Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-07-25


falling rocks, The mountain beihE OF
granite formation, impervious to the
attacks of water. Furthermore, the
same action of water exists among ths
numerous adjacent peaks and noun
tains without an instance of sitiiilar
nature, slides sometimes occurring,
but no deep fissutes ofinternal caving.
THE MOUNTAIN SIDE.
After leaving The cave tue fssure
higher up was examined. Little in
crease OF size or depth was noticeable,
but some FIVE feet a6tfe d new crack
was seen, leading off obliquely from
the old. The correct dimensions of
this fissure have never yet been given
or its appearance correctly described.
Ii extends along the mountain. almost
at tue top, for over three hundred feet
In sonthe lstcrly course. then turn
ing to the south and endiiig abruptly
at solid granite formation without d
covering Of earth, a hundred feet fur
ther- The surface opening is from
two to six feet wide. 1t is entered
through two funnel shaped holes, and
extends downward in some places
seventy feet. The sides are of gray
granite, with nowhere greater width
than eight feet. This portion of the
mountain seems to he preparing for a
big slide, no evidences existing of an
inward caving. New cracks are dis
covered almost every week, running
through sections OF solid grani'e and
q rent will be made in The course OF
time dividing this end OF Bald Noun
tain in twain.
THE LADY OF THE CAVE,
The widow Bracket, who, with
seven daughters, inhabits shall
hut within 800 yards 81, the cave.
upon being Interviewed; said slie
could hear the rocks tumbiing in
side the cave every day or two
That sixteen days ago she heard an
awful numbering sound which
alarmed her dreadfhlly at the time,
but being succeeded by only q few
lesser noises she concluded that il
WAS only cave in and the Garyer
gone, so Intends living on the mcuh-
tain side.
COUNTY LINES.
The major part OF Bald Mountain
is in Mcdowell county. The cave
is in Rutherford, four miles from
the dividing line of the two count
les. Broad River (not the French
Broad, as has often been uiisrepre-
sented), Immediately at the foot OF
its Rutherford termination; continu-
ing down by Columbia; S. g.,
forming, with the Watee, the San
tee Eifer. The French Broad has
its source in Pennsylvania cotnty,
N. c., flows bv Asheville, through
Bnncombe and Madison counties,
and empties into Nolachucky Ri
yer, N Cooke county, Tenn.
CHIMNEY Rott.
On the banks of the Broad half
mile sonth of Bald Mountain is
the celebrated Chimney Rock; ris-
ing up 1900 teet into the air: 4
large swarm of bees tetiant its top
in such numbers that they make a
shadow visible Way down below.
sometimes in spring. The rock is
inaccessible but could the ascent
/ be made the daring advcnturel
would be instantly stung TO death,
so they work on year after year un
disturbed by man
WIDOW MURPHY RETICENT.
The northwest side of the noun
tain IS where the eruption was
threatened four years ago. Hero
lives the widow Murphy; who hao
, new set Of colored plates broker
by the jar. The widow was for
merly very loquacious concerning
the "big shake," as she terms it
but is now very unconhunicativ,
> and says that New York reporter
r told too many lies to be trusted wit
. airy news or infornanoti.
L MOUNTAINS SERMON.
Little excitement is manifested b,
J the people living alongside ard be
low the mountain Four years ag
:, the surrounding lands could hav
= been purchased for twenty-f3
0 cents an acre, but now only thei
: full valuation price can buy them
: Even the preacher who ran fror
: his church at the ftiltii!inefIt of hi
II PRAYER for F'the mountain to shak
e until every sinner in the county re
4 pented" has returned, living With
Il mile Uf Iris forf!ler residence. II
,, has too much respect tor ''Ol
h Badly" TO come any nearer:
Ii On top of the mountain is & rid
# stone pulpit where preaching use
e TO be attended in tke open air, bt
} the place is no longer used tor tina
{, purpose, why it is needless to cx
- plain:
g a wotflafi will face a ftownih
It yS;orltf aud cline. to the man she toye