The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-01-01

The stories of the old National
Road during the good old davs ol
stage driving are as numerous 81
the blades of grass that grow on
the roadside. On travelling to the
West, Wheeling was the point where
people took boats fora further pene.
tfation of the wilderness, as it was
then called.
Many old wagoners were well
known. OF some Of them M. T.
B. Searight writes as follows to the
Washington (Pa.) Observer:
ssSome Of the old wagoners OF the
NatlonaI Road became rich John
Snider was one II these. Sn13s5
was man Of even temper, and q
high order of intelligence. He
drove q six horse team on the road
for twenty years. He died on his
farm near Uniontown in Decem ber
1889, much lamented. Few men
possessed mere of the higher attri-
butes of true manhood than John
Snider.
John Grace was another old wag.
oner, who became wealthy. The
old pike boys will remember him as
the driver Of black team. He
was Maryland man, l believe, but
am not certain. When the old road
yielded its grasp on trade to the iron
railway, Grace settled in or near
GAINESVILLE, Ohio, where he still
lives, or was living few years ago,
worth 100000. He transported
his family to Ohio in his big road
wagon.
John Manaway, late owner Of
the Spottsylvania House, Union-
town, drove a team on the road for
many years, and no man enjoyed
the business more than he.
William G. Patterson, now an
aged well-to-do farmer Of Jefferson
township, Fayette county, was an
old WAGNER.
There was an Ohio man of the
name of Lucas, called Gov. Lucas,
because q man of like name was an
early governor of Ohio, who was an
old WAGNER, and his team consist
ed of but five horses. yet he hauled
the biggest loads on the road. He
was owner of the team he drove.
William King, of Washington
county, Pa. all old WAGNER, was
noted for his steady habits. On
one of his trips over the road, and
going down the eastern slope Of
Laurel hill, which was covered
with ice, his wagon slipped from
the road and fell over the bank
near the old Price residence, drag
ging the team after 1t. Strange to
say, the horses were not injured
and but little damage done to the
wagon. The contents of the wag
on were Ohio tobacco and bacon.
After getting restored, King drove
down to Jimmy Snyder's. stayed
all night, and tie next morning
proceeded on his journey to Balti-
more. King was the owner Of q
farm in Washington county.
Jacob Probasco was an old wag-
oner, and also kept tavern ct
Jockey Hollow. He went west and
found fortune.
Joseph Lawson, an old wagner,
kept tavern for many years in West
Alexander, Washington county,
and died the possessor of a valuable
estate. l took dinner in 1848 at
Lawson's tavern in company with
James G. Blaine, the now distin-
guished secretary OF state.
Matthias Fry, an old WAGNER,
kept the Seabight bouse in 1910,
and subsequently presided as land
lord over several houses at different
times in Hopwood. He was one Of
the best men on the road. His
large and we'll proportioned form
Will be readily recalled by the old
pike boys. He was a native Of Old
Virginia and died In Hopwood.
David Hill was one of the noted
wagoners of the road. He was an
active, bustling man, and given to
witty saying. He belonged t.
Washington county, and was the
father-in-law of Rev. j. K. Mel
horn, who preached for many years
in the vicinity Of McClellandtown.
Andrew Prentice, who died re-
Gently in Uniontown, the possessol
OF considerable money, drove q
team on the road in his early days,
William Hall. of umberland
was one Of the regular wagoners on
the road forty wears ago. He sub
sequentlY became stage proprie-
tor, and is one of the leading citi.
zens Of Cumberland. He married
a daughter Of Aaron Wyatt, vel
remembered tavern keeper on the
old road.
Henry Clay Rush, prominent
citizen of Uniontown, and ex-jury
commissioner. was once the proud