Evening star., 1913-04-06

of sediment found in the first half of the
distributing reservoir. two miles below
Near this point is the Little Falls OF the
Potomac, the proposed site for an i'm
mense dam to furnish the additional wa
ter supply which will be needed for the
city in the near future and to provide
power to manufacture electric light for
government purposes
Proceeding westward interesting points
are the Speedway Club house. which COM
mands a magnificent view up and across
the river: the Sycamore Island Club. the
Mohican Club. which boasts large and
attractive stone building: Glen Echo
Amusement Park. the residence of Mr..
Joseph Letter across the river, hand
some country home with large acreage
converted into a private park; the resi-
dence of the late Clara Barton. who was
known the world over the founder OF
the Red Cross: the new golf links of the
Bannockburn Club and ihe famous stone
bridge.
Upon leaving the car there are num-
ber of different routes which will prove
interesting. The shaded retreat from the
big stone bridge up Cabin John run is the
most enticing There is graded trail
or pathway along the serpentine course
of the creek bending around the knobs
and over elevations. and running through
the small ravines TO fit the contour or the
land for a long distance; and this strip OF
forest contains some superb natural seen
cry. even more fascinating than that
through Rock Creek Park.
The bed of the creek is covered almost
the entire distance with small and large
stones and in many places they form
miniature waterfalls that fill the forest
continually with the enchanting sound OF
running water. BY way OF pleasing va
riety will be found few rugged places
with large powders overhanging the
strea M the rocks completely covered with
a magnificent growth Of native ferns OF
different varieties.
This whole section of the forest affords
one OF the very best opportunities 10
study botany. Specimens of almost all
kinds of trees can be found here and this
point should be noted by teachers VINO
take their classes in the field for Illus
trated work. The scientists in the bu-
reau of plant industry of the Department
of Agriculture appreciate these facts ana
are often found in this section for prac-
tical illustration Or demonstration or the
departme theories about plants.
Another profitable study can be made
here-that OF birds. There are many and
various kinds of birds and Audubon So
cietfes could spend their '.outing days to
advantage on Cabin John run. There is a
winding trail through the trees, vines and
tangleWood for about a mile and a half,
along which can be found many interest
ing families OF birds.
The large strip Of virgin woodland
which covers the south sloped highlands
starting in at and extending for some dls-
tance from the junction of the Macadam
road with the Conduit road. about one
mile west of Cabin John bridge-forms an
interesting territory for summer tramp
ing There one can find and follow GER
Ll;- lie xtyhSD SDb
been used a little from time TO time since
the Indians controlled this section as
favorite rendezvous.
The large hill just beyond No. ; bridge
on the Conduit road commands mag
nificent view up and down the Potomac
1t extends back for some distance; then
a large plateau spreads out in Maryland
to the north, while the Virginia hills form
a near boundary line on the south Ac-
cording to the geological survey this point
Is the highest in this section, nearly 300
feet above sea level This is locaily
known as Indian HILL 1t is said that
the resident Indians used this point as
their observation tower in time of conflict
with other tribes and when they Wlshed
to resist the approach Of the white man.
"Braddock Hill' is nearby on the east
and fills the angles between the two high-
ways mentioned. 1t was in this wooded
section, some fifty years ago. that the
owner OF the property at that time found
a military belt plate or buckle and two
old flint gun locks. which led to the
theory that at least the locks We're from
guns carried by Gen. Braddocks men
while he was campaigning for England
against .i t. the French forces and the un-
friendly American Indians. The belt
plate is clliptical in shape, about two by
three inches. the base Of which is lead
and covered by brass plating. Large,
raised letters ". NJ. NJ" show plainly
and are presumed to mean Virginia min
ute men.
The gun locks are of a very ancient
flint pattern. we'll made and fairly well
preserved. Gunsmiths and others VINO
have made study of military ordnance
used prior to the revolutionary war are
of the opinion that these locks arc OF an
English make. hence the theory tnat
these articles were on e used by the Vlr-
sinia and English soldiers when they
ioined forces to subdue the unfriendly
Indians and drive the French away from
the English colonies in America.
x
About the time Capt. John Smith made
his trip up the Potomac river the tribe
of Indians in power over the region north
of the river had a quarry shop for manu-
featuring arrow heads and axes and held
their council meetings in the section be-
yond Ca bin John bridge and north of the
present location of the seven locks. At
one time there was quite a village here,
and on account Of the prominence Of this
section for assemblies Of the different
tribes for war dances and festive occa-
sions, large numbers OF arrow heads and
other simple articles for war and domes-
tic purposes were scattered and left be-
hind when civilization forced the red
man away.
DR.. Thomas Bowling Of this city gath