New-York tribune., 1909-09-05
Experiences on Road Near
E. II. Harriman's Home
A Few Close Shaves.
CHAPTER VIII

E. II. Hartman has spent a good many thousand
dollars near his home in the Ranapo Mountains.
more than enough satisfy for their
lives, in building some FIVE and one-half miles OF
road for the county in order that he may have
an old road for his private use. The old road runs
from Arden station, around the base of the noun
tain to the lower terminal OF the funicuar railroad
that climbs the hill TO Arden house. Mr. Harri-
man the land on both sides of the road. and
he plans close the old county road to public use
and make it one Of the private approaches TO his
estate. In order TO do this he built road
for the county. crossing TO the other side OF the
Erie tracks from arden station, and winding up
the opposite mountains
The road is a heavily ballasted macadam
pike. in places blasted of the sheer cliff.
While the grade is excellent one and carefully
chosen. on account Of the height to which the road
climbs in few miles there some rather steep
pitches. At the time, in order to avoid
many abrupt rises, the road has several curves,
and some Of them are sharp that the road
ahead cannot be seen for any distance the turns
are approached. Again, the road is often cut
out OF the cliff, there is a strong fence along al
most fits whole length But this fence is set at the
extreme edge OF the road, in some places almost
too far over with the result that at several points
there is appreciabie ditch between the road and
the fence.
The familiar hazard OF the automobilist is met
al many points this comparatively short stretch
the old tendency 10 hug the outside OF the curve.
when the rules Of the road give the outside to the
car going up only. A short time ago a heavy racing
roadster was climbing the hill at speed Of well
over forty miles hour, while big touring car
was coming down under brakes at just about the
same rate. The two approached a sharp turn at
the same time, and the driver going up, having the
right Of way, hugged the outside Of the curve
But the man coming down wanted a wide turn to
avoid skdding and he aIso-took the outside. At
that point the ditch between the road and the fence
is especially deep When not one hundred feet
apart each driver sighted the other roaring toward
him. The man in the roadster swerved toward
the fence. while the touring car sought safety py
the cliff
The right side OF the roadster dropped INTO the
ditch, and, trying to himself from a SPILL inc
driver spun the wheel TO the left turning So
suddenly that the skdded around square across
she road and turned turtle. throwing the ori'ei
INTO clump Of bushes twenty feet up the siue Vi
TIE mountain where he landed unhurt
The driver OF the touring car was unabie 10
make another and avoid the overturned car I'D
.he middle OF the road. The big machine. coming
IKE q steeplechaser at the water jump. s,ruch d
Jump IN the road 10 the jump but fhieefe'
s'ehtiy In It's stride, and, like foundereo hu'ef'
iahoed square the hurdle.
The man in the bushes picked himself up e@-
pec'ing 10 have join a first aid TO the injureo
party But he found the in the touring car
ennoing pick up his broken bones. Con-
s'atuiauons On the escape were so hearty that no
one minded having 10 tow the roadster back IT,
tuxedo for repairs before ii coSld continue ON It's
way TO Albany.
-A-1G