The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-06-16
Baltimore Manufacturers Record J

Baltimore Manufacturers Record. )
The coming summer is likely to be
marked by a decided increase in the
patronage Of the mountain resorts of
the South. For more than half a
century the people of the South
who have had the means and the
leisure have been accustomed to
divide their summers between the
resorts Of the North and some of the
older ones of the South. In former
years there was a regular migration
with the on-coming or warm wea her
from lOwlands to the mountains.
The plantation families or the dwell
ers in cities Of the plains made the
pilgrimage, enlivened with the
change to out-of-door life of the
route, and spent at least month in
some retreat like that of the old
Greenbrier White, or some of the
lesser resorts whose name is now
only memory. Wealthy families
from New Orleans orMobile travelled
by steamboat and in their private
equipages overland to the heights of
the Appalachian range, and there re-
mained until the on-coming of cooler
weather or continued their happy
journey to Saratoga or one Of the
seaside resorts just in their begin
nings. That was in the days before
the railroads had made accessible and
aided in the development of many
resorts which now rank with the best
that the North has or ever had.
There are many distinct advantages
possessed by these summer refugees.
Though many of them have all the
conveniences Of table and appoint
ments, they are still close to the
wildneSs of the woods. Within the
walk Of a wellarranged hotel are
magnificent stretches of scenery,
opportunities for sportsmen and
temptations to the invalid to WOO
health in close communion with
nature. The winter migration from
the North to Florida, Georgia, the
Carolinas. Alabama and Louisiana has
become 4 permanent fact in American
life; but the South is not only an i'm
mense sanitarium for the winter, but
also for the whole year. From Mason
and Dixon's line clear into Alabama
and Georgie the Appalachian range
forms unending lines of beauty. Not
as bold as the Rockies, nor as sharply
defined, perhaps, as the New Eng
land Mount Washington, the ranges
of the Blue Ridge are yet most pleas
ing in their changing color under
different skies, their sweeping forms,
ard, as they rise to North Carolina,
their commanding elevations. Com
paratively few persons realize that
in Western North Carolina there are
forty-three mountains more than
5000 feet high, towering above others
ranging from 1000 feet down and one
of the chief attractions about these
mountains is that they have nothing
OF the worn appearance of the better
known peaks of the East, but are full
Of pleasant surprises and give OPP
portunity for ever-changing vistas to
him who idles among them.
Moreover, the Appalachian range
is really an immense mineral foun-
hCulCllldl "dlcIS. 70
seirerers from minor ills and curative
of long-standing diseases, either in
the shape Of beverage or as bath,
gush from among the rocks at many
points. The White Sulphur Springs
in West Virginia, the Hot Springs,
the Warm Springs, the Healing
Springs in Bath county, the Old
Sweet Springs, Rock bridge Alum in
Virginia, the Hot Springs of North
Carolina and others at Lincolnton
and Shelby. n. C., Cross Hill, S. c.,
Sweet Water and Bowden, near
Atlanta. are few of the iron, chaly-
'eate or sulphur springs belonging
y the EirginiaS. the CarOlinas,
Fen, ressee and Georgia, situated in
,ealt, ny places and surrounded by
picture sque views which are attract
mo- ever year Il greater number of
.isitors han before. TO most of
hose snrin, rs direct railroad connec-
ion is had with the cities of the
North. West md farther South, and
.ach wear fine IS improvements and
attra> ctions, none of which,
,owever. mar the beauties which
,aye been crested by nature.
Typical of them all. perhaps, are
hose in the vicinity Of Asheville, n.
:. The development " that section
As a health resort for brth the sum
mer and winter is largely due to the
enterprise of the railroads ana the
delight of wealthy persons who nave
once visited it. The city OF Ashe-
Vile itself is monument OF the aP-
of the South as sanltarl-
um. Its population consists largely
of tourists or of those persons. Who
once seeing it. have determined TO
make it their home for life. Nearby
is the magnificent Biltmore estate
an attraction which casual visitors
are permitted to en- JOY Then there
is the Cloudland Hotel. on the top OF
Roam mountain ut an elevation OF
640O feet. and commanding view
of 80. 600 miles of territory in seven
States--the two Virginias. two Caro-.
linas. Kentucky. Tennessee and
Georgia. From this place there Is
an easy access by an excellent
mountain turnpike to other resorts;
such AS Eseeola Inn, at Linvilie, and
the recommendations at Blowing Rock
where spring atmosphere seems to
abide eternally. BY another route
one reaches WayDesville. filled with
the healing odors of the fir and
presenting points of advantage for
observing magnificent views OF cllif
valley and mountaia stream, and the
whole topped by Mount Mitchell
Grandfather, Roam and Clingman'
Peak. Across the border lies the
Lookout mountain, overhangins
Cb,ttanoooa Not far away is Chick