Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-09-23

argyle ard the friction 10 the curve required
On adroi,ness that at times seemed miracu
loua These we're exceptional dangers,
however. There were long stretches OF
lever or gently ~undulatiDg highway over
which The coaches bowled along a.
smoothly IS over . paved floor, and in
pleasant weather nothing could be more
delightful than the balmy air and ever
changing scene presented. There was an
occasional accident, Is when the great pa
trcn Of the road was upset In the street et
Uniontovn and pleasantly remarked to the
driver that be bad mingled the Clay Of
Kentucky with the limestone Of Pennsyl.
ysnia," but such mishsps we're rare, q
the passengers were as q rule permitted 70
descend safely and comfortably at the way
side inns to rest and refresh themselves at
The Old Road Houses.
And such inns as they were! Never before
IN one thorouRhfare we're there such roomy
sLd capacious tayerns. such bursting lar
ders, such generous kitchens, such well
stocked bars. Everything about them
was done decently and in order. There was
no rush and scramble. Meals were timed
ing boniface stood in the doorway 70 re-
ceive his guests. The ride in the open air
developed keen appetites as Q rule, and, II
further appetizers were INDUCED in, there
was no headache in the whlskey which
stood upon the shelf, or the sugar bowl
that rested on the counter. The guest
either took sugar in his'n," or he did not,
as suited hia individual taste, and sat
down to the table without misgiying IS to
his capacity. II is no use for me to de-
scribe the cooking. / tell you sir, though
nearly half a century has elapsed, the rec
election OF the buckTheat cakes and
mountain honey served in those road
houses makes my mouth water yet when
they come uPin memory. There was no
bury about starting. The traveller had
tin q to look about him, and literally took
bis lease in his inn" If he travelled by
chartered coach or in his own conveyance
he gave his own orders as to resuming his
Journey, OF if he travelled by the regular
stage line he sat on the shady side OF the
porch until . fresh relay Of horses were put
In, and departed feeling at peace with
himself and the rest Of mankind.
Frequently coaches were chartered by
copsenial parties who found iE convenient
10 make 8 trip over the road together,
stopping when and where n for such
times as they saw fit. There were no lack
OF accommodations for there was scarcely
ten miles Of the road that did not afford q
comfortable hosiery, and they were of
such uniform excellence that it was diff
cult some times TO chose between them.
Then and Now.
The old road houses, with few exceptions,
are o and the old landlords have near,
ly ali disappeared with them. There is
occasionally q former driver on the road to
be found here and there, but they have
grown few and far between in this vicinity.
| understand there was N effort made TO
have 3 reunion of those remaining at
Uniontown a year or two since, and | would
ike 10 have witnessed the coming together
Of these veterans Of the whip, and heard
them revive their experiences.
There are very few reminders OF its old
time glory left in the travel that now pass
es along the road, but it is not difficult for
one who once witnessed them to picture
sgsin in memory the animated scenes 1t
once presented.
So far as l can Judge the road itself in
this neighborhood is as good as it ever
was. The original work uDon it was OF
tie most substantial character and subse-
quent repairs have been carefully made.
Some portions OF il about here have been
devoted to other uses than were contem'
plated in the grant Of Virginia to the Gen
eral Government, but it is believed that
the courts, il appealed to, would sustain
the trust as first made, and that the road will
he perpetuated as il was originally de-
signed-s public and unobstructed high
way for general uses, and a lasting monu.
mtnt and testimonial Of tue patriotism and
liberality OF the old State"