The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1890-09-18
KNOXVILLE CAPTURED
BY NORTH GEORGIA MERCHANTS
AND EDITORS.

and North Georgia towns on the NJ. & N.
G. Railroad, with a few editors, left for
Knoxville, Tenn, On the Sth inst, at he
invitation Of the Chamber of Commerce
and business men of that city.
The M. d N. G. extends from Marietta
to Blue Ridge, and the road bed and roll
ing stock is first class A parlor car goes
out every morning as far as Blue Ridge.
AT Blue Ridge, so miles from Marietta,
the northern division or Knoxville South.
ern road commences. The country to
Blue Ridge is alternating hills and valleys,
rich section, full of marble, iron ore, tim
Der, and also fine fruit region. 1t is a
beautiful country, too. On summit of
Blue Ridge mountain you have an eleva>
ton above sea level OF 1850 feet Turning
little northwest the 0coee riveris reach>
ed, down Ghich the road runs for 10 or Is
miles, crossing it and running between the
Ocoee and Hiwassee rivers, near Ducks
town, where may be seen the old furnaces
aud machinery once used in mining copper
On our left between Ocoee and Hiwassee
rivers is Frog mountain extending from
one river to the other From top of di.
vide the road follows down Turtletown
valley until the Hiwassee river is reached
near the North Caroline line and about 80
miles below Murphy. The road runs down
the south side of this river distance of 20
or 20 miles, and what a peaceful luxury to
recline in a parlor car and survey the maj
esty of nature aud listen to her song. Up
the river and down which seperate
lofty mountains on either side is as grand
ly beautiful scenery as ever came under
the vision of man, or ever portrayed By
his pen. The roadway has been hewn our
of solid granite rock and, at places, the
cliff towers some 400 feet above the train.
AS we go down the river, we turn the
point Of Frog mountain, then OF Sopti
mountain, said by experts to be rich il
silver ore. On the north side of the river
is the "Unkoy" Mountains, lofty range
extending into North Carolina. The
mouth of Coco creek is passed inst before
reaching the narrows and along the valley
| of this creek. is said to be the richest gold
mines in Tennessee. The river is usually
from 300 to 400 feet wide and abounds ia
trout, dram, red~herse and cat fish, but al
the gorge or narrows is some Is or 20 tee,
in width, and depth not known. 1t ia said
Mr.. G. r. Walton, chief engineer. secured
q piece of lead and with hundred feet oil
rope, failed.to find bottom, and two men
who fell in at that place were never re.
covered. The river rushes along falling at
rate Of from rs to 80 feet per mile. The
average grade of road bed, about q feel
per mile.
At this point mountain known al
State Cliff towers 400 or 500 feet perpen,
dicular above the road, the road having
been cut along its base. 1t is said that
slate feet square and from 1 of an inch
to one foot can easily be qurried. Color
brown, black and pink.
Some two miles below this point we cross
the river on Howe Truss bridge, AL feet
long, but the length of the bridge and
trestle about 1900 feet. Six miles below
the bride is the gap in the mountain,
through which the river rams, known as
Hiwassee Gap. Bean mountain is on the
south side and Starr mountain on the north
side, and there we 60 out OF the mountains
toward Knoxville, in the rich grain grows
ing valley of East Tennessee. At Starr
City, in Connasauga valley, the Starr
mountain mineral road branches off 10 the
iron ore beds on Starr mountain. These
beds are said to be from so to 100 feet in
thickness and the ore is of the variety
know as lin onite, aud the analysis said to
show Sc per cent Of metallic iron.
We could write more about the beauty
of the country aud the untold mineral and
marble wealth of this section OF country
this new road has, ard will open up, but
space and time forbids.
We arrived at Knoxville about 8
o'clock where we were met at the depot
h,yt ha nI %, A.
the various hotels OF the city. After all
had been looked after, Mayor Kern invited
the entire party to his place of business to
partake of refreshments. Many respond
ed, and those who did not retired for The
night, preparatory to observe next day the
points of interest in and around Knoxville
We will state we never met more genial
clever and courteous gentleman than May
or Kern. The reception committee devot.
ed the entire day to their guests, taking
them to Lake Ottossee Fountain head and
many places OF interest in and around
Knoxville.
Knoxville is thriving business town
with population of $4,000 according Il
census of 1890.
The products OF the various manufacto-'
les OF Knoxville are bought by home mer
chants and in thus patronizing home in
dustries, the city has proSpered and grown
to enviable proportions and greatness
Unity and HARMONY has characterize
their actions and contributed to her sue
cess, and she keeps spreading and adding
and drawing business and is doing
Wholesale trade not surpassed by Atlanta
We are indebted to Mr.. Joel Mable
assistant civil engineer, for appreciated
courtesies and also TO Mr.. B. g. Camp
clerk at the Palace Hotel, Knoxville, bot
Cobb county men.
A DUTY TO YOURSELF.