Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1913-07-25

WEEK IA Tue AaAtEI flNIth INtUNNtl AuU
located new highway which Is in the
course Of construction aud which will
eventually connect that section OF the
state with the National Capital
The objective point o. the trip was
Rock Point, Md. The writer having re-
ceived numerous requests for informa-
ton as to how to reach this place,
which, by the way, is an ideal fishing
ground, decided TO blaze the trail and
secure all the necessary road date, mil
cage, ETC., and look into the matter Of
accommodations for the visitors Meth
er Of us had been any farther south
than Cox's station. Just below La
Plata. Nd, so that from that to our
destination was purely and simply a
pathfnding trip, which later proved to
be novei and interesting one. All
preparations we're made for the trip
even 70 sleeping out over night along
the roadside, If found necessary.
While the rays Of the sun were peace
fully beating down upon the streets Of
the national Capital last Saturday
afternoon about 4.30 o'clock we jump
ed abonrd the machine at The Star
building, and headed In southeastern
direction. Out Pennsylvania avenue
we motored, passing the Capital and
Congressional Library en- route. and
over the Anacostia bridge, At the other
end Of the bridge we turned sharply Ia
the left over Good Hope Road. At the
top is located the little Village OF Coed
hope. Turning sharply to the right,
the route was via Walker road, taking
the left fork at its connection with
I A -. ..
er on we passed through another small
settlement. Silver Hill, 0,S miles from
Washington.
Taking the right fork here. the same
road was followed, and at rs miles we
turned 70 the left over the oiled state
road. At this point, on the right side
II the road, is located an old frame
house In clump Of trees, which can
be used as a landmark. This highway
was followed for some distance. passing
through Camp Springs at 10 l miles
md at Clinton Post Office at Il 9milcs.
This place is probably better known as
Surrattsyille. as il was here that Mrs.
Surratt lived prior to her removal to
Washington, where she was later oon-
victed and executed in connection with
the conspiracy and assassination OF
President Lincoln. The homestead is
still in excellent condition and oecup Is
commanding position on the left side
Of the road The village has tevcr
been recognized BY that name, b ~
ever, by the Post Office Departni' ~,
and for that reason the official title Is
Clinton Post Office.
1t was Just as we were plotting our
way through the rough stretch in the
vicinity Of r b. that we happened 70
meet President Wilson and party and
his secret service men in the two White
House Pieree-Arrow cars. The ruts in
the road were several inches deep and
the easiest manner Of negotiating this
section Of the road was to follow the
ruts Only one path was cut and as we
irew nearer and nearer to the presi-
dental party we discovered that the
two big machines were standing still in
the same path in which we were a2-
preaching. Stopping within short
distance of the first car--both cars being
in single iile--we pulled out OF the eep
ruts after some effort, when President
Wilson and his party proceeded on to
Washington. II was about 9 O'Clock
when we met them, the distance being
eighteen miles from the National Capt.
tai. President Wilson occupied the
front seat alongside Of the driver in
the first car and seemed TO be thorough
| ly enjoying the trip, He acknowledged
our salutes and smiled as his car pulled
by us and proceeded on its way
On arriving at T. B. we turned TO the
right, passing the post office on the
right side Of the road, and headed for
La Plata. T.. B. is 17.9 miles from
Washington. The rough stretch at this
place is due to the Improvement Of the
road which is now nnder way. The
roadway has heen widened to a consid-
cradle distance and graded After
motoring two miles we left the dirt
road which runs south OF t. B. and
took up with the oiled road which ex-
tends to La Plata This road is receiv-
ing fresh top dressing Of oil and when
the work is completed will prove a
great addition to the highway. Last
week about three miles of the oiling
had been finished.
| This splendid roadway extends the en-
| tire distance to La Plata, passing
through Mattawcman, % miles from
| Washington, and Waldorf, % S miles,
en- route to La Plata. The speed limit
Of La Plata is designated on sigu posts
on the outskirts Of the town at ten miles
| per hour, which should be strictly OBJ
served. We arrived at La Plata, 30
miles from Washington, at 6:45, after
delightful drive from Washington.
No attempt was made to break any
speed records. We motored along at
steady gait, without any accidents to
NJ. III
point We stopped for supper and
after enjoying the fried chicken. Mary
land style, resumed our journey sou b.
ward at 100 O'Clock the same evening.
l. was our original intention to spend
the night here and make an early start
Sunday morning for Rock Point. but
conditions being favorable, we changed
our plans, and after securing some IT,
formation regarding the country soulh
Of this place decided to shove on.
Passing in front OF the hotel aud
turning sharply to the left, our rout,
lay over the ordinary country road
winding through a rolling country.
with well shaded groves on either side
Our next stop was at Cox S station, rll-
minating all crossroads and forks, and
keeping straight aheaa and following
the telephone wires. a distance OF about
\ 4.S miles from La Plata. At this place
we turned to the right and followed
fairly good gravel road to a point 37.5
miles from the starting point, where We
took the left fork. The right fork
ieads to Chapel Point, Md At Cox's
station we left the telephone wires and
going a short distance from the fork
referred to above picked hem mp agai
and never lost track Of them from that
time on until we arrived at Rock Point
This is a good point to remember. as {
is the only line which follows the high
way.
just after picking up the wires we
found ourselves travelling alongside q
the Popeis creek branch OF the Penn
syivauia railroad. We crossed the
railroad at Lotbair, 80 l miles from
Washington. Following the wires once
more, we continued straight ahead to
Newburg. At 39.5 We took the right
fork at the small frame store IL was