The New York herald., 1873-08-14
BEDFORD SPRINGS,
The Long Branch Of an Earlier
Presidential Era.
Buchanan's F'avOrite
Summer Retreat.
PAST GLORIES.
Present Discomforts and Political
Prominence.
HOW NOT TO KEEP A HOTEL.
An UndresS Retreat Much Favored BY
Fashionable Pennsylvanians.
TOM SCOTT AGAIN.
HOW NOT TO KEEP A HOTEL
TOM SCOTT AGAIN.

BEDFORD SPRINGS, Pa. August 8, 1873.
While wandering along the line Of the great
Pennsylvania Central Railroad your correspondent
happened night at the old town OF Huntingdon
on the banks of the Juniata, about midway be-
tween Philadelphia and Pittsburg and In the heart
of the iron ore region or pennsylvania. 1t is the
home Of John Scott, the representative of Tom
Scotts road in the Senate Of the United States and
OF r. Milton Speer, who represents the district in
the House OF Representatives Thinking that prob
ably these men could give the HERALD readers
some new ideas and facts about political matters
in the Keystone State, called at their residences,
but they were gone to Bedford Springs. 1t struck
me that had heard Of these springs before. and yet
/ couldn't recall anything which gave them impor-
tance. When returned to the hotel ventured to
INQUIRE about the place. and 1t was curious to see
the look OF astonishment and disgust an old citizen
gave me when Iinnocently put the question to him
as to the whereabouts and merits OF Bedford
Springs. Said he :-"why, 1t cannot be that you
have not heard of Bedford Springs,
THE GREAT SUMNER RESORT OF THE BEST PEOPLE OF
PENNsYLvANIA,
which, in the days Of James Buchanan, was az
famous as Long Branch is now, and where, at the
present time, most of the leading politicians Of the
State are summering."
pleaded as an excuse for my ignorance the fact
OF never having seen anything Of the Springs in
the newspapers
At this he grew indignant and gave the press
sound berating for its neglect OF Pennsylvania
greatest Summer resort. Continuing, he said -
"Those picayune Philadelphia papers cannot
afford to send reporter beyond the limits OF Fair
mont PARK or Smiths Island, and, OF course, they
never have word about Bedford. They give up
their space to the sandhis of New Jersey, and try
to make the shoddytes who gather at Atlantic City
and Cape May the arstocracy OF Pennsylvania
and even the NEW YORK HERALD which has cor
respondent in every nook and corner In the wide
world, of late has deserted US. Why, can remem
ber when the HERALD would have correspondent
at Bedford Tor q whole season; but, then, that was
IN THE PALMY DAYS OF SOUTHERN SUPREMACY
and good old democracy, when only gentleman
OF the old school Of which James Buchanan was
type could be President of the United States, and
we had lady like Harriet Lane to lead society
Bedford was
THE SUMNER HOME OF PRESIDENT BUCHANAN,
and he and his niece, Miss Harriet Lane, gave 1t
standing as centre for people Of quiet elegance
culture, refinement and wealth such as few othe
Summer resorts have, and which 1t maintains tt
the present day."
This eulogy gave me strong desire to see th'
place; 30 the next morning took train on th'
Huntingdon and Broad Top Road, and In three
hours time was in the ancient town OF BEDFORD
It Ia situated on rapidly running stream Of pure