The Washington times., 1902-09-07
Cherokee Training School, Cherokee, NC.
GREAT AMERICAN HIGHWAY TROD
BY MANY MILLIONS OF EMIGRANTS

tury to the Mississippi Valley. Freight
and passengers were conveyed in Con-
!. estoga wagons with great white canvas
tops. and immense, slow-moving wheels.
They were usually drawn by six stout
horses, and could carry heavy load.
The drivers of these teams were called
"turnpikers." or pike boys" and Q
hardy, good-natured class they were.
The wagon beds were long and deep, and
painted in gay colors. while bells were
fastened to many Of the teams and the
tinkling could be heard long before they
came in sight
| Stage coaches were also a favorite
means of conveyance. These were run
| in trains, and the business was kept
| in close corporation. They had no
| springs. and but one door, but as time
| passed there were some improvements
in their makeup. The fare between Cum
berland and Wheeling was s. or IS, and
two days were required to make the trip.
These old coaches had queer names,
of which, however, they were very proud
There were the Good INTENT Land
lords Line" pilot Line and others
equally odd. Mail coaches and other
fast coaches were run in relays. horses
were changed every few miles, and pos
tillions stationed at the foot of hills to
help the coaches up the ascent. Great
was the rivalry between them.
The pony express originated on the old
pike road In the year 1896. 1t was
thought that a single horse with boy
could greatly reduce the time between
stations. Relays were placed at inter-
walls OF every six miles, and express
riders carried horns to blow as they
neared the towns. The fame of the Old
stage coach will never be forgotten
Many great men travelled over the road
by this primitive method. Monroe. John
Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson. Harri-
son and Taylor were but few among
the many. while Henry Clay. John c.
Calhoun and the eloquent Tom Corwtn
were favorite guests at all the wayside
taverns.
Oh, those old taverns of the national
road Many private letters are now in
possession Of families who ought to give
their contents to the world. They are
full of anecdotes, of lively stories and
startling adventures. all happening on
this old highway. Nearly all the men
who were prominent in the public affairs
of those days had some story to tell Of
the old stage coach and the old tavern.
Some Of these quaint old inns still linger
along the road. An Ohio poet gives a
vivid pen picture Of the ancient roadside
tavern:
1t stands all alone like goblin in gray
That old-fashioned inn OF pioneer day,
Its glories vanished. and only the ghost
OF signboard now creaks on its desolate post.
Recalling time when all hearts were akin.
As they rested a. night in that old-fashioned
inn
It was in just such a tavern as these
tina. the Little Giant Of Illinois met q
slender young man and won his undying
devotion by the bewitching flavor Of his
have heard John NJ. Pal
mer describe the scene and comment
upon the happy fate that brought him
under the influence of Stephen A. Doug
las in an old-fashioned roadside inn.
Around these taverns of the old pike
centered the interest of the community.
For the weary traveller. exposed to the
springless seats of the coach and the
biting winter winds. nothing could equal
the indoor comfort
The hospitable doors were open thrown.
The bright wood FIRE burned eheerily in The
hall,
And. gathering in. a busy hum made known
The spirit OF good cheer that moved them ALL
And there the old-time farmers scanned the
news.
N'd Whlle their pipes lulling smoke dhuse.
They look important from their hickory chairs
And gravey ponder on the nations cares.
In the iow-ceilinged rooms were the
the fiddlers the story-tellers,
he loafers. and the gentlemen-atl Large.
Oh. what stories have | heard. of the
Wit and merriment. the epigrams, the
songs, the jokes, and riddles that first
ound vent in those taverns OF the old
Government IN
ling was great accomplishment: not.
rs IN these degenerate times. left to
weak girls and weaker boys. Teachers
iddled. statesmen fiddled and preachers
iddled. The father of all the Beecher
ribe was notorious drawer OF the
BOW. and the gallant Henry Clay could
,ddle his way right into the hearts land
'otesl of all his constituents. Their
Everybody danced. the story-teller was
n mis- element. and all mankind was
rec and even before the blazing tavern
ire.
The tavern keepers we're q remark
Ible class of men. usually freeholders
md OF influence In politics and church.
They had no bills of fare. but all the
ood was good and appetizing and very
empting to the imaginations of thosa
vho listen TO the stories of their feasts.
'efore the adyent of steam these ola
a'erns were ueilghtful places 10 ENJOY
omtort as one whiled away the time
The old national road is now but
lately ruin, but once it served the pur-
'ose well and was the pride of its day
nd generation. 1 love to cherish its :
memory. | love to think that some
hronicler will arise to fitly tell the
tory OF those pioneer days. of the men 4
nd women who built snd enjoyed this
reatest of national turnpikes.-St.
.ouis Globe Democrat.