The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-23
Natural Wonders of Giles County.

| From the montgomery MeSsenRerl
In order to understand well The cluster
OF mountains about the Salt Pond, the trav-
eller would have TO 20 on. passing the as.
cent for the present fourteen miles to Big
Stony creek. In this way he would take in
all that is needed for the comprehension OF
the group; besides, he would have the plea
sure OF passing over very interesting sec
ton OF this county. And one who has never
been at Giles Courthouse, which rests so
costly at the foot OF "AngePs Rest" must
have been struck with the view OF the
broad end OF the Big mountain that lies to-
ward the northeast and opposite to the
ANGELS Rest" with which it may have
once been united. It is this noun
tain, which you flank on your route, and
near Snyder's mill you have n capital view
of the deep gorge through which Little
Stony runs, and on this stream it Is, and
adjacent 10 it, that are found the objects
and scenes OF special interest in this whole
region. The stream, as to one OF its beads,
rises in the Mountain lake; as 10 the other
one, it finds its origin in the ridge that
yokes the Big mountain and the Salt pond
together. Blended thus, they run on in the
general northeast direction under the name
OF POTTS mountain. The "Cascade" is
on this Little Stony, in this very deep
gorge. The gorge is formed by the Doe
Creek mountain, spur OF the Salt
Pond, and the Big mountain, as 1t re-
curves by a grand detour, first from
Big to Little Stony, and then right back up
| the course Of the last-named stream. Tine
Cascade" is a little over three miles from
the "Lake Hotel" and | dismiss it, as it
has been so often described, by simply re-
stating that it is about ninety feet fall, aud
l lno rhaf f,f |
looked upon thirty years ago, in all its wild
state by nature, before the feIler's hand had
told upon its adjacent hemlock and pine,
and because 1 think there is another object
Of sight not FAR from it which completely
overshadows 1t in all that is wild, and terri
bic, and sublime.
On the side of the Big mountain, and
somewhat lower down the gorge and be-
vond the Cascade, there is a ledge OF rocks,
running athwart the mountain-a c0niinua-
ton of The same that forms the "Cascade -
and overlooking a broad and very deep
rayne, sc0oped out as ii from the top to
the bottom OF the mountain; known by
sight to only few OF the old hunters OF
the county; seldom il ever visited by those
who are content to 90 no further tnan the
Cascade-there in all its gloom and silence
unbroken save by the roar OF the waters as
they dash and tumble o'er the rocks and
falls of the "Slony" away deep, deep
beneath you. Barneys Falls, why so
called, my guide and worthy COM
panion (Moses) could not inform me. have
Stood often OH the highest Of the cliffs OF
New river-in Giles, Montgomery, and Pu-
laski-and nowhere have / seen preciplce
like TO this, or approaching 1t, In its terrible
depth sublime. No man can tell whose eye
| ,bof hni ioh nf
is accurately, 1t looked mile deep.
:. Imagination, cut loose from judgment
COOL" might not in its "delightful eXagge-
ratjons" be satisfied with even that low
figure. In fact, however, the depth may
be put down safely at 500 feet, and
probably more than that. | make this
statement as the only way by which l
could calculate the distance down. Moses
threw stone over the falls, aud when on
level with my eye, as judged, counted
rapIdly as high as eighteen before the sound
OF the stroke beneath came back TO tue ear.
II the time in falling was six seconds, then
l6A feet amount OF fall in one secondb
multiplied by square OF six seconds,
would give the space fallen through
$40 feet. / add, further, that the
poipt at which the stone struck the
ground was far above the bed Of the stream
az the bottom Of the rayine. The top OF
Barney's Falls can he reached on the side
OF the Little Meadow" by consenling TO
climb the Big mountain. This can be done
| without much difficulty. And to any one
| who would dare attempt 1t the sight OF this
.s wonderful spot in Gods creation" would
be the recompense for toll and danger OF
reaching ii.
Little Meadows" Is space OF hundreds
OF acres OF land, well wooded and well
watered, and OF good soil, enclosed by the
Salt pond, Doe creek, and Big mountain.
| Il has furnished the finest OF summer grazing
| for stock for little less than hundred years
| In the past, and already farming operations
have begun within its bounds, and see no
reason why II should not amply repay the
| laborer.
From Barney's Falls went on further
with my good guide TO the gIades ON the
broad expanse OF the Big mountain. The
glades are quite extensive, and, like the
sides OF the mountain which we had as
ceuded, seem TO be OF excellent soil. On
our way we passed the head OF the rayine--
la bed OF rocks, moss.covered, and rankest
growth OF ferns. After partaking OF lunch
and letting our horses Craze and rest, we
turned our course and rode back and reach
ed the Lake Hotel about an hour before
sunset. But not until | had seen the sun
set FROM the Bald Knob could l feel that
lmy days work was done. And then, and
not till then, did I" lay me down TO Sleep"
a nd haro I drop NV non n A M