The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-03-27

to prevent the passage of the mai
coaches. The subject was taken up by
politicians. and finally came before the
/ House of Representatives, where it was
referred to the committee on post roads,
of which Richard VI. johnson, of Ken
lucky. was then the chairman. The
Rev. Obadiah b. Brown. who had mean
while been promoted in the post office
! department, wrote report on the sub
.ect for Colonel johnson. which gave
1.-The killer OF Tecumseh an extended
reputation, and was the first step towards
his election as Vice President, few
years later.
Admirable Reside was on very init
mate terms with David Crockett. then a
Representative from Tennessee. who was
a good specimen of the backwoods Con-
gressmen, -distinyuished by their stall
wart frames, unpublished department. and
vigilant minds, ever ready to aim their
rifles at a foe. or To drink social glass
of whisky with friend. Originally a
jackson man. he espoused the cause of
Mr. Clay. and was made lion of when
he visited New England making his
quaint speeches and telling his back
woods stories. Crockett was an excel
lent shot and was very proud of his
skill with the rifle. He had one manu-
featured for him 10y noted Gunsmith.
named Derringer. of Philadelphia. and
used to go with parties of Congressional
friends to the commons in the northern
part of Washington (now covered with
houses where he would fire it at 4 mark
with great skill. A case of duelinr pis
tolls was then a part of the outfit of the
Southern and Western Congressman. who
used to spend more or less time in prac-
ticing. y notch cut with a penknite in
the handle Of one of these weapons de-
noted that it had been used in duel.
and small grove cut entirel, around
the handle was evidence that it had in
hicted a mortal wnnnd. The duriin.,
code was carefully studied. and thu,
latest affair OF honor was favorite
topic OF conversation among ladies as
well as gentlemen.
The construction of the Ra timore and
Ohio railroad. with branch leading to
Washington. was commenced in the early
part of General Jacksun's administration.
and it was ridiculcd by some. whilr
others We're positive that it would never
be Of any practical use. At first the
cars were drawn by horses. and for
time car WAS propelled by sails. which,
with a fair wind. made fifteen miles an
hour: but finally locomotive was cnu-
structed and driven by Mr.. Peter Cooper.
now of New York. 1t was combine
ton of belts and cogs, with a blower
kept in motion by cord attached t. one
of the wheels. English locomotive
builders had asserted that no engine
could be built to turn curve of less
than nine hundred feet; but some of tn.
curves on the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road were only two hundred feet, vet
Mr.. Cooper engine ran around them.
Among other evidences of the excite
ment caused by this successful introduce
ton of 1.-THE iron horse" was an operet-
tn called The Pail Road" written by
George Washington Park Gusts, the
grandson Of Mrs. Washington. and tie
adopted son of pater potyi". The follow
ing song. which was sung by Mr.. Jeifer-
son (whose son now graces our stage
will give an idea of the dramatic capa-
biiities of the owner of Arlington, who
used to sing it occasionally him self at
festive boards: