The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-02-13
He is A PIONEER OF
WESTERN MARYLAND.
Some Interesting Things Connected
With The Life of Rev. John n.
Davis

years of the NJ. F. Sunday school in
Oakland, THE REPUBLICAN gave a gen
eral outline of the work done by Rev.
Davis in his capacity as superintendent
and his connection with the church.
The following interview with Mr.. Davis
appeared in the Cumberland Times of
Monday and is reproduced in these
columns for the benefit of our readers:
Il think of this beautiful glade coun-
TRY in which we live as it was forty-six
years ago. when |, with my wife, took
up our abode on the Promised Land"
farm, near Oakland. Then this entire
region was grazing ground for cattle,
the native grass was abundant, flowers
of almost endless variety and delicate
hue attracted the eye.
During the summer season, herds of
cattle could be seen in every direction,
attracted by the facilities for grazing
on the native grass, and being dealer
in cattle was led to purchase land and
secure home on this mountain top.
During the summer Of 1859 herded 600
head of cattle on what is known as the
Harrington Greek Glade At that time
from l 200 to 2, 600 cattle were annually
pastured within the radius of ten miles;
deer were numerous, speckled trout
could be caught in almost any of the
streams. Farmers were few, and it
was thought to be useless to try to
raise wheat or corn. Oakland was a
very small village, having two stores
and depot.
"Of the many changes that have oc-
Cured during the past half century is
noticed in the value of things and the
cost Of labor. For instance, good
laboring man could be secured to work
on the farm for about 500 per month:
harvest hands, fifty cents per day; a
girl would spin wool into yarn at fifty
or seyenty-fve cents week. The
same low prices obtained in the price of
stock. A COW could be bought for So
or SO; sheep from 1925 to 81. so per
head; horses from $50 to $50; wheat and
corn, fifty cents per bushel: oats. eigh-
teen to twenty cents.
The modern conveniences were un-
known. For instances matches were
not manufactured, and fire was obtain
ed by the use Of flint and punk. or by
hooting powder into bunch of tow,
or by going to a neighbor's house and
carrying q chunk of fire to the home.
The writing was done with pen made
from a goose quill Envelopes were
unknown; sheet Of paper was folded
and sealed with wax, making the letter
ready for the mail, the postage on each
letter being three cents. Sand was
used to dry the ink instead of blotter.
Tallow candles supplied light for the
home and church Brooms were made
from young grown hickory and known
as split brooms. | made four Of these
brooms when boy and exchanged them
for a twenty-five cent pocket knife.
The introduction of cooking stoves was
perhaps during the year between 1870
and 1915. Prior TO this, our mothers
cooked in an open fireplace. Grain was
threshed or pounded out with a fail.
threshing machines being unknown.
Now the question will arise, how
did the people live? In some respects
better than they do now. The cost of
living was not so great. People ate
plain food, were very sociable, neigh
boris assisted each other in clearing
their lands, building their houses and
harvesting their crops. They really en-
joyed life. While not possessed of the
many Injuries that are to be had at the
present time, they had plenty of whole
some food, and consequently very little
trouble with Indigestion and insomnia,
about which we hear 50 much now.
People retired early and slept we'll
From 1910 to 1850 there was a steady
increase in values, and general pros
Pei III 1000 biICIG was a UlOHtN
panic which caused a hull in business,
and decrease in values. In 1852 the
3. & O. railroad was completed Prior
to that time the National road was the
only thoroughfare for Western Mary
land and Pennsylvania.
The Glades Hotel, owned by Mr..
John Daily, was very popular and for
many years crowded with guests during
the summer season. The patrons of
this hotel came from the East, West,
North and South. Among the noted
visitors were Jefferson Davis and wife.
Mr.. Daily was successful in the manage
ment of hotel In speaking with him
on this subject asked him the secret
of running hotel successfully. He
said in reply; Give people something
good to eat and plenty of it.
"Mr D. E. Offutt antidated me in a
business way in Oakland for years.
Mr.. Offutt is still active in a business
sense, although having been in business
for half century.
'Referrirm TO q few other Of the