The Washington times., 1907-08-11
Run to Harpers Ferry
Offers Automobiles
Ideal TWo-Day Outing
Roads Good, With Just Enough Hills to Make il
Interesting Beautiful Landscapes and
Famous BattlefieldS

To the automobllist seeking a good
day 8 tour one replete with many en-
ticing stretches Of road and scenery OF
surprising beauty. nothing better can
be suggested than trip to Harpers
Ferry. W. Va. via Frederick, Nd.
Many seasoned tourists claim this is
one of the most delightful automobile
trips in this section OF the country. The
distance each way is about seventy
three miles. and while the road trip
can be made in one day, the tourist
will ind il TO his advantage to remain
over night at Harpers Ferry, returning
home the next day. At this season Of
the year the roads Will be found In eN-
celent condition, although somewhat
marred by numerous thank you
MANS" These. so-called water breaks
seem 20 be peculiar 70 Maryland roads,
and drivers are compelled 10 use eau
ton in negotiating them 10 avoid drop
ping the tonueau passengers over the
back OF the car.
Continuous Interest.
To those who are strong on history
this tour cannot fail 10 arouse interest
fcr the route is through a country riCn
In historical events. Every schoolboy
remembers the part Frederick and Har-
pers Ferry played in the titanic strUs-
gle nearly half a century ago, and at
both places are many reminders Of the
civil war.
\ party OF Washington automobihsts.
most Of whom are members Of the Au-
tomobIle Club, recently made this de-
lightful and interesting trip. two days
being devoted 10 the tour The start
was made IN the morning from the
clubs spacious country home on the
BrightwOod road The caravan. as 1t
was styled. was composed Of a number
OF high-powered cars. together with 4
few small machines, and among the pas
seIgers were several ladies. whose
smart automobile costumes gave plenty
of color 10 the scene. The road was in
magnificent shape, the siXteen-mile
stretch 10 Olney being macadamized.
AS soon as the District boundary line
was passed the drivers sent the whir-
ring motors along at n most delightful
rate Of speed, while the passengers set
tied back 10 enjoy the enhancing
scenery.
The Washington Times representa-
tive was in the fOur-cylinder Buick
driven by J. A. NICHOLSON, and con-
tanning also w A. Copenhaven ard S.
\. Lutteral-
Many Toll Gates.
At Silver Spring, just beyond the
boundary line, the first toll gate was
encountered, and all along the road they
were found at frequent intervals. Toll
gates are ubiquitous In Maryland, and
they charge you pretty stiff rates. re-
marked one OF the tourists who has
Travelled all over the State. The toll
averages , cents a mile, but as the
roads over this route are for the most
part kept in excellent condition, little
objection is made TO paying the tax
Oniey. a quaint little village where the
macadam road ends, is always a stop
ping place for automobilists who wish to
fill the water tanks Of their cars Toll
keeper Bowie. who has been holding
down the JOB for more years than he
carcs to remember, always has pleas
ant word Cor tourists. and his little cot
tage by the roadside has sheltered many
an automobilists, while the old we'll
nearby has slaked the thirst of many
dusty travellers. COTdiality character
ICES the people of the section through
which the motor cars on this trip passed,
and salutati5ns like Let her 60" were
frequently given with a right good will.
Prejudice Dying Out.
The interest Of the public is keen in
the automobile. and the motorists soon
found out that many a farmer met
along the road no longer regards the
automobile as an interloper. OF course,
an occasional farmer will be met who
is inclined to be a road hog" and who
will delight in matchmaking the mo-
torists while he holds the road against
them.
To the credit Of these farming class
generally however Il can be said that
these fellows are not often encountered.
The farmers readily perceive that IT is
the autOmObilists who are awakening
unmistakable interest in road improve
ments. They know and are grateful for
the fact that more actual road improve
ment has been accomplished within the
past few years since automobiles have
appeared upon the scene in this country
than had been accomplished during the
preceding century.
Two Routes From Olney.
At Glnev the motorist has his choice
of two routes leading TO RidgeviIIe. The
one gener ally taken is by wav Of Lay
louisville, Etchison. and Damascus.
while the other is by way Of Unity and
EtChison. For the first route turn sharn
10 the LETT at Olney and keen the
straight -oad to LaytonsYiIle. 1t is A
dirt road from Olney to Ridgeville. ana
is generally in good shape. A hard rain.
however. will make it bad for several
days, as there is considerable hauling.
and the heavy farm wagons cut deep
gullies.
Maryland highways are infested with
innumerablc dogs and chickens. and
their persistence in getting in front Of
tho car causes the motorist to itch with
a desire 70 ruthlessly run them down.
This is not good form in automobile clr-
cles. however, and drivers always man
age 10 restrain themselves. In the
progress Of this particular tour moro
than one car was brought to a stand
still by an obstinate COW that refused
the right Of way, and would not bulge
until gently bumped
In due course Of time Ridgeville Is !
reached and stop is always made TO |