The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-05
LEGEND Of ASHEv|LLE
AND THE HIGHLANDS

legend; and just at this time when
the Baptists hosts of the entire
Southland are preparing to attend the
Southern Baptist Convention. and an
nual meeting OF the Woman's Mis-
sionary Union, to be held in Ashevilla,
n. c., May II. It seems appropriate
to call to mind timely legend, which
Is abroad among the Highianders.
Many years ago, so the story runs.
there dwelt near the summit OF
Mount Mitchell. an old hermit who
had outrun civilization and laid claim
cliffs, OF rivers, springs and falls.
Vixen civilization finally pushed her
way across the Blue Ridge. she was
confronted with this old man, deeply
entrenched in his possessions; and
the fight was on. Move out" said
Civilization. Buy me out" was the
bantering reply. After much discus
sion and argument, 1t was decided
that Civilization should own but the
hermit name the section. locate her
heart (the city that should reflect
her life) and make plans for the flu
ture.
For Gays. weeks anu IluiAust INV
old hermit travelled over mountains,
across streams, and through forests,
searching for the spot where all his
dreams might be realized. Finally.
one day when he and Civilization met
by appointment, they sat for hours on
promontory, overlooking the
wondrous valleys, and still more
wondrous ranges OF hills and noun
tains. that piled upon each other.
lifting and rolling and billowins
themselves upward TO touch the Blue
Beyond. the old man at last broke
the silence still gazing away. where
fescv clouds like froliCsome lambs
were fitting, first on one side and
and again nesting down in dark
coves This he said, shall be
none other than the land OF the Sky
for surely here. the two are bound
together The earth reaching upward
To touch the vault OF heaven, while
the sky leans down till hand touch
hand and heavens CLINT 10 seen aliks
on land and on cloud, Now look
down into the valley, and you will
see two streams. the Tahkesostee. the
one restless turbulent, forceful. every
toss against the rocks crying. power.
power. power the other, quiet and
peaceful. rejecting alike, the blue Of
and green Of mountainsids. she n
swannanoa. the beautiful. Reside
these two streams, I shall place the
heart the city OF this section. For
though the people seeking here the
wealth Of health. and freedom to
worship God an conscience dictates.
must have power supplied for turn
inx spindles. carving wood, -runnins
cars and lighting valleys; they must
not lose sight of beauty, even when
eyes are bent 20 earthward." Civiliza-
ton not only could find no flaw. but
was delighted. and began with en-
thus.asn to perfect the plans.
That YOU may know how well the
hermit planned and how faithfully
Civilization has wrought, let me tell
YOU what you will find In this great
section today
Congress, with eyes as keen as the
hermit's, has claimed her for a ma
tional park OF playground for the
world
. Civilization has fenced all the land
surrounding the great springs Of the
Black and Crazy Mountains and
brought to Asheville the purest water
ever qusfyed by thirsty traveller in
any land or CLINE.
Mt Mitchell. lifting his head s.Tli
feet skyward. has been made aecessi-
bile - the youngest and the oldest
by the Mount Mitchell Railroad lead
ing 10 the top.
Through trains from Jacksonville.
Savannah. Charleston. New Orleans
Memphis. ct Louis. Cincinnati and
adjacent cities bring TO US each sum-
mer. thousands N people from the
lowlands who are painting for the
cool breezes and cooler drinks. They
Sn NJ the
mosquito for that OF our whispering
zephyrs. TO rest tired eyes with
glimpses of rhododendron. azalsa, and
myr!sds OF other native Shrubs and
plants Also to lay aside their tired
worn feeling. born Of mafErfs and
excessive days and nights Of heat, for
strength and buoyancy that can scale
mountains and scour woods.
The goodbye waited to these much
loved guests in the fall seems but to
beckon to our midst those from Bos-
ton, Chicago and st. Louis: they
finding in our even. open winters.
balm and enjoyment,
To meet the need OF these surging
throngs. there have sprung up in our
city. hotels. boarding and rooming
houses with Alladin swfftness and
with prices to At the purse of all.
One OF these great hostelries Is con-
sidered the most unique and interest
ing ever built.
The beauty and health OF our sec
ton has brought TO our doors the
wealth OF the world as many beaui-
full homes attest. one OF these the
most beautiful in the world.
4 simple efficient street car service.
manned by the most accommodating
operators give opportunity to the most
untraveled guest 10 see ali points of
interest.
The promise OF religious freedom
has not been forgotten; and training
and inspiration are received hy the
multitudes-Blue Ridge. Montreal.
Lake Junalnska. and last but nor
least. our own mcuh loved Ridgeerest,
where each season, from June to
there is slate filled with
lectures and classroom
work. There YOU find cottages for
families. hotels and boarding houses
in number. and best OF all. the spirit
of Christian love and Fellowship
Within radius of fifty miles of
Ashevilie are five OF the great schools
that have been and are still proving
to be such blessing to the boys and
girls of this section. and that have
been made possible by the money
given by Southern Baptists through
the Home Mission Board.
Who shall say that this section and