The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-05
NOUN -AINS OF NORTH CAROLINA.

the Natural Delights of BuncOmbe Coun-
ty Described by Traveller.
have seen the grand mountain views of
every part of our continent east of the Sier-
"a Nevadas, and must testify that there is
no mountain scenery this side of the Rocky
mountains that equals or even approaches
the grandeur of the varied views presented
at AshevilIe, N c. From the southern por-
tico of the Keniworth inn can be seen fully
Iortv mountain peaks and domes, all of
which are higher than Mount Washington
DR. any other mountain elevation east of
the Rockies.
Here is a complete circle of broken
mountains as far as the eye can reach,
with Mount Missweil Nesting among a
family of undulating cliffs away off toward
The rising sun, kissing the chilly breeze at
In altitude of GIL feet above the sea, and
directly toward the setting sun. more than
one hundred miles distant, is Mount Pts
yah, with its beautifully rounded dome
towering over its neighboring peaks,
throwing long shadows over the foothills
and valleys below. Such a panorama of
variegated mountain scenery is not to be
seen elsewhere in all our boosted Blue
Ridge and Appalachian ranges or in all
the varied rugged scenery of the White
mountains of New England.
Asheville and its surroundings are rev.
citation to ali when this matchless noun
tain view breaks upon them. 1t is now a
hive of industry as well as the Mecca of
pleasure and health seekers in the south.
Its altitude ranges from 2, 400 to 5000 feet
above tide water. The city, with its per-
manent population of 5000, is the county
seat of the famous county of Buncombe,
and it is surrounded by innumerabe broken
hills with frequent sharply jutting peaks,
all adorned by beautiful residences, while
across the Swannanoa (the Indian term
for beautiful river is an enchanting view
of mingled foothill farms and broken
mountains.
One prominent elevation, some three
miles from the river, is the center of the
magnificent estate of George w. Wander
bilt, containing 200 acres in one body aud
employing from 600 to 900 men in beauti-
flying it. The land alone cost $3.50, 600, and
his improvements are so colossal in con-
ception as TO find parallel only in the
grandeur of the ancient Romans. His
house is in course of erection on the west
ern slope Of the central elevation, with
bewitching view of mountains, rivers.
farms and city. It is 400 feet in length,
with solid walls Of fifty feet in height from
deer park on the western front TO the first
floor, and the lawn tennis court alone,
with its huge walls from thirty to fifty
feet in height. would make foundation
for the grandest of the ancient temples of
the Old World.
A private railroad some five miles in
length IS kept busy transporting materials
for the palace, for bridges, for roads, etc,
and when completed the cost of the estate
will reach S5,000,OOO. There will be 100
miles of elegant roads traverSing the Van
deybilt estate, of which IS will be macad-
Rmized, and scores of bridges of every con-
ceiyable form of exquisite architecture
viii add to the beauty of the place. The
building of the palace will be five years
task, even with every branch of mechan-
ism employed in its construction filed
with werkmen. This will be the r.ost
magnificent estate on the continent. sur
passing the oldest and largest English es-
tates in natural beauty. and with its game
preserves equaled by few in any country
of the world.-Colouel Mcclure in Phila-
delphia Times