Most of the less well known early explorers of the Sierra Nevada were private individuals; rather than government expeditions or cartographers. The more literate ones had accounts of their achievements; adventures; andmishaps published in newspapers and journals; often accompanying them with photographs; drawings; and hand-drawn maps. Most of these wilderness travelers have been immortalized by having their names placed on mountains; lakes; and streams: Frank Dusy; Wales; Wallace; and Wright; Theodore S. Solomons; Bolton C. and Lucy Brown; Joseph N. and Marion LeConte; Lt.Nathaniel Fish McClure; Cornelius Beach Bradley; James E. Hutchinson. These are foremost among the few who pioneered the routes that are followed by so many at the present day. Bolton Coit Brown in 1895 wrote: . . . all the splendid mountains away off north and east of Paradise Valley; where the map shows nothing; were beautiful exceedingly . . . .In 1896 Brown made the first ascent of Mount Clarence King; and wrote: The top of the summit block slopes northwest; is about fifteen feet across; and as smooth as a cobblestone. If you fall off one side; you will be killed in the vicinity; if you fall off any of the other sides; you will be pulverized in the remote nadir beneath.
#2987628 in Books 2016-07-06Original language:English 9.00 x 1.02 x 6.00l; #File Name: 0939479095452 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. African-American Rural History At Its Best.By The Careful ObserverAs one looks out over the landscape of the American Historical terrain; it is rare for one to find lucid; rural History of any type; let alone African-American History. This is one of the attributes that makes this book by Ms. Margo Williams so special; since she manages to pull this fete off so well. What results is a portrait of a scrappy; tenacious; ambitious; self-determined and mutually supportive Black community; with everyone working together to improve their quality of life. There are key figures within this account; such as Miles Lassiter and Reverend Islay Walden; who are instrumental in bringing about key changes and pushing the progress of the whole community forward. In spelling out these two figures; I must; on a personal note; make it known that while Ms. Margo Williams is a Lassiter descendant; I am; in fact; a Walden descendant. This book is an excellent portrayal irregardless of our family connections to this story; but the fact that we both have familial connections; with our ancestors out there in the rural; North Carolina countryside “chilling†together in the late 1800's; adds icing to our cake in making this book even more special. This book is meticulously researched and put together in a most perspicacious manner. It's just a great Historical account of an African-American rural community by a person both personally connected to; and supremely qualified; to tell this story. I enjoyed the book immensely.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A read for those who look for inspiration from the past and want to make a difference today and tomorrowBy Stephanie ChandlerMore than ever; we long to know our past. “Where did I come from†fascinates many of us and for someone like Margo Lee Williams; fascination has become a calling. In her latest work; an exhaustive book about life in the Hilltown/Stieby community in northeastern North Carolina; Williams takes us back to the 1800’s. She introduces us to the hard-working people who focused on family and work and community; all surrounded by faith; making their lives an example for those who embrace the same in today’s world. A read for historians and for genealogists alike. A read for those who look for inspiration from the past and want to make a difference today and tomorrow.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I just ordered this book. I am looking forward ...By Greg CranfordI just ordered this book. I am looking forward to reading it. My white ancestors lived near the Strieby community ofSouthwestern Randolph County. As a child; I climbed a mountain in the area that was known as "Black Mountain" tomy relatives. I hope I will be able to research the connections between the African-American Cranfords of Striebyand the white Cranfords of the nearby New Hope community.
