The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-16

reach Altamont, the highest point on the
road, and we find ourselves at an altitude
of nearly 5000 feet above tide, and such
decided change in the atmosphere, that we
begin to button up our COATS Here the
streams divide and when we stand on the
summit and face to the south, the water on
our right runs to the west, while that on
the left runs eastward. Nine miles more,
across the top, and we come to Oakland,
and after we get the smoke and dust wash
ed from our faces, we take some supper; af-
ter which we begin to look around after
to give us their attention and we take
walk around town, and after counting the
people, find the population to be about 750.
The top of the mountain is 13 miles wide,
and is chiefly used for grazing. The very
best mutton in the country is to be found
here, from the fact that the sheep enjoy
the pure fresh mountain air, and live prin-
cipally on such vegetation as does the deer,
among which is the mountain Lilly.
Game, such as deer, turkey, pheasants
etc., etc., abound, and in the mountain
streams are plenty Of nice speckled trout.
They are brought to Oakland and sold at
40 cents per pound and some of them gen.
orally find their way to the table of our
worthy host, Mr.. John Daley, who keeps
the Glades Hotel, and we'll it is kept; as he
understands his business, is perfect gentle
man, knows just how to serve his guests,
and generally treats them so well that they
are very apt to "call again." About
mile west of Oakland are several farms,
known as the "Glades." There is the Silver
Glade, the Moss Glade, ETC., etc. There is
but little grain raised, but that which is
produced, is of the finest quality. Wheat
generally weighs from 65 to 68 lbs, Oats 3S
to AZ, and rye, corn and buckwheat in pro-
portion. The "city folks" to the number Of
$50 to 300 generally visit Oakland, to spend
the hot summer months. Stopped there
over Sunday when the mercury stood at
100 degrees above Farenheit at Cumberland,
and fond the air cool and refreshing, and at
night slept comfortably, under three blank
cts. Monday morning we take the train for
Wheeling, West Va, 147miles north west
of Oakland, and as it is a slow mail train,
we may expect to have plenty Of time for
observation along the way. AT Cranberry
Summit we begin descending the mountain,
and after seven miles ride, reach the base
at Amblersburg A short distance west of
Rowlesburg we cross the Cheat River trestle
work built across the fills, or gorges in the
mountains, running up from the river.
This structure is built of iron, is 175 to 1870
feet high, and as the train rushes across at
the dizzy heighth supported only by ap-
parently frail looking benches or trestles
we take our position on the rear platform
of the last car, and the most magnificent
scene that we ever beheld is presented to
our eyes. Huge mountains towering far
above us, on the right and on the left, the
deep waters of the Cheat River lying far
below us, and almost under our feet, and
we running over the fearful heighth Of near
ly 200 feet, at the rate of 25 miles an hour.
Suppose an axle, or a rail should break,
thought we; where would we be But we
don't apprehend any such danger, for such
accidents are of very rare occurrence on
the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road, and we
feel as secure as if we were at home. We
are drawn by an eight wheeled engine, but
here on account of another heavy grade
on the road, another huge ten wheeler
is added, and the two engines putting and
blowing, take us up to Tunnellton, and
we pass through the Kingwood Tunnel,
seven-eighths of mile in length. 1t is
the longest on the road. The next in length
is Broad Tree Tunnel "a of mile in
length. The very best pine timber is found
here on the mountains, and is shipped in
large quantities to many of the principal
towns in Ohio. The principal shipping
points for lumber are Swanton and Deer
Park. Talk about Glove in a Cottage
I'd rather live bachelor life in the sub
urbs of one of our quiet little Pennsylva-
mia towns, than tc experience that sweet
sensation whole life time in one of the
beautiful little mud daubed log Cottages"
up III these Alpine regions, to say nothing
Of the pleasant companions with which
you must associate, in the way of rattle
snakes, copperheads, bed bugs ETC., etc.
Saw man yesterday who while trying to
make the acquaintance of an old Rattler,
by punching it with stick, received blow
from it ON his thumb, and from present in
dications, coffin of large proportion will
soon be wanted We soon come to Grafton
West Va, lively little town of about
$500 of population, and as towns of that