The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-07-01
HISTORICAL. HIGHLIGHTS
Seventh Article in Series Leading up to Henderson
County's Centennial Celebration, July Slang. 3
By SADIE S. PATTON

preached a stopping place, he
sounded blasts on this to advise
the innkeeper OF the number ne
would have to entertain. There
were many inns and tavernS along
the route Of the State road, on
Buncombe Turnpike through Sa-
luda Gap, where travellers might
seek rcfrcshment and Il nights
lodging. Meals at these inns were
prepared before blazing log fires
on wide hearths that frequently eX-
tended half way across the kitc!-
en-.
Stage coaches were operated on
the Buncombe Turnpike until sew
eral years after the war, and mail
was carried over the routes from
cenville-to-Greeneyille. by men
who had contracts from the gov
eminent after bids had been sub
mitted. This form Of travel was
used over some of the other roads
also, the one from Old Fort to
Asheville operating for several
years after the railroad had been
built part Of the way on that
route.
Travel over these routes was
not lacking in excitement; in the
very last days Of the Civil war,
the GreenvilIe coach was captur-
cd by Kinks men. not far below
Saluda Gap. Sometimes, robbers
would barIicade a mountain pass
and hold up the passenger and
mail carriers, and there are sew
eral places along the road now
which have traditional tales OF
robber bands in hiding there.
The State road, sometimes call
ed Saluda Gap road, and known
even today as the Buncombe
Turnpike. from Ashevillc down to
the foot of the mountain in
Grecnvillc county. was construct
ed of planks about two inches
thick. As the coaches boWLed
along over these, their approach
was known for some distance
ahead of them.
One of the most graphic de-
scliptionS of these Stagecoach
trips is the vivid memory an
elderly man still has Of an eXclt-
ing experience he had as child.
On the stretch Of road leading
out to Flat Rock, the family par
ty was rolling along in their car
riagc on Il peaceful Sunday after
noon. The road was not very wide
and bitches extended along on
both sides. so the vehicle was
keeping to the center of the
causeway. Suddenly, the loud
thud, thud of horses feet and the
rumble of the coach burst on their
ears, with every indication that
they were coming at a terrific
speed. In few minutes, the
horses appeared around curve,
with the coach careenin@ from
side to side as it's runaway team
dashed wildly along. A collision
between the two vehicles seemed
inevitable. for with all his saw
ing and pulling the driver exercis-
ed little control over the madden
ed horses.
The driver Of the carriage
sprang out, grabbed the reins OF
his horses, and with his right
hand, he grasped the long black
snake whip. Lashing out with It,
stroke after stroke, he kept the
wild team of the stagecoach ON
it's side of the road. With this
pointed direction, they managed
to pass by in safety, and went on
toward town somewhat checked III
their mad speed, but leaving the
family too shaken to enjoy their
afternoons outing. -,
In the dying days of the Civil
war. when Western North Caro-
lima between the Tennessee line
and the South Carolina border was
the siege ground for Federal
troops under Kirby and Gillian
against forces of the Carolinas un-
der General Martin, Notifications
were thrown up at Saluda Gap
to prevent the enemy's entering.
Traces of these old trenches and
breastworks are still to be seen.
by turning aside from the present
highway and going down the old
road.
During the time this section
was suffering at the hands Of
Stoneman's men on the south and
Kinks on the north, Porter's Bat
terry was defeated on the old
Turnpike.
The old State road has meant
more in the development Of the
western part Of North Carolina
from the time it was first travel
led by white men, afoot, down to
this time than any one factor IN
its history.
Leading as it did, and does to-
day, from Charleston and lower