule II OTk Ol 11OlSlOH Is Cross
ed, after which the road crosses Laurel
creek, a large stream, clear as crystal, only
fourteen times in less than half that num-
Der of miles. The country along this creek
is interesting, and we presume very
healthy. AS an evidence of this, we saw
gentleman Henry Mock seventy-eight
years of age, who has thirty children, the
youngest of which is about year old. He
has his third wife. He is a robust old
gentleman, and looks great deal younger
than many persons do at fifty. He belongs
TO long lived and fruitful generation. We
were told that he has a brother who has
great-great-grand-ch
We found our host, Mr.. Debusk, all that
Charley Coale had represented him. After
a good supper, and drying ourselves by a
blazing fire, we retired TO rest on bouncing
feather beds and were soon wrapt in slum-
Der, dreaming dreams such as are peculiar
to clear cOnsciences and well-digested sup
pers
OFF FOR WHITE TOP.
At an unusual hour next morning for
city people, we rose and made preparations
for the ascent of the mountains and were
cheered with the prospect of q fine day.
Although the thick fog rose early in the
morning and betokened rain, it soon
blew away and the sun shone out brightly.
We examined our horses and found them
able for duty and were soon on our wind
ing way. u nlgn RIGGS, uOWn lntO deep
gorges, along the edge of precipeces, over
rocks, logs, and slippery places, six miles
brought us TO the base of White Top by
the middle OF the forenoon. The grand
old mountain stood up before us, and it
looked like formidable task to undertake
its ascent Thick clouds were resting on
its summit, and the mountaineers residing
near by, told US it was no use for
US TO 60 up-that we could see
nothing. We confessed the prospect for
fine view anything but encouraging, but
our time was limited and we were deter
mined 10 go up that day. We soon sue
ceeded in procuring the services of a guide.
Before twelve O'Clock we reached the sum-
init, $50 feet above the level of the sea.
The clouds were just passing away, and
soon we were favored with
AN UNRESTRICTED VIEW
Of all ofthat part Of Southwestern Virginia
which lies south of Clinch mountain. II
was certainly sublime. 1t was grand be-
yond description. AS far away as the eye
could reach 10 the north, east and west
mountains, hills, valleys, fields, elegant
farm houses, towns DC, made mp the pic
ture. A brisk wind was blowing
constantly and il was in striking
contrast with the heated atmos-
mosphere we had been accustomed TO. w,
felt more comfortable with our coats but
toned up, and found a shawl not at all bur
densome. We were not long ia determine
ing TO remain on the mountain during the
&c