The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-07-10


tuI, and romantic spot. If it were over
the SEA. then it would be cAtolled and
Iauded nthe skies. But since il is within
easy access. it appears to have escaped
the eyes OF the pleasure seeker, and even
lisrcgardcd by the near inhabitants who
live under its "vcrshadowin% loneliness.
The writer of this brief article has seen
much of the famous scenery in foreign
countries, especially the wild and roman
tic mountain scenery of Switzerland, and
was constantly reminded of the similarity
between the scenery around Mauch Chunk
the Switzerland of America-and the
Switzerland of Europe.
But how do you reach the Switch-back :?
Get on the cars of the old North Pennsyl-
vania Railroad, Philadelphia, either at
9th and Green or 3rd and Berks streets,
and i'll three hours time you will have
arrived at Mauch Chunk. The town of
Mauch Chunk lies among the different
mountain spurs, and when you imagine
that you have seen the whole town, you
suddenly come across another portion of
it. The Mansion House. near the depot,
is an excellent hotel. | arrived at Mauch
Chunk about o'clock i'll the evening,
and, after tea. | went forth, strange
wonders for to see. At first | walked
through the street along the Lehigh river,
imagining that this was the whole of the
town: but seeing a small street to my
left. went along it n short distance.
when the street widened. and | found
that the largest portion Of the town was
nestled in there between high mountains.
Over the river is also another portion of
the town, and really do not know how
many subdivisions or portions OF the town
there may be lying around loose. but
do know that the scenery is very beauti-
full, grandly beautiful. The meaning of
the Indian words Nuuch Chunk is "Bear
Mountain The mountain, from which
the place has derived its name, resembles
on one side a perfect cone. around the
base of which runs the Lehigh river and
also the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
Now for the Switch-back. But what
is the Switch-back? 1t is railway run
ming along the summit of the mountains,
and was built about forty years ago to
bring coal down from Summit llill-nine
miles away-to Mauch Chunk. and then
the empty cars were hauled up the in
cline plane and let loose, and away they
would go back to Summit Hill by a diff
ferent route. Now they do not use the
Switch-back railway any more for the
transportation of coal. because the mines
are burning with hidden fires, which |
shall hereinafter describe. In leaving
the Mansion House you ascend a steep
elevation TO the depot, passing the late
residence of the noble-hearted Asa Pack
er, whose remains now rest in the Gene
terry OH the brow of the hill which over
looks the town. Entering the car at the
appointed time for starting. the conduc-
tor merely loosens the break. and the
car, as though it possessed life, without
any ringing of bells or snorting of wills
tie, merely slips out and glides on, in
creaSing in velocity until the base of
Mount Pisgah is reached. This is the
first ascent. 1t is but short distance
from the starting point. The car pauses
for an instant. apparently to take breath
before beginning the ascent, and then we
commence to move slowly, noiselessly,
and safely up and up and up 664 feet to
the summit of Mount Pisgah. Then, be-
meath us. what n magnificent view we
have of Mauch Chunk, the distant noun
tains, and the neighboring valleys. The
ear then commences to do its level best.
1t seems to knew that it is expected to do
nobly, and We speed along at Il fright
full rate of speed, rounding curves. over
bridges, and through ravineS, without
any engine. without any smoke, without
any conductor to bother you about your
ticket-in fact. without any annoyance
whatever only pure, unadulterated enjoy
ment.
Besides the natural scenery, incidents
occur along the journey which add to the
amusement and pleasure of the "Trip
One of these is Il dog. which comes ont
from neighborinS house every time the
ear comes along. and whether he inn
AGNES the car infrngeS upon his native
prerogativcs. or whether he chaseS it
merely for the fun Of the the thing has
never been determined. but lie awaits
the approaching ear with intense salts
faction until it has passed him. then he
doubles himself up for the work, gives
chase. makes gravel fly, and looks for all
the world like a bunch of foamin@ wool,
and is not deferred by the yells, screams
and laughter of the passengers, but con-
tinues on in his unequal chase until
curve i'll the track shuts him out from
view. | have been told that he goes
growing home, like 4 sulky, sullen man.
only to repeat the same operation upon
the coming of each successive train.
The next ascent we made was Mount
jefferson, i'll height }O2 feet. This noun
tain is assembled in the same manner as
Mt. PiSgah. One mile from the noun
tain we reach the terminus of our jour
ncy-Summit Hill. This is small vii
lage, built away up in the mountains
away from civilization. away from any
refinement. and the citizens point out,
imagine with feelings of pride, the spot
where the Mollie Maguires shot to the
death Il mining boss. Il few years ago
As soon as had landed. was asked two
questions, Do yOu want to see the burn
ing mine? DO you want to see where
the boss was killed. | said | wouldn't
mind, and saw. The burning mine re-
minded me something of the crater of
Mount Fesuvius, except there was no
smoke issuing from it. | am told, how
ever. that after a rain the steam is plain
ly visible, showing that the mountain is
still burning internally with secret hid
den fires. 1t is said that these mines
have been burning for over thirty-two
years, and have batfied every effort to
extinguish them. The top crust of earth
has fallen in, vegetation is entirely de-
stroyed. and the fire is burning slowly,
but certainly burning.
After remaining awhile at Summit
City, we entered the car again. the con-
ductor loosened the brake, we sped away
at fearful rate at speed, and descended
the mountain to our starting point by an
entirely different route, The round trip
ocouOiad one hour and tifty minutpS and