Iron County register., 1896-12-17

parent tnan real, owing to the en-
phasis of color Yet the colored
brother is very numerous in public
He affects more of the dude than in
most Southern towns-dresses to the
top of the notch, smokes cigarettes.
aud wears fair-leather leggins when
be takes the air on horseback. He
votes eleven hundred strong in this
city. which. with a. white Republican
contingent of two hundred and fifty.
brings him dangerously near a ma
jority. Consequently he is a politi-
clan, too, and feels his importance.
OF course he is always a Republican,
and his solid vote last November turn
ed this (Buneombe) county over to 1.-THE
enemy" = the first time in twenty
years. He is colonizing here at a
rapid rate, and it will take some fne
work to save the fair city of Ashe-
vile from negro domination: a condi-
ton that will not add to its attractive
ness.
The sentiment here, as in most
towns of the South. is very religious,
so far at least as outward observance
goes. A special town ordinance closes
the barber shops on Sunday-or Sab
BATH" as it is designated by many
Christians who in every thing else de-
nounce the ordinances observed by the
once chosen people and the sinful
luxury of a clean shave on that day
must be forgone by both native and
foreigner. But you can get ''shine"
on every block and corner of the CEN
tral thoroughfares, even though you
and your artist crowd the church 60
ing people from the sidewalk, with no
blue-coated official to modest or make
afraid. Why this distinction between
the understanding. spiritual and pedal?
Is it because the head is Cbristianly
considered the seat of intelligence?
Perhaps. II so, how thankful we are
that tie Chinese belief that the brains
lie in the stomach does not prevail in
Asheville!
The town is growing rapidly, and,
seems sure to double its population
within the next decade. New houses
are going up on every side and in all
directions are heard the sounds of the
builder. Eligible locations for resi-
deuces are plentiful, but the prices are
high. Far away from the maddenipg
crowd that infests the business centres,
land sells for so foot frontage. with
not great amount of rearage to bal
ance. Yet, as most of the incomers
are from the larger towns and cities,
many of whom for health's sake must
make this their future residence, the
vacant places are being rapidly and
steadily filed with dwellings and
buildings for business purposes. 1t is
computed that three-fourths of those
engaged in business here are people
who have been forced to take up there
babi;ation in this s'Land OF the Sky"
because of the curative properties of
its climate. A forced residence for
health's sake means, in most instances,
sacrifice of business interests 'tat
home," and the pot must be kept boil
ing somehow. The denizeu looks
about HIN, finds or makes an opening,
and enters into such vocation as may
seem most promising. In consequence,
it is generally claimed that business
of all kinds is considerably overdone.
Dry Goods and grocery stores, drug
stores. tobacco shops, hotels, livery
stables, book stores. saloons, ETC..
abound. But the clearinghouse is
everywhere! When we first landed in
Ashevilie We rested for few days at
the Swannanoa Hotel. Then We struck
out to find a private boarding house.
The first stranger we met. after having
passed from the region of Patton Ave-
nue-the business thoroughfare = we
asked him if he could direct US ''to a
house where they took in boarders."
Take in borders! Say, stranger,
you must be new to this town."
We acknowledged that we were.
II thought so. Boarding house?
Holy Moses! If you'll show me a
house in this town, outside of the
stores and churches. that don't take in
boarders, I'll SET 'em up. regardlessw
OF course this was exaggeration.
There are many elegant residences
here which are private to their own
ers; still, the name of the other kind
lis legion, and sojourners may take
their pick and choice at rates ranging
from So to $50 week.
Said /. pointing to many-alcoved.
beautifully ornamented dwelling. with
the appearance of being intended as a
private residence of some wealthy fam
ily. You don't mean to tell me that
they board people for SO much week
over there?1
Don't I? Here. I'll go with yor
and ring the bell and we'll seer
excused him from the trouble. bu
went myself and was convinced. Near