The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-08-04
Bedford, Pennsylvania.
For the Democratic Advocate


Your correspondent, while enjoying a
brief sojourn at Bedford, Bedford county,
Pa, the location of the famous Bedford
Mineral Springs, conceived the idea that
some of the many things of interest con-
nected with Bedford and vicinity might
prove entertaining to the readers of the
ADVOCATE.
Bedford enjoys well deserved reputa-
ton as summer resort, not only for inva-
lids seeking to be benefited by the mineral
waters, but also by many others, attracted
by the natural advantages Of the place for
summer outing. Surrounded on all sides
by lofty mountains, whose towering peaks,
rearing their green SUBMITS skyward, fur
nish the finest natural scenery for the en-
thusiastic lover of nature, Bedford is indeed
well worthy visit.
Two miles from the town, 10 valley
between two parallel spurs of mountains,
are located the famous Bedford mineral
springs, the medicinal quality of whose
waters is quite well known. There are
several springs of water charged with differ
ent minerals in solution, viz Sulphur,
magnesia, iron, etc. A very excellent
hotel, having all modern conveniences, with
capacity of 500 guests, constitutes one
Of the attractions Of the springs.
1t is enormously supposed by some that
the town'of Bedford owes its origin to the
existence Of the springs there, but this is a
mistake, as the little town antedates by
many years the discovery of the springs
and has quite an interesting history, a part
of which may not be out Of place here
Bedford is the countyseat of the county
of Bedford, which was formed in 1771,
and the town was originally an Indian trad
ing post. The contiguous hills and mouns
tains abounded in distilleries, and when
Congress in 1871 put tax of 20 cents
per gallon upon whiskey, what is known
in history as "The Whiskey Insurrectiou"
arose. The distillers in large numbers re-
belled against the collection of the tax and
resistance became so strong that Gen. Geo.
Washington, President of the United
States, came to Bedford with large body
of men to suppress the insurrection, which
he accomplished without serious trouble
The old stone house in which the General
quartered during his stay still stands on
one of the principal streets of the town, in
a good state of preservation, and is now
used as notion store.
Probably no less interesting is the Bed
ford Courthouse, which is also considerably
over century old. 1t is rather antique
in appearance, but is strongly built and is
fitted with very fine modern fre-proof
vaults for the records. And particularly
valuable from an historic standpoint are
many Of the old records preserved there,
some of which date back to 177l, the year
in which Bedford county was formed.
Among them may be mentioned volume
containing the original commission of John
Penn to the three Prothonotaries of Bed
ford county, which is as follows
The Honorable John Penn, Esquire,
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in
Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and
counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex,
on Delaware, to John Fraser, Bernard
Qougherty and Arthur st. Clair, Of the
County of Bedford, Esquires, greeting
Reposing special trust and confidence in
your loyalty and integrity have author
ized and Empowered and by these presents DO
authorize and impower, you, the said John
Fraser, Bernard pougherty and Arthur
ST. Clair, or either Of you, tos administer
10 all judges, justices, sherifs, coroners and
all other officers, civil and military, and
al other person and persons whatsoever
within the said county Of Bedford, as well
as the oath Of office, as also the oath Of
allegiance and supremacy and the other
usual declarations, tests and qualifications
required by law to be taken BY the said
officers, civil and military, 70 qnaliiy them
every or any Of them for the entering upon
and executing their several and respective
Offices to which they are or shall be COM
missionated, or as any other occasion may
y.