The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-08-27
To the Editor of The Republican.

To the Editor of The Republican.
Another ride oyer the Old Nationa
Road
For many years past it has been my
habit to make journey over the ole
National Road accurately speaking
Cumberland Road to the mountains
of Garrett county in the sum- sea
son when its my attractions are al
their very best. This time, little
late, sta. ted on the first day of the
month. Self and company took the
trolley line at the Cumberland Mar
rows, which follows the old pike
mostly on the left side without inter
ferring or obstructing it in any way
The bed of the old highway is now in
a better condition for practical use
than it has been for many years. The
transit over the trolley line is quite
pleasant and even speedy. Frost.
burg, the end of the line, was reached
in less than one hour, notwithstand.
ing the many stoppages for passen.
gers, which was quite sufficient fo1
the room afforded.
| noticed the old familiar iron mile
posts with one of their two sides fac
ing west and the other east, indicat-
ing in figures the distances between
places along the road beginning at
Wheeling and ending at the corner of
Baltimore and North Mechanic screets
in Cumberland-131 miles between
the two places. These monuments
were placed about the year 1888 or "a,
when the matchmaking of the road
was finished. Some of them have
been broken or pulled down, but a
majority are still standing and in fair
preservation. All the old hotels on
the line within the limits of Maryland
have disappeared as such except two
in Grantsville. The fine stone man
sion-once a hotel-the property "a
Mr.. ID. F. Kuykendall and his respect
ed wife, at the Little Meadows, is in
fine condition and possesses many at
Traction (, not only to the popular
owners but to many othels.
AT Frostburg we were met by a
commodious conveyance in which we
at once took passage for the end of
our ride, fifteen miles distant, at
Hunters Art" one of the most COM
Portable and pleasant places il the
neighborhood, the seat of Mr.. Ross
Compton and his three married chill
dren, all in separate, comfortable and
well appointed houses. Found but
little that was new, as the place was
one, many times before seen and en-
ioyed.
The old National road was found
to be il pretty fai" condition consid-
ering the small expenditures thereon
in years past. At some places it was
rough from loose and projecting
stones. There are at present but few
dwellings along the road from Frost
Jul w Vic lJlUlIt mtdIOWE. NOUilILS
like in the times when the pike was
at its best with the many stages, six
horse teams and heavy wagons and
other travel and TT" ffic too much to
specify.
The crops the Northern part of
the county as whole are at least up
to an average. The wheat and rye
crops were fai" md were harvested
and put away in good order. The
hay crop was exec" ent, but mucl, diff
ticultv and delay were met in curing
and putting it away on account of
almost day rains aid urfavorable
weather, but still the crop was but
slightly damaged and wi" be profita-
BILE to the farmers.
The oat crop standing was very fine
and of large acreage By the time of
this writing it will lie put away in the
barns or stacked and soon ready for
the macl ne.
The potato crop does not promise
Wei so far. Indications of rot appear
in places, still the results will not be
known until later
The pasture is very fine eveiy-
where; even in the woods-a fine milk
and butter season. l saw single
. COW that yielded forty-five pounds of
sogz in one day of two milkings. The
butter is IN, fly being packed away
- stone jars for marked the coming
fall.
The fruit crop is almost a total fail
ure-only few apples in certain
places; no peaches or plums not very
many berries.
The nut crop is not promising. The
chestnut trees haYe not many burrs.
Acorns, the pigs favorite fall food, are
not plentiful. When plenty they are
quite helpful to the pork yield, and
chestnuts in agood see son bring quite