The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-08-16
The EDITOR STILL ENJOYING
LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS

In a previous letter we told some
thing OF the war-like spirit of the
mountaineers exhibited in that won
derful document-the Macklenburg
Declaration of Independence-when
more than a year before that mem
cradle assemblage at Philadelphia, a
mere handful of North Carolina
mountaineers, determined to throw
On the yoke of intolerance and op
preston, and renounced their allegi
ance TO the mother country. How
during the seven years struggle fol-
independence, like the vestal virgins
they kept the patriotic fires burning
How. at a later period, they manifest
ed the same courage and devotion
and contributed their full quota in
maintaining the integrity and soyer
eighty OF the south in her struggle fol
constitutional liberty. How, at yet
stiil later period, in the little tilt with
Spain. she was the first at the front
with her sacrificial offering.
In this letter we shall somewhat
briefly allude to some of her achieve
ments along the paths of peace.
Notwithstanding the freight dis
ordinations against all interior plac-
- tn favor OF river and harbor points,
North Carolina has built up the larg-
est furniture manufacturing industry
81 High Point in the whole country.
With willing hands and the raw mate
rial within reach, she asked for moth
ing better and triumphed over the Sc
we're exactions of unjust freight dis
ordinations In this triumph she
has emphasized the fact that peace
hath her victories no less renowned
than war
~ Canton near Waynesville, is
said TO be the largest paper manufac-
turing plant in the south.
With her Incompatible summer eli
mate and delightful mountain seen
cry western North Carolina is being
rapidly discovered by the tourist, and
immense hotel projects are being con-
templated along the Murphy branch
~ the Southern railway. But the
foresight and resourcefulness of the
keen business instincts of these peo-
pie will not permit them to put al.
their eggs into single basket. They
vii not alone depend upon the spend
thrift tourist. The season is so short,
especially when mild weather is en-
ioyed elsewhere. that it is almost i'm
possible for the big hotels and first
class boarding houses to make ends
meet So that the thrifty mountain
GERS are looking out for other indus
tries and paying investments.
Waynesville has a Touring mill;
Clyde. a few miles distant, has one
also Hendersonville is erecting g
$50, 600 electric plant, which viii
mean much for it's future. Popular
as II Is as a summer resort it will MOI
place its attendance upon its army o.
summer visitors, but will become the
center OF an industrial activity.
Along these gradually ascending
mountain peaks are many rushin:
streams. the waters OF which, excep
forming cataracts pleasing to the eye
are going to waste They are now
however. being gradually harnessed
and in time the whirr of dynamos ant
the sound OF revolving wheels will b,
heard all along the mountain sides.
Strange as it may appear, with mel
wearing overcoats and fires KEEP
burning, as is done at Eagles Mes
and other lofty attitudes, it is SUI
prising how luxuriantly vegetation
grows. The grass grows as rankly a
do coffee-weeds with us; corn has tn
appear VI lCoLAAAS vi ASi bAAASS
beds-in a word, all kinds of vegeta
bles grow to perfection, so it will no
be surprising to see truck garden
and dairy farms stretching all alon
these valleys and mountain fortress
es. The cows are fine specimens o
their kind. and are milk producers
and thesfnilk is almost half cream.
Inthe winter time we imagine it t
.hesbleak, raw, dismal and chilling t
ones marrow bones, but in the goo
old summer time it is Gods owl
country. and from Pisgah's Height
Moses never beheld a fairer land.
Notes
Colonel Jno. F. Jackson of Bronson
so we'll known to all Floridians, hay
ing been travelling the road for fort.
years. is among the Florida tourists
here. He is now taking his ease ant
enjoying life to the fullest He ha'