The New York herald., 1873-08-14

In tho
southern part OF Bedford county, near the Marv.
land line, In narrow valley between two spurs
OF the Allegheny Mountains. The scenery ia wild
and picturesque, and as the roads are good there
Is ample opportunity for driving and enjoying the
beauties Of the country. But 1t Is not the scenery
nor the good roads that bring people to Bedford !;
the attraction Is spring Of peculiar water said to
De totally different from any other water In the
world In ts medicinal qualities, especially In its ac-
uoh on the organs OF digestion. 1t Is known as
THE MINERAL SPRING,
s situated at the base OF a mountain has o tenn
perature OF forty degrees aud dows at the rate of
d Darrel minute. The water OF this sprlng ia the
attraction at Bedford, and firm ia the belief In
i.s power 10 recuperate The kidneys and the liver
'""' many nave been coming here annually for
Almost half century. Senator Gamer ON has
missed scarcely Summer in the last thirty years
Tue iate PRESIDENT Buchanan, Justice Grler and
ihauueus stevens began visiting Bedford when
martin Van Buren, was President, and made yearly
Vs'ts until the time or their deaths And so it "a
now ihe same people visit Bedford year alter
year. ana IL would seem no other place can offer
'heih ah hducement to change; and this they do,
w. III the Iace or the most wretched accommoda-
'ioh' Ihere are several hotels, but everybody and
everything centres AT one known as Tie Springs.
The Mineral Spring is on the property of this house.
Within stones throw OF It's main porch, While the
other hotels are m.le two miles, and even fur
ther away The Springs Hotel consists Of several
brick, stone and frame buildings. One of these,
known as
"CRocKFoIp.n
which stands of by ITSELF Is two story frame
structure, built seventh years ago. The partitions
between the rooms are OF wood, some OF which are
whiewashed and others plain and bare. There ia
not painted board In the building, and the last
coat OF whltewash was put on in 1865. venture
to say there Is no farmer in the Hudson River coun-
ties but has barn better adapted for human
being to live In than this same framework known
as Crockiord; and yet the rooms In Crockford are
cons dered the choice ones OF the hotel for bache-
ors and those men without their families tried
to ind why this was so, and was told that before
the war-when the leading politicians from all over
the country would visit the Springs, and especially
from the South-whiskey and wine drinking and
gambling were prevalent, and that In Crock
ford it could be done with impunity, without the
knowledge Of the women folks. During some
seasons as many as two aro banks were kept busy.
and there was scarcely room without its game Of
whist, Boston or poker. This gave CrocKlord a
name, and although such o thing as gambling Is
not now heard Of the place still keeps up its repu-
tation OF being the choice quarter.
THE MAIN BUILDINGS
are more modern IN their structure than Crock.
ford, but taey are miseraby furnished. There Is
rope bottom; thin and scanty carpet covers the
loor and small, ten inches square looking glasses
decorate the walls; the washstands are dllapid-
ated with toilet sets to match; lamps and candles
take the place OF gas. and the only bell on the place
Waters aFge IaT %ea 1eo ussa e, to the
In your room the only way to get o servant
is to walk down TO the olce, and then the chances
eleven o'clock at night the office Is deserted of
both clerks and servants.
now NOT TO KEEP A HOTEL.
n "a m nvvhn ,iuo Il fv,
the town, which is distant about q mile ana
hall, was visiting some friends at the hotel. At
home, but, as the rain was pOuring down fast, he
concluded to take room and stay over night. He
familiar with the loose manner in Which the place
vacant S, room and assigned ..las himself to y;
up "'' on " norseDacE. They had been trav: @
cling overland from Washington and wanted
was simply guest, and, OF course, had nothing to
do in the assignment oil rooms. The strangers
then went in search OF some one with authority;
but such a person could not be found. They we're
wet to the skin, the night was dark ana rainy and
they could 20 no lurther. % What to DO for nights
horses shivering in the cold young buck came out
from Crockiord's, where he had Ieen drinking
hailed him and related their story. He their
friend in need indeed. He went into the office,
found BY the register that there lots OF vacant
rooms told them to register their names and then
gave them rooms. AS for their horses, he thought
tney could stable them themselves. Thus you have
an idea OF the way in which they conduct The hotel
business at the famous Bedford Springs. such
thing as bell boy, with q clothes broom, was
reader thinks OF visiting these Springs let him
be sure to bring his clothes brush with him.
The meals are no better than the rooms. Beefis
rarely. and soup never, seen Mutton (very rood,
however) Is served three times . day; likewise
chicken, which would be good II not broi!ed or
fr ed to crisp. String beans, beets and potatoes
are the principal vegetables greater variety is
Inv m n n YYtfl
OF all is making one use the same napkin for o
whole day. II you should change your seat this
becomes sUsHssas Ssasresase In the way Of
there are two billiard tables, one OF which has the
cloth nearly al t torn from It. and for which there
dtion; but as 1t has set OF bas, II is In demand.
There is is bowling alley, but very bad one, and
most want 10 use it, it cannot be reached with com.
fort. At twelve meridian the boys who set up the
pins rush for dinner that, If you In the mid.
die OF game, you must wait the pleasure OF these
fellows. The ballroom is the best part Of the
hotel tits commodious and comfortable, and, with
an orchestra OF ine instruments, nne evenings
entertainment at dancing can always be had.
And yet, as have said before, Notwithstanding
Gro wded, ana, judging from those who arc now
here by as fine class OF people as csn be gathered
Pltsourgers, is BAL Balt,moreans and Phladephans pre-
dominate. Wheeling, Washington, Harrisburg,
Lancaster and many OF the western cities are also
well represented. The people now here seem to
have come for
PEACE AND QUIET
and to beneflt themselves by whatever there may
he in the medicinal qualities OF the waters. There
Is an utter absence OF tnat Hash show OF dress,
style, &c, which are prevalent at Saratoga, Long
Branch and Cape May. Driving is a favOrltc pas
time, and the number OF handsome teams Is large.
Driving overland to the Springs Is hvortte idea
with the Pittsburg, Harrisburg and Baltimore peo-
pie. Senator Cameron drives over nearly every
season 1t takes lOur days TO drive from Pittsburg
or harrisburg. The drive from the former place
across the Allegheny mountains Is said to be truly
grand. -
The excuse given for the miserable accommoda-
tions OF the Springs HOe Is that 1t s the property
of some minor children. An old country man,
named Allen, runs 1t ior these children. He is
clever enough, but knows nothing OF modern
hotel Keeping and devOtes all his time to the train
ing OF Young Hambletonia stallion, which can
trot in 2:5o aud which he hopes TO bring down to
the twentes They tell me that the Pennsylvania
Central Railroad Company talk OF purchasing the
property next year with the purpose OF building a
grand hotel and making the place otherwise attrac-
tive. This Ia q grand scheme and there must be
money In IL or Tom scott would not touch IL.