Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-05-25
From walhalla to Edgefleld,

T
Walhalla, The mountain town, around whioh our
affections had entwined themselves 80 closely
and had grown stronger through tho six years
we called Il home It Was our first pastoral
charge, the church Of our first love, The place
where six OF the happiest years OF life had
glided away, undisturbed by any serious trouble,
marring their peace, upon which, looking back,
there fingers not one feeling Of regret or tinge
of bitterness. No wonder our feelings wero
stirred us we drove along It's streets for tho last
time, nor that We cast many "a longing, linger-
ing look behind" till it was hidden from view.
The fragrance of its friendships and hallowed
associations will linger in thought and be en-
bamed in memory whilo life lasts.
Our journey to Abbevillc, the home of our
childhood, was undisturbed by accident and
unmarked by incident. The farms along the
way all presented very much the samo appear
ance. Most of tho corn and cotton had been
planted and was very visible in the fields. Many
farmers had even worked much Of il tho first
time. We expected, as VIC journcyed down tho
country, to find the crops much in advance of
the Oconee farms, but could see very little differ
ence in this respect. Everywhere from WAL
halla to Edgcfeld fields Of grain greeted our
eyes. Perhaps thcro never was such on
amount of wheat, oats, barley, &c., sown in the
same region before. Seldom is seen such
favorable year for grain as this Consequently
The greatest yield Of small grain may bc ex-
pected in this section of the State ever recorded.
The planting of oats is perhaps tho wisest
pohcy yet adopted by the farmers of tho land.
Taking The state of the country at present. the
scarcity Of labor, liability of failure of corn on
up'Iands, in consequence Of drought, it seems
that planting oats will be attended with the best
returns, considering tho comparatively small
expense and trouble Of the oat crop and its less
liability to failure.
MY brother, who was once student Of Adgcr
College, showed me volunteer oats on his place
which are equal 10 the best yield of an ordinary
year. never would have suspected that they
were volunteer from their appearance and had
always thought that volunteer oats were almost
worthless. We measured somc of his wheat
and found it six feet tall in places. Ono field
Of new kind of corn he had ordered would
average over tho field from one 10 one and half
feet in height. and some carly corn in the gar
den had both tasscls and silks.
have always entertained tho opinion that IL
Is great mistake on the part of our young
men to go West or anywhere else for better
land. The industrious farmer can do rs we'll in
our own State, all things considered, as any
place in the world.
After lingering few days amid the scenes
and places go familiar and associated with
We again journeyed toward Edgeicld
Leaving our horse and buggy with my brother
foil fl,n
Augusta. Troy ism little town lS miles from
Greenwood and 45 from Augusta. Only II few
months ago there was nothing at Troy Ohcn
called Trckem) except blacksmith shop. Now
it contains half dozen stores and more in pro
gress of building, several nice new dwelling
houses and largo handsome Presby teran
Church.
The next station, once known as Dorn's Mine,
now called Mccormick, in honor Of the owner
OF the mine, is also building up rapidly. The
Augusta and Knoxville Road from this point to
Augusta lies very near the wagon road that
often travelled, when q boy, carrying cotton to
Augusta. This railroad is developing fine
section of country. At every station stores and
dwellings are being erected and tho whole
country seems TO assume an attitude of progress.
The development Of the country will be much
more rapid il the Atlantic and French Broad
Railroad becomes n reality. Beginning at
Aiken il will cross the Charlotte, Columbia
and Augusta Railroad at Trenton, (oncc called
Pine llousc,) pass through Edgcfield Court
House, cross the Augusta and Knoxville Rail
rond at Troy, thence by Abbevil.c c Court House,
Due West, Be'ton, Easlcy, Pickens Court House
and up the French Broad River to Knoxville,
Tennessee. This road is graded from Aiken to
Edgehcld Court House and from Troy to within
six miles OF Abbeville Court House y contract
made with Northern capitalists provides that the
road shall be turned over to them on condition
they begin work by September 1882, and COM
plcte SO miles every six months.
Still another railroad is projected through
part of this same section Of country, known as
The Savannah Valley Road. extending from An.
derson to the Augusta and Knoxville Railroad
at Dorn's Mine. 1t is the opinion of the
thoughtful men Of the country that the route
will be slightly changed and that it will strike
the a. & X. Il. II. at Troy instead of Dorn's
Mine. II is thought that Anderson c ourt House
will look better to her interests than allow the
Savannah Valley Road run to Dorns, when by
striking tho same road at Troy, only six miles
higher up, Anderson will have choice of the
Augusta or Charleston market by using either
the road TO Augusta or from Troy TO Charleston
via Aiken. 1t is to be hoped that our country
will soon enjoy the advantages of all these roads
We reached Augusta about twilight and could
ensily see that great changes had taken place
since last VIC visited this city. Where once stood
tho powder mills now stand thc famons blov
mills and other extensive factories. Augusta is
fast becoming The leading manufacturing city Of
the South. After spending tho night in the