The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-24
Nsr d. p.mse,ullc A.lsseal..
Excursion to Martinsburg, West Va.

Excursion to Martinsburg, West Va.
On Saturday last grand excursion under
the auapicesof Charity Lodge, No. 50, Knights
of Pytbias, left this city for Marlinsbure. -
Two engines and eleven coaches, under
charge OF conductors Hawk and BressleF,
were required tp transport the excurSionists,
Of whom there were between eight and nine
hundred, chiefly from Westminster, though
other places along the line Of the Western
Maryland we're largely represented The
first train left this city at about seven clock,
loaded 10 its utmost capacity, and the second
was but a few inmates later, equally well
laden. The National GrEys Band, Of this
city, and the Mount Pleasant Band accom-.
panied the excnrsionists, and added much to
their enjoyment BY their spirit-stirring airs.
] Il would be useless for me to attempt de-
/ scription Of the grand panoramic views tina,
were presented 20 the eye OF the almost be-
wildered traveller The green and fertile
Wakefield Valley appeared before us IN all
its beauties the picturesque mountain seen
! cry, with its high aud towering rocks, its
deep rayines and precipices It's stately trees
and rich foliage, its meandering aud gushing
streams, RAde the enraptnred gazer almost
| imagine himself in some enchanted laad.
While in the midst OF this magnificent seen
cry, and during the prevalence OF heavy rain
storm which set In as we were ascending the
mountains, slight detention was occasioned
by the ineapacity of the engine Of the first
train TO draw the heayy-laden coachesup the
steep ascent; but with the assistance of the
second engine We were enabled to reach the
summit, where We stopped for few min.
utes, and were greeted by an excursion party
from Hagerstown.
After leaving the "Summit, the lovely
Cumberland Valley soon comes to view at the
foot ofthe mountain, appearing like some gOT-
geous park, with its beautiful villas, and groves
and wayiugfel Indeed, we think thisis the
grandest valley to be found in this country.
From this point until we reached the Poto-
mac, the general character Of the country
and its productions were exceedingly fine but
very pereeptible change in the land and
crops takes place after crossing the river :
the soil assumes lighter, more sandy ap.
pearance, the crops are shorter, and oeca.
sionally little patches of pines are seen; but
the surface Is level, and person can see from
a single point for miles around him.
AT Hagerstown we left the line of the West
ern Maryland and took the Cumberland
Valley Road, direct to Martinsburg without
stopping. A half hours ride over this ex.
destination at few minutes past twelve.
Here there was an immense crowd collected,
among whom were the members Of Washing.
ton and Integrity Lodges, X. of 2. Of Martins.
burg, in fall regalia, who welcomed their
visiting brethren with due greeting. A pro.
eession was then formed, and preceded BY the
bands, il marched 10 the tune Of lively air
until It reached the handsome building OF the
Washington Lodge. Here several addresses
were delivered BY members Of the Lodges.
which were replied to BY Past Chan.
eellors, J. W. Perkins, ]. Bernstiue and G..
A. Miller, Of Charity Lodge, The Lodge
then adjourned until afternoon, when, on in
yitation, they proceeded TO the residence OF
Hon. Charles ]. Faulkner, where they we're
welcomed IN happy and appropriate address
by their generous host, and were handsomely
entertained. Before departing the Knight.
were each presented with a bouquet from the
beautiful flower yard adjoining the residence.
The bands proved themselves equal to the
occasion, and disccursed some Of their finest
music.
After disembarking, the greatest attraction
for most Of the excursionists outside OF the
Lodges were the hotels, which we're soon be.
sieged by the rapaeious throng MANY. how
ever. brought their edibles with them, and
these Of course were not compelled to have
recourse to the public houses. Those who
went to the hotels did ample justice 10 the
really fine dinner spread before them. as is
fully shown by remark from one Of the pro
pneiors TO tine effect that be "had never, IN
his life, seen people eat ike Westminster PEG
Pile.
After dinner, feeling considerably refreshed
and invigoraied, all started out 10 take a good
xsstg ~ ha ssfsr
burg they found 10 be a place Of about seven
thousand inhabitants, and the county seat Of
Berkely county. Its buildings are generally
low, and present quite an an,iqnated ap.
pearance, just such as one would expect 10
tnd in an old railroad town. The portions
visited by your correspondent did not present
the evidences Of thrift and energy usually found
in Maryland town. The streets were mud
dy and did not afford the best advantages for
pedestrians. This. however. may be attrib.
ated partly To the fact that heayr rain had
fallen during the day. The principal attrae-
tons were the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
shops. These works cover a considerable
space, and are represented to rank about
third in importance in this country. Con
slant employment is given here TO between
four and hive hundred hands in the manufac.
ture Of cars and engines. The water-works
were also inspected. The Martinsburg PEG
pie claim that their water works cannot be
surpassed anywhere, as each hydrans supplied
Is ire engine Of itself, with eapaeity TO
throw water over the highest building. The |
agricultural fair grounds were visited, and
ioand 10 be very nicely arranged aud we'll |
The track is half a mile in length. |
and forms circle. The depot was next IN |
order, and accordingly all repaired thereto, !
the Westminster Knights benz accompanied |
by the receiving Lodges. Afler having spent, |
10 our entire satisfaction, about three hours |
and half in the city, We left at 8. 40 for Ha. |
serstown, where an hour and twenty minutes
were devoted to viewing this pleasant aud /
handsome city. We were landed safely in /
Westminster at about half past ten. much |
pleased with the trip. The distance travelled 4
vas IA miles. Nothing occurred during the /
day to mar the enjoyment Of any, and taken 1
rs whole, IT was certainly pleasant. IN. /
siuctiye aud well-managed excursion. o.