The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-08-25
The National Road.


How few know anything Of The Ma
tional Road 1t has been so eclipsed by
railways that many well informed peo-
pie don't know that such structure was
ever built. Rev. W. II. Baugh, until re-
Gently pastor of the Cumberland Presby
terian Church, Knoxville, furnished some
interesting "reminiscences about it to the
Tribune. Rev. DIR. Howard, of the Cum
berland Presbyterian, also knows good
deal of it.
Away back in 1918 there arose serious
apprehension that the growth of the
West would cause disaffected politicians
to want different Capital-"a Western
Union and during Monroe's Admins
tration Congress, under the advocacy of
Henry Clay, "Tom" Benton, ten. Lewis
Cass, Thomas Ewing and Andrew Stew
art, made appropriations from the Ma
tional Treasury, and the work was vigor-
ously executed. Beginning at Cumber-
berland mountain, if extended across
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio and Indi-
ana westward The design was to con-
meet the National Capital with st. Louis
The Democracy opposed such appropri-
ton of the nations treasury, but in vain.
State rights were ignored" The road
bed was reduced to graeie of five de-
grees, was made 35 feet wide, and macad-
amized The under part was chiefly of
stone, placed on edge, as is now the ease
in cities, and covered with pieces that
would go through an inch and a half
ring The National Road was free to all
1t was maintai ned by the general govern
ment for dozen years, but in 1880,
through Difference to General Jaeksons
ideas of State sovereignty" it was turn
ed over to the States through which it
was built
Many interesting "reminiscences might
be given of this great thoroughfare and
its wars. In 1887, when war was threat
ened between this country and France,
there was such suspicion of sympathy be-
tween the French in Louisiana and the
enemy that quick mail route was estab-
lished via this road and the Mississippi
river. Contracts were let with the re-
quirement of speed to average ten miles
per hour. The entire highway was laid
off into sections, three boys and nine
horses being required for sixty-three
miles, and the time given for the trip was
six hours and eighteen minutes.
Whether legal or not, the National
Road was popular thoroughfare. There
were soon as high as $50 great Conesto-
"a six-horse teams" per day. That is
the same number as the railroad trains
that pass over the Pennsylvania Railroad
now daily TO and from jersey City. There
were four to five four-horse mail and pas
senger coaches each way daily.
Presidents frequented this highway,
and ON such occasions men were posted
at hilltops by the roadway to wave their
red bandannas as sigual of approach for
the distinguished travellers. The people
would assemble and render both vocal
and instrumental music.
Much of the National road is still in
good condition, and Its many historic as
sociations are enhanced by modern pro-
gress. While the old east-iron posts vet
remain to tell of distances to places, etc,
wires are abundant, and there
is combination of things ancient and
modern which give TO travellers by the
old road much of rare interest
OF noted passengers over this road there /
are recorded the names of James Monroe {
and Andrew Jackson, William Henry
Harrison and John Tyler, Dick johnson |
Vice President under Tyler, james X. /
Polk, Santa Ana, and the Marquis de /
Lafayette.
James K Polk, How the name stands /
out on the list To be assured about the !
stories told on the subject / called !
on the venerable Mrs. Polk. At my /
greeting she said she was feeble, /
but has never in the several years /
il has been my fortune TO know her ap-
peared quite 50 bright, 30 graceful and 80
elegant
"Ah, yes, have often been over the
great National Road as it was called,
and it revives many pleasant reminiscent
ees. Friends used TO ask me if were