The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-06-12
A Ride Over the National Road.


attention concluded to proceed there
from Frostburg over the old Nation.
al turnpike. At Frostburg [ pro.
cured comfortable saddle horse and |
soon was ascending the lengthy slope |
OF the great Savage mountain, and in |
due time reached the summit itself, |
from which may be seen one of the
finest views in the country, taking
in all the valley between this range
and Dams Mountain, and even
ranges east of Cumberland. Less
than mile brought me to the top of
Little Savage; then oyer the two
stretches after that down into the
valley that used to be called the
"Shades of Death" but the shades
are gone; nothing now remains of
lis former gloom and dread except
the thousands of stumps of once
dense piece of forest, the tops of the
towering trees of which used to en-
twine. Then comes Red Ridge; next
Meadow Mountain-at its western
base the historic Little Meadows.
Here Washington more than once
halted in his goings and comings.
Tradition points cut the SPOT where
he built stockade fort. This is
most delightful spot, with its many
springs Several mineral, of tested
medical qualities, and in the good
old stage times quite resort of the
invalid and the pleasure. seeker. The
great lawyer Mcmahon spent the
remnant of his summer here in quiet
and satisfaction. Leaving this long
familiar SPOT we Faithfully start
down the protracted declivity of the
crossing hill, but at its top could not
refrain from pausing to crafty the
eye with the magnificent scenery that
lie between here and the crest of the
next mountain. (Negro,) which lifts
itself gradually to within a few feet
of the highest point of the Alleganies.
For many miles to the right and left
you see nothing but beauty and at
traction. Farm-houses and barns
added to newly adorned nature all
excite admiration. Even the DESC
lated spots, here and there from re-
cent fires, did but little to mar the
extended picture. There is no sea-
son in the year when solitary ride
among Natures charms is so enjoya-
BILE, amid foliage of compact forests,
almost at full growth, and laden with
sweetness and cheerfulness. But we
go on down this long hill to former
thrifty place, known as Little Cross
ings, now simply valuable mill
property owned by Eli Stanton, esq.
Another mile up hill that tires
thousands of toiling brutes brought
us to Grantsville, which several years
ago came so near being the county
seat of Garrett county, and only failed
from its want of being central.
Not much yet said about the Ma
tlonal road itself, though 1T was up
permost in our thoughts in the be-
ginning. However, wo found it in
much better condition than it was
some years ago, when it had become
almost impossible on account ofmis-
management and abuse. Tolls were
squandered and the road left to its
own chances. So bad was its condi-
ton that it was stunned and flanked
as much as possible, Frostburg los
ing in her trade and business, and
Homecoming gaining thereby. The
people became very tired, and even
clamorous about paying toll for tray
cling on an impassable road. So two
years ago tolls and superintendent
were abolished, and the road turned
oyer to Allegany and Garrett coun
ties by an act of the legislature. Last
year Garrett spent $50 per mile upon
its part of the road, with good result.
1t was made quite smooth and COM
Portable for travel, but still the bet
torment was not of a durable charac-
ter, and liable to wear and wash
away before long. If the commits
sioners of that county will give the
road such treat this season it will
once more be quite respectable
highway, and recall much of its lost
travel. 1t is now at least ten years
since stage coaches disappeared from
the road. There is still something,
however, in the way of reminis-
cense of this exciting mode of tray
cling. The venerable Sandy Con-
ner, veteran stager of forty-five
years. experience, can be daily seen
percned Upon his little one.horse
spring wagon, somewhat in appear
ance of hay-rake, going from Frost
burg to Grantsyille, carrying the
United States mail, and sometimes a
solitary passenger by his side. San
DIV is no doubt the oldest stage-dri-
yer in the country living, but can
still respond to the crack ofthe whip
and the blast of the tin horn. Really
tl;a aora1 carvant of thn D1hlip de-