Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-02-03
THE DEVELOPMENT OF MONT.
GOMERY COUNTY.

sNcIy mOoCih uSoi6hb III Jul OOuutJ uoS,
within the past fifty years, been marked
with degree OF success that is almost
phenominal-pleasing to the eye and graft
flying TO those who are 30 fortunate as TO
reside within It's domain.
Aggressive and educated labor, accompa-
MED with laudable and ambitious desire,
aroused energies that had long laid dormant
and called into lively action a spirit Of
genuine and well directed enterprise until
Montgomery has grown TO be one Of the
leading and influential counties of the State.
Progress and improvements In all of its
diversified channels have been the watch
words, the magic influence that has brought
about this wonderful and highly fatterng
and pleasing change.
This mighty progress has brought for
ward the masses of our people, elevsting
those who have TO work. 1t has aroused
into mastery activity their innate energies
and developed their inward might. 1t has
created thought TO guide the hands that set
the vast machinery of labor into motion.
1t has diffused intellectually, and the pride
OF intellectually, making Of the men who
work something more than mere machines
Look back only thirty years and note the
stupendous leap our county has taken in the
way Of material, agricultural and ornamental
development At that period large portions
of the county were regarded of no value,
save for the timber it had grown, and when
that was exhausted, fit only TO be abandoned
to desolation and sterility, or left as a COM
mon pasturage. These same lands have
been reclaimed, and through the applica-
ton of lime and other fertilizers have been
made valuable and productive. With the
high cultivation of these lands, with thou.
lands of acres Of other idle lands, beautiful
homesteads and commodious outbuildings
have been erected. The great increase in the
acreage OF grass has brought about the intro
duction of the best grades Of mich cows and
the consequent establishment of large diaries
with every modern convenience and i'm.
provement. These diaries are now regarded
as one of the most remunerative of the many
industries of the county. Grazing, whilst
not carried on upon an extensive scale, has
generally been found profitable. Those who
have had experience in this branch, predict
that it will soon play a conspicuous part in
our farm supplies. The advantages offered
in the strength OF the nutriment of our
grasses and the character of our hay have
lead large number Of our more enterpris-
ing farmers to the raising OF the best blooded
driving and draft horses, and with encour.
aging success.
Everywhere, In all the departments of az
riculture in the county, in It's every branch,
improvement and progress have been going
ON with sublimity of achievement that is
both exhilarating and gratifying.
These pleasing and remunerative develop.
ments are mighty motors which push along
civilization, throwing wonderful impulse
from the centre to the circumference of the
county. With the rolling of this mighty
tide, note the striking results Beautiful
towns and villages have sprung up all over
the county, like Minerva from the brain OF
Jupiter, full armed and equipped. The old
country school house, such as the one in
which the great William Writ taught sing
ing school near Potomac Chapel, has given
way and in It's place more attractive buildings
have been erected with competent teachers
under an improved and advanced system of
education. These are supplemented with
numerous private institutions of learning
governed and directed by ladies and gen
tlemen OF recognized ability, culture and re-
finement Palatial summer residences adorn
every piece of romantic woodland heights
or picturesque valley. Posoffices have been
es tabished at convenient distances TO every
household. Churches, of almost every de-
nomination, are found throughout the coun-
ty, the doors of which are opened every Sab
bath morning, and the word of God preached
with a degree of Christian lberalty that
tells us that all religions are beautiful that
teach us to be good people. A system Of tele
phonic communication has reached every
corner of the county, over which messages
OF business, love and nonsense are constant
" going Our public officials, selected by
the popular voice of the people, are very
generally men Of fitness, sobriety, industry
and energy and are consequently faithful
and efficient in the discharge of their re.
spective official duties. Our public roads,
for so many years by. word and reproach,
and even a serious barrier In the way of
every progressive step, under the wise, pru
dent and liberal surveillance Of our Boards of
County Commissioners have materially i'm
proved Substantial bridges have been con
structed where public necessities required
a new system Of drainage and working has
been adopted, and large portions of the roads
have and are being widened and macadam
lied, thus facilitating travel and the easy
of home produce to market.
That historic old ditch, the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal, for so many years the foot
ball Of politicians--often the road to their
political preferment and sometimes their
steals noiselessly along the no
less historic Potomac, affording cheap
mode of transportation to the farmers Of
arge and highly prosperous section of the
county. The Metropolitan Branch Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad passes through
much more thickly settled and equally
prosperous section, affording every facility
or travel and transportation The Court
House, the third, we believe, that has been
wilt since the formation of the county, is a
to the princely liberality of our
,eople, as II is an ornament 10 the county.
fire proof to Q great extent, 1t has ample
md well arranged accommodations for the
ouuty officials. The Aims House has been
realty enlarged and otherwise improved
or the more healthy and comfortable care
1 its inmates. The farm lands attached
ave reached high state of cultivation so as
D become source of revenue to the county.
To meet and facilitate the business Ell.