134 THE CAROLINA MOUNTAINS 
early settlers, only a few of which have here been 
given, are preserved in the streams and valleys about 
Asheville, every name redolent of the history of the 
past. Crossing Davidson's River near Brevard, for 
instance, you will recall that the first county court 
was held at the log house of William Davidson at 
the "Gum Spring" on the Swannanoa River. And 
hurrying down the beautiful gorge of the French 
Broad on the railroad you pass Alexander, the prin- 
cipal trading station in those old days when traffic 
went on four legs, and was so heavy that Captain 
Alexander sometimes stood dealing out corn three 
days and nights in succession without time to go to 
his meals. 
To-day Asheville takes itself seriously as a city, 
and you are tempted to grant the assumption when 
you see automobiles driving through the streets as 
unconcernedly as in New York or Washington. 
Street-cars come from various directions to a socia- 
ble gathering in Pack Square, the heart of the city. 
These same cars take you to the confines of town, 
or up over neighboring mountain slopes to com- 
manding viewpoints. You go to Asheville to do your 
shopping and to see the world. There are imposing 
castle-like hotels there, modern and handsome houses 
on the residence streets, a great many small houses, 
and outlying districts where the cottages are occupied 
by colonies of negroes. Yet you can never make the 
mistake of supposing yourself in a real city when in 
Asheville, for you have only to lift your eyes to see 
the vast green forest pressing close about you and 
