River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-04-09
A Southern Mountain Country.
MrRrnY, n. O., April 4. 1891.


northeast TO southwest for more than
two hundred miles. When this long
and crooked ridge nears the southern
| line of the two states it turns due
west and after running a short dis
lance in that direction turns to the
south and reaches down into Georgia.
This lower portion of the range is
| called the Unaka Mountains, which
sign ifies in the Cherokee tongue
white Mans Mountains" In the
angle of the mountain range, thrust in
between portions of Georgia and Ten
Dessee, is Cherokee County, North
Carolina, the extreme South western
county of the State.
Besides the lofty mountain walls on
the north and west it is traversed by
lateral, ridges which divide it into
narrow valleys down which flow swift,
clear streams. The largest of these is
| Hiwassee River, which enters the
county near the Southeastern corner
and flows out into Tennessee through
stupendous gorge in the Unaka
mountains. Valley River and Notla
River are its principal tributaries
the former joining 1t from the north
east, the latter from the south. Be-
sides these there are Peachtree, Brass
town, Hangingdog and other large
creeks. OF mountain brooks
branches" in the vernacular of the
regiOn) there is no end. They are
generally encountered few rods
apart, and it is hard to lind a place
that is not enlivened by the musical
voice of one of them. The water in
all these streams is soft and clear. eX
cept that some of the larger ones are
muddy for short time after heavy
rain. This is certainly wonderfully
watered region; no tract of any size is
without its springs and running
brooks.
The mountains are not what the
term usually suggests to the mind.
They do not spring abruptly from the
valleys, but step by step, as it were,
rise to the loftier attitudes. First
there are series of foothills not far
above the valleys. These furnish a
great deal of level land suitable for
cultivation. Back of these are higher
plateaus of much of the same charac-
ter. In this way, 10y succession of
irregular terraces, the foot of the
mountain is reached. Even the noun
tain-slde5 present great deal OF sur
face not too precipitOus for cultiva-
ton, and on the SUBMITS there are
considerable areas of level and fertile |
land. All of these uplands are better
than the river valleys for some pur-
poses = particularly fruit-growing.
For instance, the coolest northern eX-
posuTes are best for peaches. The |
reason of this is that peach buds re-
spond very readily to the early warmth
of the sun and are liable to unfold 50
as to be killed 10y late frosts. am
told that in deep sheltered cOyes on
the north slopes peaches never fail.
Grapes do best on the sunny southern
slopes. Apples thrive everywhere,
though the best results are obtained |
ON the rough uplandS. Little atten-
ton has been given to fruit culture,
ami but few varieties are raised.
see many farmers carrying away
young trees, and presume that in "a.
few years "a different story may be
told.
Nearly all agricultural products
thrive here-cOrn, wheat, oats, rye,
the grasses, potatoes aud other vege-
tables. There is encouragement for
men who understand the business TO
engage in dairying and woolgrowing.
The character of the country is such
that it is not adapted to bonanza farm.
ing-no burrows to be turned mile
long, no grain fields reaching from
horizon to horizon. But every branch
side is specially fitted for raising some
crop in its perfection.
In respect to markets this region is
most happily situated. Within easy
reach to the north are the great cities
of the country. To the south is the
great cotton belt, which raises moth
ing to feed its large and rapidly in
creasing population. So now that
transportation facilities are being fur
nished to the country all kinds of farm
produce will command good prices
The timber is of great variety and
excellent quality, though the growth
is small except in the deep mountain
coves. The wood OF the hickory and
white oak is wonderfully tough and
elastic. | have frequently taken a
| silver from a stick of stove wood and
tied a tight knot in it as if it
we're string. There is an abundance
of both for wagons, machinery
handles, etc. Poplar, 80 extensively
used for wagon and sieigh-boxes.
trunks. collins and furniture, IS plenty.
la some localities there are a great
deal of cherry and considerable wal
nut. Locust. the most durable of all
woods, is here in SUFFICIENT quantity
| for domestic use. On deserted
homestead near here, known as ''0ld
Huntington, there are locust posts
still standing that were set seventy
years ago. They are mOss-grown and
sncient-looking, but perfectly sound.
| Cut through the brown surface and
bright yellow wood will be found.
There is sufliciency of pine to be
used in connection with poplar. oak
and chestnut for building purposes.
| of the other kinds of timber, ash, elm,
beech. birch, butteTnut, hemlock,
soft maple. Eastwood, buckeye and
holly may be mentioned
The climate of southwestern north
Carolina is held by those who have
travelled extensively to be as nearly
perfect as this planet affords. Since
have been here there has been a great
/ deal of rain But the same NAV be