The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-07-17
PUREEY CREEK.

dle-a. cd people, that the volume of wa
ter continuously contained within the
banks of the now little stream which
meanders through Morristown was much
greater than now. Well, there is good
reason for the difference. The main
source of Turkey Greek is on the farm
of Abram Rowe, just two miles from the
postofice. 1t is spring of considerable
dimensions. In close proximity to it.,
other springs ooZe out of the ground
and help to swell the main rivnlet. So
numerous are the springs that before
the parent water has run mile the
stream is quite stable, and gathers
force all along its course till it loses it
self in the Holston river some four miles
from the post0ffice, making its length
about six miles.
1t is also within the memory of these
same citizens when there were nu-
merous springs emptying into the
creek that are now entirely drv-some
dry part of the year. known as "wet
weather springs" and others are totally
dried up. We are told that there was
once a good spring where G. d. Mer-
rift s. Co.'s new grist mill now stands,
and the spots have been pointed out to
us where now the water makes neither
ing too much to assert, that Turkey
Greek once received the addition of a
dozen considerable springs which are
now entirely 'faded out" Hence the
scarcity of water where there was a
more considerable stream.
Mary years ago the water was six OF
seven feet deep in places, above the
post office, and g0Od-sized fish-fsh fiji
for the tableware caught by anglers.
Now only minnows are seen in it.
Below the postoffice, the volume OF
water is sufficient to run considerable
machinery. The stone saw and corn
mill of DR.. M. Carriger are propelled by
the water of Turkey Creek near town.
Further down, the grist-mill of John
Baker is propelled by it, and still furth-
er down W. II. Lane has considerable
machinery moved by it, including a
carding machine, together with Will
liam's saw mill. AS the stream length
ems, it is enlarged by several springs, the
water from which falls into 1t.
The water of all these springs are ex-
cellent for drinking and culinary pur-
poses. The stream is useful, also, for
watering stock.
Thus 1t will be seen that Turkey
Creek, inconsiderabie as 1t is, is a
stream of very great value, and we
doubt whether it is appreciated at its
true value. Let it dry up, entirely,
only for one day, and people would be
set to thinking of its 'inestimable value
Suppose it should dry up, as it GER
tainly will if each and all the springs
which supply it withhold their contri
buttons.
Now, have we brought the readers
mind to silently inquire Really, is
there any danger that Turkey Crock
aCiU dry up9 We answer, unhesitating-
ly-yes ! Why? Because the same
causes arc at work which have caused
many other streams to become dry. So
long as the hills and vallies at a dis
lance from and contiguous to this
stream were covered with forests the
springs would continue increasingly to
flow, but as soon as the forests were de-
stroyed the land was opened to the dry
ing influences of the sun. Hence, the
ceasing to flow of so many springs :;
hence, the small volume of water now
moving through the channel in com
parison to what flowed in it thirty years
ago.
Much of the land along the head wa
tiers of Turkey Creek, has been cleared
off, and the land cultivated till it is
worn out, and is now almost valueless.
1t cannot be put to better use than to
be planted in forest trees, that damp
ness to the soil may be renewed and
springs gush forth afresh.
In the immediate years past Persia
has suffered with a terrible famine
Her people have died from starvation,
till the country is more than decimated
portions OF China, and hundreds of
thousands have already died for want of
food, and other thousands and tens OF
thousands are destined to meet like
terrible death. Whyg Because the
forests have been cleared off, and in
consequence, the land dries up and
refuses to furnish her usual increase.
And we, here in America, here in East
Tennessee, are initiating the improvi-
denee of those countries which were
old, in the days when Christ was ON
earth. ......
We, here in East Tennessee, would do
well to cease the destruction of our for
ests. We would do better to let the
waste places grow up with forests, that
there may be no famine of water and
products of the earth in years to come.
We would do still better to manure and
cultivate more highly less acres and
draw from them more food than we
now do. 1t can be done il should be
done let it be done.
The subject is, by no means, exhaus-
ted. But we have furnished food to
the thoughtful.
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The Washington Post does not seem
To think that the Grant movement