Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-06
FREDERICK COUNTY.
The Picturesque Scenery OF the Catoctan
Mountain Range.

correspondenoe Of TIM rvrSrxe STAR
fREDERIcK. Mn, Aug.
Frederick county has aroputation for the
beauty of her natural scenery and the fertility
Of her soil that is the pride Of every Maryland
er's bosom and that has become in recent
years source Of attraction. especially in the
summer season. 10 visitors from all parts OF the
country-Baltimore and Washington people
finding IL spot worthy Of their especial favor.
Two well-known Washington people. Mrs Ad-
miral Dahlgren and Mr.. Geo. Alfred Townsend,
have established permanent summer homes
among the most magnificent mountain
scenery in the county, and in their writ
region TO the world at large Their
homes are in the South mountain region,
where the widest and most picturesque stretch
OF landscape scenery - 10 be found. But the
county is not lacking in other points OF natural
beauty that lend diversity 10 the charms with
which nature in this section hes been especially
endowed.
rHEi cArocTrS MOUNTAIN RANGE
embraces many points Of prominence, from
which the finest possible views are 10 be
obtained. High Knob and White Rock enable
the tourist 10 gain a view Of the Frederick val
ley for almost it's en- tire length and width. and
from their summit can be gained an excellent
view Of the site that had been chosen for the
seat OF the national capital, for il must be
membered that Frederick county was at one
time almost definitely settled upon the
proper place for the headquarters Of the Fed
eral government White Rock is especially
attractive spot and deserves q wider fame. IL 10
easy OF access by the county roads, and los
summit can be climbed without too much
fatigue. There are numerous springs of cool
ana refreshing water. and near by IL the
famous yellow spring. The medicinal quali-
ties of the water found in this spring are o. the
greatest value, the ground for several yards
about it being covered with the golden yellow
stain OF the mineral iron.
HISTORICAL SPRING.
Tho history Of this spring is not without
interest. The farm on which il was located
was first tensnted by Charles Hedges the great
grandfather OF the present tenant and owner,
Albert Burkhardt, in 1749. The spring wac in
existence then and was frequently made the
rendezvous of the numerous Indian tribes who
inhabited the mountain region. They partook
OF ats health-glving water and believed il 10 be
Possessed OF the spirit OF the Great Manitou-
Previous TO going on their expeditions for game
the warriors OF the tribe would mix the blood
of animals with the iron deposits found on the
Drink OF the spring and with this concoction
would bedaub their bodies. An Indian village
was located near the spring for many years,
and arrow heads are frequently picked
up In the neighborhood. Charles Hedges and
his wife drank the water of the spring con-
stantly and their children after them did the
same. The waters were used for every pur-
pose except washing clothes. The iron sub
stance would have ruined the linen. The
spring has its origin in the mountains, and it's
waters trickie down through the rocks-rem-
nants Of an old quarry-tlll they find rest in
the basin that has been formed for them
by nature. limestone spring flows through
the same quarry and near by is q spring of
pure mountain water. few feet from the
yellow spring is a pond. the waters in which
rise and fall without any perceptble source.
The pond goes half dry in the summer season
and the bottom is covered with thick iron
rust caused by the percolation and dilution OF
the spring waters. A few hundred yards from
the yellow spring is located what is believed
TO be catalysine spring. Ii Is on hillside
which seems TO be made OF n soft black material
which can be readily broken by the fingers,
and is evidently a coal formation
BORING FOR COAL
Frequent borings were made on the spot for
coal under the supervision OF VIM. c. Hoff-
man. who found an 1S-inch vein OF real coal
and spent thousands of dollars in boring for
what he believed to be a mine Of wealth. His
men did not have the confidence in the pros
poets that he had, but they were paid for their
work by the day and practieed cruel decep-
| ton on the old miner They would carry .
handful or two Of coal to the place and put ID
at the mouth OF q boring. Hoffman would
discover it. his face would brighten, and he
would order the men TO continue at their work
In this way they found employment
until the unlucky prospector's money
gave out. One shaft was sunk ais
feet deep and signs OF coal were
found. No effort has ever been made
since to develop the prospects. The whole
surroundings Of the spot are Of the most
charming character. The tall mountains sur
round il on all sides. the woods are deep and
classic and the landscape is picturesque. In
the midst of this are the springs flowing con-
stantly and visited only at rare intervals by
some wandering tourist or picnic party. Many
years ago a survey made for a railroad
from Washington TO Erie, Pa, which was to
pass this spot and open up the region and the
springs TO the public. The project was aban-
doned and the world at large to-day has no
knowledge of the treasure locked within the
mountain Businesses of Frederick county.
CHIMNEY ROCK.
Very few are aware. either, OF the existence
of the marvellous Chimney Rock, near Mechan-
icstown, a silent relic of the volcanic force Of
some past age, out of whose jagged mouth still
belches at intervals wreaths of smoke that are
probably the breath of some deep intestinal
fire, the force of which has not been totally
subdued through all the years. The rock rises.
tall and jagged shaft, from the mountain. and
for all the world resembles a huge chimney
built by the forces of nature a vent for her
hidden fires. p. NJ