The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1886-12-01
"a IFor the AshevilIe CITIZEN.
A VISIT TO ROUND, KNOB. .
LExINeroSl N, G.. Now. l7tb 1885.

g 4AI
LExINGroN, N,gC.. Noy.i Nth, 1886. f
Mr.. r q Fitzpatrick - E.1alat i.5I5 g
RuIe and took the observation car
andsWere soon beguiled byltbe grandeur
Of the surrounding scenery. Black
Mountain Hotel Sandstone and beautiful
syren hauEt among mountains. On
approaching Round Knob we were en-
faptured without being appalled, as ex-
peeted to be, by the imminent danger so
described. The ascent was 30 gradual
and the surrounding mountains so sub
lime and beauti fully arrayed In variegated
garbs Of Autumn lnvelineS5, l became
oblivions of the fact that danger ldrked
intEe deep FaEinesand mountain heights
over which we were gliding 90 smoothly
and pleasantly. In the distance the
moup tains presented a picture of slrpass-
ing grandeur, appearing IKE colossal
montlmentsf0f infinite p0wSt whose sum
mits pierced the azuiTeof the heavens.
Proximity revealed them less imposing,
but more beautiful. The attraction of
being among mountGiEls was enhanced
by looking from them away, and behold
ing in the distance new and diversified
chains gracefully outlined against the
horizon. The highest point on our
journey was SO impercepibly attained
that / scarcely realized the ascension
until far below looked up to the track
securely built on the heights we had
scaled in rapt ad dmiration. The track be-
ing visible in at least five different points
above us at once gives one the idea of
terraced mountain. The tunnels are long
and dark affording time for reflection and
creating lively appreciation of light
and scenery. On coming in view of
Round Knob hotel the manouvering of
the train reminded me of the old game
"hide and seek" At last as if assured it
could not be found it playfully glided
over the last high trestle and round the
curve where 1 believe it is said % cars
tumbled into the ravine, and along side
the famous hotel of Round Knob. Being
closed for the season it looked solitary
and lonely as "a last years birds nest"
The fountain was playing in beauty,
though not reaching the remarkable
height it does in summer on account of
the supply of water being cut off in win
ter, which (if understood aright) is
brought II miles. However the beauti-
full spray was softly falling on the fading
emerald turf it had bedewed all through
the shining hours of by-gone summer
and forming veritaDle rainbow in per-
feet imitation of the lovely bow of pro-
mise that spans the scoWling brow of a
midsummer cloud. Before leaving Round
Knob with all its beauties 1 would men
ton Royal Gorge" Pages of wildly
descriptive language would but il.adequ
ately portray its countless charms. To
be fully appreciated it must be seen. AS
we swept on mountains not to be COM
pared in magnitude, but very picturesque
bordered our way. On reaching the
pretty old town of Hickory l discovered
away to my right the Convent so sacred to
the hearts of devout Catholics (Which
by the way rumor says is to be removed
to Asheville.) Then to my left my gaze
rested on what I thought an institution
of learning, scattered near were churches
where the erring are taught to worship
the Lord in the beauty of holiness. In
the midst was established the headquar
ters of the Nations fell destroyer! My
heart was stirred with sorrow which
deepened as thought of how many such
blemishes mar the fair loveliness of our
own adopted home, .Asheville. Scenes
of interest met my gaze on every hand
until night drew her sable mantle over
all sublumary objects. After short delay
in Salisbury we proceeded to Lexington,
our destination. I felt little non-pluss- |
ed to find no vehicles waiting, but was at
once reassured by being introduced to
Mr.. March, a kindly old gentleman with
silvery locks who informed me that his
hotel was not more than 25O yards dis
tant and offered to conduct me there
Mrs. March appears to be most amiable
and genial landlady ,solicitous to dispense
hospitality to all who stop with her.
The sign says March House, but there
are none of the characteristics of the |
month whose name it bears A CAV
party preceded me one of whom had
come to claim one OF Lexington's fair
daughters. Having a severe headache 1 |
soon retired for the night. have seen
very little of the town yet. The atmo !
sphere is quite warm and it is raining. |
Mrs. r. L. F.