The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-28
ldylIic Scenes Among the
AppaIachians Described.
WEALTH OF THE REGION
ITS SOARING PEAKS AND CRYS-
TAI STl.A4AMS.
MINES OF METAL AND PRECIOUS STONES


Infinite Attractions For the 0rni-
thologis' GeoIogist and Sports.
To the Editor: In the Senate Wednes-
day, January 18th, Senator Pritchard in
troduced a memorial i'm reference to the
Appalachian Park. Hundreds and thou
sands of people from all over the North,
East and South are asking that our rep
resentatives be authorized to urge Con-
gress to establish a National Park in the
Southern Appalachian region. For much
information upon this subject, / am in
debted to Senator Prtchard's memorial.
1t is proposed that this park be estab-
hshed in the heart of the Great Smokes,
the Balsams, and the Black and Craggy
mountains, as here are found the highest
peaks east of the Rockies, over forty be-
ing more than 5000 feet high, clothed
with the most BEAUTIFUL verdure and the
most magnificent timber in the United
States. Whiteside mountain presents a
wall two miles in length and 1900 feet
sheer drop-the highest perpendicular
face east Of the Rocky Mountains. These
mountains are wonderfully rich in miner
ais and gems. Already they are attract
ing the attention Of the mineralogist and
the capitalist. Gold is found in many
places, showing values exceeding 500 per
ton Graphite appears, also iron and
manganese. Here are located the cele-
brated zircon mines, here are found the
rare auerlite, tale, the finest feldspar,
and corundum. Its gems have quite q
reputatiOn-garnet, amethyst, sapphire,
beryl, rodolite and quartz.
Here are waterfalls, crystal trout
streams, and valleys Of marvellous beauty.
In regard to forestry, it may not be gem
orally known that of twenty-five species
of oak found east of the Rockies, nine
teen are found in North Carolina; Of eight
pines all are found; of seven magDolias
all are found; OF five NAPLES adj; of nine
hickories six; of five birches three, and
nearly every one of the twenty kinds Of
timber used in the New York markets
are found here. The total number Of
trees found in the State is 112, and twice
I as many shrubs. OF these, about nine
tenths are found in the proposed Appala-
chain Park. The judicious management
Of these timber sources would yield an
immediate revenue to the government,
and save these magnificent forests from
impending destruction. Professor Gray,
the eminent botanist, found in trip of
thirty miles through western North Caro-
lima, a greater number Of indigenous trees
than can be observed in a trip from Tur-
key to England, through Europe. No
where in the world are the kalnlia and
rhododendron so abundant. There are
acres ard acres of their almost impene-
trable thickets. that are the home Of
bear, deer, wild turkeys and smaller
game. No region in the United States
contains scenery so wild, so magnificent,
so varied. Certainly NO section of
country Of the same extent can show so
many clear, cold, picturesque streams,
so many waterfalls varying in height
from forty to $40 feet. Experienced
travellers on our own continent, and who
have seen the beauties of European
scenery, pronounce this unrivaled by any
in the world Think of maiden hair ferns
from 2l2 to feet TALL lace fern that
cover the ground like an embroidered
carpet, hardy ferns that are green and
beautiful throughout the winter. The
galax with its infinite variety of winter
coloring, the fragrant arbutus that comes
with the first breath Of spring, followed
by the dainty lilies of the valley, and
the azaleas from palest straw color to
deepest orange, and from delicate pink
to glowing scarlet, anemones, viOlets, Or
chids, lobelias, gentian, and hundreds of
rare and beautiful blossoms.
There are infinite attractions in this
section for the botanist, mineralogist
ornithologist, geologist, sportsman, health
and pleasure seeker. As health resort
it cannot be surpassed. Malaria is not
known, and thousands can testify to its
benehcient effect in malarial and pulmo-
nary disorders. The absence of fogs
makes it particularly suitable resort for
invalids. Strangers seldom fail to remark
upon the clearness OF the skies. Objects
can be seen at a very great distance, and
seem to stand out with astonishing dis
tinctness. Its altitude makes the sum-
mers cool and delightful, blankets being
required in July and August, yet this
GOODNESS is perfectly dry and invigorating.
In speaking Of the climate Of this locality,
DR.. S. w. Battle, NJ. D., 2. A, surgeon
Z. S. A., in lecture says: Tempera-
ture observations extending through a
period of eight years show as follows:
Mean temperature of spring 53.49; mean
temperature of summer 1912; mean tenn
perature of autumn, 53.48; mean temporal
ture for the year 54.14. The mortality
from pulmonary phthsis is not large in
any part of North Carolina, but in this
State where pulmonary phthsis does not
figure prominently in mortality tables,
the death rate is still fifty per cent less
in the mountain section than in the other
lower lying portions of the State"
The greater part of this justly celebrat-
ed region lies in Western North Carolina,
but would extend into several counties
of Tennessee. A park located here can
be enjoyed at all seasons Of the year.
The Yellowstone Park is more than q
600 miles from the Atlantic, and can only
be enjoyed in summer, as snow and ice
are too frequent at other seasons. Land
in the Appalachian region cam be bought
very cheaply, at few dollars per acre.
1t is within twenty-four hours from New
York, Boston, Chicago, st. Louis, Toledo
and the Gulf States. Established here
it would be in truth a National Park,
and it Is earnestly hoped that Congress
will snpedily consider the advisa ability of