Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-08-26
THE MINING JOURNAL.
FROsTBURG, ND, AUGUST 26, 1875.
OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
From Cumberland to Somerset.

tracing the attention Of a passenger
on board of the Pittsburg bound train
on warm summer evening, is the un-
limited supply of SCOT, smoke and Gin
der emitted from the stack of the en-
CINE, which, borne upon the breeze Gre
ated by the momentum of the train,
is gently waited through the car-win-
dows, penetrating the eyes and mouth
Of unsophisticated travellers and in
short time causing their general phys
iognomy to assume an appearance as
though they had been shovelling coal
dust for week without applying
cleansing process. Such are the facts
in the case at present, that one must
submit to this torture caused by the
use Of filthy coal, or keep the windows
down and swelter with the heat.
The Pittsburg road from Cumber.
land to Sand Patch is continuous
line Of short curves, deep cuts and
heavy fills; the greatest wonder to a
stranger is how a railroad was ever
located through such country. Its
successful accomplishment is certainly
grand triumph for engineering skill.
Between the points named there is
scarcely place affording view of
of one hundred yards from the train;
nothing but hills, ridges and rocks,
as though the world was turned on
edge. About the only objects to be
seen are saw-mills and saw-logs, the
latter seeming to be in countless num-
bers promiscuously scattered along for
miles on each side Of the road. An
incline plane situated on the noun
tain side near Williams station, about
ten degrees less than perpendicular,
is also an interesting sight, causing
one to wonder how the cars are pre-
vented from swinging over while des-
cending.
After leaving Sand Patch tunnel on
to Garrett the country presents de-
cidedly better appearance, and the
view of the large, beautiful farms
along the line of road is like emerging
from a wilderness to civilization. At
the latter place branch road leads
to Berlin, and few miles further, at
Mineral Point is the beginning of
the Somerset branch. Here we left
the main line and got aboard ola train
consisting Of about half dozen cars
loaded with brick and other freight
with passenger car attached. The
speed of this train reminded US very
forcibly off story ola passenger on a
certain railroad who suggested to the
conductor the propriety of transferring
the the COW catcher from the front Of
the engine to the rear Of the train.
When asked for his reasons he intima-
ted that 1.-The train couldn't run fast
enough to catch COW, and if transfer
was not effected the cattle might in
wade from the rear and bite the pas
sengers." In this case, however, we
did not fear. "Slow but sure" was
the motto, and our train gracefully
rounded the curves and glided over
the tangents without fear Of collision
or accident. Perseverance finally
conquered and we were landed at our
destination on time, and just in time
to encounter the merci]ess fury Of a
violent rain storm which drenched
us completely before reaching a friend
ly hotel.
Somerset is very attractive town,
we'll laid out and beautifully situated
in the midst of fine agricultural
country. Its height above the ocean
and atmospheric temperature are about
the same as Frostburg. Although the
town has recovered somewhat from
the effects of the terrible conhagration
of May last, yet in many places the
track of the fire fiend is plainly mark
ed by the charred timbers and ruined
walls still unremoved. Just beyond
the town. limits upon grassy knoll is
located small but neatly arranged
cemetery. Within the enclosure
among the marble blocks erected to
the memory of the departed we found
plain headstone bearing the follow
ing inscription:
SAMUEL BOUCHER,
A native of Oswego county. New York,
aged 10 years, an enlisted soldier Of the
U. S. Army; was accidentally kill
ed near this place on his way
to the Mexican War,
May 25th, 1916.
This stone is erected to his memory by the
citizens of Somerset.
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