The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-02-14

selves around the smoullering cabin
fire and on the trunks of the fallen
frs, and then, in the light of glori-
Gus full moon, whose rays penciled
the dark damp forest with liquid
silver, 1000 feet above the tide-wasa-
ed sands Of the Atlantic, the melan-
choly tale was told. Many Il heart
was stilled with sadness as the awful
truth was disclosed, and many
rough face glittered with tear in the
rcfuleent moonlight as it looked upon
the marble pallor and statue-stillness
of the stricken and 'bereaved son, and
thought Of those far away whom this
sudden evil would so deeply afflict.
cit was as they expected. The de-
ceased had undertaken to go the
same route to the settlements which
he mad formerly gone. They traced
him rapidly down the precipices of
the mountain until they reached the
stream, (the Cat-tail fork), found
traces going down V-following on
hundred yards or sd, they came to a
| rushing cataract some 10 feet high,
saw MS footprints trying to climb
arouud the edge Of the yawning prec-
'plct, saw the moss torn up by the
| oHlStrctchcd hand, and then--the
solid nmpressionless granite refused
to tell more Of his fate. But Chamber
in" hastily to the bottom Of the ror-
ing abyss, they found basin worn
out OF tnc solid rock by the frcnzied
torrent, at least Id feet deep, filled
with clear and crystal waters cold
and pure as the winter snow that
generates them. AT the bottom of
this basin, quietly reposing, with out
stretched arms, lay the mortal re-
mains Of the Rev. Elisha Mitchell.
ID. d., The good, the great. the wise,
the supplemented, The pure of heart,
the Instructor Of the youth, the dis
rlplc OF knowledge and the preacher
of Christianity! Oh, what a friend to
science and virtue, what youth among
all the thousands that have listened
to his teachings, what friend that has
ever taken him by the hand, can
thiNh Of tniS wild and awful scene
unmovcd by the humanity of tears !
can think Of those gigantic pyramilal
frs. whose intcrlocking branches, shut
ont the light of heaven, the many
hued rhododcndrons that freight the
air with their perfume and lean weep
ln"ly over the waters, that crystal
stream leapiHg down the great gran
ties and Fastening from the majestic
presence of the mighty peak above,
whilst in the deep pool below, where
tnc weary waters rest but single
moment. lies the inanimate body of
his dear friend and preccptor. appar-
entity listening TO the mighty requiem
of the cataract ! Truly 'Man knowcth
not his time, and the sons nf men are
rn'lappcd in the evil, when if cometh
suddenly upon them.' -
DR.. Mitchell met mis- death June
-. 1897. and was buried in Ashcvillc
the 10th of july following. About
year later on the 10th of June.
1898. his body was rcintarrcd upon
the top Of MI. Mitchell. the height of
whirh he was engaged in measurin"
at the time his tragic fate overlook
him.
tlftH-onc years later l. were 'ar.
proprlatc that the old mountaincar,
who was the friend an! guide ard
who brought abon! .he discovery Of
his body, should likewise be buried
in honor on the Top Of the mountain
he knew 50 well and so greatly rcver-
cd Tor the memory that was bound up
N It Of lh" great scientist who came
among the mountains and their pto-
pie rs friend and @uidc-to learn an
tn teach.