The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1883-08-30
a Marietta Citizen Writes.


EDS JoURNAL-To the health and pleasure
seekers OF the lower portions of South Atlantic
States Ashville is becoming more and more
place of resort for the summer and early Fall.
Just now and for weeks past, the town has
been full to overlooking of this class of persons,
to say nothing of those who here from all
parts of the country, North and West in pur-
suit OF mines and other speculative interests,
which are looming up in gigantic proportions,
all through this region l hear that every hO-
tel and every private boarding house are crowd
ed The population of the town proper, mum
bers between three end four thousand, and ls
delightfully."- situated ON q succession OF lrregu-
lary shaped hills, which swell away from the
narrow valley of the French Broad River on
the West until they are oyertopped by a very
high ridge called by the inhabitants of the place
| "Beaucatcher," and which partly encircles
Ashve on the East and North. From almost
every part Of the resident portion of the town,
you may have good view Of the surrounding
country TO the South ,and West. Ohe general
elevation above tide water being 20,250 feet,)
while from -pecisl points, upon which the
more opulent or aspiring of the inhabitants
have reared their homes, you are enabled to
take within your eye great sweep OF noun
| tain ridges and towering peaks. 10 the lover
| of the beautiful and the grand in nature, |
whole region OF surprising scenery, that com
| bines more OF the elements OF attraction and
qualification, than this extended and diversified
view. The ever varying play OF lights and
| shadows, which come and go with the con
stant!y moving fragments of summer clouds
above and the DELEGATE wreahs Of mist rising
up from the low lying cOves and valleys be
| meath hold ones mind and feelings, as WI b
sweet spell of ineXpIessble satisfaction aud re-
-. ia flaraf IN
my taste, he very best that could have been
selected In fact, do not now recollect in
iourneying from Morristown, Tenn. to Ash
Vile that any similar situation for town
could be found along the valley OF the French
Broad The River cuts its noisy way through
the mountains and cliffs, which peep close upon
it nearly all the distance from where the Rail
way enters 10 il below the WARN Springs"
till you reach Ashville. HeIe and there at in
tervaIs, indeed. there may be seen some narrow
strips of valley, but in the general no sufficient
space OF this character of land upon which to
build up a considerable town like Ashvllle
seems destined yet to be
am told that there is fine trade enjoyed
by the merchants doing business here That
in truth every branch OF industry and traffic is
in very fourshing condition. The tobacco
interest alone concentrated at Ashville ls some
thing wonderful when you consider that 1t has
only been few years since that article began
TO be grown in this part OF North Carolina. 1t
is said the crop OF last year, which has not yet
al come to market, was over two million
pounds. Two thirds of this, perhaps, Is dis
posed CT here 10 manufacturers and spectators.
The delicious weed raised in this section, it is
affirmed (by every one with whom L have
spoken upon the subject is regard ed as the
best raised in any part of the known world -
Ii excels not only in tineness of fibre, but also
and particularly in is brightness Ut color and
the softness and elasticity of leaf, making it
most desirable for wrapper" in tue manutso-
ture of cigars especially. The soil and climate
alike seems to be exactly adapted to the pl ant,
and the cultivation of it is therefore largely ON
the increase.
Other sources Of trade here, are found in
wheat and most kinds of grain, which are rails.
ed in much greater abundance than one would
suppose possible, from the general appearance
of the country. AS evidence OF the Hour
ishing state of business in Ashville, you are
pointed to the amount OF building now going
on in every direction OF the town and beyond
it's limit. As many as fifty or sixty houses OF
one kind and another are in course OF construe-
ton. You notice in passing along the main
street an astonishing activity on the part of
builders of store houses particularly. In some
places the much too narrow streets are almost
blocked by building material in the shape of
brick mortar and sand At times it is difficult
to drive out OF a slow walk, and even ~ su0h
pace, il requires the patience and skill OF the
driver to carry you safely through all obstruc-
lions Of the above character, and the many
others which are made by country negroes and
CARTS to say nothing OF the very large numbers
of carriages and buggies which at this season
are to be found moving through the streets,
and everywhere else about Ashyille occupied
- fTbaya y Cfluprailv an al
of cheerfuness upon the faces and N the con-
versston OF people here. That with absence
from the cares Of business at home, on the part
of visitors, and the delight OF having business
to do on the part of residents, together with
the tiue nvgOratlng atmosphere and charming
scenery, the people are apparently well salts
fed with life and life's affairs. Will 1t be be-
lieved after this statement that L counted
five drug stores on the main street of Ashville,
all appearing TO be doing a most thriving trade
in their line. Ii was difficult for me to credit
this evidence of my own eyes, when | remem
bered the reputation Ashvilie enjoyed a. q
place of health. But let me say that the
heavy part of the trade here ia in the sale OF
Soda and Mineral waters together with many
and various articles OF a fanciiu or useful char
scter appropriated to the toilet and ornamental
dressing table
There is much talk among visitors about get
ting homes here for the summer, and 1t would
not asonish me to hear of a considerable move
ment in this direction very soon. The atmOs-
phere is 50 dry and cool for the summer-the
mercury rarely going up beyond o2-that the
town must always BIZ place of attraction to
people who dread the heats fthe summer.
After all however, (leaving out Of view OF
course, the grand scenery l doubt If Ash
Vile surpasses Marietta place OF resort for
those whe may desire a pleasant and healthy
climate for the summer, and am quite certain
the latter place is to be preferred to the former
as q winter home.
SIP,