The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1890-10-09
JOHNSON CITY THEN And NOW.
HER PAST AND HER PRESENT
Graphically Set Forth by Visitor
and Representative of the
Arkansas Beacon.
CHATTANOOGA, TENN, Sept. IL.

this place, and thence over the East
Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia road.
all of the same great system, brought
me to johnson City, which is situated
in Washington county, 25 miles be-
low Bristol, and 527 miles east Of
Memphis.
Johnson City, though an old town,
was, until year or two ago, wholly
unworthy to be called city. 1t was
nothing more than a railroad station,
with iew'small stores, and residences
scattered here and there. But the
older inhabitants OF the place have
always had an abiding faith that there
was something better in store for the
town, and it seems their iaith mas
not been misplaced. During the past
two years the town has taken new
lease of life Northern capital in
large quantities has found its way
. here new railroad lines has been sur
veyed and built; manufacturing en-
:. .terprises have been put in operation,
and the surrounding hills and noun
tains have been made to disgorge
their hidden wealth of iron and coal.
The result is that Johnson City, so
recently an insignificant little village,
is to-day city Of about 5000 inhabi-
tants, and moving rapidly onward in
its strides toward wealth and great
ness. On every side is seen evidences
OF push and progress. Suburban lands
are being laid off into town lots, the
streets are being graded, and scores OF
new and elegant residences and busi-
ness houses are in course OF erection.
One OF the most beautiful of the SUI
burbs is called Carnegie, and it is rap
idly becoming one Of the most impor-
tant parts of the city. A 100000
hotel and a blast furnace OF 125ton
capacity are among the substantial
improvements of Carnegie, and there
are others soon to follow.
Johnson CITY has three railroads,
and others coming. 1t has the dis
tinction Of being the seat OF the largest
tannery in the United States, the pro-
duct of which carried off the highest
honors at the Paris exposition.
While there was the guest of my
cousin Ike T. Jobe, who is Mayor OF
tho city. He is one Of its most en-
terprising citizens, and was born
and raised there. In company with
him, on Monday last, I took a trip
over the East Tennessee and West
ern North Carolina railroad, dis
tance of 80 miles, to Elk Park, N. c.,
lust over the Tennessee line. This
road is narrow gauge, and runs
through the most beautiful and pic
turesque portion of this lovely noun
tain region. Passing through the
charming Watauga valley, the road
winds its serpentne way through O
wild and rugged gorge, whose scenery
is the most remantic ever saw. Here
we passed through five tunnels, going
distance OF four miles.
Elk Park is a small town, built uI
in the mountains having an elevation
of $3.50 feet above sea level. ThC
climate here is delightful IN summer
the temperature rarely ever going
higher than so degrees Fahrenheit
the air is pure and bracing, and al
through the summer season blanket
are found necessary to comfort a
night. Frequently it is found necces
sary to keep little fire in the even
ing. During recent years the place
has become quite summer resort
and as a cool, quite retreat it is rapid
" growing in favor, the number o
visitors gradually increasing year b.
year. Preparations are now bein;
made to build fine hotel here, tn
better to accommodate those who com
from far and near to enjoy the invig
Grating breezes OF this charming re
sort. Only few miles from here
the celebrated Roam Mountain, re
nowned in all this region as the higf
est point for many miles aroun
From its cloud.capped pinnacle CO
be seen portions of Ave States.
Two miles east of Elk Park is loca
ed the mining village of Cranberr.
where the finest iron ore to be foun
in this country is obtained in gres
quantities. The blast furnace and tn
mines mere furnish employment to
large number Of hands, and 1t is a
together, very busy and prosperol
community,
During my short stay at Elk Per-
Y was the guest OF my cousin, Mr.
Hattie Taylor, and her huseand, NJ
w. Nat is a brother to Hon. Rob
L. Taylor, Governor Of Tennessee, an
is a most genial, companionable gel
tleman.
Leaving there on Tuesday NOR
Eng, the 16 inst, and returning over Il
same route, stopped off at Elizabet
ton, ten miles east Of Johnson Cit
This town, the county seat Of Cart
county, is a small place, but deligh
fully situated. Surrounded on all sid
by lofty hills, it is built at the CO
fiuence OF the Doe and Wataui
rivers. Watauga, an Indian nam
signifies beautiful river" and no ol
who views it and the lovely vail