F262 .R9R9 "^^^ o « o '^ 0,> v<^' •<'j. 'o • t o^ *'..«* A /^f ^ RUTHERFORD COUNTY, _ — ITS Establishment, Early History, Topography, Soil, Products AND other RESOURSES. In colonial times the tract of country now known as Rutherford County, ITorth Carolina, was embraced in the territory then known as Tryon County, so called in honor of William Tryon, who was the royal Governor of North Car- olina from 1765 to 1771. In 1779 the territory of Tryon County was divided and Lincoln and Rutherford established therefrom. Since that til ae parts of Rutherford have been cut oif to Buncombe, Burke, Cleveland, McDowell, Polk and Henderson counties and thus it has been reduced to its present size. Rutherford County now extends from the Cleveland line on the East to the Henderson line on the West, a dis- tance of over thirty miles, and from the South Carolina and Polk County lines on the South to the McDowell and Burke li'ics on tlie North, at some points a distance of twenty-live nrles, and an average breadth of over fourteen miles. The County embraces about five hundred square miles, an acreage of over three hundred thousand acres of land. Of this amount about eighty thousand acres are under cultiva- tion, leaving over two hundred and thirty thousand acres un- 2 Rivtherforcl County. improved, thus offering a large lieldfor new settlers who can find pleasant and profitable business rapidly opening here iov them. rOPULATION. The population of the Count}' is about sixteen thousand five hundred (16,500.) Nearly thirteen thousand white and about three thousand five hundred colored. JSTearly the entire population are natives of North Car- olina and are steady, honest, upright, well-to-do people. They are wanting in some of the qualifications that are es- sential to the rapid development of a country, to wit : that "snap" and energy that characterize the new settlements of the West. The people are fairly intelligent and are noted for their hospitality and integrity and with the Railroads and the '-push" that will naturally come with them together with the influx of enterprising men that we expect and the in- fluence of capital and business, no country can boast of a better people. While the population has increased in fair proportion with other counties we look for still more rapid growth. RAIL ROADS. Up to the present year we have not known the advant- ages of a Railroad but the wealth and products of the Coun- ty have been carried away and the County drained to enrich her more fortunate sisters, but within the past year the Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad a n<"w corpo- ration has begun to develop this section and in the '«''<7r/'ted to the growth of wheat, corn and tobacco. Golden Valley Township has rich lands, fine timber and is rich in gold and other mineral deposits. Logan's Store Township is well timbered, well watered and has much fine lands, well adapted to grain, cotton and tobacco. Has also gold and other valuable mineral depos- its. Camp Creek Township, has much fine lands — is undu- dulating. The lands are all wxll adapted to the growth of grains and tobacco, some cotton grown. Gold and other minerals abound. Morgan Township lies next the McDowell County line, and abounds with fine timber. The lands are well wa- tered and lertile. The water pure and air bracing. Fine water-power and some mineral. Chimney Rock, while it has fine farming lands in aljundance, is noted for its beautiful mountain scenery, pure air and water and fine timbers. The famous Chimney Rock, the Waterfall, the Pools, Bald Mountain and many other place-5 of popular resort are in this Township. Each of the thirteen Townships are well timbered and well watered. The stock-law is in full force in part of the County, thus preserving the valuable timber and directing attention to the improvement of all kind of stock. RESOURCES. To the citizen of Rutherford County wdio feels a love for his country and aglow of warm affection for his fellow-man, the task of writing up the resources of this wonderful Coun- ty resolves itself into a pleasure, and the only fear to be felt is that want of space will make him unable to dwell with 8 Rutherford County. sufficient power on her varied and extensive products. Following the course of nature we will take up the ma- terial and substantial benefits offered to the settler in this county and follow with an account of the delights and en- joyments a residence in Rutherford county will bestow on the fortunate possesor. Land. — Land in this county is cheap, very cheap. Im- proved land can be bought at from $3 to $50 per acre, the last price being that asked for alluvial land, the celebrated inexhaustible bottom land on the numerous rivers and creeks. In quality, the land of course varies from very rich to poor, but we have no land so poor that the owner may not achieve a competence by dint of moderate industry and economy, for the vegetable productions of this country are so varied and so many that with the exercise of observation and judgment a settler ma}' so adapt his crop to the require- ments of his land that his reward will be either bountiful or scanty as his industry or his lack of that quality prevails in his life, here, however, the laziest of mortals can hardly fail to make a living, and that f'lct, at present, is a great bar to our advancement, for the class of laborers we have here, is one that is content with a bare subsistence and nothing will hardly induce any effort for anything further : hence the need of those who desire more than the mere necessaries of life, and hence also our welcome to those who come here desirous of increasing in worldly prosperity. Products: — Of products of the vegetable kingdom the mere list of those indigenous would fill a large portion of our space without leaving any chance to describe them ; and of cultivated products we must just bunch it, and say, and that without the slightest exaggeration, that we have here all products but those that are strictly tropical. Herewith is a partial list of indigenous and cultivated products. Trees Oak : l)lack, white, red, Spanish, water, chestnut — Hickory, two kinds. Ash, white and red. Per- simmon ; Dogwood: "Walnut; Poplar; Maple, curly and common; Beech; Birch; Cedar; Alder; Locust; Pine, two Rutherford Conuty. 9 kinds; Laurel. Otlier products, indigenous: Berries: Black Whortleberry in vast quantities, Sugar, Dew berries, Haws, both black and red, elder; Nuts, Chestnut, Hickory, Hazel, Walnut, Chincapin, Herbs. Plants, Boneset, Ditany, Cole- wort, RatsV)ane, Blood-root, Pleurisy or Butterfly-weed, Ele- campane, Virginia Snake-root, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Bay, Ground Ivy, Rattle-snake-weed, Two-o'clock. As has been stated this is but a partial list, and is also a very imperfect one, as on account of the limited time and space allowed in getting up this article such products can only be mentioned as are most obvious to the sight, and as the work is foi* pop- ular use, only the common names are used. But perhaps, in the near future a hand-book of the resources of this ad- mirable country will be prepared and then we can give in tall a view, while now we can only give the reader a glance at the remarkable richness and fertility of this Heaven-blessed land. Of mineral products we have quaries of several kinds of building stones, as Granite, red and brown Sandstones, Syenite, and of Minerals. Dana the accepted authority on such matters gives the following: Gold, Graphite, Bismathic Gold, Diamond, Euclase, Pseudomorphous Quart, Chalcedo- ny, Corundum, Epidote, Pyrope, Bookite, Zircon, Monazite, Rutherfordite, Saraarskite, Mort Crystals, Itacolumyte, Cyanite. Now here is an array of minerals sufficient to draw the lover of wealth to our County, and when a proper cabinet of these minerals is set up, mineral ogical students and tourists will be drawn here from all parts, for these min- erals are not scarce here. In regard to the gold, gold hunting does not seem to be much of a past time in this County, notwithstanding the fact that rich mines have been discovered and worked with suc- C<'-^3. In regard to the diamond, it may be very common, but the frequent appearance of this brilliant and beautiful Quatz Crystal, has the effect of causing a distrust in the mind of the ordinary observer in regard to the bright stones he may see. 10 Rutherford County. Having thus given a very imperfect and incomplete list of natural products we vv'ill venture some remarks on the reasons for our lack of modern improvements. Previous to the war nearly all our citizens were slave owners, and improvements were not needed, at least the need for them was not felt, for it was felt to be superfluous to do anything that able and willing slaves could accomplish. With the close of the war every vestige of this wealth was swept away, and the country being agricultural, it was of course left bankrupt. True the land was left, but land without laborers was only worth a bare subsistence; the work performed in the North by labor-saving appliances, had here been done by the slave, and with freedom and a change in the relations of master and servant and no machinery the South of necessity had to begin anew in many respects. — With these drawbacks there was still another one, the lack of means of transportation, the products of the country could find no market, hence what sufficed for home use was all that there Avas any incentive to raise. No wonder that with all the bounties of nature lying at our feet our people were poor. Those who have lived all their lives where transporta- tion is easy do not appreciate the difficulties that beset those who live far from the locomotive and steamboat. And our advice to those who live out of the reach of those civilizers of man, is this: If any opportunity is ever offered you to se- cure one of these, secure it at once at any price, you will never regret it. And now perhaps it would be fitting that we describe some of the articles here mentioned. In regard to the tim- ber we have of the White Oak trees that will measure twelve to fourteen feet in circumference and sixty feet to the first limbs, sound to the heart ; Walnuts of the same size, sixty or seventy to the acre, and the Imperishable Post Oak also of gigantic size. The weeping willow and also the basket willow, fringe our rivers, the Sassafras tree, valuable for its oil is also plentiful, and as for'grapes, this county might rival Eschol of Scriptural ' fame. The Sumac valuable to Rutherford Comity. 11 the dyer and tanner here o^rovvs in profusion, and the Bay tree valuable for the oil of wintergreen is found on all our mountains. That there are wonderful possibilities in our County for the settler of thrift and enterprise we will cite the case of a Scotch gentleman Mr. Frank Reynolds who came to this County some eight years ago with hut little money, but with the thrift and enterprise that distinguish his race. At the start in this County he worked for wages, but his keen eyes saw the many roads open to wealth and he quickly embarked in business for himself, and his business qualifications and enterprise have placed him in the enviable possession of one of the largest tanneries in the South shipping weekly some two thousand pounds of leather. Mr. Reynolds has also de voted himself to fruit-culture, and a few nights since he showed the writer of this two beautiful Belle Pears luscious and delicious,"one weighing one pound and the other weigh- ing fourteen ounces. This example is sufficient to show what the chance is for the new comer who has the brains and energy, but is handicapped on the start at home, by reason of the crowded state of the country in which he lives. We are a hospitable people here; we have a welcome, and a hearty one, for all who come here desirous of improv- ing their fortunes by honest and honorable means. Crimes are very few in our midst. Our morals are very good, our contributions, as compared to our means, for intellectual and charitable purposes are remarkable, and our social proclivi- ties and kindly feelings and attentions to strangers have evoked warm encomiums from the ISTorthern visitors who are each year becoming more numerous. The writer of this norlion of this article could descant on the healthfulness of I this country, its numerous pure, clear water springs, med- I iiinal and mineral springs, but will leave that to be treated I of by a gentleman of eminence in the medical profession and I who is familiar with these matters. 12 Rutherford County. LETTER FROM DR. OLIVER HICKS. An elaborately written health history of Rutherfordton and the adjacent country would embrace its topography, &c., climatology, and as the paper is for the general public it is believed best to avoid that which is technical and theoretical, so far as is consistent with simple expression of facts. Having been engaged in the practice of medicine al- most uninterruptedly for the last twenty years in all parts of Rutherford County, my opportunities for investigating the causes and observing the character of disease, as seen and treat- ed here have been simple, and many circustances connected with symptomatology, and treatment have led to more than ordinary scrutiny, and close investigation in regard to phys- ical conditions influencing the course, types, results, and terminations of disease. The County of Rutherford, North Carolina, is sheltered on the North and Northeast by South Mountain range, on the West and Northwest by the Blue Ridge, and on the South and Southwest by Tryon Mountains. Four large, rapid rivers have their sources and flow through this im- mense mountain cove. There are many large creeks and numberless smaller creeks and branches of the purest water, upon these streams are a great many unused shoals ot easy access, and suitable for almost every conceivable kind of manufacturing. There is also on these streams a large pro- portion of the best bottom lands, (alluvial) which produces abundant crops, although existing modes of cultivation and implements used are of the most primitive kinds. There are many thousand acres of primeval forests, contiguous to the streams, in which abounds the finest grades and varieties of hard woods. The white hickory, white oak, post oak, dog- wood, sour-wood, beech, maple, persiraon, birch, &c., are plen- tiful, very little of which has been used for other than domestic purposes. Near the mountains and up their sides there is a great deal of black walnut, wild locust, mountain birch, &c., in many localities wild cherry. Experienced lumbermen say Rutherford County. 13 the heart puie of this County is equal to the best, in quality and quantity, Our climate is simply delightful. The atmosphere is clear light, lastic and dry as that of Denver, Col., in Win- ter and Spring and free from dust in Summer and Autumn. We have a temperature as eqable as is known so great a dis- tant from the equator. For persons who have chronic pul- monary disease or who inherit predisposition to tubercular phthisis, these conditions are favorable in the highest degree. The earth's surface is rolling. There are no swamps and no stagnated water here, marsh miasm does not exist, and onl}' in instances of gross negligence do heaps of debris accumulate. For several years succeeding 1873, certain families in different sections of the County were affected by a continued fever which usually assumed a typhoid character during its course. In some instances typhoid symptoms were observable from the inception of the disease. These fevers ran a comparatively wild course and the patients re- covered under the use of appropriate means. I noticed quite a difference in grade, in persons who were well clad accus- tomed to wholesome articles of diet, and those who were poorly clad and used the most inferior articles of diet, and Avho gave but little attention to personal cleanliness and other rules of health. In the former the type of the disease was sthenic ; in the latter I saw a few cases very nearly approach- ing typhus. j^ocal cause for the prevalenceof the disease was pointed out in each neighborhood. Such as inattention to drainage, unck\insed cellars, heaps of decomposing debris and espe- cially accumulations of animal excretions being allowed to moulder and exhale their noxious gases, near sleeping apartments. Epidemics are exceedingly rare and are usually limited to circumscribed sections. Of course some of the exanthemata make their visits here, as they do wherever human beings live, but generally in such mild form that the good wife with 14 Rwtheiford County. her armamentarium of "oil, turpentine, camphor, and root and herb teas," usually sees a favorable termination, partic- ularly in measels and roseola. I have seen cases of scarlatina that demanded most prompt and vigorous treatment, through that dread scourge of infancy and childhood, "Scarlatina maligna" is seldom met with, and then only in cliildren of previously impaired and very delicate constitutions. I have seen but very few cases of diptheria since I came to the County in 1864, though I have on several occasions been called in haste to attend little patients with acute disease of the throat sui)posed to be diptheria. With very few ex- ceptions the disease proved to be malignant scarlet fever, which had attacked with es[)ecial violence, tissues of the throat and mouth — (Scarlatina anginosum.) There has not been a case of small pox in the County since my residence here. A vast majority of all cases of disease I have treated were either of catarrhal origin, or could be attributed to impru- dence in diet and exercise, and could have bean easilj^ pre- vented by an observance of the simplest hygienic rules. At all events the attacks could have been greatly modified, and often spells of weeks duration might have been only indis- positions of a few days. In most instances attacks among children are ephemeral, occasional attacks of dysentery (Sporadic) diarrhea incident to dentition in Summer and catarrhal affections in Winter is very nearly the record of diseases of infancy and childhood, barring contagious exanthemata. Violent attacks of chol- era infantum, is the exception, not the rule. Persons who have delicate lungs, or those who inherit predisposition to tubercular phthisis do exceedingly well in this Sheltered Mountain Cove. Lying as it does up on the Southern and Eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge and South- mountain ranges, the surface receives the earliest rays of the morning sun, which warms and dries the air at aii hour when the ground is still shaded bv mountains in otlier and Rutherford Comity. 15 less favored localities. The currents of cold, humid air, so injurious to delicate lungs are broken up, and thrown above us by the high mountains surrounding us on the East and ]Sr )rth-ea3t, West, North-vv^st an 1 South-west. I have men- tioned but a small proportion of the physical conditions ex- isting here that are known to be beneficial to consumptives. There is as much here to contribute to the wellfare of that class of invalids, as can be found elsewhere, and as little to detract from it. jS'othing can impare my faith in the opin- ion that there exists liere, combined physical conditions, which antagonize the development and progress of tubercu^ lar jihthisis, and which influence it most favorably after it has developed. When I see children and grand-children of ancestors who died of tubercular disease, in good health, without an indication of the tubercular diathesis; all argu- ment to disproN'c the belief, fall like flakes- of snow on the ocean's wave. Fascinating theory and the subtleties of logic yield in the face of facts so stern. Jerusalem's hills is part of her history. The boast of mighty Rome is and has been her seven hills, and the pride of beautiful Richmond is her hills. Rutherford can boast of her hundred hills. Located as it is upon the head waters of Gleghorn creek and among the foot hills of the Blue Ridge mountains, a more beautiful site, or one possessing more advantages in many points of view cannot be found. Four large branches run into the town, and uniting make Gleg- horn Creek. The surface is rolling and slopes in pretty grades to the banks of the streams ,so that it is impossible for debris to accumulate. With a little attention to drainage, brisk rains act as effectual scavengers and insures the water of our springs and wells against contamination. Tliere are hundredsoi beautiful and romantic building sites within view of the town and near the corporate limits, that are suscepti- ble to the highest improvement in the way of landscape gardening, terracing, &c. Most of the hills about Ruther- fordton are well wooded; the soil is good and produces well. From the crests of these hills the view of South Mountains, 16 Rwtheiford County. the Blue Ridge and Tryon Mountain is sublime beyond the power of expression. To those who wish to seek new homes, I beg leave to say that the country in and around Rutherfordton possesses vast resourscs yet untouched. Lands are very cheap and can be bought on easy terms. Oliver Hicks, M. D. SCENERY SPRINGS, &c. The scenery of Rutherford County is one of the chief sources of her pride; she may well boast of the varied and valuable quality of her soil, of the gigantic trees of various kinds that make her of advantage to the lumbermen, of the water power that cheers the face of the machinist and quickens the pace of enterprise, but all these also add to her beauty. While one may sell her timber, another her land another establish factories and machinery, yet respectively and combined they add to the charms spread out for the tourist and authorize us to invite the lover of natural beauty to sojourn with us. Situated at the Eastern base of the Blue Ridge including several spurs ot that grand chain, her location is diflerent and perhaps more interesting than any of her sister counties. Stopping for the night at Rutherfordton, the county seat, the traveler cannot fail to be struck witli the peculiar beauties of the situation. Even the rising and setting of the sun impress us. The view toward the East is over hills at first steep and sharp then round and smoother, then grad- ually receding into the flat lands miles and miles away where the long leaf pine takes the place of the oak and poplar, forest pine and hickory. Over these the slanting rays of the rising sun cast a glorious beauty until they touch and gild the distant mountain sides. At evening the setting of the sun seems hastened and the twilight prolonged by the mountains West of us. Space would not justify us in particu- larizing, but we may add a brief discription of a few of the striking features in our scenery. Rutherford County. 17 The "Cherry Mountain," so called from the fine quali- ty and abundance of the fruit grown there, is in the North- eastern portion of Rutherford County, and affords a view of Cleveland and Burke Counties in the foreground and Lin- coln and Mecklinburg and portions of South Carolina and the blue summit of King's Mountain in the back ground while the South Mountains stand as a rear guard to the North. The streams are, with one or two exceptions, clear as crystal — and many brooks burst forth boldly from springs cooling and sweet that far surpass the water coolers and ice casks about hotels. One mile West of Rutherfordton on the Hickory Nut Road a view of the mountains in the distance that is unsur- passed may be had. Southwest of us clear and distinct fourteen miles away the Whiteoak Mountains and two miles farther the Tryon slumber in their majesty. Farther West the Sugar Loaf, Bear Wallow and Bald Mountains lift their heads toward the sky, and above all Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in North Carolina and indeed East of the Rocky Mountains adds its shadow to the already gloomy grandeur of the scene. When we draw nearer, the varied beauty and curiosity of the landscape increases; and in our immediate borders we find the noted Chimney Rock, standing on its own responsi- bility more than 500 feet high, from which the postoffice, hotel, &c., derives their names. While this rock is a curios- ity as it stands thus isolated, as its name would indicate, still the view from its base is grander still. It is a two hours tramp from the Chimney Rock Hotel to the base of this Rock, and none have ever made the journey that did not feel repaid. As we stand with heated brow^ and tired limbs and contemplate the surroundings, we acknowledge that few mountain views can surpass it. The Mountains across the river; "Round Top," and pinacles stand as our '•'■vis a viz'^ wliiietheSugarLoafthrows its benign shadow over us. The "Broad River" chained to the hills by the links of a thousand 18 Rittherfoj'd County. brooks and rills, glides away like a silver serpent flashing in the sunlight down the valley on its way to the sea. On the same Mountain a little May to the AVest, the stream known as Fall Creek rises, murmurs alongfor half a mile, turns the wheel ofalittle mill, and then plunges headlong, a distance of 1300 feet down the face of the rock and then throws itself pla}-- fully into the current of the river. The Hickory Nut Road lead- ing from AshcvilletoRutherfordton,and also the lienderson- villeroad leads the traveler down this romantic gorge. Travel- ing East the mountains already mentioned stand on the right, while on the left stand Round Top with its "Vance's nose" projection, (named in honor of our U. S. Senator.) The noted Harris' view or Pinacle from wliich may be seen several towns in adjoining counties and affording the finest of sun-rise and sun-set view^s, Bat Cave with its swift cold breath, Bald Mountain with its shaking propensities and volcanic reputation, and its cave in the rocks and fissures in its sides, all add their quota of interest to the charms of this landscape. These are the leading features of our scenery, but there is many a vine clad nook and cosy glen, through which flows a little rivulet down some minature precipice, where the mosses and ferns never fade nor grow sere. These springs and brooks are not only things of beauty; many of them possess medicinal qualities unsurpassed by the most noted springs in the world. Two miles from the Chimney Rock Hotel, once owned by "Washington Harris, now dead, the mention of whose name v^-ill awake pleasant memories in the minds of many a weary traveler and hunter who have tried his hospitality, and now owned by Judge G. W. Logan, is an Alum Spring, where the twigs and pebbles by its current collect lumps of solid Alum. Within one-half mile of the Hickory Nut Road and the same distance from the Chimney Rock Hotel, is the "Spicer Spring," which for pure, sweet, and delightful //rg 8^om^\■^\^v is unsurp'issed. Rutherford County. 19 North- west of Ruthcrfordton four miles is Lewis' Spring, strong Sulphur water, and possessing all the qualities of more noted springs of the same character. jSTear Rutherfordton are two Chalyheate Springs — one even inside the corporation — where the inhabitants have easy access to it, and many of them as well as nnmy strangers have derived material bene- fit from the use of the water. Upon the ground is a beau- tiful site for a hotel. The water has been analyzed by the State Geologist, and is said to contain some of the finest medicinal properties. This spring is owned by Mr. T. B. Justice, of Rutherfordton, and no charge is made for the use of the water. Ten miles South-east of the village in Sulphur Springs Township is a strong Sulphur Spring, the property of Mr. Henson. Several persons who have tried its water have re- ceived permanent benefit therefrom. So it will be seen that the beautiful is also combined with the beneficial. To L. P. Erwln, B. J. Balfour, 3L H. Justice, Committee: Previous engagements prevent compliance in extenso with your courteous request to make a statement of "what I know about" Rutherford County. I take it you would like to hear from me because I am "from the North."' I arrived in Rutherfordton 18th of October, 1851, from Lyme, N. H., was then a young man fresh from college. M}' main reasons for coming South were to escape the con- sequences of the cold climate of the North upon a con- stitution with decided tendencies to rheumatism and b}^ no means safe from consumptive troubles there. The move was in these particulars a great success. Neither of those dread- ful maladies has given me the slightest trouble since my ar- rival here 35 years ago. I firmly believe there is not a spot of territory on the face of the earth, of the same size of Rutherford County, that excels it in healthfulness of climate. As to soil, natural resources, elements for the develop- ment of a rich and prosperous and thickly settled communi- 20 Rutherford County. tj, nothing can be said that will exagerate the actual facts. For an intelligent, law abiding, generous, kind-hearted peo- ple, Ruthford County is not excelled. Men of means looking for a desirable home — men of education — men dependent on their daily labor — every class of people who come to make up a population of good citi- zens will be most cordially received in every part of Ruther- ford County. Very respectfully, L. F. Churchill, LETTER FROM W. L. TWITTY, Esq. Rutherford County embracing both the mountain and piedmont sections, owing to its peculiar pliysical formation is noted for itshealthfulness and mildness of climate and un- der the impulse of capital would soon be marked for its dis- tribution of labor and yield a generous return for all the money expended in the improvement of its fertile soil and magnificent water power. It would be safe to say that the water power of this county is ample to duplicate all the fac- tories now running in the State and the surplus products of its farms sufficient for the sustenance of their operatives. This section is divided by its various mountain ranges into two semicircles tangent to each other on the South Moun- tain range each having an Eastern and South-eastern expos- ure and each being protected on its Western and North- western boundaries by outlying ranges. The first semicircle is formed by the spurs of the Blue Ridge and separated from it on the Western boundary only by the Reedy Patch and upper Broad Ixiver and capped by the peaks of Sugar Loaf and Bald Mountains and from 3600 to 4000 feet above the level of the sea through which Broad River cuts its channel. This range from its height intercepts the Eastern currents bearing moisture and condensing them and thus rendering protracted droughts, (such as are felt in many other sections) improbable if not Rutherford County. ^1 impossible. At this point tlie turn of the range is parallel to the axis of the Blue Ridge, (that is a littleEast of North) extending up to the range dividing the head waters of Cedar Creek in the County from those of Crooked Creek in McDowel Count}-, thence the watershed extens in an East- terly course to the South Mountains and thence a South- eastern direction to its terminus in the Flint Hills. The tan- gential point of the second semicircle with the first is on the South Mountains and the general turn of the range is nearly North to the head of First Broad aud theuce Easterly to the Cleveland line. These sections are again subdivided into the watershed of the First, Second and Mlain Broad Rivers. The Main Broad River basin extends from the South Caro- lina and Polk County lines to Forest City and the lines of railway one and a quarter miles North of Rutherfordton, thence along the dividing ridge ot Mountain and Cathey's Creeks to the Northern boundary of the first semicircle. In this basin are three entire Townships containing ninety square miles, and four-fifths of four others with an aggregate area of one hundred and thirty-one square miles. In this first section is the justly admired scenery around Chimney Rock. The bold outline and grandure of which is rarely equalled and not surpassed by any in the South. The pools, tliree successive chasms, at the foot of as many cascades, worn l)y the action of the water upon the stratified rocks through succesive ages. Their depths are variously estimated from thirty to sixty feet and their diameters are from ten feet in the upper to fifteen or twenty feet in the lower pool. Chimney Rock two hundred and fifty feet high and one hundred and fifty feet in diameter at its base is a segment of the clitt of Sugar Loaf severed from it by some violent force ot nature and rounded by the action of the winds presents to the eye almost a perfect chimney, separated from the ^Mountain by a distance of onl}- a few rods. The water cap- ing over the falls of Sugar Loaf thirteen hundred feet and partially disolving into mist and spray are some of the at- tractions of this delightful mountain pass. Another peculiarity 22 Rutherford County. of this section together with the two others are the dewless and, consequently in the winter, frostless belts found in the coves along the Eastern slopes of the Mountains. These belts seem designed by nature as the habitat of the peach and grape; both attain their greatest perfection here. Wild summer grapes hang upon the vine until midwinter without losing their flavors or v^dne producing properties. I have known them gathered late in December and made into wine. Peaches grown upon these belts are far superior in flavor to those in the flat woods and the fruit grower can rely with confidence upon a good yield almost every year, the average loss being only one crop in fltteen or twenty. Why this strat- um of dry air hangs upon our mountain sides is a question awaiting solution by scientists. The soil of this section va- ries from the black loam, the alluvial, the red, to the gray silicious. The black loam found in the mountain, not only richly reward the labor of their owners but are the benefac- tors of the denizens of the low lands, for the waters percolat- ing through them and streams running thence carry in solu- tion the alluvium; thus renovating our bottom lands so heav- ily taxed by the one crop system of the country. These lands produce corn equal to our fine bottom lands, and grass, Irish potatoes, &c., much better. They also yield large crops or the heavy qualities of tobacco. Next in succession comes the gray, silicious soil which forms a belt extending to with- in eight or nine miles of Rutherfordton (most of it) and thence from the Hickory Nut Road to within a mile of the Polk line on the South, the two qualities of red clay soil predominate. These soils difler in the amount of silica in their composition. In the one the plowshare will clear itself and in the other it will not. They are both prooint to the Cleveland line the soil is gray. The waterpowers of this section are the following : On Second Broad are fine water powers,at Nabor's, at Bostic's, near Forest City and below Forest City on the same stream is the Burnt Factory Shoal, a very fine power, and a few miles further down the river is High Shoals and Tumbling Shoals, two of the finest powers in the State for the size of the stream and either one of which is sufficient to run as many spindlesas Clifton's Fac- tor}'. The powers atNabor's and Bostic's aie equal to Burnt Factory, also fine. There are three good powers on Camp Creek and two good powers on- Cathey's Creek, on Rob- ertson's Creek is a very fine power, at Andrew's Mills and very good power at Bostic's. The third section and the second semicirle are identical. The uplands are gray. The water powers of this section are the shoals of Yelton, Painter, McCurry, and Whisnant on first Broad River. The minerals of these three sections overlap each other and hence will be given together. In the Eastern part of the county extending from above Forest City to near the Cleveland line are extensive beds of oar of red oxide of iron in the central portion of the County is found magnetic and spoltic iron, though as yet in small quantities, and in the up- per portion of the County on Cathey's and Cove Creek are found gray iron ore. That on Cove Creek is in large quan- tities. Near McDowell's and Anderson's Shoals two of the finest unimproved waterpowers in the County. Gold is found on Richardson's Creek and South of Main Rroad River (in Union and Green Ilill Townships,) at the head of Cathey's Creek, at Jamestown, (atone time the most noted places or deposit Mines in the State, from this and the Bracket and Brindletown Mines more than one million of dollars worth of gold is said to have been taken) at the head of first Broad River, four miles North of Rutherford- ton, on Cove Creek, and other sections of the County — Rutherford County. 25 Malichite at Cooper's Gap, Lead on Cove Creek, Manga- nese in large quantities South of Main Broad River, and on Bill's Creek Corundum in theJaemstovt'n Mountains, Asbes- tos in Logan Store Township, Metaraorphic rocks inclosing water on Dr. Harris' place, near llutherfordton, Graphite in considerable quantities in the Southern portion of the county. Mica in large sheets at Morgan's and Allen's Mines, but stained by admixture of iron. No native silver ore has been found in the County, but it is found in connection with gold at the Shemmels or Atkins Mine on Cane Creek. The gold assays only 60 cents a pennyweight on account of the silver mixed with it. A mine at the foot of Tryon in Polk county has the same per cent, of silver as the Atkins Mine. The Tryon Mine is South-west of the Atkins which is the gen- eral course of veins. Does this point to the discovery of a silver mine in our borders? W. L. TWITTY. RELIGIOUS AND MORAL. The three leading denominations are Methodist, twen- ty-two churches with a membership of some 1400, Presby- terians with three churches and a membership of 189, Bap tist about twenty-five churches with a membership of some 3,500; also one Episcopal church in Rutherfordton, mem- bership small. Most of these churches are in a very healthy, prosperous condition, and are developing very satisfactorily, being per- haps not less than one hundred per cent, in advance of where they were thirty years ago. In the two towns in the County, Rutherfordton and Forest City, a large majority of the citizens are members of some one of the above named denominations. In neither of these towms can any spiritu- ous or malt liquors be sold legally, both having prohibitory laws. Most of the churches in the County have neat and comfortable houses of worship. At Rutherfordton the Methodist, Presbyterians and Baptist have built new houses within the last few years, all of which are neatly finished 26 Rutherford County. and furnished. At Forest City, a neat little town, six miles East of Rutherford ton, both the Baptist and Methodist are arrangeing to build new houses. The morals of the County will compare favorably with those of any County in the State, there being as little drunk- ness and as few dens of vice as are to be found in any County. The denominations in the County are as free from all contentions and strife as they are anywhere, each one recog- nizing the right of others to choose for themselves, and worship God according to their understanding of His word. In Rutherfordton, and so far as is known all over the county, there exists among the various pastors the most fraternal feelings and good will. Taken altogether, while the religious and moral status is not all that could be desired, yet it will compare favorably with that in any county in the State, and is encourging and hopeful. Advertisemen ts. 27 REAL ESTATE AGENCY, C. 13. JUSTICE, T^Titlierfordtoii, IST. C 1 nn nnri'^'^^''^^ '^^■'^^*^^'"^'*'" Lands in Cleveland. Rutherford, 1UU,IJUU McDowell, Polk and Henderson counties, N. C.,will 1)0 iHit on the market soon in tracts, at prices and on terms to accom- modate settlers. These Lands are adapted to the growth of corn, wheat, oats, to- bacco, rye, ;j:rasses and all kin ]Riith.erfordtoii,^]Sr. C. Proprietor. Advertisemen ts. 85 John F. Ari^owood, i Jjjj JJD AND SALE STAB (In Connection with the Guthrie House.) Good Teams and Vehicles always on hand. Safe, po- lite and attentive drivers. Patronage of the traveling pub- lic solicted. Terms reasonable. Call and see me. -AND- WAGON MANUFACTORY. J. F. Arrowood, Church Street, Rutherfordton, N. C. Constantly on hand or made to order a full supply of Carriages, Bugsries of approved Patterns and First-class Ma- terial, AT LOW PRICES. My work is warranted and has given general satisfaction wherever used. None but the best mechanics are employed and the lumber used is from our own native forests, and it is given up to be the best in the world. 36 Advertisement s. ^A^. J. HARDIN. MERCHANT, Eutherfordtoia, N". C. DEALER IN Dry Goods, Groceries, Notions, Hardware AXD ALL ARTICLES OF GENERAL lERCHANDIS Sells Cheap — Short profits and quick Sales. Keeps a Large Assortment Always on Hand. EXCHANGES FOR COUUTEY PRODUCE. Polite and attentive clerks whose pleasure it is to wait on customers. AGENT FOR COATS' SPOOL COTTON, which he will sell as cheap as can he l)ought in the United States. — Sells at lietail, Sells hy the Package, Sells at Wholesale. him. Country Merchants will save money hy buying from Advertisements. 37 Oliver Hicks, M. D. GIVES STRICT ATTENTION to the practice of his profession. Special attention given to operation in Surgery and Diseases peculiar to females. RUTIIERFORDTON, N". C. Matt McBrayer, ATTORNEY AT LAW ^nd. Real Estate A-gent. FOREST CITY, Rutherford County, N. C. M.H. JUSTICE, ATTORNEY AT LAW. Practices in all the Courts in "Western North Carolina, and in the Supreme Court of the State. Land titles exam- ined and abstracts of titles furnished. Agent for purchase and sale of Real Estate, and espe- cially I3uilding Lots in Rutherfordton. Office in Court House, Rutherfordton, N. C. o 8 Advertisements. N ApEMY m TECHHOIiOGICmX. SCHOOX,, 9 P RINCIPAL. -^T^-^^ '^^^A r^^ lU AN MRTN^ The education of pupils in this institution is complete and practical. Address for further particuhirs R. J. BALB^OUR, Principal. Rutherfordton, N. C. Attorney and Counsellor at Law, RUTHERFORDTON, N. C. Practices in the Superior Courts of Rutherford and ad- joining counties. In the Federal Courts at Charlotte and Asheville, and in the Supreme Court of the State. Address LOCK BOX 3. L. F. Churchill, ATTOENEY AT LAW, U. S. Comrciissioner i-^ls-AND^lC^ rea^l estate ageistt. euteehfordtoit, u. c. Advertisements. S9 RUTHERFORDTOX, K C. cIj::::^^:- DEALER in-^^ci::^^ Pure Drugs and Medicines, Oils, Varnishes, Window Glass, Putty, Pure Kerosene, Writing Paper, Pens Iidv, Candies, Candles and Fancy Articles, all of which will be sold at the Lowest Casli Prices ! Having resumed the practice of medicine offers his services to his friends and the public. Diseases of women and children a specialty. Office in Drug Store atthe Mitch- ell old stand. A. L. Grayson, ..oDEALER I No- Books, Stationery, &c,, &c., including Bibles, Testa- ments, School Books, Etc., Etc. Orders by mail and special orders have prompt attention. 1|S=^ At Postoffice, Rutherfordtoii, N. C. -=^|r T. B. JUSTICE, ATTORNEY AT LAW A_iid Heal Estate -i^gent. Practices in Rutherford and adjoining counties, in the United States and the Supreme Court of the State. iN'egotiations for the purchase or sale of Real Estate. JfO Advertisenients. JAMES M. TOMS, -DEALER .IN- GROCEBIES AND CONFECTIONERIES. 11:^=° Next Door to Post Office. RUTHEEFORDTOIT, IT. C. Carpenter & Tojxls, -DEALERS IN DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, READYMADE CLOTHING, IMILINERY4llffG00DS| Hats, Shoes and Boots, Groceries and Hardware, T, ,^^ » .^^r • .V r ...