The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1886-09-23
SI(.IiTSE E.RS
Climbing the Mountains of BuncOm be :,
Pennsylvania and Henderson Counties.


HARKINs, Buncombe Co., n. c., Sept
IA, 'S6.-NOne who confines themselves
to the fashionable resorts or strictly TO
points on the railroad, can have any APP
preciable idea of the grandeur of noun
tain scenery. | have just returned from
IA trip through Buncombc, Pennsylvania
and Henderson counties there We're eight
in our party, four ladies and four gentle
meu-we went, six of US in a Eu re covered
wagon and two on horseback with a tent
which we pitched every night. Mr.. &.
and myself were delegated to do the cook
ing, being the oldest in the crowd. SO in
seif-defence we laid in a bountiful supply
Of biscuit, bread and crackers with a good
lot of canned provisions and fruits, sugar,
coffee, etc, and we We're independent. We
spent several days in Buck Forest and
from there we went to CtSer's Head -
only think of standing on ledge of rock
commanding an abyss 1 900 feet high,
can never forget the feelings of awe which
oppressed me as | stood there for the first
time. The feeling comes over one-I
would not go to the edge and look over
for anything the desire becomes ir
resistlble to go to the very edge, and a
strong hand is always reached you, to
prevent you from going too far We were
camped three quarters Of a mile from
CHser's Head when the earthquake came.
All of our party, save one, had gone for a
walk after supper to the hotel at the top
of the mountain, there we spent a
pleasant hour or two in the parlor. Soon
after we started on our return to camp
the shock was severely felt at the hotel,
causing the ladies to flee from the build
ing in fear, it was also felt at camp, but
to our unspeakable regret, we did not get
a taste of the great sensation. Many
amusing incidents have we heard-onc
lady, hearing the rumbling noise, conclu-
ded it was burglars seeking to force an
entrance. To show that woman can pro-
tect herself when occasion arises, she fired
every volley her pistol contained at the
earthquake, but the best thing heard was
of those we had left behind Our board
ing home is with Mr.. Perry Carton, and
while we We're on our mountain trip the
young people of his family had gone out
10 a nelghbors to spend the evening
IN our mountain homes we have to intro
duce what we may to render the evening
pleasant, so We had music, whist, singing,
etc, and on several occasions, to vary the
monotony, we would put our hands On the
table to wake spiritual manifestations
with most wonderful results, Of course
well, on this particular evening Of the
earthquake, the young people, as | have
said, had repaired to this neighbors house,
and Mr.. =, one Of the boarders, suggested
| that they make the table walk, 50 they all
| joined hauds on the table and after wait
| ing some moments, in most solemn tone,
| Mr.. J. said, ''If there are any spirits pres
ent, please manifest yourself by rapping.
| Just at this moment loud rumblIng noise
was heard, the windows ratified, the whole
house was shaken, a heavy oaken screer
up stairs was thrown down, lamp went
out, and such CONSERVATION was never be
fore witneS ,ed; all were terror stricken.
Mr.. J. said lit Is the last time | will evei
have anything to do with spirit rappins
| can stand natural thingS, but when II
comes to the supernatural like this, must
stop So when our hero returns to hls
home in Smithfield, | do not think he vii
be induced TO exercise his powers as q
s2lritualistic medium" Well, | have
encroached on your space long enough, Sc
for the present will bid you goodbye.
l am, very truly,
Mrs J. L.