This Article was Transcribed and Submitted by Caleb G. Teffeteller
From the “Maryville Index,” Wednesday, August 28, 1878, Page 2.
Editor Index:
The route by which I reached these places from Maryville was, by rail to Loudon, then by steamer down the Tennessee to Rockwood landing, which I reached on the evening of the day that I left Maryville. I then procured a horse from Mr. Ferguson–a gentleman who owns a large farm near Rockwood landing—going on horseback the rest of the way. The distance from Rockwood landing to Piney Falls is some 15 or 16 miles. I followed in part the track of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad to a point some two or three miles from Rhea Springs, then up Holloway’s Gap to Piney Falls, the name being given from the fact that Piney Creek, which runs through the settlement, then has a fall of several feet. Walden’s Ridge, on which Piney Falls is situated, has an elevation of some 800 feet above the plains below, along which the C.S.R.R. runs. From the “rim†of the ridge back for some 10 or 12 miles the country is somewhat rolling, but often quite level, being for the most part covered with forest trees of as thrifty growth as you will find on the plains below. There is a scattering population settled over this region, the most considerable of which is at Piney Falls. Here some six or eight Northern families have located themselves. They are engaged in orcharding. Fruit trees grow finely on these lands, and seldom fail to yield a good fruit crop. The old growth of fruit trees are seedlings, yet the fruit on these is superior to that grown on the plain below.
The Northern men referred to are growing grafted fruit. The budded peach trees planted by them are beginning to bear. Some of the peaches were over 10 inches in circumference. There can be no question of the peculiar adapted ness of the lands on Walden’s Ridge to the business of orcharding. Grapes grow finely, as do also all kinds of garden vegetables and vines. The land is slightly sandy—easily cultivated, but will require to be carefully farmed. The growth of timber consists of White Oak, Black Oak, Red and Spanish Oaks, Hickory, Chestnut, Oak, Gum, Poplar, etc. As you approach the Cumberland table lands, pine trees are also found. Lands are selling at from, say 50 cents to $5 per acre.
A Presbyterian Church has been organized by Rev. W.F. Rogers at Piney Falls, and seems to promise a prosperous growth.
From Piney Falls to Grassy Cove the distance is some 10 or 12 miles. This cove is a peculiar depression in the Cumberland Mountains, of the same character as Sequatchie Valley, and no doubt produced by the same general causes. It is, however, separated from that valley by an upheaval of the same character as that which surrounds the cove generally. But let the geologists have their say about this. Mr. Killebrew has described the cove more fully than I may attempt to do. I want to speak, however, of the work that Rev. W.F. Rogers is doing in the cove. He has thoroughly comprehended the problem that was there to be solved. The great majority of the people in the region of the cove and surrounding mountains were without any education. There was not only the lack of intelligence but there was also the prejudice, the narrowness, the prevalent national absurdities which ignorance begets, and which is perfectly impervious to Gospel ideas and Gospel truth, both on account of the wilfullness that always accompanies ignorance, as also the fact that the simplest phraseology of the Gospel was an unknown language to them. Mr. Rogers might have preached to those people till he had worn himself out, and they would have failed to be essentially benefited by his labors. He saw that he must do as the missionary to heathendom finds he must do—open schools, so that by continuous and persistent instruction he might prepare them to comprehend the significance of Gospel language, and might also undermine their absurd traditions by the power of education, but at the same time not abating his work as a preacher. This, therefore, is what he has done and is doing. His school in the cove is a model and a light to the surrounding region. Its effect is felt all over those mountains. Parents who cannot themselves read are becoming anxious to get their children into his school, which is already too large for his accommodations. But he has been struggling to meet the growing demands that his labors have awakened, and has erected a fine, sightly two-story building, 36 X 44, to be completed this season. The basement is for the school and the second story for a house of worship. In a word, the problem referred to is in process of successful solution. The $700 appropriated by the Presbyterian Board to this building, I predict will yield an income—a spiritual income, many fold greater than any other investment they have anywhere made in East Tennessee that I know of, and will also be more permanent in its character. But space forbids extended remark. When that building shall have been completed, and simple one-story dormitories shall have been put up for the accommodation of self-boarders, (and it is expected that parents who wish to avail themselves of the school will do this) teachers for both day schools and Sunday schools can be trained for the work that is now so much needed in that region. Of course this special work is exceptional in its character and becomes necessary from the peculiar wants of that region. There is a room both at Piney Falls and at Grassy Cove for opening up a good many new farms of reasonably good land. The business of orcharding on the table lands around Piney Falls, it seems to me, can be made remunerative, by judicious and prudent management, and from the best information I can get, the Boston Land Company could not find a more desirable place on the entire table lands to locate some thirty or forty young families. The land produces also good corn, rye and pasturage.