Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-07-23
SEMI-LOCAL NEWS



tons below, however, give its salient
points.
After speaking of mountain and
seashore attractions for the indulgence
of summer outings Mr.. Beard says:
Among the numerous places in the Mary
land Alleganies that are destined to become
resorts of note is Frostburg. AT an altitude
of ,792 feet above the level of the sea- the city
lies nesting against beautiful slope Of the
mountain, near the headwaters of Georges
Creek, on plateau between the Great Savage
and Dams mountains. Its location and
climatic conditions are elninently healthtul,
and its beautiful environs are the source Of
admiration and wonder for their beauty and
sublime grandeur.
Frostburg is situated l 400 feet above Cum
berland, eleven miles distant, and 300 feet
above Baltimore. The ground under the city
is completely honeycombed with exhausted
mines. The Cumberland and Pennsylvania
railroad passes under the city through a
tunnel. Frostburg enjoys greater altitude
above tide than any other city in the United
States Its streets are beautifully laid out
and their sloping character affords natural
drainage. The city is lighted by electricity
and many imposing and substantial residences
make up the place.
Mr.. Beard errs in stating the town S
altitude, the average of which is =, 100
feet. The height over Baltimore is,
therefore, overstated by 200 feet.
Again, there are now several cities
far beyond Frostburg in height above
tide. Butte, Montana, for instance, a
place of 10000 population, situate
only six miles beyond the summit of
the Rocky mountains, is nearly 1000
feet above sea-leyel.
Among the many points of interest in the
vicinity of Frostburg is the stone slab erected
by Gen. Braddock, marking the course of his
march and for guide to the troops which
followed.
Nine miles from Frostburg to the southeast
towers Dams Rock, high and rugged and
overlooking the most extended and varied
landscape in all this section. The view from
Rock Black Rock or even Fairyiew. From
the top, Frostburg and Cumberland are
plainly seen on clear day, and with the aid of
a good glass the spires of the churches in
Winchester, Va, can be seen. The view ex-
tends into four states-Maryland, Penn
sylvania, Virginia aud West Virginia. In
a remote period of the world, when the earth
S1a nj hn ta
ton for man, doubtless some awful cata-
clysm or some upheaval Of the earth's crust
caused this natural wonder.
Far out on all sides rise tall, blue peaks,
strewn by the hand of the Creator. No city
of the size and prominence of Frostburg en-
joys in Its surroundings more unique topog-
raphy. If to these are added the novelty of
its industrial avocatlonS, the Salubrity of its
atmosphere, and the purity of Its water (the
town being supplied with two systems from
separate mountain reservoirs) series of
conditions exist, which properly estimated,
must, sooner or later, give the place COM
handing prominence as a summer resort.
There is more money distributed in Frost
burg than any other town of its size in the
State. A dozen coal mines exist within three
miles of the city, and their combined output
is not less than 10000 tons Of soft coal daily.
The largest of these the Hoffman mine, has
an output of 1000 tons daily. On the road
to Dams Rock is located the burning mine
of Spruce Hill. Volumes of smoke and
steam issue from various apertures. This
mine has been burning for over twenty
years.
The miners receive fifty cents ton for
mining the coal. Good wages are made and
many men can make as much as So and 81
day. Though the life of a miner is humble,
they have all the comforts and many luxuries
of life, are intelligent, but generally spend all
they make.
In this Mr.. Beard is mistaken. The
younger element, like that of any
other class or community, may "gen-
orally spend all they make" but the
elderly, settled miner of Frostburg is
an economical. well-to-do citizen.
This vast outlay of money finds an outlet
and the channel is through the stores of Frost
burg. The merchants carry large stocks
Mr.. II. B. Shaffer, who owns the largest store
in the city, expects to sell this year 100000
worth of merchandise. This is an in
stance of the immense traffic that is done in
the stores OF the mountain city.
The people of Frostburg are kind and
hospitable. While here | met Prof A. A
Doub, principal of the Academy of Frostburg,
and a teacher of superior ability. This school
is one Of the best public educational institu-
tons in the State Prof. Doub was formerly
from Washington county.
Frostburg boasts of two good newspapers,
the MINING JOURNAL and the Ledger, the
i'll the State.
The weather in Frostburg is always delight
fully cool and pleasant in summer. House
flies and mosquitoes are unknown here. On
the night of the 4th ofJuly Ienjoyed an over
coat for the first time in my life at this season.
The night following a slight frost prevailed
over the city. LESLIE c. BEARD.
Astronomical.
On the 9TH day of August the planet
Mars has an appointment to be within
30, 100, 900 miles of the earth, as near
hailing distance as it ever comes. We
of this earth have been cultivating an
acquaintance with Mars for sever
al years. 1t was in August, 1877, that
the moons of Mars were first seen by
mortal eye, and this year Mars will be
brought nearer than ever before, since