The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-08-21
Corrs.poadsHes Baltimore Coualy Union.
A RAMBLE IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT
Tho Devils Back Bone'-"House Rock
Enchanting Scenery-Extensive
Paper Miiis-Beautiful
Farms and Real
Hospitality.
SixrH DsTRicr, BALTIMORE CouSrY, I
Aupust Nth 1854 I

Sixrn DisrnIcr, BALTIMORE COusrY,
August 9th, 1850.
Editors t"iO" Having recently spent few
days among the thrifty aud hospitablc people Of
the 9th district and taken u survey Of its beauties,
natural and artificial IL may not be cut Of place TO
tell people elsewhere something about that locality.
rnE pEviL's "BAck- noSE."
My investigation began ut the back bone of his
Satanic Majesty. This portion Of the district lies
In one cornsr where II, the 9Th and 9TH districts
meet. The writer has knowledge Of the "Oid
boys" being around when he was nj this spot, nor
did he discover any traces Of birthstone, but IL Is
very evident that the trs had left its marks upon
Ais rsrfebra. With Kind friend for = guide, who
exhibited thorough familiarity with his majesty =
entire spinal column, We had every object Of in
tcrest pointed out. After olambsring down q
rocky declivty, 50 steep that has 10 take hold
Of bushes. shrubs and rocks TO prevent falling or
aeeelerating his speed beyond prudent gait, the
HOUSE ROCK
was reached. This II q cave. with n large opcn-
ing at one end and . small one at the other, sui
GENTLY large TO admit the body Of man. II is
about IS feet long and SO feet vide opening 10 the
west and overlooking the Gunpowder, whose larry
current at this point ripples over tho stones and
rocks In lie bed. Tradition--truthfui no doubt
says that from this sequestcred spot come Of tho
patriots ~ Of 1919 watched
"The rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air
over Fort Mellenry, hoping that long
"the Star spanyled banner may wave
Der the land ofthe free and the home Of the brave.
The Gupowder. In passing around the Back
Bone" makes circuit of about mile and returns
to point where u Is about two hundred yards
scress. A. this point ID one of the finest water
powers In the State-a fall more than 30 feet
This 10 on the property Of Hon. VIM. II. Hoffman.
Large trees, high rocks, stout bouidcrs, babbling
rills mingled with the music Of the GunI,owdcr
make up the poetry 81 this seeming retreat from
the world.
Passing through the district from southwest To
northeast, the country 10 rolling in the main well
titled, presenting evidences OF thrifty farming and
| comfortable living. Mr.. VIM. Gorsuch keep. the
postofiee and . clever country store Mt Rayviilc.
and Mr.. =. l.. Merriken the same at Middletown.
In the northern portion Of the district are TO be
found the extensive paper mills Of VIA. u. lloG.
man. who has represented our county in the Lcgi.-
laturc more than once and alsa in the Constitu-
tional Convention Of 1861.
rns HOcKDALE giiL
| works Is banda and manufactures about four ton :
Of paper per day. losing besides Sunday not over
| j: or Is days In the ycar-has lost as few ~ G
days In the year. Al 10 cents per iound IL can
be seen that the annual product of thi, mill Is
100000. II 10 under the supcrintendcncy Of Geo.
NJ. Fuitr. Esq., whose courtesy and hospitality IL
was our pleasure To- enjoy. This mill IL ,ituaic,l
In glen that IL remarkable for its romantic pic.
| tnrcsquencs'. IL Isl narrow gorge through which
| the Gunpowdcr hows. with wood. covered hills
rftng high IN either eide and dam that H. q gem
| Of surprising beauty between these Alpine hills.
II would make nm excellent subject for an artist
and equals any spot IL has been my pleasure to
see among the Alleganics or the Catskiils. On
our way from this 10 Gunpowdcr Mil VIC pas. the
HANDSOME BRICK RESIDENCE
Of the proprietor. II 10 elevated ground. over
looks the surrounding country aud l. large. we'll
proportional aud handsome in all It's appoint.
ments. On the opposite side Of the road Is tho
store Of 7. 7. Benton, Esq.
erSrOwDER MILL.
under the mana gcincnt Of Mr.. james Shcw, works
about the same number oi hands and makes about
the same quantity Of paper that Rockdalc does.
but IL Is not rs high priced. The paper made here
Is manufactured mainly of straw and 10 for wrap
ping and paper bags. while that ut Rockdaic I.
made Of old paper and rags and is used Tor print.
ing. The vale in which this mill is located IL not
quite 80 romantic as that Of Roekdalc. but the
dam above il 10 fully the equal Of the other in it,
individual beauty and surrounding adornments of
hill and wood.
II was delight to see 80 many wcll.tilled farms
and such abundant evidences Of industry. thrift
| and comfortable living. Many thanks to the kind
friend to whom I atm indebted for these things
Thanks for the many friendly greeting. and kind.
ly information furnished.