17 



and crystal waters cold and pure as the winter snow that generates them. 

 At the bottom of this basin, quietly reposing, with outstretched arms, day 

 the mortal remains of the Rev. Elisha Mitchell, D. D., the good, the great, 

 the wise, the simple minded,^ the pure of heart, the instructor of youth, 

 the disciple of knowledge and the preacher of Christianity ! Oh what 

 friend to science and virtue what youth among all the thousands that 

 have listened to his teachings, what friend that has ever taken him by the 

 hand, can think of this wild and awful scene unmoved by the humanity of 

 tears ! can think of those gigantic pyramidal firs, whose interlocking 

 branches shut out the light of heaven, the many hued rhododendrons that 

 freight the air with their perfume and lean weepingly over the waters, that 

 crystal stream leaping down the great granites and hastening from the 

 majestic presence of the mighty peak above, whilst in the deep pool below, 

 where the weary waters rest but a single moment, lies the inanimate body 

 of his dear friend and preceptor, apparently listening to the mighty requi- 

 em of the cataract I ! Truly " Man knoweth not his time, and the sons of 

 men are entrapped in the evil, when it cometh suddenly upon them." 



Upon consultation it was thought best to let the body remain in the wa- 

 ter until all arrangements were completed for its removal and interment ; 

 judging rightly that the cold and pure waters would better preserve it, than 

 it could be kept in any other way. At day light a number of hands went 

 to cutting out a trail from the top of the mountain to where the body lay, 

 a distance of three miles, whilst others went to Asheville to make the ne- 

 cessary arrangements. Word was also sent to the coroner of Yancey, and 

 to the citizens generally to come and assist us in raising the body on Wed- 

 nesday morning. At that time a large num])er of persons assembled at 

 Mr. Jesse Stepp's and set out for the spot, bearing the coffin upon our 

 shoulders up the dreary steeps. We had gone near ten miles in this way 

 and had just turned down from the high peak towards the river, when we 

 were met by Mr. Coroner Ayers, and about fifty of the citizens of Yance}', 

 coming up with the body. They had got impatient at our delay, and en- 

 veloping the body in a sheet and fastening it securely upon a long pole, 

 laid it upon the shoulders of ten men and started up the mountain. And 

 now became manifest the strength and hardihood of tliose noble mountai- 

 neers. For three miles above them the precipitous granites and steep 

 mountain sides forbade almost the ascent of an unincumbered man, which 

 was rendered doubh' difficult by great trunks of trees, and the t^iick and 

 tangled laurel which blocked up the way. The load was near two hundred 

 and fifty pounds and only two men could carry at once. But nothing 

 (la"-nted by the fearful exertion before them, they steJD boldly up the way, 

 fresh hands stepped in every few moments, all struggling without inter- 



