Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-08-15
One Day in Happy Valley.

Last Wednesday the Business Man
ager, accompanied by his wife, niece
and Mrs. NJ. Ii. p. Panhorst, started at
an early hour for the valley of historic
Nolachucky. The drive was q pleas.
ant one, and highly enjoyed by tho
party. Signs of prosperity were appar-
ent IN the immense corn crop growing
all along the road, but not until we
crossed the river, near Conkling, did
wefully realize the wonderful capacity
OF parts of this county to produce great
crops. On the farms of Henry Jack.
son, G. +. Decker and Hon. A. A. Tay.
lor we saw as fine crops of corn us ever
grew out of any land. A pleasing
feature of these farms is the general
evidence of careful and painstaking
labor; the fences are in good condition,
land under cultivation usually clear
of weeds, and an appearance of thrift
everywhere.
AT about 10 o'clock We arrived at the
residence of G. F. Decker, n of the
substantial, prosperous farmers of this
Happy Valley. To say we were most
kindly received and royalty entertained
would be the usual way of expressing
it, but it was more than simply being
received and entertained, for we were
made to feel as if all that made the
home of our clever host pleasant and
desirable was but a part of our natural
belongings. Mr.. Decker's residence is
most beautifully located on a bench
about half n mile back from the river,
and perhaps about fifty feet above the
level of the bottom land. The view
from the house is grand, embracing a
good portion of the valley, including
the magnificent farm of Mr.. TAYLOR
II others up and down the river. Mr..
Decker has a fine farm, under an ex-
cellent state of cultivation, and his
buildings are well calculated to pro-
tect not only the family, but the stock
on the farm. In addition to his farm
ing operations he has q well arranged
pottery, known all over the country as
the Keystone Pottery, from which is
turned out a large amount of most ex-
cellent ware, for almost all uses to
which such goods are put. In short our
reception and entertainment was what
might reasonably be expected from
such an example of East Tennessee
hospitality coupled with real Pennsyl-
vania thrift and energy as is combined
in Mr.. Decker and his family. G. F.
Decker, Jr., carries on a general mer-
camille business, and enjoys Il good
trade with the citizens of the valley.
One very pleasant feature at the family
residence is the fine lot of plants and
flowers, such a collection as is indeed
rare in the country.
We also had the pleasure of meeting
a sister. nephew and neice of Mr.. Decker,
from Pennsylvania, a Mrs. Hassert and
children. Mr.. Hassert, the son, is q
member of the firm of Herman & Has
sert, manufacturers of cars, general
founders and machinists, of Blooms
burg, Pa. They have a large and
complete concern, employ a great
many hands and turn out great guam.
titles of manufactured products. This
is the first visit of Mrs. ~Ilassert and her
children to Tennessee and they are
greatly pleased with the country. Mr..
Hassert expressed himself as being
satisfied that a wonderful future is in
store for East Tennessee, and particu-
larry Nolachucky Valley. At about
O'Clock we started for home, passing
the beautiful farm of Hon. A. A. Tay-
Tor, where we were pleased to see evil
dence of systematic and thorough cul-
tivation of the rich bottom lands that
compose his really fine farm. Perhaps
no farm in the entire valley is under
better fence than his, and his improve
ments are of a neat and substantial
character, Mr.. Taylor is at home now,
nursing his wife, who has been serious.
ly afflicted for some time, but who, we
are glad to know, is improving. To
each and every one who aided in max
ing the day one TO be long remembered
for its many pleasures, tho hearty
thanks of the party is due. 1t was a
day of rest, and has resulted in a long
ing for many more like it. Surely it is
Happy Valley, and should be visited
by more of our people. May the good
people who live in it abide many years,
and may all their days be as peaceful
and restful as the one we spent there.