264 GILMER COUNTY. 



the rivers and creeks. The mountain lands are suitable only 

 for grazing. For the best lands, ten dollars per acre may be 

 put down as the average value. The uplands are w^orth about 

 four dollars per acre. 



Minerals. — This county is rich in minerals. Gold exists 

 at the White Paths, six miles from Ellijay, on the road lead- 

 ing to Blairsville. The mines at this place embrace three lots 

 owned by different persons, and have been worked for two 

 years. One hundred and twenty pennyweights of gold have 

 been found in this locality in one mass. Carticary mine, 10 miles 

 E. of Ellijay, is a rich deposit mine. Iron ore, of a very excel- 

 lent quality, is abundant. Beautiful marble, white, variegated, 

 is found in several places, and it is confidently asserted that it 

 is not to be excelled by any in the United States. Several 

 gentlemen have entered largely into the marble business ; be- 

 tween sixty and seventy hands are kept in constant employ in 

 the quarries. Good mill-stones are found on Tallona creek. 



Mineral Springs. — On Briar creek is a spring having 

 medicinal properties, besides others in various portions of the 

 county. 



Character of the People, Amusements. — This county 

 has been settled by people from various places, and it is diffi- 

 cult to define with precision the character of the population. 

 Our own observations would lead us to say that generally the 

 citizens of this county are kind asid hospitable, not inclined 

 to industrious habits, and not sufficiently interested in the 

 subject of temperance. In political matters they are well 

 informed, but in agricultural knowledge we think there is 

 room for improvement. Bear hunting is a popular amuse- 

 ment. The Cohuttah mountains, at certain seasons, abound 

 with bear, and they often fall victims to the sure aim of the 

 Gilmer rifle. 



Religious Sects, Education. — Baptists, Missionary and 

 Anti-Missionary, are the most numerous. The other denomi- 

 nations are Methodists and Presbyterians. Schools are much 

 wanted, and we are happy to state that a great interest is be- 

 ginning to be felt in the cause of education. The country is 

 still new, and allowances must be made for the want of schools. 



Early Settlers. — J. P. Alexander, Samuel Jones, Benja- 

 min Griffith, Stephen Griffith, and others. 



