Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-11-10
The Yosemite Valley of tue
South.
Southern World,

The section of the country lying
between the Air Line junction on the
Atlanta and Charlotte division of the
Richmond and DanvilIe railroad,
seventy eight miles from Atlanta, Ca,
and the city of Knoxville, Tenn, is
comparatively an unknown land to the
great body OF the people. Those who
have travelled through it pronounce it
unsurpassed by the Yosemite valley
of California. Here is a region Of iu-
tense picturesQueness, where lofty
mountains cast their shadows over
fertile valleys and winding streams
laugh their way onward to the ocean.
Two parallel chains Of mountainsinter-
est it. The Smoky mountains and the
Blue Ridge, with heavy cross chains
forming the highest peaks found from
the st. Lawrence to the Cult, and ex.
hibiting the grandest view OF topo
graphical features to be e any
where in an equal area. Diversified
with mountains separated by streams
which have carved out in their tor
tuous course, wide valleys and plat.
eaus, with areas in many places COW
ering several square miles of arabic
lands, at attitudes varying from 1000
70 1000 feet above the level of the
sea. Passing from one table land to
another, the streams usually descend
the deep gorges and canyons by pre-.
cipitous inclines, presenting in small
streams beautiful cascades, and in
those of greater magnitude terrific
falls, which unite with the Tennessee.
The boundary lines Of the States of
South Carolina, North Carolina, Geor-
gia and Tennessee all run through the
territory to be penetrated by a rail-
road to be called the Rabun GAP
Short Line. This line commences at
the boundary line between Georgia
and North Carolina at what is locally
known as Locust Sake on the western
bank Of the headwaters OF the Little
Tennessee. The survey Of the route
follows the beautiful valley Of the
Little Tennessee, which is clearly
designated by nature, to within the
Cowee range of mountains on the east
and Nantahala mountains on the west.
Cutting the Smoky mountains at the
Tennessee line the survey leaves the
river and DIVORCES TO the right over a
rolling country to Maryville, Tenn j.,
where it connects with the Knoxville
and Augusta railroad. The North
eastern railroad of Georgia is being
extended to Rabun Gap SO as to com.
plete the link in this route, leaving
the Air Line road at the junction,
seventy eight miles from Atlanta.
The completed line will afford the
traveller an abundant view of the
attractions Of the country. 1t either
crosses or runs close TO Mallulah,
Nantahals, Valley, Tuckasagee, Cul.
lassja. and Little Tennessee rivers,
and either crosses or is in full view of
Mulberry, COweta, Crossway, Skeena.
Cahroogaha, Rocky Branch, Iotla,
Uowee, Tabor's Mill, Alarka, Stecoe,
Chambers, Aquahnetta, Hazel, Eagle,
Twenty Mile, ChecOe, Yellowhammer.
Stick Rock, Rabbit, Tallassa Mill,
Corners, Abrams and Citico creeks.
Near this line are the famous Tai
lulah falls, Stekoah falls, Estatoe
falls, and others whose names we do
not call to mind. At one place,
within twenty feet Of the survey is a
perpendicular rock, 100 feet high.
At another point is an Indian mound
which was.once the center Of the old
Cowee Indian town. The only tun-
mel is at Indian GAP, 7l8 feet long,
l97 leet high. She altitude of the line
is 2l44 feet, The country abound 10
metals and ores, and vast tracts o.
valuable timber, such as black wal
nut, chestnut, yellow poplar, locust,
and buckeye, which grows to a large
size. Here the timber mines and
water power are close together, and
the transportation facilities will
largely develop this whole country
Tallulah will be the Saratoga OF the
South. Everything is tending in that
direction.
To show the importance Of this lin,
we give the following table Of dis.
t%ances, made by a distinguished engin
eer:
Cincinnati to Emory Gap, 25I
> miles.
Cincinnati to Knoxville, 296 miles
Knoxville TO Toccoo, 1853 miles.
@ToccoA to Aususts, LIB miles.
Augusta TO Charleston, l37 miles
Cincinnati TO Toccoa 459, 10 Au
} gusta 575, TO Charleston I'll. Viz
Elberton Air Line.
Cincinnati TO Lulu, 473 miles.