The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-09-23
From our Travelling Correspondent.

BEDFORD SPRINGS, ALTOONA, BELLEFoNT,
LOCK HAVEN, ETC, ETC.
In doing this western mountain section,
see much to interest, entertain and amuse,
of which write from memory.
This ancient town and watering place
Bedford Springs-is beautifully located on
the road (old turnpike) from Pittsburg to
Baltimore, the great thoroughfare, in days
past, where plying his vocation to purpose,
the noted Pete Williams went for pocket
books in way that was as astounding as
emphatic. A foot-pad hermit, robber-
but generous; stealing from the drover to
give to the needy poor. Unlike the noto-
rious Joe Hare, the scoundrel cut-throat
who also dwelt hereabouts, Pete never COM
but money. When in his possession, he
sought out some needy one, perhaps now
an oppressed farmer or tradesman, then
again laborer on whom to bestow his ill
gotten gains. While terror to the roads
man, he was as the Good Samaritan to
others.
But to the Springs. The old hotel, greatly
improved, was full to OVERLOOKING this
season, and promise of early railroad con-
nection with Baltimore & Ohio Railroad,
will greatly increase its visitors for COM
ing season. The circuitous route at pres
ent is Objectionable, via Pennsylvania Rail
road to Huntingdon, thence over the fear
full Broad Top Road to Mt. Dallas, then
stage seven miles to Springs. This Broad
Top Road is too a great extent built on
stills (three trees high, to use the language
of residents) SO feet from the level. Think
of it! suspended in the air 80 yards on tres
tie work, from mountain-to top to mountain
top.
In coming to Bedford I stopped fire.
quently. One point 1 shall never forget
| saw Dutch Quaker, who was curious
machine of the animal creation; so Dutch
he couldn't say it, thee and thou-"dee
and dow" Curiosity led me to follow him,
and I dropped off at Thompsontown.-
Walked II miles to town-Dutch settle
mental Dimocrats -Shackson men yet.
Did you ever Try to sleep in a real Dutch
bed? l did. Did you ever foolishly attempt
to ride camel? If you have attempted
either, you can form some idea of my
nights torture. Bed bugs on parade duty,
fees having hop, a New York drum
mer singing in the next room 1.-THE Battle
Cry Of Freedom" the hotel keeper swear
ing in krautish anger, while was welter-
ing in my own almost boiling blood, from
wounds inflicted by their sappers and min
ers, (underminers) because of my nation
atty. Before visiting there again, intend
to procure an alligator hide, as night shield.
l survived that night, and got next to
Spence Creek. Took a carriage up one of
the most beautiful pixies passing through
valley which, for variety and beauty of
scenery, fertility of soil and general worth,
is seldom found. The Pennsylvania Fur
mace Co. own $4,000 acres of mountain
mineral and farming lands in one body g
mem; improved with furnaces, FORCES, &C.;
work over 600 men; the Superintendent Of
which is the cleverest of men, (gave me a
chicken pot-pie dinner.) Next went for
Tyrone. INDUCING in cheap happiness,
got no breadast-to be the happiest of
men when the gong sounded for dinner
At Tyronne, people scarce, small-p ox plenty
three cases in hotel; took quick snap, got
up and got next to Clearfeld, nice town,
inhabited by lumbermen; 1900 inhabitants,
many of whom can tell what county they
live in. Enlightened people. Great poll
ticians and log rollers, it is said. One
town deserves special notices. stores, 800
people, and not single dram shop OF bar
to be found in it. Its name is Birmingham
The men are the soberest looking ever
met, and it is altogether dry place. They
| say altogether this section is Golconda;
the value of its minerals is billions and it
possesses that variety of soil that makes it
at the same time the fitting home for the
| farmer, as well as the capitalist, contractor,
miner, tradesman and merchant. On every
side is manifest the thrift so unusual in
many sections. No drones; all activity;
money plenty. The farmer finds ready
market along the whole line-from Phila-
delphia TO Altoona, which is dotted with
one almost continuous town from Harris
burg to this place.
Then the ride over these mountains is
well worth the cost. The grandeur of
such views as Jacks Narrows, through
which you pass, overhung by those letting
peaks. seeming to kiss the very clouds in
their ascent, beautifully and wonderfully
rubbed on the face-side, by broken stone,
of greasy brown shade, varying from to
so TBS. in size, looking like the work OF
man, rather than that of an invisible God.
Now we turn an abrupt curve-then we
dive into the mountain, to be tunnelized-
lady screams, child bawls out-and on
we dash over the mountain-top; shrek
from the whistle repeated; we strike COW
down, down she robson, on, we roll
over our scare. Petersburg"' cries brake
man-in come Irish, Dutch, and WEIGH;
freshmen in our car ladies'). Brakeman