I have yours of the 4th relative to the Mt. Mitchell Peak Park Commission, and in reply beg to advise:

On January 18th, the date I last wrote you about it, I also wrote J. Richmond Young, asking that he furnish me, as Mr. Watson had advised me that he would have him do, with the calls for each new tract of land sought to be taken, for the purchase of which I had previously arranged. I have also made this request since to Mr. Watson, but as yet have been unable to get a reply from either one.

As indicated in my former letter, I had the Commission agree when I was last in Burnsville, at your request, that they would have Mr. Young meet Mr. Gearhart, the cruiser agreed upon at an early date, so as to furnish us with the amount of timber, pulp wood, etc., but as yet I have been unable to hear further from that. I have been in repeated conferences with Mr. Blackstock, the Chairman, and he tells me that he is doing everything that he can to push the matter along, but he and I are unable to get anything done on account of the inaction in Yancey.

About three weeks ago I was advised by Mr. J. Bis Ray, who was then in Asheville, that the appraisers, which I have had appointed by the Court, had agreed to meet on the Peak Saturday, and I arranged to be there and left here, and on account of getting permission from Perley & Crockett I was able to ride up on the Railroad, and I reached the Peak by 11 o'clock. There, much to my surprise, I found no one and the trip was absolutely useless. I do not understand why the matter is allowed to run along that way, but as I am only the Attorney of the Commission, and not a member of them, I cannot get anything more than has been done.

I am advised by Mr. Blackstock that Mr. Gearhart is in the City today, and that he is now and has at all times, ready to meet Mr. Young on the Peak, so as to look the lines of the various parties, and make up his report. If you can suggest anyway by which I can put some "ginger" in to these folk and get any kind of action, I would be glad to follow your advices.

With kindest regards and all good wishes, I am,