The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1914-06-05
Written For The In,elIigencor by
Donald GilIis.)

Donald GillIs.)
AshvilIc. n. c., June 3.-The recent
decision by the U. S. Forest Reserya-
lion Commission to purchase from
Mrs. George w. Vanderbilt $500
acres of land near Ashviile, N. c., will
soon make the United States the own
ar OF il vast and beautiful forest in
The heart Of the Southern Appalach-
ian mountains, only 16 hours ride
from Washington and 13 from At
lanta. II is believed that by next year
congress will convert 1t into a national
park TO serve as playground for the
thirty-fvc million people to whom
the railways make 1t accessible in a
days journey. It's center is II miles
in Southwest direction from Ash
vile from which its nearest point is
only six miles distant
Containing 1874. square miles, It
formed the bulk of the land which the
late George W.-Vauderbilt acquired in
the past % yeara.in connection with
his princely Bfltmore House. the finest
country place in;NAmcricu "Piygah
Forest" he called this cherished DOS
session. and this name has been adop-
ted by the commission. Conserved BY
the first scientific forestry practiced
In America. IL is the finest and most
extensive hardwood forest in the East
ern states. and it will be the largest
area owned by the United States East
OF the Mississippi., 81
Pisgah Forest.ts q princely domain
of mighty mountains and crystal
streams. Lacking the barren grand
eur OF the Rockies, 1t is a great green
garden OF wooded heights and grassy
glades. impenetrable thickets OF rho
dodendron, 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 sheltering 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. hemlock, balsarn, hickory,
walnut, maple. birch, cover the
slopes. A nthousand high placed
springs send their cold waters through
ferny dells to form the Fastening
streams. Oeecading over rocky bot
'ouio Iucy IOam aSSsaot great DOulQ-
ers. swirl n:dark pools, spread like a
silver curtain on rock tables and
plunge. as at Looking Glass, sheer
down for sixty feet. 1t is land of
singing brooks 4'and white-crested
streams. st..t
Game ndlfleh abound In the forest
1t is estimated, that there are 5000
deer. besides, bear wolves. foxes, rae
coons. Opossums, sqirrel. rabbits,
quail il~wild, turkey, native phesants
and the descendants of the Chinese
and English phesants with which It
was stocked years ago. The clear,
cool water IS the native habitat OF the
speckled Orimountain 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. SEES. fri LIB
One may, reach the heart of this
wilderness in two hours ride from
Ashville. and the, greater part Of 1t
may be overlooked by scenic road
believed to be unequaled In America;
road nearly a mile In elevation and
an automobile road at that. It was
built by Mr.. Vanderbilt exclusively for
use by his automobile in reaching his
hunting lodge on one OF the "ears" of
that rat" which, as seen from Ashe-