The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-03-10
PICTURESQUE AsHEWLLE.
Frank L. Decker Writes of a Soiourn
in the Appalachian Mountains.

from personal letter written by +.
L. Decker to friend. AS he Is well
known by many OF old settlers and
writes entertainingly we give Ii space
IN the Chieftain:
j must say something about the far
famed and incompatible beauty OF
Asheyille, North Carolina. IL is a
shining gem In the crown Of the
makers master piece. 10 Is above the
sea level twenty-three hundred feet,
IN the very heart Of the most beauti-
ful and picturesque region Of the Ap-
palachian mountains II is 50 unlike
any place | have seen. IL Isso beautl-
ful, pleasant, peaceful, and pictures
que, 80 grand and delightful that
can but summarize 1t In a word as one
grand and glorious "Elyslan field,
above the earth and beneath the sky.
The buena yistas we get from there
are simply bewildering, fascinating,
rhapsodizing and inspiring. Each hin
and valley, peak and promontory. each
river and rlyulet seems to blend In
one grand harmonious combination Of
tTanscendent beauty and supreme
loyeliness. IL is the acme Of nature
supplemented by the acme Of art. and
] wonder that the swift waters Of the
French Broad river do not long to
linger In this enchanted spot. do
not wonder that my esteemed friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Patton, Of yinita, ha-
bitually come her to obyiate the hot,
hummid summer 5f the Indian Ter
ritory. The entire panorama Is per-
meated with deep haze hue 50 char
acteristic Of the mountains OF Vir-
glnla, but the atmosphere is dry and
balmy as tie breath Of spring. Il has
the climate and natural attributes Of
yerisable health resort for the III
and yeritable paradise for the WELL
II is, moreover city Of dissemi-
mated, diversified handsome homes. A
city Of incessant cleanliness, peaceful-
ness and nleasanlness. 4 city that
was indeed loatl toJeaye. but dear
as the full neon faded beyond the
lazy heights Of Mt pisgah 10 the west
and the morning sun began to peer
over Mt Mitchell IN the east, had
viii great reluctance 10 Did adien 10
this fair, Tar famed place. And as I
passed forthe last time beautiful Bilt-
more. sighed and said, how beautl-
ful, how lovely, how perfect. how
grand, and how much Mr. Vanderbilt
has done, how much lie has 20 I've far
and how much he has some day to
leave.
Tie country AsheYiIle % Charleston
293 miles. Is far the most high aud
hilly. The soil IS generally depleted
and dIstressingly poor and the people
are ednespondlngly poor. The prlncl.
pal product is cotton and The manu-
facture Of cotton cloth. Tie poor
negro farmers are still In the OK team
era, and plow or rather scratch the
poor clay soil with one old mule or
gawjsy, gangling, steer. Sometimes
mule and steer are hltched side b
side a rather clumsy conblnat on. but
commensurate with the surroundings.
There IS. moreover, too much M
heFent and inherited lassitnde 70 ac-
complish any thing, and how these
poor native negroes can defeat the
stress Of apparent starvation with the
soil aud primatise means they have.
IS mystery to me. Seeing Charles
ton IS the fond realization 0f LONG
anxious desire, and am highly pleas
ed to be here. Il Is the only city Of
aag Importance In the United States
! had not seen. The climate now Is
ideal TIE city Is quiet compared
with the north. but Il Is delightful
place. The people are exceedingly
hospitable. obllging and courteous
They are the peFsoniiicatlon of polite
ness. and no one ever hears an lmpo-
lite Or imperfect answer from the af.
fable white or black South Carolinan.
The habitual s'slnn is never omit
ted. The eity IS sull Of ancient and
historic places of Interest and amuse-
ment. Il IS full Of parks and public
squares churches and church yards
monuments and statues: for the south
IS loyal and liberal toward the proud
commemontion of their lllustrlous
dead. Gardens are green. rich roses
are blooming and various varieties al
fragrant flowers perfume the air while
busy birds iilI the trees with lha
melodies Of their happy songs.
tnANK L. DEuKEn.
March q l2O&. Charleston s. G.
Arrivals at the 1afI.
Wash Brown. carrying concealed