Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-16
THE "OLD NORTH STATE. .
A LAND ONLY EECENTLN
OPENED UP.

The Buucombe Democracy-Sons OF
Anak-BeautifuI Ashsvillc--Ifs His
tory and Magnificent Climate and Sur
roundings-Popuiati and Growth
Schools and Neutrality-suspicious. =
able PrOpertN--A TrsGs Centre-N a
ter Works-TObAccn Business-WHre-
house SaIes-Low Pric- Of the Weed
Ashevi1le Tobacco Works Charm
ing Ride-Raiiroads-A Handsome
Dwelling PIess- Battle Park
Hotel.
The lovely region about Asheville, NC,
80 commonly described as the Land OF
the Sky" has hitherto been shut in from
popular observation by tall ranges Of al
most inaccessible mountains, with only
here and there a gap" through which
wide wagon roads We're constructed.
Still, those mountain slopes aud fertile
valleys are occupied by dense popula-
ton OF stalwart settlers, who are the very
impersonation of vigorous health and
physical strength. The writer was
forcibly reminded of thus facY at a mass
meeting of the Buncombe Democracy TO
select candidates for the Legislature ana
county offices. at which he was present.
He was sandwItched between Two
SONS OF ANAK,
while all around were TO be seen men OF
herculean frames and ruddy cOunte-
nances, many OF them clothed entirely
from the products Of their own spinning
wheels and looms.
Addressing our right-han neighbor, we
said: "Fr end, will you please state what
is your heightP
six feet four" was the prompt re-
sponse, with hearty gutfaw. Then turn
ing to the other, similar inquiry was
propounded. with the answer: six feet
and four and a half inches, sir" Feeling
keenly his own Lilliputian dimensions in
comparison with these mountain sprouts,
the writer asked no further questions.
In the crowd were not a few who might
have passed for the veritable comrades of
Daniel Boone, who once dwelt in those
parts, but for the absence OF the leatnern
breeches and scalps OF the redskins at
their belts. A right open-iaced, brave
lo0kin people they'were. however, with
10 use whatever for so-called "Independ-
ent Democrats"
Asheyille, in it's early days known as
MoRRIsTOWN,
was Incorporated in 1888, but really eX-
listed previously as a trading station with
the Indians from the commencement of
the century. 1t is the seat OF justice for
Buncombe county, which was organized
in 1891. The name of the place was
changed IN honor of Samuel Ashe, Esq, n
distinguished citizen of the State, and
stands at an elevation of 1889 feet above
THE level OF the sea. 1t is delightfully."-
situated in a picturesque and undulating
valley, surrounded by chain after chain
OF lofty mountains rising one above an
other in the dim distance as far as the eve
ing winds, and enjoying invlgorating
mountain breezes during the summer SOL
etice, the climate dry, bracing and eX-
hdaratinF, comes as near perfection all
the year round as any spot probably on
the W estern continent. And when the
magnificent scenery is superadded, what
greater inducements could be offered TO
the denizens of the low country to come
up thither during the sickly season, In
lieu of spending their money i'll the dis
tant North? AsheVille has increased
rapidly IN population within the past
three years, and now numbers about
SIX THOUSAND INHABIrANTs.
Large numbers OF private residences
have been erected also, some OF them of
consummate elegance and beauty, and
still the building boom goes on. The town
contains nine churches (fGur of them col
ored y Two male academies and several
private schools. besides public schools
lnr both black aad white. and is also the
seat ol flourishiny female college, num-
bering 1870 matriculates.
Seven hotels, and on the authority OF
the Msvor about fifty private boarding
places. are required To accommodate the
multitude of summer visitors who are
docking in since the completion Of the
Spartanburg and AsheYIlle railroad, and
more will be needed.
Indeed il Is almost impossible to estI-
mate. when this charming region has been
properly advertised, how macy thousands
viii be attracted hither from the Atlantic
and Cult coasts. VINO have habitually
spent their summers at Newport, Sara
It0ga. the White Mountains and other re-
mote health resorts. Here, we believe.
they will breathe purer air and enjoy
themselves equally as much within few
hours journey Of their homes, and at
about hall the expense Of the Northern
tTip.
Prominent among the hotels are Battle
Park, Grand Central, Swannanoa and
Eagle.
BANKS.
The Bank of Asheville is the oldest in
the city. and does an immense business.
The president, J. p. sawyer, and cashier,
d. G. Waddell, are prominent and wealthy
citizens, enjoying the entire confidence Of
'he community. There is no sounder
financial Institution in North Carolina,
and their last report makes an admirable
showing. On "A capital stock OF 500. 900
they have on hand over S20i, 900 Of indi-
vidual deposits and about Sl1 900 OF sur
plus fund and undN ided profits.
The First National Bank. with William
L. Bruse president and W. Il. Penland
cashier, began business Dee. -. 1885, with
n capital stock paid In OF 500. 600, author
lied 10 be extended TO $j00.000. This is
the only national bank IN Western North
Carolina, ard President Bruse says that
the stockholders unitedly represent 500
UU0. 900 Of capital.
The French Broad Bank" is also an
nff>h0ot of this institution, with c. f..
Graham president ana W. f.. Bruse treas
urer.
a savings bank. with a capital OF 500
600, authorized to be raised 20 5000, 900, its
loans to be only on real estate, is also
about TO begin business.
Tue First National Rank is erecting
new end imposing building, with very
convenient fire-prOof vault. faced with
granite. The structure, when completed,
will lie an ornament 10 the citv.
The taxable property Of AsbeyIlle Ia
valued Of 81 1900, and her bonded debt
Is $40 GOO. The excellent credit Of the
city il evinced by the fact that these
bonds command premium on the mar
ket.
A TRADE CENTRE.