Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-06-13
"A TRIP OVER THHE BLUE
RIDGE.

RIDGE.
Neville te Hollemams MiN-!Stunphousc Noun
tain CAanga Creek 1VActstone Mountain--
An Indian Trading Point- Chatnga Rircr-
<Bald Mountain-1 Var IPoman-l,dian Story
Fowler's Moantaim-Smdsh Wagon Ford
N,l Aqucduct- Ifountain- Clayton
Ra6um Gap-7ennesscc Rircr aud Tallcy--
1rriual at j. NJ Ncvilcs-RaJm Gap High
School-Eramination Of Siudents--d0iress of
lYm. G.. NcviNc-C Contest for IMedal-0 0conec
Carries OF the Prizs-Adarcss of Dr. Carlton
- Valedictorics- -Homemara Bound, SC.
On Wednesday morning, June 9th, 1878,
bright and early, a party of gentlemen, con-
sisting Of J. Il. Neville, Dr. John Tholc, Wm
G. Neville and tho writer, left tho beautiful
town Of Walhala for the moro picturesque ana
delightful region beyond tho Blue Ridge or
Rabun Gap.
The first place that attracted our attention was
the much improved and business like appearance
Of Neville s. lIollcmans mills, together with
their storo- house, blacksmith shop, &c. These
gentlemen seem and no doubt arc doing
thriving business in their limo. We were fa-
voratly impressed with the appearance Of things
around here, giving evidence that these gentle
men havo energy and determination md were
evidently on tho road to success and fortune.
A cotton factory at this point is ono Of the
probabilities ut no distant day. Before leaving
this point friend llollcman gave us gentle
hint about our linen dustcr, and predicted that
it would not bo healthy for our scalp 10 appear
among tho Rabunitcs in such costume. We
wore it, however, clear through and back, and
received no injury TO person or limb
AS We moved along, Poor Mountain and Rich
Mountain presented themselves 10 our view on
tho left The names Of these mountains indi-
cate tho degree Of Importance That may be at
tachcd to each.
Stumphousc Mountain lay directly on our
route, and over which We had to pass. In going
up this mountain wo cross the headwatcrs of
Conneross Creek, whicl, heads about tho Tunnel,
and is quito small where tho public road crosses
1t. Some fino scenery met the eye in passing
along this portion of our journey. Every now
and tken VIC would behold q deep valley or
mountain gorge, while here and there We could
SEQ and hear tho noiso of the ripplihg brooks us
they poured over some cascade or waterfall.
On reaching tho top Of The mountain We met
Captain Robins and Mr.. Crisp, who were on
: their way TO Walhala with q wagon load Of
corn. After spending few moments in plea
SAINT conversation with these gentlemen, sending
message back to our friends in W., we badc
them goodbye, and were on our way again to
our destination.
Our next point of interest was on reaching
and passing over Chauga Creek. This is
mountain stream, having its beautiful falls and
cascades, and largo enough to run any kind of
machinery for manufacturing purposes. Below
the road short distance is place called the
"Narrows," where the waters of this creek arc
confined in q narrow rock channel about three
feet wide. OF course tho water at this point
runs with great rapidity and force.
After ascending the Chauga hills on the other
side, VIC soon came in view Of Milestone Noun
tain, which lay to our left at no great distance
At the foot of this mountain ran MILESTONE
Creek, upon whose waters VIC noticed some fine
bottom lands, which were planted in corn. The
corn was young, but looked we'll. Beyond the
creek was the commodious residence Of Captain
Robins, who, we arc told, was among tho first
settlers Of this region. In about Three or four
hundred yards of this point was the beautiful
and pleasant homo Of Mr.. Clinton Tacham.
lie has also n valuable farm on Milestone
Creek. We stopped here for few moments,
and were warmly received by Mrs Tactham,
who knew us we'll in our boyhooi days. We
made the acquaintance here Of Mr.. Swcpson,
who is said to be tho possessor Of 250, 900 acres
, of lind in South Carolina and North Cnrolinn
This gentleman, VIC bolicvo, owns largo body
of land in the ncighborhood of Seneca City.
We also met here Mr.. Munday and his accom-
plished daughter, of Macon County, North Ca
rolina.
About one mile from Mr.. Taetham's We passed
an old Indian trading post, known MS Earles
Store Forty 6ve or fifty years have passed
away since the Red Man Of these mountain
forests brought his furs and skins to this point
to give in exchange for beads, whiskcy, powder
and other trinkets which pleased his fancy.
His footprints have long since boon obliterated
by tho rayages Of time.
Three miles beyond this point wo reach tho
Chatuga River, the dividing limo between South
Carolina and Georgia. From tho top Of the
hill on this side Of tho river wo had magn;f-
cent view Of Bald Mountain which, roso up
majestioally and grandiy in front and to tho
Right Of us. This mountain has an altitude Of
IA, ,7r8 feet. Fdrdng the river we wero On
Georgia soil and among tho Rabunites. Tho
yOhatuga River at this point is quito body Of
water, and Is ono of the streams which helps TO
form tho Tugaloo River.