Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-28
HAGERSTOWN NEWS GRIST
HERMIT LIVING ON THE GET'TYs-
BURG BATTLEFIELD.
Improvements on tho Norfolk and
Western-TOwn of Clearspring
Needs Ministers.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

HAGERSTOWN, Md. December q, 1900.
Upon the battlefield Of Gettysburg, in a
remote and wild place, far from any habi-
tation, lives Frederick Thomas. a man sixty
years old. He has two or three pet chick
ems. we'll UP in years, the only other living
things near. Upon the death of his wife
years ago he determined to live the life of
recluse and has studiously kept his resolu-
ton. He bought small strip of woodland
in the center Of large grove about three
miles from Gettysburg. His first home was
a cave in the ground and small hut built
from trees which he cut on his land, but
about three years ago, with an incredible
amount Of labor and entirely unassisted, he
succeeded in building himself one-story
cabin Of logs. After completing his cabin
he dug a well. There he lives hale and
hearty, seeming to enjoy his lonely life,
and never seeking compromising being
content to be known by his acquaintance
Of early days as the battlefield hermit"
That the Pennsylvania railroad now has
hand in the management of the Norfolk
and Western which has its northern termi-
nus at Hagerstown, is evidenced in the
great increase of the volume Of business
now being done by the latter road. The
earnings, as given by the official reports,
show an increase for the first week in
December of S50,233, and for the second
week 500. 708, compared with the same
time last year. From July 1 the gain has
been 1898, 500. A large amount of money
has been expended in improvements in the
past few months. The old trestles on the
read have been removed in many places
and iron bridges substituted. The road has
been Strengthened new depOts erected and
old ones repaired. Much attention has
been given to the betterment Of the train
service, to the satisfa elton of number of
towns of Importance along its line and
from which there has been much complaint.
In fact the Norfolk and Western appears
to have taken on new life.
Officials Of the Philadelphia and Reading
have visited Bowmansdale. on the Phila
delphia. Harrisburg and Pittsburg branch,
to look over proposed changes in grades
between that point and Dillsburg and Me-
chanicsburg junction. The changes will
eliminate curves and enable the road to
cross the Dllsburg and Mechanicsburg
branch Of the Cumberland Valley overhead
instead Of al grade, as at present 1t is
stated that the work will be started at
once and pushed to completion, in order
that the heavy freight traffic passing in
both directions over this branch in con-
nection with the Western Maryland at Ha-
eerstown and the Baltimore and Ohio sys-
tenn at Cherry Run be promptly ham
died.
A large force of men are now and have
been since navigation closed at work on
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, making ex-
Iensive repairs and improvements. The
waterway is being deepened where needed,
and at lock 81 the sides of the aqueduct
are being torn out and built up new. The
lock Will also undergo repairs.
Clearspring lively and apparently pros
porous town Of this county, finds itself
without an active ministerial novel predlca-
ment for a town with several handsome
church edifices. Rev L. II. Jones and Rev.
G. H. knight have resigned their charges
and left the place. Rev. Graybill, retired
is the only minister remaining.
Rev. DR.. Samuel A. Martin. president OF
Wilson College, Chambersburs, and Miss
Augusta Kicker OF the faculty of the instl-
tuition We're married at the home of the
bride in KiTkwood, Mo, Wednesday after
noon last. Many prominent citizens OF
Kirkwood and elsewhere attended the cere-
monies.
Numbers Of fish, including bass, catfish
and suckers are being caught in dipnets in
the canal at State Section, below Williams
port.
Tuesday. the 25th, marked the close OF
the season in Washington county for pheas-
ants. quail and rabbits, and 1t Is no longer
lawful to shoot them. Wild turkeys ana
deer may be shot up to January II.
Mr. c. w. Nee. Cost has moved his fam
lily from Hagerstown to Washington, where
he Is member Of the Capitol police force
The following Neutrality-suspicious. are spend
ing the holidays in and near HagerstoWn:
Mr. and Mrs Charles Sickle, Miss Agnes
NJ Hawkin. Mr.. Solomon Troup. Miss Katie
Grady. Miss Minnie Mantz and Miss Alice