The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-25
BEDFORD SPRINGS.


BEDFORD SPRINGS, Pa, July 90, 1868.
Bedford Springs has almost national history
for 1t has been the Mecca Of hundreds Of our
statesmen 'and politicians who came here to seek
remedy for the ills which seem to attend men in
public life. 1t has also been the rendezvous for
many q gathering Of the wirepullers and more than
one "slate" has been made here under the cool
blade OF Tussey's Mountain. The Pennsylvanlans
make It regular resort every summer, but many
prominent Southerners, whose names are famous in
the history Of wing and democratic politics and
notorious in the record OF the rebellion, were it's
constant visitors until the beginning of the war.
IL still retains something Of its old manners. 1t s
link between the past and the present. As you
stroll about the vast grounds among the roomy cot
tages and beneath the old slvereaf popars it is as
easy to fancy that you in Virginia as it was ten
years ago. and the illusion is more perfect when
you find yourself waited upon by venerable darkies,
who yet retain great deal Of that peculiar respect
full intimacy which characterized them during the
existence OF the "institutiOn" and who may
be seen "toting" in the most afectiOnate
way some of the more in1rm valetudinarians
to the spring or to the dining table. The
voice Of the past is ever heard. Every step recalls
the gay Hotspurs, with their "poker'' playing and
whiskey drnking-the wild spirits who easily caught
the spark of rebellion from their crafty leaders and
were afterwards found afOot or in saddle, the dare
devils OF the Confederate service. But oil Is changed
now. The place has been "loyalized," 30 to speak,
and the society and sOjourners Of the present day
are. with few exceptions those who took part or
sympathized with the government.
The journey to Bedford Springs is one Of most
unpleasant character. Leaving the Pennsylvania
Railroad at Huntingdon, the traveller is slowly
drawn over branch railroad the rate is about ten
miles an hour to Mount Dallas, where he Ia tran
shipped into stage Of the old-fashioned sort and
jolted about eight miles over mountain road to the
Springs On the way he passes through the little
town OF BEDFORD an early settlement of the country,
which gives name to everything in the vicinity, and
the lamented G. Washington. One legend hath it
that ne Iocated his office there (he was surveyor
which Braddock was defeated, and another saith
that 1t was his headquarters when he came down
TO look after the suppression OF the Pennsylvania
whskey rebellion. Whichever Is correct, IL Is very
certain that the spirit OF rebellion which was born in
these mountains then has not died out for the very
descendants OF these same opponents OF the old whs
key laws cOpperheads and were rebels during
the war AZ far as they dared to be. The feeling Of
Isolation at Bedford Springs Is almost complete The
place Is buried in the mountains miles from anything
like city. The New York and Philadelphia papers
are thirty-sx hours old when they arrive here The i'm
mediate situation liz on the dividing bridge between
the East and the West. The peaks that look down
upon the valley In which the hotel is situated are the
highest points Of the Alleghanes. The little stream
OF water at the door il q branch OF the Junata and
flows downward and westward until 1t reaches the
Ohio. Across the ridge and almost within stones
throw Is another little stream the waters OF which
run eastward until they flow into the James ana the
Atlantic.
collection OF buildings capable OF accommodating
over ave hundred people, IL Is SITUATED In HAT or
structure the main one is OF brick large and com,
modi0us, with fine oldfashioned parlOrs and dining
and na,1,v large hall for Scng IT. Is here the
nished by band OF dar.fes, who are seated on
high platform at one eAd. They also "discourse''
during the intervals Est before meals and sometimes
| add serenade at bedtime The cottages flank the
main building and Comprise rows OF long barracks,
wntewasned ~ 20 the outside but bare and paint
less as 10 tne inside The idea OF the rural Is per-
fect when tde porter escorts you along the night and
nnaIiy us1ers you into an apartment with plank
rooms Of your grandfather's house I'm the country.
There Is also vase deal OF "porch" piazza. II is
iar 90 say there must be about mile OF 1t around
The register in the Office II one Of the features
and curosities OF the place II dates back to 1897,
although 1t does look like one Of the yellow m0nkish
volumes Of the Middle Ages. The array OF sigma
lures of distinguished men who have visited the
Springs during the past decade Ia very extensive
and Will make the book very valuable one with
those who have pencnant for making collections OF
President buchanan was constant attendant at
the Springs. Old Levi" the clipper Il came near
calling him spring boy, but the term would have
been more appropriate nifty or sixty years ago.
always waited upon him.
''1eb, says Lew, many 3 Tile Jnc give dill
the water. Last time Mr.. Buchanan was here he
came near breaking his leg. He was corpulent
man, you know, and no when he was stepping upon
the platform and got all his weight on one foot he
broke through, and only for me and for some men
that came up ana caught him he would have broken
his leg. But he never would come up that way
again. After that ne always walked around to the
side, and had NE hand the water down to him."
The weather was very warm here (where was 1t
not during the heated spell In the beginning Of the
week. The thermometer got up to ninety-six, but
has subsidized. Last night was so cool that blankets
were really comfortable, while visit to the springs
In the morning required warm clothing.
The springs at Bedford are ten In number. The
principal IL that at the hotel door which Is
specific for complaints arising from the deranged
condition OF the digestive organs, so common among
persons OF sedentary habits and constant devotion
TO business The immediate action Is ON the kid
news, producing profuse diuresis, the skin pro-
ducing light perspration and on the bowels slight
catharsis IL Is thus great resource with dyspep
tics. For those who wish sulphur and iron rene
dial agents the other springs abundantly plenty
Mountain air, mountain food, trout fishing and hunt
ing complete the attractions OF the spot.
hundred and lfty
Governor Curtin arrived on wednesday, with his
daughter Thad Stevens has long frequened the
place, and may come here on the adjournment OF
Congress. Reverdy Johnson, Jr., Is also guest,
and his handsome figure may be seen nightly In the
ball room "dolng" the Lancers and the Galop with
the prcttiest OF the fair SEX among whom he seems
a great favorite. Governor Gcary Is expected next
week and ex-Secretary stanton IN a few days.