The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-07-23
For the Anderson hatelhge'lcer.
q Trip TO the MOuntains--NO. 2.

~A'1eS0foN''
A Trip to the Mountains--No. 2.
MIR. EDITOR: We left you last at the base
of the beautiful Toccoa. A ride of seven
miles brought US to the Widow Davldsons,
nearly at a half way point between Toccoa
and Tallulah, where we spent the night We
mention this in connection with the fact that
On this plantation there seems to be large
lime deposit, which is said to have been
worked, more or less, from the first settling OF
the country up to this time. The supply OF
white lime rock must be almost inexaustible,
as it may be seen in the bottom of the gullles
and streams; also on the side of the cliffs.
Young Mr. Davidson showed US around the
kilns and pits, and also point where his
father, many years ago, was digging place tor
a new kiln and struck upon an old one which
the oldest inhabitants could give no account OF
whatever. We asked him why he did not DO
more extensive business, when he replied that
it had been chiefly for want of transportation
However, he supplies the country around tor
fertilizing purposes at IL cents per bushel' de-
livered at the kiln. They have in connection
what is said to be pure limestone spring, and
which Mr.. Davidson told us had been the re-
sort of many invalids for years. did not 60
to the spring, but others of our party did. 1t
did not strike me, from using the water at the
house, that it was very strongly impregnated
1t seems to me, from its proximity to Toccoa
City, that this place might be proftably deyel-
oped.
A ride of eight miles, over steep, mountain
GUS roads, early next morning. brought us to
Tallulah the terrible. The Indians were Ger
tainly right in giving it this name, as it is SAID
to mean terrible. The river bears the name OF
the falls. Five miles below, in conjunction
with Chattooga, in South Carolina, it forms
the Tugalo No one in looking at the falls
could we'll imagine the immense volume OF
water in the river above. Having stopped at
the spacious new hotel, nearly completed, and
very near the verge of the falls, probably not
exceeding 60 feet, we were astonished and de-
lighted at the charming view of the upper
rapids presented from the back piazza; the
water gushing and foaming, seemingly cling
ing around the protruding rocks as if dreading
the chasm below. We told our very kind
hostess that, although the situation was grand
and imposing, we thought it quite dangerous
for persons who walked in their sleep, and
much more so for raising children. was told
that it was purposed to have it banistered.
The building is lO6 feet long, rooms large and
comfortable, and altogether surrounded by a
spacious piazza. The accommodations in every
way are all that heart could wish.
In very short while after arrival, our party
became restless and anxious to see the sights
below. So off we went in company with Mr.
Burkley, an accommodating, intelligent young
man as guide, who is spending the summer
there. L did not accompany them very far
my health being feeble I thoughtft to adopt
the o.d adage "that it is best for frail barks to
keep near the shore" We parted, and they
descended the awful cliffs; threading the
needles eye; pressing through reeds; squeez-
ing along side the historic falls at the base OF
the yawnng precipce, and even boasting that
they had bathed their hands in the spray OF
Tempesta-SO feet perpendicular I preferred
being my own guide, and all alone, I passed
upon the verge of the precipice to what is
called the Devils Pulpit" from which point
I was perfectly overwhelmed with the magnifi-
cent grandeur of the scenery that surrounded
me. At one glance you have view, first, OF
Lodore, or golden-water, forty feet high, not
however, perpendicular. Next in succession,
Tempesta, eighty feet, perpendicular. Next,
Hurricane IS feet. Next below, is Oceana,
which we viewed from another point, 80 feet
high. All these, with their intermediate rap
ids rushing through the centre of the noun
tains, which seem to open with perpendicular
sides to let the river pass through. On, the
dizzy heights of these enormous precipices OF
solid granite Whether this mighty chasm was
the work of creation, convulsion of nature,
or the gradual wearing of the water, we leave
for others to determine The latter seems
probable, as we are told that
"Water falling day by day
Wears the hardest rock away"
But at the beginning what wonderful lake
must have been above. More of Tallulah in
our neA'' H1LIocK.