The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-03-25
For The Union.
A Trip into Montgomery County.

Having lately taken hasty trip to Montgom-
cry county, in this State, have thought that
perhaps sketch of the same would be accepta-
BILE to your readers.
Left Laurel Station on the Washington branch
of the B. & 0. r. R.. for Brookeville Laurel is
by far the busiest village in Prince Georges Co.,
situate on the Patuxent river, where there is
great water power, caused by the descent of the
stream from the more elevated portion of the
State to the tide water region. Here there is an
immense cotton mill, now running half its ma
chinery full time; also large Touring mill A
very large stone building erected and used sew
eral years ago for machine shop, is now unoc-
cupied, and going to decay. The town covers
considerable surface, and contains some
1900 inhabitants. newspaper was printed
there some years ago, but it was not sustained
The road, after leaving LAUREL enters strip
ofpine forrest mile or so wide, and then energies
into sandy region, reminding the traveller of
the truck-land of New Jersey. This region ex-
tends for some four miles, and is rather sparsely
inhabited. Under the skilful farming of New
Jersey or Anne Arundle truckers, this can be
made very fruitful region, and its proximity to
Washington would always supply market.
The land gradually changes to clay loan,
about sufficiently rolling for agricultural purpo-
ses, with excellent timber of oak, hickory, chest
nut, &c. Here is what was once q tract of 1900
acres, belonging to a family OF children the in
come from which was not sufficient to pay the
taxes. A decree of court was obtained to sellit
In l948 it was divided into about 20 tracts, con-
tanning each some 100 acres, and advertised in
the Bucks county, and other Pennsylvania papers,
and sold at public sale. These tracts sold at
prices varying from So. 76 to some $40 per acre.
the price being regulated by situation, the quail
ty of land timber, &c. Part was old sedge-feld;
part forest not a building on any of them.
1t was bought by farmers and mechanics resi-
ding in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia
counties, Pennsylvania. That was less than II
years ago. 1t is now a succession of fine farms,
with good buildings, on both sides of the stage
road. The land appears to be in good condi-
ton, well fenced, the sod indicates fine grass,
the grain looks well, and there is sufficiency of
apple and peach orchards. saf8ft
Included in the settlement is store and
post office, named Spencervile, from one of the
enterprisng proprietors Mr.. W. H. Spencer,
from Bustleton Pa, and near the centre of the
settlement is neatly fenced cemetery of some
five acres, something that Towsontown with all
its boosted enterprise and wealth has never yet
thought worthy Establishing.
Just beyond the store are three farms that
would attract attention any where. Fine build
ings, excellent land, good fences, and extensive
and thrifty orchards of apple, peach and other
trees. The tract comprising these farms, was
purchased in l84l for $2.05 per acre, by Caleb
Stabler. Immediately after the purchase, friend
consoled Mr.. Stabler by the assurance that he
paid about $204 too much for the land The
great element of improvement of these lands was
guano and bone, with judicious farming. Lime
does not appear to be very beneficial on these
lands.
Beyond this is the settlement of Sandy Spring,
composed of Friends (Quakers) surrounding a
Meeting House of the exemplary religious society,
which was established many years ago. This |
neighborhood, for intelligence and morality, in |
dustry and thrift, is uot excelled in any section
of the State. For generations, this has been |
an oasis in the pestilential desert of Slavery and
stands to-day as model community, worthy |
example to be followed by other portions of the |
State, now the foul incubus is lifted from our
fair land Beyond Sandy Spring is an old build
ing once the residence of Roger Brooke, after
whom Roger Brooke fancy was named. The
village of Brookeville is a short distance beyond,
and is not large, situate in rolling region, and
surrounded by good farms. A special law pro-
hibits the selling ofintoxicating liquors in Brooke
ville and therefore there is hotel in the place,
but private accommodations can be procnred.-
A good turnpike connects Brookeville with
Washington, some l6 miles distant. C.