The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-09-21
CorssspoHasfscs ~, she Phosnix. s
WAnHA1nA, September 10. 1873.

first week in September ers{extremsly
oppressive ia theirshest hsfe. but ie.
lisved measatably BY the slower tempe.
fs.uTc ssa Seccli.G sree=cs vhieh PIE
vailed at night. Restored by sound
sleep and sustained by wholesome food.
and exercising proper care, man may
deiy the Thermometer, oven if above
ninety degrees. We we're pleased, how
ever, to have the opportunity. during
the heated term, Of a few days. visit to
Tomass1o, tho 5J0i fosfoat u Christie
pher Jones, Esq, ten miles East Of this
place, and nestled in valley as beanti-
ful as that of Tempe, in a framework OF
mountains which soar'in grandeur and
beauty only few miles away on the
| North. West and East. The place de.
rives its name from Tomassee Knob, q
pointed peak on the Southwest, only
one and half miles of, the seat OF the
patriotio Gen. Pickens, whose house.
built just after the close OF the revolu-
tionaFy way. in which he figured "s a
gallant officer. Aenked hy row Of vene-
shown at its Northern base, and is still
commanded the Southern militia at the
battle Of the Cowpens, 18th January,
1881, and by his good conduct, oontri.
bnted much to the success of the Ame-
rican arms. He was honored by Con.
gress with sword for his gallantry in
this battle. From the Knob issues
Tomassee Creek, pretty stream, which
runs transversely into the lower end OF
the valley, where, just below the resi-
dence, it falls into Little River, which,
like another Peneus, passes directly
through it. AS they come down the
mountain sides and pass through the
valley, they arc Of no considerable size;
but united and receiving other tributa-
ries. become copions and swift, having
rapid descent over shoals, and suggest
to the utilitarian eye other uses than
the idle flow Of their waters to the sea.
The mansion of Mr.. Jones occupies
the brow OF gently sloping hill, and
commands from it's piazzas charming
views of the valley, the streams which
interseot it and the encircling noun
tains. Here was it pleasant to pass in
frequent review the magnificent pano-
rama OF mountain slopes, heights, ridges
and peaks. bathed in the glory of the
richest sunlight, or darkened by well
come shadows OF passing clouds, or
yelled in soft curling mists. Here, in
sight OF the last battle-ground of the
Cherokee tribes, and near the old In
dian town of Oheohee, Imagination took
a backward flight, and became busy in
piotaring the simple life OF the abort
gines, the chase, with its romantic wan
derings and unflagging pursuit, and the
battle strife, with It's blood, cruelty and
revenge. And it travelled away some
times from these aotivo scenes, from
bloody trails, tho stealthy watch and the
sudden and deadly onset, to the freside
and the feast, the camp aud the dance.
the repose and the abandon, when the
days tolls Of chase or battle were over.
Not unfrequently, it strayed to the
peaceful. humble abodes of the fa-
mily, where the females piled their
daily tasks, or sought the refresh
ing GOODNESS of the streams, bath.
ing their 1.-the limbs, oombing their
hair, like the Spartan women in the
Eurotas, or. mayhap. oourting and CO.
quoting with the reflection of their
beauty glassed in the limpid Tomassee.
One cannot resist peopling again these
wild scenes with their original popula
tion. who. have left the impress Of their
soft names on all tho mountains and
streams which they were compelled to
leave. and who as late as 1916 held tract
OF l50, 900 acres, embracing oil the coun-
try lying within the Ohatuga River. the
Blue Mountains and line drawn from
Pulaski Bridge, on Toruro River. No.
As, E. Having sold out to the State,
they retreated to the other side of the
mountains and to the Chatuga River.
Here and beyond remnant of them re-
mains, and employ themselves in gather
ing gensing. snake root, pink root,
skins, &C., and in making baskets and
earthenware They occasionally come
back in small squads to their old homes.
to collect willow for basket-making, and
perhaps Influenced by tho instinct OF
affection AMI regret for scenes which,
though lost. are still dear to them
Their memory is better perpetuated in
the familiar sounds of Keowce, Seneca,
Takwashwaw, or Chages, Chauga. Oco.
nee. Estatoe, Jocassee, Cheohee. Qua.
coratchie, Tugaloo, Noyowee. Chioka
rec, Toxaway, Tomassee, Oolonee,
Keshwee, Generasitee, Isundigaw, Con
cross, Chatuga, sc.
Under the guidance Of Mr.. Grant, a
friend OF our host, we made visit on
horseback to Silver Run Falls, about
four miles from Tomasseo. Crossing