The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-08-16
.Toun OF THE cYcLlxa RAMnLERs.
A"e! encounter Rain, Mud. Local On.
ZION Towns. Beautiful Scenery.
FlenherG .


On the morning of Tuesday, August 18th.
1854, Messrs. Charles L. Fink, president;
Wm., L.. Seabrook, secretary; A. H. Wentz.
captain; and John III. Cunningham, lieuten.
ant, of the Cycling Ramblers," started on
their annual tour. Although it had been
raining for several days and a strong east
wind was still blowing, they decided not to
wait till the clouds rolled by but, encour-
aged by a telegram which gave the cheering
Information that the sun was shining at PEN
Mar, and hoping for clear skies beyond the
mountain, they boarded the 9.43 a. m. train
and started for Hagerstown The ride was
enllvened by prophetic guesses as to the
weather, and when at Mechanicstown the
weather-cock pointed southwest and then
nearly due west, fair weather stock rose above
par. Riding on the rear platform, at Pen
Mar they saluted the Westminster Fire De-
partment excursion party with their whistles.
and were answered by waving hats and hand
kerchiefs Approaching Hagerstown, the
ram falling in torrents, considerably dampen-
ed the hopes OF the party, as well as their
clothing and wheels. After dinner at the
City Hotel in Hagerstown, they were met by
Messrs. McComas, Brant, Pole, Reno and
DR.. Warehime, of the Hagerstown Bicycle
Club, and were by these gentlemen kindly
entertained until APT O. clock, when small
patch of blue sky showed itself. They then
mounted their wheels to begin their long ride.
MIR. Pole, the youngest rider of the Hagers-
town club, accompanied them for three miles
toward Williamsport. Although the road was
somewhat soft on account of the heavy rains,
Wllliamsport was reached without any mis-
hap at SIS. Without halt (Williamsport is
local option town. the party moved on to
the canal, and just as they reached it the rain
commenced falling rapidly. After nearly an
hour, spent with stacked wheels in the canal
office, there was slight cessation of the rain,
and Capt Wentz sounded the mount. After
run of 200 yards the rain fell harder than
ever, and the signal was given for rapid rid
ing to shelter, which was not reached until q
miles had been passed over. This was the
fastest run in the club records, the distance
having been made in IL minutes After a
halt of minutes under the B. & o. Railroad
bridge, during which a number of mules
walked up and inspected the wheels and
host of mule-hies flew down and inspected
their legs, our tourists made another mount,
and riding more slowly had an opportunity of
enjoying the beautiful scene. On the left was
the canal, with the densely- wooded mountain
rising beyond and on the right the Potomac
river, swollen by the rains, rushing on to the
sea. Here occurred the first mishap, the
''Facie'' ran over and killed poor old hen
that heedlessly attempted to cross its track.
u
overtaken, drawing along canal boat at the
great speed of two miles an hour. Captain
Wentz made the passage in safety, but the
Facile was more than the mules could stand,
so they made a sudden turn, with head and
tails erect, and caused very sudden dismounts
by the Ramblers and brought forth a volley
of cuss words from the driver. They were
then compelled to ride a half mile on foot be-
fore they were able to pass the mules. After
many thanks to the boatman for the cuss
words he had whispered in the mules ears,
they soon left the boat far behind, and at C. 55
reached the ferry opposite Falling Waters.
Wading through the mud to the river bank,
they rang the bell for the ferryman, who
crossed from the other shore in something less
than half hour, and ferried them over the |
river to the village, where they fell into the
hands of Mr.. Samuel J. Maxwell, who, al.
though not keeping hotel kindly agreed to
keep them until the morning. After groom
ing their horses and stabling them in the mill,
they sat down to supper and made Mr.. Max
well regret that he had agreed to board and
lodge them. The evening was spent in the
store, two of the boys writing postal cards to
their sisters (?) Retired at $50.
On the morning of July Both the Ramblers
rose at o'clock, and for the first time in their
lives saw the sun rise. At G.07 O'Clock the
Captains whistle was heard, and the mount
was made. All enjoyed the morning ride |
over good turnpike road, and all were struck |
with the resemblance of the country through
which they passed to the Frederick valley. |
Martinsburg was reached after ride of eight |
miles at 7.27 O clock. After reading the Bal |
timore morning papers, our tourists mounted |
at $40 and Started for Winchester. After
running about two miles the president wheel |
got into trouble. The rain and wet roads |
having softened the cement, his tire became
loose and gave him the distinguished honor of
the first header This caused halt of an
hour and a quarter, while the tire was being /
fastened. The locality made amends for the
delay, however. Near by were number of
ladies from Baltimore, spending the summer.
These all came down to the road and showed |
the greatest interest in the Maryland boys. |
Just across on the other side of the road was
a most beautiful spring, where stream of
water foot thick gushed from the side of
mighty rock and filled a natural basin ten feet
square with water as clear as crystal and as
cool as was the lieutenant when he took that
header at Maiden's Adventure. Mounting
again, our Rambers, who thought they had
left politics far behind them, were much as
tonished when the Maryland ladies started
them on their way with ''Three cheers for
Cleveland" To which sentiment our tour
lists were aDie 10 give only u nan resPohse'
Passing through Darkesyille, the wheelmen
soon reached Mill Creek, which was crossed |
by means of foot-log, from which the cap
tain took his patent back-action header.
Pausing for few minutes to enjoy the beau
tiful scenery up and down the creek, our
tourists advanced up Bunker Hill to the vii
lage of the same name at the top. Here they /
were unable to find the famous Bunker Hill
monument, although they made diligent search
for it, and to all inquiries which they made
concerning it, they received the answer, with
which they became so familiar before reach
ing home, Don't know" In fact, the only
thing they could find was more local option.