The National tribune., 1885-07-09
"THE OLD NORTH STATE"
A Grand Place for Homes for Veterans.

To THE EDITOR: have read with interest
the letters of our comrades in Arkansas, and
from what know Of their section of country
/ am satisfied that their statements are not
overdrawn. And now / respectfully ask per-
mission to tell my comrades through your col
umns something about these grand old noun
tains here in Southwestern North Carolina, in
which my lot has been cast for the past two
years. For 10 years before coming here we
lived in Southern Kansas, during which time
good portion of each year our family was
more or less afflicted with malarial fever. l
finally made up my mind that / would get all
the information | could in reference to the
various health resorts, and then compare notes.
l did SO, and became fully convinced that in
Western North Carolina altitude, latitude, the
pureSt atmosphere, pure, lce-cold water, and
the delightful surroundings all combine to
make up the most healthful climate beneath
the stars. We came here two years ago, all
sick, and from the time that we got fairly set
tied we began to improve, and not one of US
has had days sickness since Our dear little
ones, whom we brought here puny looking,
pale and sallow, are now rosy checked and the
very pictures of good health We have num-
Der of veterans here who came as invalids, but
have all now gone to work or are engaged in
business. l know of no region of country
where the effect of climate has been so marvel
GUS ia the restoration Of lost health. Were 1t
not for the laudable ambition of our native
friends to make their annual contributions to
the census there would be precious little use
for doctors here / find more very old people
here than in any other country have ever
been. This (Macon) County has more people,
in proportion to the population, upwards of 80
years old than any other County in the
United States. Pulmonary diseases do not
fevers are unknown. No cyclones or
drouths Fruits do well, especially the apple,
which here attains its greatest perfection. In
the coves the soil is a deep, rich black loan,
and on the mountain slopes it is from good to
middling. The farmer here may expect the
most profitable returns from sheep, fruit, dairy
ing, Bookkeeping, and market gardening. The
industrious and economical are prosperous.
The native people are peaceable, generous and
kind-hearted. The town of Highlands and
vicinity is settled mostly by people from the
Northern States, and is fast becoming a noted
health resort. We have population Of about
300. The town is situated on a beautiful undu-
lating plateau, near the crest of the Blue
Ridge, 3,70O feet above the sea, in the southern
part of Macon County. There is no more lovely
spot in these grand old mountains. AS far as
the eye can reach we behold lofty mountain
peaks, one towering above the other, as if vie
ing with each other for the ascendancy. Bold
springs burst forth on every hand, whose
limpid waters glide with musical ripplings
down through the shady gorges, dark with
rhododendtons and laurels. Lovely trout brooks
traverse the valleys below.
We extend cordial invitation to our COM
rades to come to Highlands for health, pleasant
homes, cool Summers, mild Winters, purest
water, invigorating air, and mountain scenery
that is glorious beyond description. You will
find great Improvement in things generally
here since the war. In fact, they have i'm
proved almost everything, except their breed
of chickens They still have the same old, lit
tie scrub kind, that had to put up with when
l was down here before. For further informa-
ton write to your old comrade-W. Fl. ANDER.
SON, NJ. d., First Lieutenant, Co. II, SOth Ohio
Highlands, Macon Co., N. G.