The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-03-16
MOUNT MITCHELL FOREST.
MAGNIFICENT Playground for Recrea-
ton and Camping.

is now reality IN the Mount MltcHell
national forest of western North Car
olina. Under the direction of Mr.
H. S. Graves, chief forester OF the
United States forest service, arrange
ments have been completed for the
use of this wonderful region to ali
who may wish, either permanently
or temporarily, to enjoy its advan-
tages and beauties.
For years it has been a dream OF
those familiar with the sublimlty OF
the Southern Appalachian mountains
that the territory included in the
Mount Mitchell national forest
should be preserved, in it's prlmeva!
grandeur and sylvan beauty, as a
pleasure park for the people OF the
entire country. The dream now is
about to be realized.
Through the action of the national
government and the State of North
Carolina, the Mount Mitchell region
will be preserved as one OF the
beauty spots of the western world.
Mount Mitchell, the peak OF COM
manding interest in the new natlonal
forest, took it's name from DR.. Elisha
Mitchell, a professor of the University
of North Carolina. A man or great
learning and notable achievement IN
the realms of science, he measured
the height of the mountain IN 1882
and established the fact that It's SUM-
nit was the highest land in Nortn
America, east of the Mississippi river
Twenty-two years later, while verl-
fving his original measurements ne
lost his life near the summit OF the
mountain which he loved so we'll.
The scene of his death was ro-
mantically beautiful. Pouring over
q nrecinice a mountain torrent orlgl-
na1,v had tumbled sheer many feet
IN solid rock below. The attrltlon OF
its waters for centuries had worn out
a smooth, circular basin, quite four
teen feet deep and as many 1eet III
diameter. In the clear, cold, llmplo
water which filed the basin lay the
bodv of DIR. Mitchell, perfectly pre-
served He had fallen down a steep
declivity into the pool and among
the mysteries of nature which he had
studied so diligently, he had gwen
nm his life. His grave today is at the
very summit of his beloved mountain
!, For all time and in perpetulty tor
the American people, assurance no"
is given that this grand tract OF 1or-
est and mountain land will be Kept'
but it was only two or three years
ago that the woodman's axe menaceo
its sublime beauty. Lumbermen nao
purchased the timber on NOUN
Mitchell and were about to cut II
when the Hon. Locke Craig. governor
of North Carolina, interVeneo'
Through his urgency, the genera! as
semhlv made an appropriation for
tbe purchase of the land and timber
around the summit for park pur-
noses. Additional mountain lands
have been taken under the super
vision of the government and con-
verted into the Mount Mitchell ma
tional forest, which stretches IN a
magnificent panorama of sylvan
scenery north and west and east OF
the city of Asheville. ....-
Fine automobile boulevards and
roadways radiate from the city into
this superb natural park. They are
well-maintained and lead to innumer-
able points of historic and scenic IN
terest. Scores of horseback and foot
trails beckon the follower into the
very midst of primeval solitude. Many
of the trails are easily followed and
all of them afford delightful outdoor
experiences; but the traveller un-
initiated in mountain-craft would
better accompany a guide.
The negotiation of the mountain
trails afforded by the Mount Mitchell
national forest is fascinating sport
and, in the salubrious climate OF the
park, is among the most healthful OF
physical, exercises.
The practical advantages to be
offered in the national forest, through
Chief Forester Graves, even out
weigh the sentimental and scenic ao-
yantages. Charming sites for cot
tages and temporary camps are to be
placed at the disposal of those who
NAV desire them. Only the mildest
restrictions will be imposed upon
campers, visitors and permanent re-
sidents. Mount Mitchell national
forest is, indeed, to be park for the
people, where, in the most beautiful
and healthful environments of ma
roei1o oifhor tom