The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-08-10
An Old Garrett County Family.
BLUE LICK. GARRETT COUNTY,
AUGUST 5th, 1889.

this developing part OF Garrett coun-
ty, and being so favorably impressed
with the people and the improve
ments in so many respects. that l
ami induced to offer the REPUBLICAN
a communication, which trust may
be of some interest and use to your
intelligent readers. This region of
the county has been changed from a
densely timbered condition to an ag-
ricultural one. There are here many
good farms, producing grains of all
kinds, live stock. butter and vegeta-
bles. all of which find a ready and
profitable market in the Frostburg
and Homecoming coal regions. Mar
ket, produce and lumber wagons
pass over the Coney road in large
numbers. The lumber and timber
business in this district were formerly
of large proportions, but of late wears
much diminished on account of the
exhaustion of the timber supply, but
the people are now In better condi-
ton and making more out of the cul.
tivation of their lands, which are
naturally productive and genial.
With fertilizing agencies (which are
not yet in use) the lands would he
highly productive and not difficult to
cultivate. The people are better to
do, happier and smoother than when
so many of them lived in lumber
camps and f1oated logs down the tur-
bulent waters of Savage river and
some of its tributary streams.
The country between the great
Savage and Meadow Mountains
south of the National road for a
depth of many miles. sixty years ago
was vast bowling wilderness with
quite few habitations. Those of
John Blocher, Christian Garlitz, -
Potter, where the widow Brown now
resides, with one opening in New
Germany were about all. This large
district of primitive territory was
then plentifully stocked with wild
beasts and game. Deer, bears, pam
theirs and wolves were numerous and
destructive. Smaller game in full
proportion. Hunting was then not
only an amusement, but an occupa.
ton of good number of persons of
the Nimrod disposition. Their tastes
and ambition were not only gratified
by the use of their old time rifle, traps
and bear pens, but in many cases
we'll compensated for pleasurable ex-
element, SIS for a wolf scalp; SIS for
panther and smaller premiums on
lighter animals were quite accepta-
BILE and protective" to the hunter.
Besides these were the proceeds from
the delicious venison saddles, bear
meat, pelts and hides. Really these
old time hunters received more
money in this way than from any
other source. Holmes Wiley's in
come one season was $130 from one
den of wolves captured in d noun.
tain cavern. The bear was always
considered too amiable and harmless
to deserve reward on his scalp. In
olden times the hunters would build
their huts or camps in the depths of
the forests. and in the fall season
would repair to them and remain a
considerable time-until their sup
plies were exhausted, which were
never large as the captured game was
expected to support the campaign in
the main. Choice cuts of venlson
and bear ribs nicely roasted before a
wood fire. properly seasoned. were
always palatable and reviving to
jaded hunter, so they all say. includ.
ing Meshack Browning in his book.
The last of these old hunters with
anything like reputation. who in
times past frequented these now sub
dued jungles, Is Israel Garitz, now
venerable but not really aged-a lit.
tie decrepid from chronic rheuma-
tism. but cheerful, happy and bright
in mind. He Is one of the four sons
of Christian Garlitz. born on the old
Bruce farm. [now owned by Mr.. j.
Boucher but brought up on the old
Garlitz- McKinzie estate. near St.
AIMS Church. Christian Garlitz, the
father was the first settler in this
neighborhood, when wolves were
bold enough to enter his house and
bears would harmlessly come to the
yard. This respectable old man was
killed some twenty years ago, by q
falling tree. Israel has seven living
sons. all over age, and but one daugh-
ter. just budding into womanhood.
The sons are clever, worthy young
men, and live very convenient to
their parents. One, Richard, is post
master at Avelton. Enoch. the
youngest son. Is an exceedingly
bright young man, without much
school training, but is intelligent and
writes first-class business letter,
and with all, has the good sense and
nnnaidaro tim fn rnmoin with hic