The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-09
Mount Mitchell.

Mount Mitchell.
HOW THE HIGHEST PEAKIN NORTH oA"ohiS .',,
GOT ITS YAxp-srupIEs or LIFE ANoso
VERY PRIMITIVE PEOPLE, RosAsch oS
BOTH SIDES Op THE OCEAN.
A Black Mountain correspondent o. 'he
Philadelphia Press writes: NOUN m a,.a
ell. the highest peak Of Black Mountains
is 400 feet higher than Mount Wasn.E
ton; In fact, II is the highest point OF .ne
whole Appalachian range. Mitchen, tne
surveyor, for whom II was nalheu'
lost his life by falling over o
precipice while wandering on Tue
mountain after nigbtfall. When he
was found dead the following day
il was proposed to bury him where he Jay,
but an old mountaineer objecting that MS
spirit would not rest well In the valley,
they wrapped his body in a blanket ana
bore il 10 the summit Of the famous peak
that will bear his name forever. Every
visitor TO this spot carries stone TO place
upon the grave, thus helping TO puilu Ills
monument.
Living on these mountains are people
who never saw wagon or wheeled vehicle
Of any kind. Bridle-paths lead to their
homes, and all they know OF the world is
contained within an area OF few miles.
There IL an old mountaineer In this vicinity
who is living on the farm where he was
born. For a hundred years MS ancestors
have titled the same soil. The reward OF
this century Of toll Is fifty acres OF cleared
land. Lighthouse now sadly out OF repair
smoke-house, nine apple-trees, ana one
grapevine.
One OF Raphael's cherubs walked in this
morning as we sat at breakfast. His lace
was almost angelic-eyes as blue as yiolets,
regular features. exquisite complexion. and
HOMEGROWN hair. lie said he come
"ter borrer two quarts o Indy meal.
lIe was twelve years old and could scarcely
read. having attended school but three
months. He said he never expected TO go
again
The Young ladies spend their leisure
moments i'm making ornaments OF mlca.
The mica is cut into numerous oval or
square pieces. which, after being frlnged
with the scissors. are sewed on paSteboard
crosses or frames. The effect Is quite daZ-
cling.
There is woman near here that has
made blackberrying paw. Her husband
started out with her one afternoon IN search
OF berries, but soon becoming tired, he
stretched himself in the shade OF the BUSH
es and fell asleep. His wife continuing the
iruit-picking, was soon attracted bya large
piece Of mica lying on the ground beside
her. Waking her sleepy lord she told
him she believed she had found a
mica mine: but he only laughed at her and
turned over to take another nap. The
next day the woman took a pick and
shovel, and. returning TO the spot, sue
ceeded in uncoyering a fine vein OF mica,
! from which they realized S2O.OOO. rms
woman formerly dug ginseng in order To
| furnish her husband with money to buy
tobacco. He chews the finest cut now.
A wcl-known artist. who l. making
| sketches OF primitive life in the Black
Mountains. has hard work persuadlng the
natives TO "pose" for him. One day he
came across picturesque LIGHTHOUSE, with
loom and spinning-wheel upon the porch :;
| but the fair spinner objected to being
sketched. She said she was IN orphan and
had no friends, and didn't want TO be put
| in" However. Il silver dollar oyercame
her scruples.
Black Mountain station, which consists
OF a small hotel and little else 10 speak OF,
has been the scene OF romance such as no
summer resort need be ashamed OF. II Is
an old and threadbare plot in novels, but
one unusual in real life. Last spring a
Young lady from the North came down
here for her health. Ii so happened that
her photograph was sent to friends in
England and there met the eyes OF a young
EngliShman, who exclaimed, " IL that girl
is as good as she looks | should like to
| marry her."
Coming TO America, he, too, sought the
sunny South for his health also, and here
in the mountains of North Carolina. among
these primitive people. the aristocratic Eng
lishman met the young lady whose face he
had so admired. Novel like, it was love at
first sight. Nor was the city girl daunted
ut the prospect OF becoming farmers
wife; for her lover proposed that they settle
upon small farm in this Self-samc county.
Surprised at the gift OF magnificent
diamond ring, she thought il necessary to
begin Caudle lectures at once, for surely
such jewels were quite beyond their means.
Finally came the confession that has so
often trembled on the lips OF the heroes OF
yellOw-coyered novels. That he might first
gam her love he had deceived her. He
was worth SG00,000. few weeks ago the
minister rode over from his home, twenty
five miles away. and the romance ended
with quiet morning wedding.