The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-01-02

were thus broken and strung along
in great rows on each side of the
road they were then spread evenly
over the whole bed by great horse
rakes, to the depth of about nine
inches. 1t can be imagined the
hardships heavily laden wagons
would experience in passing over
such a bottom of loose stones.
All sorts of strategics had to be
used to compel vehicles to pass
over these unpacked stones. No
doubt there was some old-time
swearing in these days by team
sters. However the road in time
became packed and solidifed, and
as smooth as some of the avenues
in Washington city.
It's grandest days were from
| about 1885 to I845 the finest road
in America, and in all probabili-
ties, the world, considering its
length, reaching from Baltimore
to St. Louis. None other in this
country had such a quantity of
travel and traffic. The number of
wagons, stage coaches, animals,
that passed over it daily when in
its finest condition, was almost
fabulous. In the busy seasons
there was perfect throng all day
long, and at night the many tav-
ems or inns would be overlooking
with Jolly crowds. These we're
flush times indeed. Money, such
as it then was, plenty, everybody
employed and happy.
The Baltimore and Ohio rail
road reached Cumberland from the
east in November, 1912, and there
it rested till 1883. In this eleven
years the famous pike was sub
stitute for the present railroad to
the Ohio river. Although the
traffic and travel that went over
the road was amazing and so it
was at that time. The many
warehouses in Cumberland, es-
pecially in the Spring, and of all
seasons would be fairly Choked
with freight for the West, brought
by the B. & O. road to be carried
over the Cumberland road in great
wagons. There were a number of
persons who made "wagoning" as
it was called, regular business,
with their four and six horse
teams. In the busy seasons there
were quite number of irregular
wagoners, who would make a trip
or two. They were called sharp
shooters. They were held in con-
tempt by the regulars. Some of
these teamsters were pretty rough
characters, especially when on the
road, but there were others who
were fairly good citizens at home.
Considerable drinking in those
times, altogether of whisky, at IS
cents a gallon, and 3 cents drink,
pure article of rye or corn. Not
one of these old wagoners are now
living.
No tolls were charged upon the
Cumberland road until the passage
of the act of the General Assembly
of Maryland, 1881, which author
lied two tollgates upon it in the
State, and also the appointment of
superintendent at a salary Of
$500. This was an Office much
sought and of considerable in
fluence, but it was dispensed with
many years ago, with the tollgate
system.
Staging SO called. just when it
commenced on the road, cannot
now be accurately given, but it
was about the year 1915. The
enterprise or business in the be-
ginning was very crude and imper-
feet. Stage coaches in those early
days were called turtle backs, on
account of the roof resembling that
reptile. They were uncomfortable
for travellers, but were about apace
with the times. Stages were run
ming between Cumberland and
Baltimore, some time before, ply
ing west of Cumberland. In after
years came the Troy, and Concord