Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1911-02-18
CORRESPONDENTS.
The BraddOck Stone.
CUMBERLAND, Mp, February S, 1911

Mr. J. b. ODER,
Dear Sir-Ycu and some of your read
ers, no doubt, remember that several
years ago an entertainment was given i'll
Frostburg for the purpose of raising
fund to protect and preserve The Brad
dock Stone" and the sum of 800 was
turned over to Cresap Chapter, ID. A. r.
A once the question was raised-''had
this stone really any connection with
Braddock's campaign ~
SO it seemed wise to await light upon
the subject.
Two years ago Prof. Lacock and his
associates traced the route of Braddock'
march through its entire length, promis
ing to publish their report, which, how
ever. has so far not been done.
Meanwhile, | have had some cores
pondence with Prof. Lacock upon the
subj CT, and he writes
This stone stands on the outskirts of Frost
burg on the north side of the Midlothian
road.
In my judgment there is not the siightest
Justification for surprising that this stone
was erected by Braddock' s command
First. There was not a permanent settler
west of Cumberland at that time.
SecOnd. During the Revolution or shortly
afterward Captain Smyth is said to have had
an Inn Il Bridge at Big Crossings (Somer
tield) In order to exploit the advantages of
particular route leading to Big Crossings
he, doubtless. caused to be erected near
Frostburg this stone. The inscription itself
20 ms to Capt. Smyth's Inn Bridge
etc and the phrase-"The Best Road, etc,
scarcely need further argument to condemn
its having been erected by Braddock' s army.
Third, Braddock' $ second encampment
was east of Frostburg not west If there
tp no ODD a !
would be reasonable to SUI pose that it would
be at the place of encampment, but it is too
ridiculous almost to think about that such
stone would be erected by Gen. BraddoCk's
command.
FomrM 1t was really not until after the
Revolution that the various routes to the
Monongahela were crowded with immi-
grants pouring into the West. Stopping
places then became essential, and Capt.
Smyth. doubtless, sought to advertise what
he considered the best route for travellers as
we'll as for himself.
There is measure before the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution provid-
ing for petition to the Legislature of
each State through which the BraddOck
road passes, for an appropriation to make
the Braddock route a well-detined road
after which the various Chapters will
erect boulders to mark it.
A majority of the members of Cresap
Chapter favor reserving the 800 for eX
penditure in this way.
But we are open to suggestions, and
will be very glad, indeed, to have an eX-
preston of opinion from you and any
of your townspeople who are interested
in the subj ct. Very truly.
Mrs. B. S. RANDOLPH,
Hon. Regent of the Cresap Chapter
REPLY
FRosTBURG, MD, February O. 1911.
Mrs. b. S. RANDOLPH,
Hon. Regent Cresap Chapter, ID. A. r.,
Dear Nd1dm-Gour inquiry concerning
the "Braddock Stone" just received and
| hasten to reply.
[ have no doubt Prof. Lacock is in
dead earnest when he concludes that
the stone was dressed, lettered and
erected at some period between 1855 and
the Revolution, and that its office has
been that of Il milestone rather than a
memorial of the Braddock campaign.
During my early years here, however,
il was commonly stated by old people
that the stone stood originally on the
RraddOck road For some reason, prob
ably good, it was removed back from the
road to it's present location.
| do not, therefore. accept Prof. La
cocks Interpretation of the inscriptions
as final, for one conclusion is inevitable
the stone is monument, first of all. to the
patriotic determination of the people
who in those days believed they had ac-
ouired pre-emptory rights to civilized
possession of this territory. Hence,
"Our Country's Rights We Will De-
fend" could have been written with
quite as much force against the French
and Indians in 1865 as against the Brit
ish in 177j, or later. Other patriotic
American sentiments had been spoken,
written and printed for the current era.
| hnt this was chiseled i'll stone for all
ages.
letter indicate very decisively that the
inscriptions were not all PIT on By the
same person; certainty not at he same
time Our Country's Rights" etc,
monopolizing one side, was chiseled by
A soldier of Braddock's army and set up
ON the side of the new road lately sur
viewed by George Washington, and there
il stood until, both wars over, the pro-
n,oier interested in 1.-The tide which
westward made it's way" marred its
primal purpose by advertising-on me
rtLpr side, vever-the distances to
Port Cumberland, ""Capt. Smyth's Inn
and Bridge, Big Crossings" Not only
so Int this is THE Best Road to Red
Stone Old Fort. "
About this time some citizen or citl-