The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-08-17
Life Among Che Mountains of Western
North Carolina
HIGHLANDS. MACON CO., n: c.,

Aug. 10Th, 1876.
In nv last we had reached Horse Cove,
four miles from our destination. 1t was
thought advisable to halt here, till we could
look about and make arrangements for the
summer, in place where tie prospect OF
Accommodations was not encouraging. Horse
Cove is delightfully."- situated among the
mountains, and about one thousand feet
below the section of country designated as
Highlands It is neither city,village or town,
but a 'plaee,' of one house, which is also
Post Office The family is ex-rebel. we
were Hospitality entertajneG, and enjoyed
talking with those whose views were a sort OF
exponent of Southern views generally with
reference to political matters.
At this place we dismissed our teamster,
with the feeling that we were thereby sever
ing all our hold upon the outside living and
stirring world. My brother and l at once
started forth TO spy out the promised land.
We wound along the circuitous mountain
road, all the time ascending. with persplra-
ton freely oozing. At the top of the ridge
we found miserable log shanty, which we
concluded must long ago have been abandon
ed, but which afterward proved to be the
actual present residence of one of the earliest
settlers. A mile further brought us to q
small clearing, upon which was small
cottage meat, though implanted, and sugges-
tive of pioneer life. Further on we came to
another, less pretentious, which proved to be
the s'store'' and Post Office. Half mile
further was a shanty-with one room and one
window. Could these three houses, constitute
Highlands? A summers residence has fail
ed to discover anything else, save an aban-
doned log structure. composed chiefly OF
cracks, which is used for public purposes! 1t
used to be resort for drunken carousals,
but now fourishing Sunday School is held
there every Sabbath morning. Our hearts
began to droop at the prospect for the
Summer. Not house in Highlands, or for
ten miles In any direction which could COM
pare with even our old and dilapidated coun-
try homestead! And yet this country is
advertised as possessing rare attractions for
those seeking "homes, health, or pleasureP'
The remembrance Of Mark Tapley braced our
spirits, and we proceeded with our negota-
tions for board.
After considerable consultation it was
arranged that we be disposed of as follows
for the present. Our sister was to board at
the fret discovered cottage, the first in the
"town" on entering it from the east. The
room assigned was pleasant and comfortable.
Of course no one would mind bare rafters,
upholstered walls, bare floors or the lack OF
any other such appurtenances Of northern
civilization. The family was northern,
recently moved In. In fact, tie settlement
consisted of only twol There we've numer-
oas cabins, to be sure, scattered through the
mountains, bat our present reference is to
the ''town," and the immigration that has
taken place from the north, up to date.
We men folks were provided with accom-
modations at the other end of town, in the
shanty before referred to. Here we "toOk
rooms" Two beds were visible in the one
apartment of the structure. separated by
curtains. A small ladder led to loft where
was probobly another bed. The family now
consisted of six adults-ourhost and his wife,
two. carpenters who were working on the
foundations ola house to which the sbanty
was ultimately to be wing, and ourselves.
By economy Of space, we managed to get
our trunks inside. By retiring singIy, there
was space to turn around in behind the cur
tain. we could arise and prepare our toilets