The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-07-08
"reminiscences
OF OTHER DAYS
A Member of The Republican staff
Talks with Old Citizens.

Last Saturday member OF The Re
publican editorial staff enjoyed a very
interesting talk with Rev J. M. Davis
and Elk Senator Browning on events of
nearly half a century ago. These two
gentlemen were earnest advocates of
the creation of Garrett county and
made many speeches at different places
in what is now Garrett county.
The campaign was quite interesting
and its opponents earnestly contested
q the division of Allegany county. These
two gentlemen made trip together
about forty-three years ago to Friends
vile to advocate the formation of
Garrett county. They rode horseback.
At the meeting in the village had as
sembled the pioneers of that day to
hear the speakers discuss this impor-
tant question. These men of the will
derness were divided upon the question.
Speakers from Cumberland were in the
campaign, but the home folk champions
met them in debate, and when the vote
was counted their arguments had
brought victory for a new county. The
wisdom of the men of that hour is seen
and enjoyed today, in a prosperous.
growing county, populated by sturdy
industrious and loyal citizenship. The
back woods is being transformed into
beautiful, productive agricultural region
or1 C Il 20 h. H. r
people.
One day last week Rev. John NJ.
Davis and son Charles motored down to
Friendsville on business. At Friends
vile Charles hired horse and buggy
and drove over to the Umbe settlement.
He was very much impressed with the
wonderful improvement in that neigh
boroood; splendid homes, large barns,
signs of an abundant harvest and evil
dences of thrift everywhere.
At the hotel at FriendsviIle they had
new potatoes for dinner which were
raised in that vicinity. While Charles
was looking after interests near the
Pennsylvania line, Rev. Davis drove
over to Blooming Rose to see the new
Methodist church. recently erected, and
to renew scenes of former days. The
old church was the first meeting house
of the Methodists in Western Maryland.
In its cemetery rests the bodies of
many of the pioneers of Garrett county.
In his youthful days, the late venerable
DR.. Ison was pastor of that circuit,
known as the Grantsville circuit. Twas
at this place that Rev. Ison and his
bride passed their honeymoon, some
where about 1850
Since that day great changes have
taken place. The country around
Blooming Rose church has developed
into a magnificent, fertile farming sec
ton, occupied by well-to-do. happy
people, with cheerful homes and indi-
cations of prosperity.
Mr.. Davis also visited the old brick
= home which half century ago was
occupied by Father Hook, now owned
by the DiXons and met some old time
friends.
Mr.. Davis speaks of the abundant
indications of great harvest to be
gathered by the prosperous farmers of
the county passed through The farm
ers report an increased acreage over
former years, in all kinds of farm pro-
ducts and it was with delight that he
noticed the marvellous change in this
mountainous region in the half century.
The wilderness has been transformed
into most delightful and charming
homeland with churches and school
houses and happy homes.
1t had been forty three years since
Rev Davis had visited the village of
Friendsville. The change was a reve-
lation to him, consequently he is en-
thusiastic over the possibilities Of Gar
rett county.
During the trip the benefits Of the
Garrett county Board OF Trade and the
Fair were talked over. Mr.. Davis is
boosting Garrett county today.
Ex-senator Browning had had a talk
with MIR. Davis just before the writer
met him, hence was tull of reminescen-
ces of the early days The Senator re-
called many interesting events of the
Sang Run region.
About one hundred and twenty five
years ago Elijah Friends parents To-
Gated home at Sang Run and his de-
scendants occupy that home today.
The people of that locality had to 90
to Cumberland for physician in time
of sickness, a ride Of oyer one hundred
miles there and back
He spoke of the early store, so much
different from the stores of today. Of
the customs prevailing at that time.
The Senator spoke Of a conversation
between he and his brother wears ago.
in which the brother called the Sena-
tors attedtion to the fact that six
families in that region had seventy
two children. Today of this number
but one is living.