Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-15

1ITH the desire /, to motor
through historic Virginia,
M over roads unfrequented by
w automobilists. Ed B. Terry
and the writer last week
successfully negotiated the trip from
Washington to Colonial Beach, via Frede-
ricksburg. Va, after many varied expert
ences. The trip was made in Buick
roadster. The machine almost disappear
ed from sight in quicksand about five
miles north of Fredericksburg en- route.
but with the assistance of a native of
that section, who secured planks from
a nearby bridge, and after over an hours
labor the auto was finally extricated
from its perilous position and the jour
ney resumed
Having the external appearance of
mud turtles. the tourists finally reached
Fredericksburg at noon, where sup
ply of wearing apparel was purchased
and dinner enjoyed. The route laid out
was over the historic Telegraph road.
which, for the greater part, is of cordu-
roy and sand. and in many places was
found to be in an almost impossible con-
dition. At times there was mo thorough
fare" and 1t was a case of straddle' the
zullies and ruts, which had been wash
ed by the water Quite often each Of the
four wheels of the machine were on diff
ferent levels.
This is the same route which was ira
versed by the pathfinders of the New
York Herald and Atlanta Journal in
search of a suitable route for an en-
durance run this fall, but was abandoned
because of the wretched condition of the
road. AS a further evidence of the lack
of good roads, oxen are used very ex-
tensively for hauling The loads in most
instances were noticed to be small, and
when horses were used four We're re-
quired where one could render the same
service under normal conditions. IL
portion of the money spent for hauling
were expended in the improvement of the
roads. II is believed. it would be a good
investment.
The worst of the road was found be-
tween Dumfries and Fredericksburg. Be
tween the latter place and Colonial Beach
a slight improvement in the road was
noticeable, although numerous mud holes
at short intervals retarded any attempt to
make speed. No speed traps are neces-
Sary in this section of the country. as
il is impossible TO break any speed laws
there may be- At least none was broken
on the trip. A pleasing feature of the
drive was the warm hospitality extend
ed by the citizens of the Old Dominion.
This was especially true at Fredericks
burg. where much surprise was ranl-
tested by the residents when Informed
that the trip was made over the Tele-
graph road and that the machine had
forded Potomac creek, between Stafford
Courthouse and Falmouth. The auto
proved TO he quite a curiosity along the
route, many of the natives never having
seen one before The courtesy extended
on the road by drivers of teams is also
deserving of mention. While the trip as
a whole has many attractive features,
advice 10 the tourist is that unless fully
prepared for all emergencies, and unless
ne has the greatest confidence in his
machine, lie had better not attempt it,
The start of the long Journey was
made last Saturday morning. while the
sun was peeping over the hills of the city
and the hands on the City Post Office
clock were pointing to 5. Leaving Wash
ington over the new Highway bridge,
the only good stretch Of road was left
behind. Almost Immediately after land
Ing on Virginia soil the bad roads were
encountered and continued to harass
throughout the trip with few exceptions
Instead OF continuing parallel to the
railroad tracks a slight detour was made
to the right on Columbia avenue through
the brickyard section. until the junction
with MI vernon was reached when a
turn TO the left was made in the direc-
ton of Alexandria. This road was in
good condition and fairly good time was
MADE on the run. On the outskirts OF
Alexandra a southerly course was taken
leading directly into the famous Tele-
graph road.
Hunting Creek was crossed Is miles
from Alexandria. A good dirt road takes
up from the bridge at this point and
leads through pretty section of country
The atmosphere was clear and cool, which
proved fnvigorating and made riding en-
joyable during the early hours of the
morning The telegraph poles were fol-
lowed 1.6 miles. when turn was made
TO the right and a smaller line Of poles
followed. just before reaching Pohick the
wires branch from the road, through a
corn field TO the right. The road was
followed 10 Pohick Church. at which
for Lorton. a mile distant on the Alex.
endria and Fredericksburg railroad The
little village of Pohick is about twenty
miles from Washington.
Crossing the railroad track the road
was followed straight ahead and the first
OF Virginia's corduroys came into view.
From then until Fredericksburg was
reached trouble and rough travelling was
our lot. The road is constructed of pine
saplingS, placed side by side with a
sprinkling of dirt here and there. to helm
nil up the gaps. In some places the
corduroy road was In fairly good con-
dition. but even at that il was impossible
10 make any speed whatever. owing to the
constant bouncing of the car due to the
rough roadbed.
The further south we Travelled the worse
the corduroy roads were found TO be-
The stretches of corduroy extended for
miles and miles while every few yards
chine to drop sometimes a distance OF