Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-03-26
For the OXFORD DEMOCRAT.
Letter from the South.
BUNcoMBE Co n. G.
March IL, 1878.

| haiOn IL 1910.
Dear Democrat Thinking the "OI.
ford Bears" OF my native State may be
interested in letter from this portion OF
the sunny South" your correspondent
will endeavor TO write his impressions.
Having in early life lived several years
among the grand old hills OF Oxford
county, q love for the "high places OF the
earth" was developed which causes the
beauties OF this region to be fully ap.
precis'ed.
The "Old North State" has till recently
been known chiefly as the headquarters
OF "tsr, pitch, and turpentine." Now,
however. her fine climate, rich soil, and
varied productions, are attracting the at
tention of the immigrant, the tourist, and
the health-seeker to which last class
belongs the writer.
Speaking OF tar reminds me of little
story" as President Lincoln used TO say.
In the late war the North Csrolinians
were nicknamed "the tar heels" by the
Georgisns. In one Of the battles q brig.
ade OF the Georgia troops were driven
back by our boys in blue. But brigade
of North Csrolinians held their ground
and afterwards retorted on their neigh
bors that they ought TO haze had some tar
on their heels, so they could have stuck.
Much has been written in praise OF this
mountain region, lying between the Blue
Ridge and the Alleghsnys. Often called
1.-The Switzerland of America" 1t earns
its title by it's lofty. often precipltous
peaks, score or so of which are the
highest found east Of the Rocky Noun
tsins. The elevation OF the valleys
ranges from 1000 to 1000 feet. giving
pure, wonderfully invigoratng air, and
temperiug the sultry southern sun, 80
that at Asheville. 225o feet above the sea
level, the thermometer has reached SO
deg. but three times in ten years, while
The nights in the hottest weather are cool
enough to make blanket welcome.
Down the mountain sides, which are
nearly all heavily wooded, rush in every
direction streams OF pure. sparkling
water, fed by millions OF cool springs.
These afford constant music to the ear
and thousands of fine mill-sltes yet to be
utilized. From being 80 far south. yege-
tation has an almost tropical luxuriance.
Gigantic trees OF black walnut, wild
cherry, chestnut, poplar, &C., are found
in the rich valleys; while on the noun
tain tops. hid by huge balsam frs, is
found deep, black mould, ia which Q
horse will sink to bis fetlock. On the
sides are found nearly all the varieties OF
timber known in the North and West;-
among them the moo ntsin birch, or ma
hogsny." most beautiful ornamental
cabinet wood. In fact, the woods Of
Maine seem reproduced in some OF these
high mountain "coves;" for here We
End the hemlock, beech, rock maple,
white pine, &c. One peculiarly, how
ever, is 10 be noticed: while the white
pine is nearly as hard as our spruce, the
hemlcck is softer, and less hinty than
with US ct the North.
While the air and water are health
giving, the wild and romantic scenery Is
enough to divert the mind of the most
confirmed invalid from his own ills, as
riding or walking his eyes feast on the
wonderful works of God. The limits OF
one letter admit Of but hasty glance as
different points, bit enough has been
hinted al TO show why this American
Switzerland" is attracting so much atten-
ton as health resort.
One word as to the people. Good old
Bishop Heber, in his Missionary Hymn
describes the lands
"where every prospect pleases, and only man
is vile"
This we'll applies here, except that man
is no viler than with us. Northerners
receive courteous treatment, and find
quite as much true politeness among
these mountaineers as at home. But
their farming seems terribly "slack" to
us, owing no doubt, to the influence OF
the peculiar institution Still. here
and there thrifty farmer is found. with
one of whom your correspondent is
boarding. The low price of farm produce
gives little encouragement to raise good
crops. For instance, the best steak (but
tough) sells for and 6 cts. pound, By
the slice; eggs are now cts. per doz.;
apples % to so cts. per bushel. &c. But
two railroads will probably reach here In
q year or so, and make better market.
These low prices make board on the
farms, away from the larger towns. very
cheap, 500 per month being the aver.
age These prices enable the poor in
valid to avail himself of Natures tonic.-
pure mountain air. DRIao.
That's WHAT'S the Matter.