Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1871-09-02
TRIP TO THE SUMMIT OF THE
MOUNTAIN,

from Baltimore, having on board
President Geo. NJ. Bokee, Chief Engi-
ncer R. B. Osborne, Mr., Smyrck, Road
Master, Col. John X. Longwell, Lady
and daughter, Mr.. Augustus Shrlver
and Rev. John Pvm Carter, Of West
minister; Mr.. A. p. Burt, at present
a Director of the B. & 0, r. r., and
a former Director of the Western Ma
lyland, Gen, John W. Horn, Warden
of the Maryland Penitentiary, Messrs
James S. Waters, Thomas S. Wilkin-
son, G. II Gearing, John G. Medinger,
James H. Irwin, Mr.. Placide, Mr..
James B. Duke, and a number Of other
ladies and gentlemen, left the Me
chanicstown Depot at | past II O.
clock for the Summit Of the noun
tain to examine the deep cuts and pro-
gress of the Road. BY invitation Of
President Bolec, we We're "pressed
into the service, noleus rolcu$, and
accompanied the exploring party.
The day was cool and pleasant, the
air bracing and the trip very enjoy
able. After ascending the mountain
grade and passing over the Bridge
OF Lodi, q magnificent structure
which spans Owings creek, the cars
soon entered the beautiful scope of
country known as "IIarbaugh's VAL
lev" where the red winged starllngs
kent up their we'll known voice from
lush to bush, and from tree to tree, IN
the fields and meadows pcrchlng
ever and anon upon Che tail, sIen-
der swinging reeds, turning their
black glistcning backs, and their rcd
wings 10 the sun, and pouring forth
notes Of the widest joy from their
l"'' 'iio''S WIN i Il N''''''' w., y :
equaled fit did not surpa.s the bird
song of Jenny Lind.
As we approached the Five NH
Seats of the late Benjamin Willhidc,
the opening scenery IN the pNrp4ed
east IN the direction OF Mr.. John
Ronzers tarm. lrnnlihnvlIie, - DO
scph : AeaNon!N ana ON 5 ''t.N, Il
and tn" MonocarE ",I'E'
presented a magnitIrrNl aspect, where
the spiral column asren"rd ''W ware.
the clouds and uroWEE l." IL N; II.
lulled the distant i"id; lie l''''"3
landscape, dotted with i"F'i hoUS|S'
well laden orchardS;and the pe"",l'"I
region Of variegated scenery, llrId5 Of
golden corn waving III me "lS'aI,"'
together with the green ioAa2e OF 'Av
woody vale, was a rohet to the eye
in fact, the picturesque VIE" was
grand. .,
On the cars moved toward Smi'h-
field, the ancestral home OF the Ia'e
Capt, Daniel Smith, veteran OF the
Revolution, and famous IN ms day Tor
splendid cider amt ciaerolI' IN
q few moments more SaplIIaSVlIle' ,he
home seat of the Horbanghs ana 10Y
fingers, for many generations PACK,
came III sight, whose Erogen''orS 40
years ago stuck their Jacob $ Stat IN
this then towering, romantic, Wild
and sequestered land-locked section, to
make ii their future abiding place, IN
a few more putts OF the engine the
whole valley opened IN tulI view I"
our gaze and the prospect falriN o"2-
zled our eyes with native beauties
This lovely valley we thought to our
self here lies dove-talled hike garden
spot, the inland meadow OF the south
and Catoctin mountains, sNlrted toy
the blue hills OF Maryland and lenn-
sylvania. In the fulness OF Joyous
heart we were ready to cxclann with
an ecstasy o. delight, it IS a lovely,
grand, beautiful spot to look upon
the rich mellow fallow land, the gor-
geous hills on either side, the trees Of
luscious fruit the creeping vines Laden
with choice grapes. 'purple and Sush-
ing and ready to burst with the pure
Juice distilled by the summer sun and
mountain dew, the wandering kine
stroll:ng through the woods, the rich
Pastures anI fine farm houses gave
prominence to this enchanted scene
t.Uorth "sail ;7Hr Reverend friend Mr.