J.M. Downum Describes Beauty of Winter in Boone, N.C., Dec. 23, 1920

By J.M. Downum of Boone, N.C. – A scene of indescribable beauty lies out before me as far as I see. A sheet of snow covers all. An unusual calm prevails. Not a breath of air disturbs the quiet. The symmetrical and majestic white pines dropping gracefully beneath their alban burden present a scene of rare and wondrous beauty. On mountain, hill and dale almost a holy hush lies, as though fearful that the slightest breath might cause the fairy-like scene to vanish from view. The crystal forests in their numerous varied forms present a panoramic scene that words cannot describe, and the artist’s brush would be but a futile means of portraying, as lying in the bright sunlight they glitter like millions and millions of diamonds upon the fingers of nature fair. Such scenes as these must be seen to be fully appreciated. If the great God of the universe makes such scenes for us here to lead us on to understand something of his fatherly goodness, what has He prepared for those who love Him in the Great Country beyond the river? (From the editorial page of the Watauga Democrat, Boone, N.C., Dec. 23, 1920. Alban is Latin for “white.”)