The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-06-12
The Egis & Intelligencer
Bel Air, Md, June IL, 1885.
LETTER FROM THE CUMBERAA ND
VALLEY.

RAWLINGS, Allegany Co, Md, June 9th
Through the kind invitation OF a Hartford
friend am now with him making a visit of q
week to this beautiful valley and It's continuous
chain of surrounding mountains now SO beauti-
fully ROBBED in natures oveliest dress We much
enjoy the fine scenery opened to view from ele-
waited mountain points. showing the green pas
lures and grazing herds in the rich valley below,
and appreciate the gen rous hospitality Of the
kind friends we have met Ihe hgtS reaches
here early on Saturday and r the people take
ut this point is about one mile wide and embraces
some very pretty farms. Prominent among them
is that of Major Alexander Shaw, of Baltimore,
now under the capable management of MIR. W.
Scott Barnes, of Churchville. Mr.. Barnes has
90 acres in corn. He has good stand from Har-
ford county seed, and has just completed the
second working.
Major Shaw's farm is noted for its fine stock
His horses are models of their kind. A pair of
heavy bay horses closely matched, attract most
notice, and it is amusing TO hear their faithful
driver, who has the exclusive care of this pair,
with u serene smile of satisfaction tell of the
qualities of this noble span. The saddle horses
are also well adapted to the purposes for which
they are kept. AS the few roads here are rugged
and steep driving horses are not much used.
The thorough bred and high-grade Short Horn
cattle on this farm are nearly all red in color, of
fine size, and very handsome animals. But in my
Judgment the browning feature in the stock line
is the fine herd of imported Jerseys, headed by a
very handsome two-year old bull, superior
Baronet." This stock are selects and are well
worthy of the place they now occupy. a luXuri-
sion and near the railroad station. In this prom
inent location they look quite ornamental, and
with q bold stream OF clear water, fresh and cool
from the mountain side, running through the
fresh pasture, has pleasing effect and makes
the view quite picturesque. On the adjoining
farm, owned by Lloyd Lowndes, Esq, are sever
al fine Jerseys from the herds of Hon. II. d. Far
nandis and Col. Webster, of Bel Air.
The railroad company have extensive water
tanks here. and the ponderous freight trains
with their long line OF heavy freights following
each other at short intervals, as well as most OF
the passenger trains, stop TO take on water; and
although there is considerable passenger travel
the company have no waiting room, no kind of
great road. l trust such will not be the case ut
their stations in our county, when their line is
completed through.
We will now leave the railroad and this side of
the farm for a half mile jaunt through narrow
mountain passway, in places close to the base
of perpendicularly towering peaks of rocks,
which in altitude will favoraby compare with
our famous "Rocks of Deer Creek. We here
come to Il rugged pasture on the mountain side,
where the sheep are kept. On this land large
sheep house has lately been erected.
A little farther on and under the shadow of the
stern old mountain, so thickly covered with for
est and rock, to huntsman so suggestive of
game, where serenely shut out from the confus-
ing din of city hunter can smoke the pipe of
peace an contemplate the pleasures of the chase,
with no sound but the Dleating of the peaceful
flock to disturb the agreeable reverie. In this
secluded retreat is the residence of Mr.. John
Gallon, hartford man, who with two well-bred
Hartford county hounds. Rush and Mountain
stands ready to drive 1.-THE wolf from the door"
(of the sheep house,) should one intrude his I'M
welcome presence on that forbidden ground
Mr. Mr.; Gallons dogs are noble pair that would
admired here and was told he had been offered
$50 for the pair
By invitation visited the coal mines at Elk
Garden, short ride by rail from Piedmont, w.
Virginia. Here we were met by the gentlemanly
manager, A. q. Rawlings, Esq, who with mine
boss Byers courteously entertained us and piloted
us through the extensive mines AS we found it
both wet and dark, it was not particularly pleas
ant but we had the satisfaction OF witnessing the
mining industry in many of its several features.
While in the mine enquired if politicians ever
found their way In there, knowing that above
ground no place was exempt from them, and
found that in the most secluded portions of the
mine those persistent bpeds had found their way,
and with brotherly sympathy were ready to
confidently tell the honest miner how to cast his
ballot SO as to best reconcile the knotty question
of capital and labor. But need not write of the
progressive politicians, for like the seventeen
year locusts you have plenty at home.
AT keyser, w. Virginia, on the farm of EX-
Senator II. G. Davis, we saw field of wheat that
would compare favoraby with the best fields IN
Hartford, but general thing the wheat is very
poor. Many fields in Western Maryland, as well
as we could judge from passing train, are not
worth cutting. There also seems to be a very
light cut of grass.
We will return to our home with many pleasant
recollections of our visit, and hope that the boon
of peace and plenty may smile on this beautiful
valley to abundantly bless her unsehsh and hos
pitable people. S.