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Horace Kephart and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-11220.jp2
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  • Interstate Park, Col. Glenn S. Smith of the U.S. Geological Survey, Harlan P. Kelsey of Salem, Massachusetts, former president of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and William C. Gregg of New York, representing the Council on National Parks, Forests, and Wildlife. The last two members played instrumental roles in the final determination of the Great Smokies as a recommended area. ' Mr. Kelsey had been raised in Highlands, North Carolina, and he v/as familiar with the Smokies. William Gregg at his own expense scouted out the most likely sites,in company with his son, ahead of the committee's official survey trip. Horace Kephart led the Greggs on foot into the Smoky wilderness and then joined with a small group of Swain County park enthusiasts to entertain them at the Fryemont Inn in Bryson CityJ5''6 Kephart's knowledge of the area, his ability to describe it.in colorful words from firsthand experience, and his reputation as author and woodsman made him especially useful in meetings of this sort. His appearance the following year before the prestigious Watauga Club of Raleigh was particularly important. In his letter of invitation to Kephart, Wade Marr, a Raleigh investment broker, explained that the small group included "men .who have possibly as much influence over public opinion as any similar group which might be organized in the state." Among those invited to attend the informal discussion meeting at Marr's home were.Josephus Daniels, Clarence Poe, editor of the Progressive Farmer, Dr. E. C. Brooks, president of North Carolina State College, Tom Best of the Greensboro News, and severa"; state officials of cabinet rank. "All of them are familiar with your interest in the Park and, incidentally, I might say without exception they are great admirers of you as a writer."'17 The day following that meeting Kephart brought the park message to Governor A. W. McLean in his office.'° veying the many sites that had been brought to its attention. Before setting
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Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).