The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-08
DOWN AMONG @THE KNOBS
Where an Indianian May Pass His Vacation
in Peace, Plenty and Beauty.

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE, Aug. 6.--I beg leave to con,
tribute unite" in eulcgy Of perhaps one Of the
grandest temples of nature given to habitation
in our own State. I refer to the hickory.
crowned knobs of Washington county, from
whence have just returned, after a brief SO.
journ. Enamored with the natural beauty sur.
rounding me. with the monarchs of mountains
almost within Rrasping distance, as it were de.
voted some time in exploring some of their
closest hooks and most dazzling SUBMITS.
The tourist who, en- route for more popular sum.
mer resorts, passes the little railroad station
Memphis, on the Jacksonville and Indianapolis
road, little dreams of the gorgeous scenes hid.
den amidst the dense forest twirling in semi
Gle before his eyes at short distance. A drive
of only six miles over q good thoroughfare, the
Memphis and Blue river road lands us at the
foot of the knobs, which form the section line OK
the counties of Clarke and Washington. The
road here winds almost abruptly heavenward 80
the dizzy height of about three-quarters Of
mile, sufficiently slanting, however, to make il
ascendable for two-horse team by allowing the
same q moderate number of rests preparatory
for fresh pull" Upon reaching the termina-
ton point of this initiatory ascension, the pant.
ing tourist is in measure rewarded for
unfolding itself from this point ia
the enchanted eye hedged in on both
sides by sentry-like array OF
wooded mountainous lies a space of fartiia
altogether pleasing contrast to the natural
wealth surrounding 1t AS we glance obliquely
over the green fields and rugged house-tops occa.
sionally protruding above them and then back
into the deep, dense forest from whence we hava
just emerged, it altogether assumes the aspect
<>f txxtx hos xvrssN.
utes' drive arrive at the Bartle postohice-
the "bee-hiven of the settlement--which ID
named after one of the oldest pioneer residents.
Mr.. Warren Bartle. than whom kindlier dis.
posed or more liberal hearted gentleman we sell
dom meet anywhere.
The congenial and efficient postmaster. Mr..
Dennis Gray, by the way, q stanch Republican
and an ardent reader and untiring advocate OF
the Journal, possesses oil the energy and thrift
that marks the successful business man. In
connection with the postoffice he has well.
stocked country store, besides being one of the
most extensive berry shippers in the State oil
which species of fruit the Knobs especially ara
very productive. Mr. Gray has quite large
number of acres set out" in cultivated berries
and this year shipped thousands of gallons to In
dianapolis
The stranger who chances" through the vi
cinity. and having heard of postoffice being es
tablished there will naturally inquire, Where
is the town." Well, 1t isn't a town, village.
1t is rural settlement, pure. simple and sweet,
with none of the unpleasant adjuncts OF place
where carousing and drunkenness are the order
of the day. The click of the reaper, tie kline in
pasture, the scent of new-mown hay, and pct
uresque orchards close to the wayside, give IL
the true favor of the country, while the sur
rounding forest and mountain scenery, ever new
and full of intense interest; the lofty peaks and
abrupt, impenetrable depths, with their shady
lining sublime and beautiful, have their endless
joys ever at hand. One never tires of looking
a w
ries and huckleberries- in wastefuI
plenty, the hillsides being literally covered with
the latter.
All in ALL The Knobs afford one of the pleas.
ATTEST and most interesting summer resorts 10
has ever been my good fortune to visit w.