Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-08-17


of 80 miles from Bristol, before sunset,
and were assigned comfortable quarters
and furnished really good fare by Mr..
VIM. Speer, whose good lady spared no
pains to make us happy. There on
narrow bench, between mountain and
river, we slept, while serenaded by
countless catydids, 10 be aroused next
morning by the arrival Of Mr.. James
party, who had travelled most of the
night to join us. Prof. Smiths party
had driven 4 mile farther to Thomas.
where we joined them next morning for
the drive to
THE TUNNEL,
where we arrived at ten o'clock. The
tunnel Is made by the passage of Stock
Creek, tributary of the Clinch, in its
passage through the Samesc connection
Of the two hills that form its borders.--
The hills along either side of the creek
are perhaps 1000 feet high, and are con-
nected by hill running squarely across
from one to the other. Through this
cross connection runs II mass of magne-
sian limestone that constitutes four-tifths
of its mass. On top is a good growth Of
forest timber, and it serves as the basis
Of a good country road. BY means Of
| the tunnel Stock Creek has an unnter-
! rupted passage beneath it. The entrance
from above Is quite abrupt and immense
ly picturesque. Large stones have fall
len from the walls giving it an immense
ly rustic appearance. The upper end is
the more beautiful, but the lower, or
southern end Is far the more grand and
imposing Directly over the arch Of the
tunnel the wall with its entablature of
cedars and vines rises over 400 feet
OF this height the tunnel itself com
prises about 100 feet, having 300 feet or
more of the wall above the arch Of the
tunnel. This wall continues down each
bank of the creek some 400 feet or more.
The height is well maintained in splen-
did continuity on the North side, but on
the South side, while the continuity is
somewhat broken, the wall reaches an
elevation Of 700 feet. The tunnel itself
Is about 100 feet wide and about 1898 feet
in length. On entering it the creek
runs for one-third Of the distananCG In Il
direction S. $. W., then making an an
gle to s. s. j.. for another third makes
the remaining third on line parallel to
the first one. SO there are two angles
in Il. Near It's centre there Is Il consid-
cradle loss Of elevation, say Of ouc-half.
Within the lower end, say 100 feet, there
is dome Of great height and singular
regularity. One lovely feature Of this
wonderful work is that It remains I'M
mutiated. All about IL stand the uncut
forest growth. The mark Of the axe
man IL scarcely visible except rs to II
few stumps on top Of the wall to show
that some adventurous native has In
dulgcd in the excitement and peril of
falling tree into the fearful abyss be-
low. The passage Of the tunnel Ia easy
enough on foot, except ms TO the upper
end where large masses Of sharp, mgu-
lar stones lie in confused heaps. On the
occasion of this visit there was no stream
whatever IN the tunnel--N rather rare
occurrence. Ordinarily the stream Is
one of considerable size and force, but
was observed that the greatly reduced
volume of water sank some 300 feet
above the tunnel and appeared no more
until some 800 feet below its southern
end. A cessation Of the present drought
will put again II fine volume of water In
the channel
Prof. Smith succeeded In getting five
good views of as many different portions
of this wonderful mural Of Natures
rnrrst architecture. II cannot be had In
enc view, or even two. Its proportions
arc 10 great II must bc seen, studied and
skctchod by sections. In the canyon
near the northern entrance, IN u spot
shaded by hemlocke, embroidered by
laurel, aud ornumented with lichens,
ferns and VINES IN b0undlcss variety and
profusion our party had iis picnic. hr'
Spear had followed on and added to on
rcpast pot Of superb coffee boiled on
the SPOT. 10 edo" the tunnel was n
huge undertaking from which no one,
even Of the Indies shunk, and our lunch
baskets were In great demand at the
hour uf T.. NJ At0P NJ the party
made for Spccr's Ferry and Thomas
aud had nights glorious sctrnndc from
the for flca aud cntydlds that seemed to
have come from all the hills Of S"ott TO
o,rrpowrr us with slumbcr by the mo-
polony and volume Of their music.
FHdny Morning found rs tolling,
bounding humping up 1lonblcsomc on
our way 10 Esllllylllc, where We palisc
long enough to gct n good photograph
Of Mr. Ayers pIcturesqc residence on
| ia ClInch mountain pronontory. Pass
lng through the dcflc Of Moccnsin Gap
Prof Smith took a splendid picture OF
that splendid landscape. These pictures
rnn bc hnd ofProf Smith 1t hls gallery
or nj The Nars office. The large portion
OF our party returned Via Mendoza and
! Woll Run, spending the night 1T the
hospllablc residences Of MIR. Solomon
sproles aud Esq. joel kaylor, and NJ
A. "A A git,ttpv's hnttl. Tho falls oI