Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-08-04
FROM THE MOUNTAINS.
Along the q. y. RaiIway-A Little In
nocent ShOOting-Fine Lands 10 be
Had Nhenp.


HUNTSVILLE, Tenn, July &c, 1875.
To the Editors Of the Chronicle.
A few desultory notes picked up in a
days jauut along the line of the rail-
way. We came first to the camps Of
VIM. II. Cox, who has some four or
five miles seven miles north of Wart-
burg. He is an experienced railroad
man, and is doing great deal of work,
while making very little noise about
it. He works both convict and free
labor. Next above his are the works
Of Cherry, O'Conner & Co. They have
a pretty heavy tunnel, but 1 do not
now remember the length of it. Next
above comes the contract of l.. b.
McCabe & Bro, which extends from
White Oak to Black Wolf, Creek.
They have one pretty heavy tunnel,
and several large fills. The fill at
Black Wolf is probably the highest in
Tennessee, on this line. AT Wolf we
left the railroad for a few miles, strik-
ing it again at New River.
1t being Sunday the darkies at New
River were INDUCING in little "in-
nocent" sport. Just before we arrived
Il few complimentary shots had been
exchanged, and one luckless wight
was tossed into the turbid waters of
New River. Just as we came up
on this side, half dozen men
rushed out of cabin and
tossed another into deep gully. As
we clambed the long hill on this side,
we heard few more shots, but did not
stop to investigate. Verify, New Riv-
er is gay and festive locality just
now.
This is Circuit Court day, in this
metropolis of Scott. This is the day
when the hardy yeomenTy gather from
the hills and dales, the mountains and
rocks, to have their tTi-annual allow
ance of justice ladled out to them.
The wheels of the judicial mill turn
steadily around, grinding out each
grist in turn. There seems to be sever
al little matters to settle letweeu the
State and various parties, though on
the whole, it is done amicably.
An affair has just TRANSFERRED on the
public square, which came near being
serious. A dispute arose between "a
citizen of the county, and the sheriff
of Fentress county, who is here on
some business. which terminated in
shot being fired by the citizen at the
Sheriff, though missing the maFk-cti-
zen then dealt Sheriff a heavy blow
over the head with the pistol, bringing
blood freely. The combatants were
then separated, and it is to be hoped
that the affair is quashed.
The crops are much injured in this
county by the heavy, continued, and
unprecedent rains. Ihave talked with
many of the citizens, and the verdict
is universal, that there will not be
more than half a crop. l passed sew
eral fields yesterday, that did not look
like they would make anything.
The land in Scott county is generally
good. There is not much of it level,
but q great portion of it lies well
enough so that it can be cultivated
quite easily. The land on all the west
ern slope of the mountains is both
rougher and more fertile than it is on
the eastearn slope. In the coves of
Fentress and Oyerton counties is some
of the richest land and finest timber |
have ever seen.
1t has always been a mystery to me
how the renting farmer of the eastern
counties can be content to pay the
enormous rents of that section, when
land that will produce just as well can
be bought outright here for what would
no. more than pay years rent there.
There are thousands of acres in
Knox, and other counties adjoining,
which are being held at from forty TO
ninety dollars per acre which will not
make more corn to the acre than thou
sands in Scott and Morgan counties
that can be bought at from two to
three dollars per acre. The man who
rents a Holston or Clinch bottom
farm, pays haLf rent, works hard,
takes the chances of flood; could buy
a small farm here with the price ofone
years rent.
The great trunk railway now being
through this section will
bring market right to the door. No
better climate is to be found in the |
No purer water runs out of
old mother earth. No more congenial
home for the apple, the pear and the
peach can be found. The flocks and !
herds are even now grazing upon a
thousand hills. A thousand mines of |
wealth in the future diaries, orchards |
and herds of this country are only |
waiting the appliances of energy and |
genius to pour out their beautiful
gifts.
1t is all nonsense to say you are afraid |
Df the land titles. You can get good |
titles if you will try. There are good |
titles to every foot of land in the noun |
Lains, and it can be found, if you will |
only have it Investigated. If you are |
pot willing to trust our open opinion |
Of title bring a lawyer with you, one
who understands his business, and |
will give you an honest opinion. Why |
go to the West, to give your scalp |
to wild Indians, and the fruit |
Of your labor to the all |
ievouring grasshopper, when right |
here at your very doors are such ad- !
vantages? The golden prospects of
the West dwindle down when you APP |
proach them. This distance casts a |
glamour over the reality.
"Tis distance lends enchantment to the
view,
And robes the mountain in its azure hue" |
The most of the acts of violence
about which we read as being perpe-