The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-09-02

renowned Fortress Monroe, overlook
ing Hampton Roads, the scene of the
naval battle between the Monitor and
Ne,,smaf,; il has a most delightful
cline, with sea air and several palatial
hotels like the Chamberlin and Hygeia
II is near to great shipping points like
Newport News and Norfolk, site of the
Navy Yard Near Norfolk is the mag
nlticent Virginia Beach-a ,reat place
for bathers-and there is superb
hotel, the Princess Anne.
From Norfolk or Old Pom: an
interesting journey may be made by
boat up the historic ames River 10
Richmond. From Old Point, R'ch-
mond or Washington the lines Of the
Southern Railway converge at Sails
bury, n. G., and all pass through his
torlc and interesting territory. At
Salisbury the great route is via Ashe
VILE, Knoxville and Chattanooga,
thence 10 Nashville direct Asheville,
IN the "Land Of the Sky" the most
fascinating, all the year-round resort
OF the country, is the focal point for
tourists of the wild mountainous region
of North Carolina, amid the awful
ranges and peaks of the Blue Ridge
system. Ashevllle is the center of A
number of great resorts in the "Laad
of the Sky" Around it are the crown
ing glories of creation, lofty mountain
ranges, grand cathedral-like peaks,
rich with pristine forest growth, ba,hed
with a fleecy mantle, and amid the
yawning CanonS, the magnificent
French Broad, uniting with the lovely
Swannanoa, wends its way through a
veri,able Garden Of the Gods.
Biltmore, near Asheville, is the site
Of the magnificent castle, situated in
the midst of an enormous park of
many thousand acres, erected by Mr..
George W. Vanderbilt at a cost OF
5000, 900, and on this estate is a
great experimental farm. AT Biltmore
is palatial resort hotel, the kenil-
worth Inn, select resort of the best
people. In this country, also, are
noted hotels like the Cloudland
reached from Johnson City, Tenn.
Esseola Inn, Linnville, N. c., near
Cranberry, n. c., and other good
places at very high altitude, where life
is rendered pleasurable at all times of
the year by pure, salubrious mountain
air.
But Asheville is the prince of noun
tain resorts and is on the main line OF
travel. 1t is a most beautiful little
city perched like crows eyre, high
up the mountain slopes, and is the
scene Of numerous palatial homes OF
visitors, and 4 score of fine hotels ant
boarding houses. 1t has all modern
improvements, including excellent elec
trio railways, electric lights and pufe
spring water. The principal hotel i:
the Battery Park, commanding fine
view of the surrounding country, than
which no more palatial home ever
afforded a retreat to visitors. The
climate is charming, being pure, dry
and highly lnvlgorating. In July OF
August, when life is a burden in the
city, Ashe,llle is bright and genial
and the air is just right for enjoymen,
out Of doors; the nights are superb. \
great number Of clear days, fine climate
!. and rare scenery are the leading
features Of Asheville as a resort. The
, place lies along one Of the main line:
Of the Southern Railway en- route t,
Nashville
Another delightful place near Ashe
vile is Hot Springs, on the same line
located in charming gorge, sur
, rounded by lovely tree clad cones.
There is high class hotel and santa
rum, the Mountain Park Hotel, which
T has excellent facilities for the enter
,ainment of guests, and the admins
,ering of the very eftlcacious waters o
the thermal springs.
At Chattanooga an opportunity Il
alfordet! TO visit the great battlefield>
t of Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Nationa
Military Park and Cemetery and the
scene of the "Ba,tle Above tn.
Clouds" on top of glorious Lookou
Mountain, a place which, in the
opinion Of George Bancroft, the emi-
r nent historian, discloses the fines
, views of nature in the world. Return
ing from Nashville, a good plan is tc
60 via Birmingham and see the mighty
) blast furnaces, then go to Atlanta, the
: "Queen City Of the South" and
| Augusta, the most typical Southern
city, and see its great battery OF roar
. ing cotton mills, operated by an ex,en
! sive system of water works whereby
= the waters Of the Savannah River ar;
, eflectually harnessed.
The Southern Railway is a might,
c trunk system ramifying the South an'
reaching with its own rails all tn
n great commercial or industrial center
: and resorts. 1t has strongly con
e s,ructed roadway, laid with heav
h steel rails, carefully maintained AM
; protected by all modern safety appli
ances Its through trains are com
/ posed Of elegant day coaches, hand
), some dining cars and pala,lal Poll
IS man buffet sleepers and observation
e cars; its service is luxurious, its sched
It ules swift and reliable. This grea
!, system offers the most excellent faclli
d ties for reaching Nashville, or a
e points in the South, and all the be:
d resorts, from Northern or Wester
e States. Its through trains from Ne
d York pass over the Pennsylvan
IS system, thence TO all leading Sou,hst
,e points without change.