The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-06-11

gas ferry to connect up the farms on
the TWO sides Of the river and many
miles of roads other than those visi-
tors are allowed TO travel. The gate
keeper gives each party leaflets with
a map of the place in the fork OF the
two rivers with the roads that are
open TO the public and on the other
side brief story of the route with
the oojec; of graphically pointing out
the several thoroughtares that will
afford a comprehensive glimpse Of
Biltmore, it's forests, fields and farms.
Having seen so much az Biltmore
we did not Try TO take in the sights OF
Asheville, merely contenting ourselves
with short glimpses of Battery Park
and Grove Park hotels, with Miss Re-
ia Alexander formerly Of Darlington.
Sumter and Columbia as our charming
guide At 4 D. m. we turned our faces
honlewaid. From five to 3:43 we rest
ed in Hendersonville, at { we We're at
our door on Warrior mountain, having
driven 10 miles. 20-odd OF which
were in Biltmore and Asheville-
tired but feeling that it was worth
while 10 have seen one OF the show
places Of America. if not OF the world.
For perhaps there is not another pri-
vate home in the world that cost ST.
000,000 for the mansion alone, and
that in the decade from 1890 TO 1900
when labor and material We're at the
lowest prices Of a century, and when
the purchasing power OF a dollar was
at its maximum.
We were told that several rooms
have never been finished to save
thousands of dollars annual taxes
that would he assessed on finished
building. That the furniture all came
from Paris, France, and statuary that
we saw in the Sunken gardens from
Italy But miss my guess, if all the
utilitarian equipment Of electricity,
ice plant, road machines. COW barns.
etc. were not made in the good old
Cor new) L. s. a. Some Of the rules
about motor sightseers not being
allowed to put foo1 on the ground ex-
cept at the dairy seem absurd when
for 10c each pedestrians may wander
all day through the wonderful paths.
But I have no feeling Of envy or
covetousness, and I am sure Wander
bilt could not have made better in
vestment> of his millions than in de-
veloping this wonderful property in
this wonderful land. He sold to the
government about 100000 acres be-
tween his Biltmore estate and his
Pisgah lodge of 500 acres for nation
al forest reserve. Good roads are be
ing built through it and the forty mile
trip from Ashepille to the top Of
Pisgah can be made in about two
hours. Then one can descend in two
directions toward Brevard or toward
This is trip I hope to
take some day.
One Of the stories that was told US
Of some of the Asheville smart set ls
so sunny that l laugh every time |
think of it: When a certain helress
has beau to entertain one OF the
favorite stunts is tor her to start out
driving a high powered car, the beau
follows driving another and the motff-
er follows driving third car. and
they go at so miles an hour. 1t is
inexpressibly funny to me to picture
them scooting along at SO miles an
hour. and lodging speed cops While
they think they are enjoying them
selves 1 should want something
more secluded and with less speed II
were counting man again. But
then there is no accounting for tastes.
F.. W. d.