Evening star., 1909-08-29

the road to the autoist, but they object
| to reckless driving and especially when a
warning to stop" is unheeded. The road
| for the greater part Of the way is COM
posed of snake-like turns. and often it is
| impossible on the narrow. sandy road to
see a few feet ahead, owing to the heavy
| overgrowth For this reason cautious
driving is urged when such points are
reached.
y
There are numerous roads along the
route which eventually turn into Bene-
dict but the shortest and most direct
route was taken on the trip last Sunday.
The departure from the city was made
via 11th street southeast over the new
Anacostia bridge. and after crossing the
bridge turned left on Nichols avenue to
Good Hope road, which is a macadam-
oiled road .or considerable distance.
After going l3 miles from the bridge we
turned right at the top of the hill and
short distance further on fork loomed
into view. The left fork. which is known
as the Walker road, was taken. and on
arrival at Silver Hill. 81 miles. proceed
ed by the right fork Silver Hill is 6o
from Silver IIill we kept to the left road
to Reds Correr. Both roads lead to the
same place, bat the left road is the short
est and most direct route. The road is
|
the going slow. When a point IL miles
from Silver Hill was reached we kept
straight ahead to Reds Corner. 1912 miles
from Washington. The little village of
a long red building which Immediately at
tracts the eye.
Continuing straight ahead the road i'm
proves slightly. The small amount Of
sand interferes but little and riding is
smooth and enjoyable Numerous fords
are encountered en- route. none of which.
however, are Of any depth to speak of.
but are beneficial to the tires in cooling
them off in hot weather. After motoring
a short distance the historic town of Sur
rattsville was reached. The name has since
been changed to Clinton. John Surratt,
whose wife was executed July z. 1865, in
connection with the assassination of
President Lincoln, was one of the pioneer
| residents of the town which up to few
years ago bore his name. Shortly after
his marriage in 1885 he bought farm in
Prince George county, on which he es-
tablished the tavern known as Sur
rats" and was afterward appointed
postmaster at that point. but he being
an uneducated man the duties of the of
flee devolved upon his wife. He died
three years previous to President Lin
coins assassination, and soon after his
Washington, where she opened a board
ing house on II street, which house later
became notorious as the scene where
was concocted the plan TO assasslnate
President Lincoln. Mrs. Surratt rented
the tavern for $500 per annum when she
came to this city.
After leaving Surrattsville, which Is
thirteen miles from the National Capital,
the straight road was followed, and about
a half mile farther on a side road came
into view, but we continued along down
the pike The roads were well supplied
with curves most of which were SO COM
pletely cut off by the trees and heavy
foliage that it was necessary to proceed
slowly and cautiously. The autoists would
extend thanks to the county If portion
| of the leaves were removed and the view
unobstr,,cted. About As miles out from
! Surrattsvile the left turn was taken, and
after travelling another half mile we
reached the town of Tee Bee. eighteen
miles from the city. By keeping straight
ahead the road brought us into Brandy
| wine a town of good size proportion. on
| the Pope Creek branch of the Potomac,
Baltimore and Washington railroad, and
about half way between Washington and
| Benedict. Crossing over the railroad
| tracks we continued In southeasterly
direction, passing through a burg con-
| tanning a blacksmith shop, several barns
and store. called Palmberry, otherwise