Evening star., 1909-08-29

enjoyed down the Patuxent river to the
old homestead of the late Col John II.
Sothorn. erected over 200 years ago and
one of the many historic points of interest
to visitors in that section of lower Mary
land The home and grounds resemble to a
marked degree the home and grounds
Of George Washington at Mount Vernon.
tuxent river, prior to landing at Benerict,
opened fire on the old mansion, to assure
themselves that there would be no re-
sistance whereby a landing would be
prevented. The shots riddled the hand
carved woodwork on the walls in the
interior, which were later removed and
placed in the cellar of the house. The
place is called THE Plains and was
seized by the Federals during the civil
war and held for six years. 1t was taken
during President Lincoln's term and re-
turned to the family when President
johnson went into office. The grounds
surrounding the home covers 1900 acres,
a large portion of which Is in tobacco
purposes. The house occupies COM
manding position ON the banks of the
river, with beautiful green, we'll shaded
lawns. The building Is in it's natural
state of preservation and very fascinating.
Col Sothorn's four daughters and son are
now living. the latter residing in Balti-
mora and the four sisters occupying the
home. Maj. James sIothorn, greatgreat-
grandfather, fought in the war of 1872.
During the civil war the soldiers destroy
ed large quantity of tobacco stored in
the barns and a claim for damage is still
pending against the Federal government
at the present time.
Responses from governors of twenty-five
states and the mayors of scores of cities
have been received by the national con-
vention committee of the second annual
good roads convention, to be held at
Cleveland. Ohio September 81, % and %.
In many cases these officials have named
their official delegates. and, judging from
the interest that the purposes of the con-
vention have aroused in all parts of the
country, the coming meeting will not only
be the largest OF its kind ever held in
America. but is certain to be productive
of far-reaching results in the national
good roads movement 1t is a significant
fact that among the favorable responses
southern and far western states are par
ticularly well represented There has
been a gradually increasing interest in
favor of good roads throughout the
south during the past year, and this
sentiment has been clearly reflected in
the replies received from many governors
and other officials.
y
c. c. Hildebrand and E. c. Gordan,
after spending few days in this city re-
| turned last week in a six-cylinder model
Y Stevens-Duryea touring car for Rich
mond. Va. The route was via the Shen-
| andoah valley.
| During the past week the new 1910 mod
| els of the Chalmers-Detroit and model x
| Stevens-Duryea touring cars were re-
ceived and placed on exhibition.
X
s. j. Venable of this city has purchased
a new Cameron touring car. The car win
seat five passengers and is fully equipped
for touring.
The entry into the automobile field OF
| implement houses and similar concerns
dealing chiefly with farmers. which is
now taking place, is one Of the many
| signs which show that the motor vehicle
| is being taken seriously as q companion.
and ultimately a supplanter. OF the horse
drawn buggy, which, ts used 80 extensively
by the farmer.
The holding Of the fiag-to-nag endur-
ance- and reliability contest from Denver