USA > North Carolina > Rutherford County > Rutherford County, North Carolina, its establishment, early history, topography, soil, products, and other resources > Part 1
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1
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, -ITS- -
ESTABLISHMENT, EARLY HISTORY, TOPOGRAPHY, SOIL, PRODUCTS
AND OTHER RESOURSES.
-0- -0-
In colonial times the traet of country now known as Rutherford County, North 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 time parts of Rutherford have been cut off 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 lives on the North, at some points a distance of twenty-five nules, and an average breadth of over fourteen miles.
The County embraces about five hundred square miles, an acreage of over three hundred thousand acres ofland. Of this amount about eighty thousand acres are under cultiva- on, leaving over two hundred and thirty thousand acres un-
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Rutherford County.
improved, thus offering a large field for new settlers who can find pleasant and profitable business rapidly opening here for them.
POPULATION.
The population of the County is about sixteen thousand five hundred (16,500.) Nearly thirteen thousand white and about three thousand five hundred colored.
Nearly 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 new corpo- ration has begun to develop this section and in the near future we will have ample Railroad facilities. The Massachusetts and Southern Construction Company which has charge of the construction of the line has been for twelve months at work constructing that part of the road between the Air Line Road at Black's in South Carolina and Rutherfordton and have the road ready for the iron which is now being laid so that in a very few weeks it will be completed between these two points. This Railroad is a scheme well worthy the best Railroad talent in the land. It is projected to run
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Rutherford Conuty.
from Charleston, S. C., to Cincinnati and Chicago. If the reader will take the map and glance at the line beginning at Charleston thence Northwest through the centre of the State crossing the Charlotte and Atlanta Air Line between Spar- tanburg and Charlotte, thence to Shelby, Rutherfordton and Marion and thence crossing the Blue Ridge (without a tun- nel), and through Mitchell County into Tennessee and through Kentucky it will readily be seen that an immense territory of wonderfully valuable resourses is to be developed by the enterprise, and giving this county, at one stroke, communication in every direction. This Railroad will be completed to Rutherfordton during the present year, 1886, and put in running trim.
The Carolina Central Railroad running from the sea coast at Wilmington almost entirely through the State is also rapidly extending its line to Rutherfordton, and will run its trains to Rutherfordton during the present year, (1886.)
The two Railroads above mentioned are fixed facts and there is talk of others, but we are ouly dealing with facts as they now exist.
TOWNS.
There are a number of small Towns in this County but the only incorporated towns are Rutherfordton and Forest City.
RUTHERFORDTON.
The County seat is situated among the hills about fifteen miles East of the foot of the Blue Ridge. It is strictly a town among the hills, not large hills, but hills sufficient to furnish a natural drainage and make it one of the healthiest places on earth. The location is a splendid one for a thriving town. As now located it is perfectly surrounded with beau- tifully elevated building sites, such sites as will ere long be the pride of the place.
Until recently the Town has had no hope of a Railroad and the citizens have not felt much stimulus to improve what a bounteous Providence has lavished upon them but
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Rutherford County.
now they feel that inspiration that comes with steam and lightening and are looking at the real advantages and facili- ties that surround them and what has heretofore appeared to be insurmountable difficulties now begin to look as if it might not only be easily overcome but turned to advantage -heretofore while all our locomotion and transportation was by horse-power and nothing to bring capital and enter- prise to us a town located among hills stood a poor chance to have its streets and surrounding eminences beautified and improved, but now it is easy to see that the location of the Town is an exceedingly fortunate one if the necessary steps are taken to make it what it ought to be.
The facilities for furnishing water are unsurpassed. There is a good spring of Chalybeate water immediately in the Town. The climate is all that could be desired. The water is fine. The Town has four good church edifices, a splendid school, good hotels and boarding houses, elegant scenery, with two Railroads just being completed, with a splendidly productive section to sustain it, bright prospects before it. With all these advantages it is destined to become one of the principal towns of Western North Carolina, both as a business place and a health resort.
There is an abundance of unimproved land and lots for sale at reasonable prices and an carnest invitation to home- seekers to come and see us and live among us.
Distance from Rutherfordton
To Asheville 40 miles.
66 Morganton. 35 66
Marion 26
Shelby. 24 66
66 Chimney Rock. 17
6.
Hendersonville. 32
66 Spartanburg 30
66
Columbus. 20
66
Tryon City 25
Black Mountain 40
Bald Mountain 18
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Rutherford Conuty.
FOREST CITY
is a thriving town six miles East of Rutherfordton on the lines of Railroad. It is located on a narrow level ridge with good drainage and good natural advantages. It is popu- lated by good substantial citizens and promises fair to be a town of note. It has a fine school and good churches. The morals of the Town are good. Good hotels and boarding houses, a number of stores and other places of business, splendid water and elimate. A healthy Town and an invi- tation to outsiders to come and share its blessings. Plenty of fine building lots for sale.
THE PRODUCTS OF THE COUNTY.
There is probably no County in the State, the products of which are more varied and abundant. The Southern and Eastern portions are well adapted to the growth of cotton, while the whole County produces in abundance-corn, wheat, oats, rye, potatoes, tobacco, cabbage, sorghum, clover, grass, peas, beans, garden vegetables and fruits of all kinds.
THE LANDS.
As will be seen at the beginning of this article there are plenty of unimproved lands in this County to accommodate a population four times as great as the present population. Just think of it! Over two hundred thousand acres of un- improved lands. The lands in Rutherford County are of every imaginable description, from the deep soil of the river low-lands to the steep mountain side.
The entire County is abundantly watered and along the streams can be found the most fertile lands in all the State. On first Broad River and its tributaries-second Broad now and its tributaries, Cane Creek, Camp Creek, Cove Creek, Cedar Creek, Robertson's Creek, Cathey's Creek, Bill's Creek, Buffalo, Mountain Creek, Main Broad River, Floyd's Creek and a large number of other streams can be found abundance of the finest quality of land, as rich and produc- tive as any in the State, while on the ridges and hillsides in the Eastern and Southern parts of the County the fine cot-
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Rutherford County.
ton lands are almost as valuable, and the uplands of the Northern and Western parts of the County so well adapted to tobacco raising, afford fine opportunities for persons look- ing for homes.
The character of the soil is fully described in a commu- nication from W. L. Twitty, Esq., published herein.
TOWNSHIP DIVISIONS OF THE COUNTY.
There are thirteen Townships in the County.
RUTHERFORDTON TOWNSHIP includes the Town of Ruth- . fordton and two or three miles from the Court House in every direction. The lands of this Township are about an average of the quality throughout the County. In this Township, and about three miles from Rutherfordton, is the hill on which Furgeson camped en route to King's Mountain where he met his defeat and death, and the house where died the wounded Major Dunlap of revolutionary history.
GREEN HILL TOWNSHIP lies North and West of Ruth- erfordton. This Township contains much fine lands and timber. A reliable citizen informs us that during the present year he cut four tons of hay from six square rods of land. In this Towhship is a wonderful Mineral Spring which has proven very beneficial in scrofula and cutaneous affections.
UNION TOWNSHIP is small in territory but rich in soil and timber. Some very fine cotton and tobacco lands' are still unimproved, and much fine land in cultivation.
SULPHUR SPRINGS TOWNSHIP is well adapted to the growth of tobacco, cotton and grains, and has any quantity of fine timber and some elegant water-powers.
In this Township, about ten miles from Rutherfordton, and about four miles from the line of Railroad, is a very fine Spring of White Sulphur Water.
IIIGHI SHOALS TOWNSHIP -- This Township has probably as fine land as any in the County and the most extensive water-power. The famous High Shoals on second Broad River furnishes sufficient power to run immense machinery.
COLFAX TOWNSHIP lies next the Cleveland County line
Rutherford Conuty.
and is a fine cotton section. The lands are well watered and fertile-farmers can make money.
COOL SPRINGS TOWNSHIP is also rich and well adapted to cotton raising. The lands are well watered. Forest City is in this Township.
DUNCAN'S CREEK TOWNSHIP is undulating. The lands compare favorably with the lands of other Townships, well adapted 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 well 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 fertile. The water pure and air bracing. Fine water-power and some mineral.
CHIMNEY ROCK, while it has fine farming lands in abundance, 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 places 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 who feels a love for his country and a glow 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
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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 may 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 fact, 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: black, 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
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Rutherford Conuty.
kinds; Laurel. Other 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, Ratsbane, 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 for 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 full 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, Samarskite, 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, mineralogical 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- CL. S.
In regard to the diamond, it may be very common, but the frequent appearance of this brilliant and beautiful Quatz ('rystal, has the effect of causing a distrust in the mind of the ordinary observer in regard to the bright stones he may see.
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Rutherford County.
Having thus given a very imperfect and incomplete list of natural products we will 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 was 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 ot Scriptural" fame. The Sumac valuable to
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Rutherford Conuty.
the dyer and tanner here grows 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 but 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 Northern visitors who are each year becoming more numerous. The writer of this portion of this article could descant on the healthfulness of this country, its numerous pure, clear water springs, med- icinal and mineral springs, but will leave that to be treated of by a gentleman of eminence in the medical profession and who is familiar with these matters.
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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 of 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 ofhard woods. The white hickory, white oak, post oak, dog- wood, sour-wood, beech, maple, persimon, 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
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