National Republican., 1883-05-08
THE CITY OF CUMBERLAND.
A Thriving Maryland Town Walled ina by
tho Mountains-Points of Interest About
tho Place.
Snrclnl Lckler

nDectut Lcfef,
CUMBERLAND, May ITO have come from
Cumberland in the good old days was enough
to stamp you as an aristocrat Of the purest
type, for at that time the residents Of this
city by their wealth, social standing, and va
ried intellectual accomplishing commanded
respect and notice everywhere. But things
have greatly changed since the late diff
Guilty." and the ambition for gain seems to
have taken a Arm hold Of the citizen OF to-
day, although slight tinge of the old way Is
still discernable The city of Cumberland is
completely surrounded by apparently inacces-
sible mountains, shutting the houses and
people in and giving it likeness to large
bowl, at the bottom OF which is placed q col
lection Of miniature dwellings and figures
representing men and women, animals and
vehicles. This bowl shaped city contains
$4,000 inhabitants. Three railroads center
here. The coal intereats are extensive and
profitable, but at present the trade is at y
stand stillalmost, on account of the rivalry
between the railways, tho Baltimore and Ohio
and the Pennsylvania, as well as rivalry be-
tween the Clearfeld mines of Pennsylvania
and the Cumberland mines, Of Maryland, as
| to which of the two roads will take the first
step toward inaugurating system or schedule
of freight rates, which will meet the views Of
those interested in one or both of the mines
named as the matter now stands, those inter
estod in the coal business arc placed In seri-
Gus dilemma and are undecided how to act,
but at present are remaining quiet waiting
for events, whose shadows are looming up be-
fore them, and will, ere long, assume salts
factory shape. When the coal market will
fairly boom, as this region contains an mex
haustible supply of a very fine article, and the
necessary arrangements for getting IL out and
shipping 1t to all parts Of the globe are all
here.
The people Of Cumberland arc industrious,
intelligent, hospitable, courteous, and wide
awake. Tho business outlook is bright, and
the merchants and others engaged here in
trade are hopeful of present and future sue
cess. Tho Chesapeake and Ohio Canal COM
pany do an immense business at this point,
their carvings amount to over 5000 tons per
day, and this is not up to the standard.
The public buildings and private residences
Of Cumberland are substantial and serviceable.
The architecture of some Of the private
dwellings is both quaint and attractive, and
| appears to have been copied from the "bacb
numbers" the residences of the late Phillip
Roman, esq, ex-members Of congress William
Walsh, and Lloyd Lowndes and the Jones's
now. now owned and occupied by Mrs. Beall ARE
| prominent examples of the curiously designed,
but substantially built residences before mem
| toned.
Eight hotels, court house, city hall,
theater, three newspapers-two daily and
one weekly-all capably edited, several flour
ing mills, two glass work companies, roll
| ing mill, good police and fire department
Jail, from which neither false keys nor
brides can release you, and a gas company,
to meet the bills of which you are not com
| PEELED to sell one of your children into
slavery, are among the public and private
institutions. There is no meter rent to Grip
pie the future happiness of these people.
The Episcopal church here is one of the most
substantially, romantic, and romantically
substantial buildings have everseen. 1t occu'
pies the site of old Fort Cumberland, and is
a study for those interested in architectural
beauties and oddities. Speaking of Fort
Cum berland, am reminded that an old lady
resides here who witnessed the review of the
troops Of the continental army stationed here
| by Washington. BY reference to the
Original Portraits of Washington" find
that KENNEL Myre,a an itinerate artist
sketched Washington from life while Re'
viewing the Western Troops at Cumberland
Nd, Oct. 2, 1794." The general is represented
as dressed in the continental uniform
mounted on white bobtailed horse. In hi.
right hand he holds gold-headed cane, which
rests upon the toe of his high-top boot. 1t il
surprising to find person who has lived
through so many years.
There are several gentlemen in Allegheny
county who are aspirants for political honors,
and to judge from appearances, political as
well as other, their chances are good, for the
situation in Western Maryland, as far as re-
publicans are concerned, Is encouraging in not
/ n small dapraa