Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Floreen or the Story of Mitchell

  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-10315.jpg
7 / 28
Item
  • Rev. Elisha Mitchell, D. D. 1795—1857 REV. ELISHA MITCHELL, who discovered that "Black Dome", now Mt. Mitchell, is the highest point East of the Rocky Mountains, slipped and fell, and was found eleven days later in a pool or lake of water, by Big Tom Wilson. He is buried on the top of the Mountain, and a monument will be placed there in the near future, to mark his resting place. Dr. Mitchell was a native of Connecticut, a graduate of Yale, and for forty years a distinguished Professor in the North Carolina University, and greatly beloved. In 1819, he was happily married to Miss Mariah North, of New London, Connecticut, an "Elect Lady". In 1821, he was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Orange Presbytery, a clear, strong preacher. In 1844, he made the discovery that "Black Dome" was the highest point of land East of the Mississippi River. Later some disputation having arisen, he went back with his son, and one of daughters, to confirm his claim. Leaving them on Saturday, June 27, 1857, promising to return Monday, he started over the top, to a settlement beyond the mountain. I hat was the last time he was seen alive. Mt. Mitchell Is 6,711 feet, but the railroad makes it easy now to reach this hitherto almost inaccessible height.
Object