The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-06-04
tWIii'"n For Tn" Inirllisrnccr b,
Donald GilliSJ

Donald GilliS.J
A.hvil. y G.. jane !. I'll. recent
decision by IA" T. = Forest R"scrva-
tipn Commission to purchase from
Nr|. G,or2" V. Vanderbilt, $500
! .4c:c2 0f land near AshviIIe. y. g., will
soon make the United States the own
cr Of Il vast ANA beautiful forest In
the heart OF the Southern Appalach-
ian mountains. only l6 hours ride
from Washington anu IL from At
Ianta. II is believed that by next year
r0ngrc:'g will convert it into Il national
park to serve as "A playground for the
thirty-five million people to whom
the railways make il accessible in Il
day'. journey. It's C.nter is II miles
in Southwest direction from Ash
Vile from which its nearest point is
only six miles distant.
Containing l34 square miles, it
formed the bulk OF the land which the
late George w. Vanderbilt acquired in
he past 90 years in connection with
his princely Biltmore House. the finest
country place in America "Pisgah
Forest" he called this cherished pos
| session. and this name has been adop-
ted by tho commission. Conserved by
lie first scientific forestry practiced
in America. Il Is the finest and most
extensive hardwood forest in the East
crn states. and it will be the largest
area owned by the United States East
OF the Miss sisSippi.
Pisgah Forest is princely domain
Of mighty mountains and crystal
at 9rktnO hrr Il
eur Of the Rockies. 1t is a great green
garden Of wooded heights and grassy
glades impenetrable thickets OF rho
dodcndron and azalea making masses
OF bloom In spring and early summer
In It's bounds are giant peaks, some
grassy "balds." other balsam-clad
domes. and rock capped SUBMITS with
granite precipices sheltcring bear and
wolves. eliminating in the sharp spire
OF Pisgah's pyramid 5757 feet above
sea level.
Abundant rainfall ensures luxuriant
vegetation. Noble trees of poplar,
oak. spruce. hemiock. balsam. hickory,
walnut. maple, birch, cover the
slopes. A thousand high placed
springs send their cold waters through
ferny dells to form the. fastening
streams. ..Cascadilgn over, rocky, bot
toms they foam against great bouId-
ers. swirl In dark pools. spread like
silver curtain on rock, tables. and
plunge, as at Looking Glass. sheer
down for sixty feet 1t Is land of
s,nsans s,reams. 0ro0tS ! ana yh'te-creSted
Came and fish abound In the forest
1t Is estimated that there are 5000
deer. besides bear. wolves. foxes, rae
coons, opossums, sqirrel, rabbits,
quail. Wild turkey. native phesants
and the descendants OF the Chinese
and English phesants with which 1t
was stocked years ago The clear,
cool water Is the native habitat of the
speckled or mountain trout and in the
larger streams are the rainbow or
California variety. Wardened relig-
iously for many Years the trout are as
plentiful as the ardent fisherman
could desire.
One may reach the heart of this
wilderness in two hours ride from
Ashville, and the greater part OF it
may be overlooked by scenic road
believed to be unequaled in America:
road nearly a mile In elevation and
an automobile road at that 1t was
built by Mr.. Vanderbilt exclusively for
use by his automobile in reaching his
hunting lodge CT one OF the "ears" of
that rat" which, as seen from Ashe-