Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-17

creek first crossed by the road on an embankment
sixty in height and after that several times
reduced elevations until in two miles the forks
the creek are reached at the Swanton level where
the remains of abandoned clearing and an old mip
Here also the old Cumberland and Carksburg road crosse
the first wagon road of the country after the
had given place to the wheeled vehicle
In ascending on this rise we noticed tn
first distinct change in the temperature of the air
became cooler and fesher and seemed TO stimulate tn
lungs and impart general vigor On arriving at Swan
ton the mountain edge is left for three four miles pas
sage through the flat bottom of beautiful valley gent
slopes passing pretty farms This brings you the
Altamont Summit the eliminating point Of the line
height 626 feet above tide water The dividing ridge
between the Potomac and Ohio waters passed by long
open cut of upwards Of thirty feet in Depth the great
Backbone Mountain towering up the left hand and
seen at every opening in that direction.
We now enter upon open country, that is to say
open in comparison with what have passed for still
every hand the vista is closed by forest This is called
the Glades the soil of which is covered with rich
bright verdure apparently very soft and succulent They
extend, with few slight Interruptions nineteen
miles, from {" Altamont" to Cranberry Summit =
Here the road is very fine and level and the train is
PEELED fearful speed The general appearance of the
country is that Of belonging northern cme fol-
is growing here whilst the wheat OATS and
even the grass much further from maturity than the
like crops of the mountains Water abounds the
surface much of this region showing the larger
ply Of moisture and probably less evaporation than pre-
vail in the general plain Of the Continent After famou
rafting, high speed bring up between two banks
at the village of Oaklands. Leaving the for few
minutes whilst the processes Of woodng and watering
going on and camberng up the bank, open upon the
nf0 allo hr;r
good-looking hotels houses of entertainment The
population Of Oakands must amount already to two
or three hundred. Great the qualification of the
people arrival, token as it of speedy COM
mencement of new for this hitherto seclude region
Scarcely had gained the level of the place rom the
cut in which the railroad lies than away to the southwark
upon the green carpeng the rounded top of amour
tain, and upward of mile off, female form DESCRIBED
arrayed in snow-white skirt, and eagerly eyeng the
movements in Oakland. So elevated and romantc was
the spot and the ladys appearance there that
consent the apparition dubbed sthe Spite Of the
AHeghaay," and such waving of hats and enthusiastic
cheering to her followed may be easily conjec-
tured than described simply noting the fact thhe party
in high glee, having away from city dust and
heat notes. debts and discounts and all the other para
phernaa with which dull care disturbs tie pacdity
of human life.
About Oakland the land is capital and th place must
become of the prosperous the rote for be-
sides its many natural advantages it is station and
depot of the railroad company. Oakland and more
pecialy the beautiful and imposing height where the
whte-skirted phantom drew upon herself ou admirng
gaze is admirably suited for place of resort for
the people of cities, infinitely be preferred before
the watering places where wealth and indulgence waste
time and money and spoil their chances for restored
hoo hy indul oh Twin IN tbeae oft
heights where the purest air and water the sweees and
sublime scenery and the best of milk, butter and
simple but wholesome diet abound with plenty of trout
fishing and hunting health and vgor may be hoped for
if any where in the world If spirited capitalist and
he need not be very heavy one to purchase arm
in of these localities, and build collection OF log
cabns-whch would cost nothing beyond the labor of
erection, for timber is almost vaueessaotting
family at rental of fifty dollars he might
fund his expenditure the first year and make market FOR
his produce at his door To enterprising men this
opening viii not long remain unsupped, and shall in
year find the top of the Aeghanies justly fayo-
rite for thousands especially wnenit can be reached
for six or seven dollars and in less than twelve hours
from Baltimore and Washington Really such blessing
as this cheaply attainabe is just fer gratitude
the bengnant Providence that has prepared to
hand.
Oakland the great Youghiogany river and the bridge
vaduct of timber and iron erected over by the
pany. The Youghiogany is verify mountain stream,
hardly be exceled for all the qualities proper such
stream by any in this any other country. Pure
amber teemng with capital trout and other fish, and
flowing through region Astounding in picturesque beau
ty the Youghogany is the coypheus of mountain rivers
Soon after this pass the boundary line Of Maryland
and Virginia. sixty miles from Cumberland leaving Ale
ghany county Of the former for Preston county of the
latter State Snowy Creek with its falls and its abun
dance of peculiar trout object of interest and et
places close to the road The head Of this creek is
Cranberry Swamp Summit sixtyfour miles from Cumber
land where also rises Salt Lick Creek likewise plen
full trout stream. Though the ground along the margin
of the road is here fat yetits elevation is but sevenys,
feet lower than Aamont Summit being 2 $50 feet above
tide-water.
From Cranberry Swamp Summit the road descend
twelve miles to Cheat river presenting in its route rapid
succession Of very heavy excavations and embankmens
In its two tunnelsMcG tunnel of 5Ot
feet long and Rodmers tunnel of 400 feet Over Sal
Lick Creek is vaduct of equal height Of span Of .
feet Arriving at the foot Of this slope the first object
sight the railroad bridge Cheat river and second
ly the river itself This will rvet the attention
Of the behoder well its own account as for its be
ongngs 1t is about seventyve yards wide this spot
and is pretty rapid But the color Of the water is tn
strnngest thing about it. Seen from its banks tn
bridge it looks about the color of clear tanpt
| weak coffee
Its banks are very PERCEPTIONS, being in fact but tn
basis of mountains which rise to height greatly