Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-03-26
On the Patuxeht River, Md.
March 18th. 1909.
Dear Sentinel :

Dear Sentinel:
don't know what | would do If did
not get look at you every week. You
tell me all about the doings up in Old
Montgomery county, which is so dear to
me of old friends.
Down here, with historic st. Marys
county on one side and Calvert on the
other, separated by the Patuxent River
that winds its way down from the upper
border of your county, is truly n lovely
country On either side fine dwellings
farms well kept, fertile fields are to be
| seen. The waters are filled with craft Of
all descriptions. The oyster dredgers and
tongers, who mostly exist by the products
from the Chesapeake Bay and rivers. are
seen daily plying their vocation, all happy
and cOntented, yet there is vacuum. How
does one get away from here to his home
if he lives at Norfork, Va, or near Wash
ington, d. C. The nearest railroad Is at
Mechanicsville, St. Mary's county, thirty
miles up the Patuxent River or ten miles
out in the country, or he takes a steamer
that is scheduled to make three trips per
week-perhaps it does or perhaps 1t does
not. This steamer is owned by the Penn
sylvania Railroad Co., which charges ex-
orbitant prices for freight or passage,
its patrons having to wait for hours on a
pier in the cold or inclement weather with
no shelter. unless generous agent opens
up little shack with no fire or other
comforts, the coming Of the steamer
that may come tomorrow after an all
nights suffering and anxiety. This steamer
makes the trip to and from Baltimore via
the bay and rivers.
rnsIrnuAp haua haaF, laid off IN
within few miles of the mouth of the
Patuxent River and some work has been
done to Drum Point lighthouse, one of the
finest and safest harbOrs in the East.
SOl0mOn's Island is embraced in this local
ity, where the great Dry Dock Dewey. that
was sent to the Philippine Islands, was
finished and tested before its perilous but
successful Journey more than half around
the world The lands here are easily i'm
proved and cheap. The people are of the
old Maryland kind-the latch to their homes
on the outside Oysters crabs. clans, fish,
diamond back tanapin and water fowls
abound of the finest quality. So the living
is consequently cheap. S0l0mon's Island
contains about 900 people, Methodist, a
Catholic and an Episcopal Church. up
to-date merchants with stock for any need
bank, marine hospital shipyard, post
office and, in fact. most any want can be
satisfied except the getting to market, &c,
which is a slow and roundabout way. II
is said there is never time but that
vessels of the largest tonnage could load
here without fear from ice or other OBJ
strIctiOns to commerce, so this may be the
ereat obstacle to getting travelling facilities
which might divert much trade from Bal
timore and other further inland cities
forgot to mention there are several
fraternal societies, among them Masonic,
Odd Fellows, X. Of p, F0resters and other
LODGES. The climate is mild and healthful,
and few mosquitoes and no malaria. But
better roads are needed. Stone is scarce,
30 Gravel or other material would have to
be used to improve them. There is some
good timber.
Now, dear Sentinel, don't generally COM
plain, but | am located within so or go
miles Of Montgomery county and am OBJ
lieed TO 90 TO Baltimore--fare 81. state
room 81, supper so cents and breakfast so
cents-to get home from. Baltimore 81
total SIS. Round trip saves $1.76, or total
round trip 1925 to get, say. so miles and
back. II railroad extended through St
Marys county in a straight line about ~
miles from where its present terminus is
can see no reason why this part Of Mary
land would not be one Of the garden spots
| of the State-a summer home for many
who would escape the heat Of the city and
hum Of city business at such a small cost
| and secure a rest within true sense OF II,
meaning and profit thereby.
| MoaTcoMERY.