The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-11-10

A jealous but misinformed reporter
writes entertainingly as follows in Satnr-
days Pittsburg Post:
Pittsburgers who spend summer in the
woods will have chance 10 enjoy their
outing next year with President William
Mckinley. This at least will be the re.
suit if certain plans for new retreat in
the Blue Ridge mountains materialize.
These plans call for the erection of pail
atial hotel at Somerset. right in the heart
of Pennsylvania's picturesque wilder
ness. The hotel is now partially COM
pleted.
Somerset is noted for two things. It
has more ozone to the cubic foot than any
other place of the kind in that region,
aud it is the residence Of Abner McKin-
ley. This individual has personality of
his own. but just at present he is known
chiefly to the cOuntry-at large as the
brother of the President
Mr.. Mckinley is said to be interested
financially in Somerset's new hotel,
which has been in process OF erection for
the past four months. He recently pur-
chased several lots in large plot which
was laid out in front of the hotel for
building purposes, and viii erect thereon
two cottages. one Of them will be oc..
eupied by himself, while rumor has il
that the President will occupy the other.
Mr.. Mckinley is an attorney and
shrewd business man. The advantages
to be derived by the hotel company from
the Presidents presence, even for short
time, would be inestimable in financial
way, and it is not likely that he has over
looked this fact.
The company which is building the
hotel is composed of L. d. Smith aud W.
A. Scott, Jr., of Pittsburg; General w. H.
Koontz, Captain Charles J. Harrison, and
DIR. ]. NJ. Louther and George Tayman
of Somerset. Almost unlimited capital
is back of the project.
The new hotel will be thrown open to
the public in June. The main building
will be 225 feet long, with three wings.
each two stories high. There will be
stretch OF veranda almost One-fifth of a
mile in length, and the number Of bed
rooms will exceed l25.
The location is almost unsurpassed.
From the front a broad valley stretches
for several miles, with range OF mount
aims far in the distance. More mountains,
spurs of the Negro range, lie back Of the
buildings, and form picturesque setting
for aquiet retreat. But one railroad pass
es the place, and absolute quiet, such as
tired people oflen yearn for, is assured.
There is another interest attached to
Somerset. It is the center Of the moon
shine district, and many famous huats
for Illicit stills have been participated in
by Government agents. In 1872 a memo
rable raid occurred, which resulted IN the
killing of old John Hochsteitler by Gen.
eral SiegeI Miller. Both men belonged
to the "Freundschan,' the secret organi-
zation of the mOonshiners. 1t was alIeg-
ed that Hochstetler had given the Gov
ernment information concerning the
''white whisky" resorts in the mount
aims, and death was meted 10 him by the
order.
The murderer of old HOchstettler is
still at large. Many bat futile attempts
have been made to capture him, and once
in a while Government agent has blazed
away at him in the distance, but be is yet
unharmed and at large.
Occasionally the old mOonshiner comes
down from the mountains and stalks into
civilization for brief space, carrying his
ever trusty Winchester, and always
watchfnl for treachery.
An interesting question now arises: Is
President Mckinley going TO Somerset
next year for rest and recupsration, or is
he going to take up the hunt Tor Hoeh-
stettler's slayer where his predecessors
minions left of?