Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-05-12

Governors at Natchez)
dotted with groves of oak and mag
nolias, in which are half-concealed the
gistening white houses of the planters.
The uplands gradually increase until
Natchez is reachcd-aboutt ten milesd
tant. Here the famous "Natchez Hills"
rise to a height of nearly 300 feet above
the river. These wild and rugged hills
are of a peculiar rich, marty loan,
and are evidently the result of an earth
quake. They extend back into the in
terror for ten or twelve miles, and those
not under cultivation are clothed with
forest primeval" of magnolia, oaks,
| tulip and black walnut. These hills
are cleft with crevices or canyons,
whose banks are covered with luXuriant
verdure and wild flowers, and through
these riffs course pretty streams in
their mad rush to the great river. The
wild and romantic beauty of the bluffs
upon which Natchez stands becomes
even more picturesque when contrast
ed with the beautiful landscape on the
opposite side of the river. The alluvial
plain, spread out below as carpet eX-
tends for about so miles, and from these
precipitous bluffs can be seen a magnifi-
cent sweep of country, coursed by lit
tie "bayous," seemingly bright ribbons
flashing in the sun.
Here the river makes a curve, or "big
bend" and changing its bed has ere
ated Lake Concordia." This change
was caused by the caving of the bank,
which is a Characteristic of the river,
especially at Natchez, Vicksburg, Grand
Gulf and Lake Providence. Concordia
! lake describes almost complete circle
of about 12 miles, and the broad, Write
fields which line its banks present one
of natures prettiest scenes. The lands
are highly productive, and have been
cultivated for nearly a century and a
half. Vidalia, the pretty village oppo-
site Natchez, was the country seat of
Don Vidal, one of the earliest Spanish
settlers, and Lake Concordia was so
named from Concord, the home of the
first Spanish governor of Natchez and
the first fine residence built in the
place. From the summit of the Natchez
hills the view of this unbroken plain
and the grand sweep of the river is en-
trancing. But looking up and down the
river, at the bluffs in their ruggedness
clothed to their SUBMITS with forests
of trees and tangled vines, the view
is somber, but grand.
1t was but natural that such pic,
turesque country should soon be set
tied, and, upon the arrival of the French
under LaSalle, the explorer, a settle
ment was made. A few years afterward
the capital of the territory was removed
to what is now New Orleans. The
Frepch found here the powerful tribe
of Natchez Indians, who came from
towards the setting sun" and claimed
their descent from the Aztecs. They
were the highest type of civilized In
diaus in America. They were fire wor
shippers, and their chief was called tn,
Great Sun" They massacred thu
French garrison, and were finally ex
terminated.
So il will be seen that Natchez is tn,
oldest white settlement in the south
west. 1t is also the NEST historical, ant
noted as having been the center O
wealth and intelligence during its Ions
history; and as having provided morl
brilliant men than any other section o
the southwest A number of wealthy
French came from New Orleans an,
cultiyaung large estates, mainly by slav
labor lived iu elegant ease. They
built their chateaux upon The bluffs
aud reaped fortunes by Planting in
digo and tobacco. Next came the Span
iards also people OF education and re
fnement the governors DE Lemol
/ Gayoso. Minor and Don Jose Vida
, The Spanish settlers were given larg
, grants of land, aud 10 order 10 cult
vate them there was renewed activit
/. iu the slave trade-the slaves beiul
brought from Cuba end San Domingo