The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-19
DIR. |. S. HOPKINS
VISITS 1.-THE LAND OF Sky" AND
WRITES ABOUT 1T.
Majestic Glory and beauty As He
saw II on "A business Trip Through
Western North Carolina.

saw 1t on n business Trip Through
Western North Carolina.
Editor Constitutional recent business
trip carried this writer through Western
North Carolina.
Over-praise is a temptation to one when
the eye has been charmed and the fancy
has been delighted. Il may have been so
in this instance, but over-statement would
be no easy task in reference to this won
derland of mountain. valley aud river, OF
fruitful farms and beautiful homes.
In a moment Of happy inspiration some
one has called the mountain region of
North Carolina THE Land of the Sky"
But name indicating attractions be.ong-
ing to the earth would be equally appro-
pirate If waving wheat fields, luxuriant
tobacco crops. exhaustless stone quarrles
and other things ministering to creature
comfort might suggest and justify name.
But the glorious visions for the eye!
Whatever can enliven the Imagination and
elevate the thoughts into higher and mob
Ter moods belongs to this favored region.
From Salisbury to Knoxville. along the
line of the great Southern railway, the
scene varies increasingly and yet is ever
on the highest scale of novelty and mag
nihcence.
For many mile the journey is along
the winding course of the historic French
Broad river, sometimes skrting its waters
at the very edge and frequently crossing
the stream on picturesque bridges For
the most part the course of the river Is
through mountain gorges. now babbling
ONYgV a -nnfFxr had a A..
for miles like placid lake with hardly
a ripple to tell the surprising swiftness OF
its current.
For once the rigid claims of business
seem to have gone down before the
charms of nature. and n the projectors
ana engineers had meant to do so they
could not have contrived more success
fully to Jay out their road for the Joy and
delight of the traveller.
Alongside this wonderfully beautiful
river view and lin startling contrast with
it are the mountains on either hand-not
hills. but mountains. Sometimes they rise
preciptously within arms length of the
coach to hight of 1900 feet, and again
they swell and roll from the margin of the
river in bold and graceful curves Then
a solid wall rises before the moving train
pierced for the passage of the train and
up by many a tortuous curve until rein.
forced by the pilot engine the summit OF
the range is reached and the easier de-
scent Is begun At one point one can see
below the grade he has passed over at
as many as fourteen different levels. Cen
trail In all of this assembage of attrac-
tons Is the beautiful little city Of Ashe-
Vile. Situated on an elevated plateau IL
Is like gem set in the bosom of the
mountains Surely nature and art never
combined in a more complete and harmo-
nlous blending. The charm of this unioue
and busting little city has been sounded
far and Wide, but it must be seen and
felt to be fully realized Flourishinar
schools, beautiful churches varied bust
ness interests, equable temperature. un-
falling water supply from mountain
streams combine to make 1t an IDEAL place
Of residence.
Hotels and boarding houses abound, with
prices to suit the average purse, as well
as those of greater or less length and
fulness. This writer's happy experience
was with the Battery Park hotel and with
Mr.. McKissick as host. This hotel occu-
pies the site Of an old fort, and from its
elevated position offers a most charming
and commanding view of the city below
and the mountains beyond. Shaded
porches, luxurious parlors, tempting cui-
sine, sDlendidly furnished rooms,
well equipped stables, serpentine walks.
shaded hooks and beautiful lawns make
IL an ideal resting place-a hotel home.
From the galleries Of the hotel the eve
led by mountains. On every side at dis
tances varying from a short walk TO a
score or more Of miles these eminences
rise I'm bold and graceful lines, three, four,
five or six thousand feet.
Not infrequently belt Of clouds seems
TO cleave their sides, and at such times
from their submits the observer can look
down upon the upper surface of the clouds
35 upon the surface of calm sea- scarce
ly rippled by gentle breezes.
Back of these mount ains so clear to
view that the sense Of distance Is quite
misleading. the dim and hazy heads OF
other ranges lend an added charm 70 the
scene.
One must be insensible indeed to the
most inspiring of all scenery-that or
mountain and valley-not to feel a great
uplft of soul as he takes In the vision
OF these majestic solitudes. What a boon
10 tarry even for brief season amid such
surroundings What a balm TO the ach-
ing limbs tired muscle, strained nerves
and even wounded spirit, Is this marvel
ously pure air. Vitalized with ozone, sweep
ing down from the mountain nights in
unfailing streams. And tired nature re-
spends in expanded lungs, quickened
pulse, sparkling eye and health-hued
cheek.
And then Il Is no small part Of the real
pleasure OF trip to these scenes of beauty
and pleasure that one can reach them so
quickly and with so little OF the discom-
fort of railway travel,
The well-appolnted and luxurious lines
OF the great Southern railway. with sleep
ers and parlor cars, dining cars and day
coaches, attentive and courteous officials,
and convenient hours OF travel, show
every possible consideration and afford
every possible convenience for the comfort
and safety of the traveller.
May duty beckon this writer thlther
soon again. I. s. Hopkins.
Atlanta Constitution, July sad.