The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-09-06
Tour of the cycling Ramblers.
[Reportea for the penlGefatIo AdvOoate.l


After leaving Mt Jackson our tourists found that
they were still in a beautiful country, with IaIge
stock farms and well-cultivated fields. While rid
ing along level they saw to the left field about
haifmile square, in which at least 800 cattle were
grazing One of the boys blew his whistle, ana was
Greatly astonished ut the effect produced. Instantly
the whole herd of cattle was in notion eacn steer
with head erect making for the fence as in9ugn ne
would leap into the road. Not being DESTROYS OF
burdening the ADVOCATES columns with the prom
ised obituary, wheelmen ran away as rapidly as
possible About 100 of the steers LETT the man heIu
and followed with long, swinging gallop, untli
they reached the end of the field, when they maze
sweep to the left and back to the herd to the great
relief of the Ramblers. Reaching New Market,
town about as large as Manchester, miles dlstant
from Mt Jackson, at $50 p m matt was maze az , =.
the only hotel in the town. Alter q VISIT 10 the
postofIice where the first tidings from home were
received Justice was done to substantial supper
After tea the boys started out in search OF adven
tire and found it in the shape of lawn festival
given by the ladies of the Lutheran Churcn. nav
ing made the acquaintance oil tne pastor heN. MI
SNYDER who was classmate of Rev. Dr. kuhns At
the Seminary at Gettysburg the visitors helpeq the
ladies dispose of their ice cream, Lemonade, bon-
auets, &C. and were themselves the objects OF much
curiosity Cupid was on hand and the lieutenant
suffered so seriously that his companions found IL
necessary TO hurry him BACK 70 te dr 5Oei bev nj
turned in The others congratulated themselves
on this occasion that the captain had bed to him
self for he slept crossways i'll the Ded Mhy lhls
was thus we are afraid to tell; ask the captain;
on Friday morning our tourists rose early, but
were not able to take the road until liza m. Many
hills were encountered but the ride to Harrisonburg
was q very pleasant one. Passing through llHlDer,
willie and Lacey Springs, Harrisonburg was reached
Mt 955 after ride of Is miles; riding time 2O3. AT
Harrisonburg they found that their approach mad
been heralded by telegraph, and the small coiored
troops turned out in large numbers TO receive them
As they rode rapidly into the city they were tol-
lowed by at least 100 colored boys, each with lhtn
in his hand to which was fastened I'm DuekeI III no
fearful din with their tin wheels as they rolled
them over the ground, the effect on the knmDieTs
can be better imagined than described. Inc foi-
lock House soon afforded them refuge from their
pursuers. After locking their wheels they were
kindly received by Mr.. Pollock, who, after giving
them the facilities for a good bath, accompanied
them around the city, showing them the sights NO
words can express their ana o. bs ateu
tions will be among the pleasantest renecuQIs OF
tn e trip Harrsonburg is the county seat OF ROCK
inghaIn county and has about 1000 inhabitants
Tie secretary Visited the Court House. and found
himself at home with the clerk of the court and his
deputies and the sheriff, all of whom are Repubii,
cans. From them he learned that TINS county VIII
be carried for Blaine this year Before ne was aDe
to arrange with these gentlemen piaI ior me e t
secretary was called away by the captains whistle
Returning to the Pollock House he found his three
comrades seated at the door, surrounded by motley
crowd of admiring urchins, who were gazing Ill
open mouthed wonder on them men that come
way from Maryland on them things After Vlsltlhg
the city spring and other points OF interest and lun
cheon mt Pollocks tourists babe their new-made
friends good 1--we and at 1925 o'clock started for
staunton The ride to Mt Crawford was over the
smoothest road met with on the trip, ana the run
was made so rapidly that the boys have Ittle idea
ran. They reached North river, beyond Mt Craw-
ford miles distant from Harrisonburg, IN 4S MIN
utes From this point began a succession OF high
htls. with roadbed as bad as possible, filed with
loose stones and washed by recent heavy rains or
the distance between Mt Crawford and Mt Sidney
they were compelled to walk about four miles, with
the thermometer at 800 in the shade Just before
reaching Mt Sidney they were greatly encouraged
by the information that toward Staunton the road
became worse instead of better Having already
ridden "a miles that day, the temptation was very
great TO take the cars but resisting this inclination
cSs,do md rewarded
prOvement in the condition of the road which be-
came better they advanced toward Staunton,
though made up of succession of long hills. Just
before reaching Middle river they found the most
magnificent coast any of them had ever seen, being
hill over three,quarters Oh mile ioig PerIeGuy
down to Middle river. At Willow Spout they saw
curiosity of which number of their friends at
home, who had marched to and fro over the same
road during the war, had frequently spoken.
Where formerly from willow tree, at height of
about five feet from the ground gushed stream OF
pure mountain water, now only the stump, about
eight feet high, remains, but the water pours forth
rs cool and refreshing as in days when the weary
soldier here slaked his thirst and filled his canteen
for future use. At $40 our boys reached Staunton,
&c miles from Harrsonburg riding time hours and
warmly received by the small boy, who loudly
shouted his willingness to show them the way 10
the "'Ginny House" They were soon at home i'll
the Virginia House. the largest hotel in the city.
After supper young man introduced himself ana
offered to spend the evening with them and show
them the sights of the city. Their new acquaintance
earnestly asserted that he not "bunko steerer,
and that all must be at my expense" Not accept
ing this kind CD offer, the boys attempted to slip
away from the hotel but were unable to do So for
the man, who was mot a bunkO steerer, attached
himself to them and stuck until the lieutenant in
formed him that the party could get along without
troubling any one. After little more manouvreing
they succeeded in Guiding this innocent fellow, who
had mistaken them for babes in the woods in need
of protector Returning to the hotel they received
q call from Messrs. Gibbs and Cook, who had re-
Gently purchased "Star' machines and were just
learning to ride. In company with these gentlemen
they visited Aliens drug store, where they met a
large number of prospective Star riders, who had
organized Il club and ordered wheels. Alter talking
bicycle for some time, the conversation took po-
lcal turn and our tourists found that all their new
friends were Democrats They learned; also, That
scat Augusta county, that thevoter of the county
number between 500 and 400; that of these l,5OO
are colored voters that the Democratic majority in
the county is between 800 and ZOO and that there
are only enough white Republicans in the county TO
ill the Federal Offices. This information made the
secretary and lieutenant very home-sick and anX-
ious to return to headquarters. After returning to
the hotel and spending few minutes IN conVerSa-
ton the president went out of the Office Tor few
minutes, and coming back, found himself deserted
The secretary had the same experience, and the
captain and lieutenant found themselves i'll the
same predicament. The president at once retired
the secretary went out TO search for the Others and
the captain and lieutenant started IN company. As
to the occurrences of the evening, nothing can be
said for the boys have not IS yet held an experience
meeting, and il is not probable that they ever viii
They all say that Staunton is built on seven times
hills, ana that before returning TO the hotel
they visited them all and greatly enjoyed the moon
light walk. The secretary came Ill ilrSt Il lew nth
utes before midnight, and the others few minutes
later, and all were soon sleeping so soundly that
they were undisturbed even by the lieutenants
musical SHORES.
ON Saturday morning. August md, the tourists
rose carly TO find an east wind blowing and the
clouds heavy and lowering. While at breakfast il
commenced raining. and at $50 start was made in
fine mist. The road was found to be of mixed
character-a mile of red clay alternating with a
long stretch of sandy oam with hills long and steep
full of ruts stones and breakers and so badly washed
as to be almost impossible Mint Spring, six miles
In Nvns rom oh in nOp hour nptXVith.
standing the bad road. While standing there, with
wheels leaning against the fence man drove up in
wagon and the following conversation took place
What you call them things?'
What do you do with them ?"
"Ride on them"
ado you belong to the circus?
YES"
when is it coming?'
Our boys. posted by the hand-bills they had seen
ut Smunton replied:
at will be at Greenville on the 18Th"
whats the name of it?"
"Old John R0binsOn's."
well, if you ride them things through the coun-
try they'll bring the biggest crowd any circus ever
saw for there's never been anything like that among
these mountains"
After leaving Mint Spring the road was found TO
be in the worst possible condition for riding Heavy
rains had softened the red clay, wagons had cut
deep ruts and the sun had baked the soil until /.
us hard as stone. There was no beauty of seen
cry to compensate for the bad road both sides of
which high hills arose preventing view of the dis
tant mountains. Riding ceased TO be pleasure and
became severe work; the rough road was testing the
Vi
an accident, determined to take the Shenandoah
Valley Railroad ut Greenve, the last point at which
1t was possible TO catch train that day They
reached GreenYile at 1l30 o'clock, after having
been on the road three hours and 10 minutes from
staunton distance, II miles; riding time, one hour
and fifty-live minutes Greenville is built on two
immense hills, and as our boys coasted down the
long hill into the town they created great com
motion among the colored people Some ran to the
doors of their huts and, catching glimpse of the
flying wheels, back in fear: Others stood speech
less with wonder, and the boys saw one old woman
fhrntv hnt oh bar head nd hpnr hpr
cry out
Good Lawd ha mussy, what is dem ~
Then, as though struck by the thought of the most
terrible thing of which she could think farming she
ran back into her little cabin, crying:
20 Lawd 1t must be de judgment day."
Ascending another long hill the tourists reached
the hotel in the town. and after ordering dinner
locked their wheels on the porch of the hotel This
precauton was unnecessary at this place, for while
large crowd of people soon gathered and expressed
their curiosity in many ways. few OF them seemed
willing TO approach the wheels and only one ortwo
had the temerity to touch them. Although there
were large numbers of colcred people living within
stones throw of the hotel, our boys did not catch