Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-08-21
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE

1
healthfulhess, conservatism and a law
abiding spirit. Its charter was re-
pealed by the legislature last winter
In order to enable the schools here to
close up the whisky shops. The only
two groggeries in the place had license
for several months ahead and are
still open, but must do a small bust
ness. A drunken or tipsy man is not
seen on the streets once in a week.
The moral elements of the community
are In the ascendancy and exercise
healthy control. On county court
day, when it had been advertised that
ALI Taylor and others would speak on
the 5O-4 proposition, there was very
large crowd in town, representing
every civil district in Hawkins coun.
ty, yet not drunken man was to
be seen. This speaks we'll for the
town and country around and made a
very favorable impression upon the
Memphis refugees.
The situation of Rogersville is ex-
ceedingly picturesque and romantic.
1t is built between two lofty ranges of
hills, running almost east and west,
but inclining to the northeast and
southwest. The valley, which is a
continuation Of the Newmarket valley
below, is rich, well cultivated. and
the abode of prosperous and intelli-
gent population. From any of the
neighboring hills there are splendid
views. The best perhaps is obtained
at Tuggles Hill, from the crest of
which may be seen Newmarket and
holston river valleys, the Clinch.
Cumberland and Bays mountains; and
In the dim distance, like faint dawn
ing mirage, the lofty ranges of the
Smoky, Unaka and Chilhowee noun
talns, are always visible on a clear
day, but never distinct. A trace of
pale blue smoke always rests upon
these mountains, partly concealing
them from the distant beholder as if
to invite nearer approach to their
rugged grandeur and vast propor-
tions. The painter, the poet, the
dreamer, the lover Of harmonious ef-
tects, happy blendings and the beauti
ful In nature may here feast his eyes
and his soul upon as charming a piano.
rama as heart could wish. This point
is often visited and the view to be had
is we'll worth the weary ascent. There
are other features of interest in the
vicinity, among them bold. rugged
rocky prominence, POLITICALLY named
by some early settler the DEVILS
Nose. There is surely something in
name, for this one draws we'll. HIS
majesty below doubtless feels fat
tered at the number of Memphis peo-
pie who have blistered their feet, lac
Grated their hands, torn their clothes
and sunburned their faces in climbing
up rocky steep in broiling hot wealth
er to win the privilege and enjoy the
distinction Of setting for a few sultry
moments astride of the old gentle
mans proboscis. The Nose seems to
enjoy 1t whether they do or not, and
evidently gets the best of the bargain.
No one goes up the second time. Then
there is the ebbing and flowing spring,
a real curiosity, the Epson and Sui
phur Springs, the marble quarries and
the big cave in their vicinity, and other
attractions in the neighborhood. 1t is
only five miles across the mountain to
Hale Springs, place for which nature
has done so much ard man so little
comparatively, 1t has been in litiga-
tion, but is to be sold out this month.
and if it falls into the right hands can
be made great resort-equal to any
in the South. 1t is kept we'll enough,
but the improvements are inadequate
for the wants and tastes of big crowd
of such people as are in the habit ofI
going to watering places. With all
these attractions there is a dearth of
amusements or excitement. The event
of the day is the arrival of the 7:45
pm. train from the Rogersyille juno
tion, l6 miles distant. This connects
with the up train from Knoxville and
brings the Knoxville papers of that
morning, and Memphis papers two
days old. That is to say, tbs Memphis
papers of Wednesday get into the
hands of the readers here about 8
o'clock Friday night, The LEDGER,
therefore, always contains the latest
news direct through the mails,
We came very near having % item
of news The other day. Two county |
officials got into 2 controversy on
the street and one Of them in
troduced a pistol to strengthen his
argument. He fred it twice in play
tul manner, and although only three
feet from his opponent, missed him
entirely Tbe other retreated until
he could get out his gun; outsiders
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