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diff --git a/41799.txt b/41799.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4c24a0f..0000000 --- a/41799.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,19207 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Old Pike, by Thomas B. Searight - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Old Pike - A History of the National Road, with Incidents, Accidents, - and Anecdotes thereon - -Author: Thomas B. Searight - -Release Date: January 7, 2013 [EBook #41799] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OLD PIKE *** - - - - -Produced by KD Weeks, Odessa Paige Turner and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -book was produced from scanned images of public domain -material from the Google Print project.) - - - - - -Transcriber's Note - -There were a number of spelling and typographical errors in the original -text. The handling of each one is noted in the transcriber's note -at the end of this text. Footnotes have been located at the end of the -paragraphs where they appear. The underscore character indicates where -the original is in _italics_. - - - - -[Illustration: Yours truly - T B. Searight] - - - - - THE OLD PIKE. - - A HISTORY OF - - THE NATIONAL ROAD, - - WITH - - INCIDENTS, ACCIDENTS, AND ANECDOTES - THEREON. - - ILLUSTRATED. - - BY - - THOMAS B. SEARIGHT. - - UNIONTOWN, PA: - PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. - 1894. - - COPYRIGHT, 1894, BY T. B. SEARIGHT. - - PRESSES OF - M. CULLATON & CO., - RICHMOND, IND. - - - - - LETTER FROM JAMES G. BLAINE. - - STANWOOD, BAR HARBOR, MAINE. } - September 8th, 1892. } - -HON. T. B. SEARIGHT, - UNIONTOWN, PA. - -MY DEAR FRIEND:-- - -I have received the sketches of the "Old Pike" regularly and have as -regularly read them, some of them more than once, especially where you -come near the Monongahela on either side of it, and thus strike the land -of my birth and boyhood. I could trace you all the way to Washington, at -Malden, at Centreville, at Billy Greenfield's in Beallsville, at -Hillsboro (Billy Robinson was a familiar name), at Dutch Charley -Miller's, at Ward's, at Pancake, and so on--familiar names, forever -endeared to my memory. I cherish the desire of riding over the "Old -Pike" with you, but I am afraid we shall contemplate it as a scheme -never to be realized. - - Very sincerely, - Your friend, - JAMES G. BLAINE. - -[Illustration] - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - PAGES - Inception of the Road--Author's Motive in Writing its - History--No History of the Appian Way--A Popular Error - Corrected--Henry Clay, Andrew Stewart, T. M. T. - McKennan, General Beeson, Lewis Steenrod and Daniel - Sturgeon--Their Services in Behalf of the Road, etc., - etc. 13-19 - - CHAPTER II. - - Origin of the Fund for Making the Road--Acts for the - Admission of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, - etc., etc. 20-24 - - CHAPTER III. - - The Act of Congress Authorizing the Laying Out and Making - of the Road 25-27 - - CHAPTER IV. - - Special Message of President Jefferson--Communicating to - Congress the First Report of the Commissioners--Uniontown - left out, etc. 28-35 - - CHAPTER V. - - Pennsylvania grants Permission to make the Road through - her Territory--Uniontown Restored, Gist left Out, and - Washington, Pennsylvania, made a Point--Heights of - Mountains and Hills--On to Brownsville and Wheeling, - etc., etc. 36-40 - - CHAPTER VI. - - Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, called upon - for Information Respecting the Fund Applicable to the - Roads mentioned in the Ohio Admission Act--His - Responses 41-43 - - CHAPTER VII. - - The Life of the Road Threatened by the Spectre of a - Constitutional Cavil--President Monroe Vetoes a Bill - for its Preservation and Repair--General Jackson has - Misgivings--Hon. Andrew Stewart Comes to the Rescue 44-51 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - State Authority Prevails--The Road Surrendered by - Congress--The Erection of Toll Gates Authorized-- - Commissioners Appointed by the States to Receive the - Road, etc., etc. 52-56 - - CHAPTER IX. - - Plan of Repairs--The Macadam System Adopted--Mr. Stockton - offers his services--Captain Delafield made - Superintendent, etc., etc. 57-63 - - CHAPTER X. - - Lieut. Mansfield superseded by Capt. Delafield--The - Turning of Wills Mountain, etc., etc. 64-76 - - CHAPTER XI. - - On with the Work--Wooden Bridges Proposed for the New - Location up Wills Creek and Braddock's Run--The War - Department holds that Wooden Superstructures would be - a Substantial Compliance with the Maryland - Law--Cumberland to Frostburg, etc. 77-86 - - CHAPTER XII. - - Gen. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War, Transmits a - Report--More about the Wooden Bridges for the New - Location near Cumberland, etc. 87-94 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - The Iron Bridge over Dunlap's Creek at Brownsville 95-99 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Appropriations by Congress at Various Times for Making, - Repairing, and Continuing the Road 100-106 - - CHAPTER XV. - - Speech of Hon. T. M. T. McKennan 107-108 - - CHAPTER XVI. - - Life on the Road--Origin of the Phrase Pike Boys--Slaves - Driven like Horses--Race Distinction at the Old - Taverns--Old Wagoners--Regulars and Sharpshooters-- - Line Teams 109-115 - - CHAPTER XVII. - - Old Wagoners continued--Broad and Narrow Wheels--A - Peculiar Wagon--An Experiment and a Failure--Wagon - Beds--Bell Teams 116-119 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - Old Wagoners continued 120-126 - - CHAPTER XIX. - - Old Wagoners continued--The Harness they Used, etc. 127-133 - - CHAPTER XX. - - Old Wagoners continued--An Exciting Incident of the - Political Campaign of 1840--All about a Petticoat--A - Trip to Tennessee--Origin of the Toby Cigar--The - Rubber--The Windup and Last Lay of the Old Wagoners 134-145 - - CHAPTER XXI. - - Stage Drivers, Stage Lines and Stage Coaches--The - Postillion, etc. 146-155 - - CHAPTER XXII. - - Stages and Stage Drivers continued--Character of Drivers - Defended--Styles of Driving--Classification of - Drivers, etc. 156-163 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - The First Mail Coaches--The Stage Yard at - Uniontown--Names of Coaches--Henry Clay and the - Drivers--Jenny Lind and Phineas T. Barnum on the Road, - etc., etc. 164-174 - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - Stages and Stage Drivers continued--Gen. Taylor - Approaching Cumberland--Early Coaches, etc. 175-183 - - CHAPTER XXV. - - Distinguished Stage Proprietors--Lucius W. Stockton, - James Reeside, Dr. Howard Kennedy, William H. - Stelle--Old Stage Agents--The Pony Express 184-191 - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers from Baltimore to - Boonsboro--Pen Picture of an Old Tavern by James G. - Blaine 192-196 - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Boonsboro to - Cumberland 197-203 - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Cumberland to - the Little Crossings--The City of Cumberland 204-208 - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Little - Crossings to Winding Ridge--Grantsville 209-213 - - CHAPTER XXX. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Winding Ridge - to the Big Crossings--The State Line--How it is - Noted 214-219 - - CHAPTER XXXI. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Big Crossings - to Mt. Washington 220-226 - - CHAPTER XXXII. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Mt. Washington - to Uniontown 227-233 - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Uniontown--The - Town as it Appeared to Gen. Douglass in 1784--Its - Subsequent Growth and Improvement, etc., etc. 234-243 - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Uniontown to - Searights 244-249 - - CHAPTER XXXV. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Searights to - Brownsville 250-259 - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Brownsville to - Beallsville 260-265 - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Beallsville to - Washington 266-272 - - CHAPTER XXXVIII. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Washington, - Penn.--Washington and Jefferson College--The Female - Seminary 273-282 - - CHAPTER XXXIX. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Washington to - West Alexander 283-289 - - CHAPTER XL. - - Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--West Alexander - to Wheeling 290-297 - - CHAPTER XLI. - - West of Wheeling--Old Stage Lines Beyond the Ohio - River--Through Indiana--The Road Disappears Among the - Prairies of Illinois 298-310 - - CHAPTER XLII. - - Superintendents under National and State Control--Old - Mile Posts, etc. 311-318 - - CHAPTER XLIII. - - Old Contractors--Cost of the Road--Contractors for - Repairs, etc. 319-322 - - CHAPTER XLIV. - - Thomas Endsley, William Sheets, W. M. F. Magraw, etc. 323-328 - - CHAPTER XLV. - - Dumb Ike--Reminiscences of Uniontown--Crazy Billy, etc. 329-338 - - CHAPTER XLVI. - - The Trial of Dr. John F. Braddee for Robbing the U.S. - Mails 339-352 - - CHAPTER XLVII. - - Visit of John Quincy Adams to Uniontown in 1837--Received - by Dr. Hugh Campbell--The National Road a Monument of - the Past--A Comparison with the Appian Way 353-356 - - APPENDIX. - - Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania Relating to the - Cumberland Road--Unexpended Balances in - Indiana--Accounts of Two Old Commissioners--Rates - of Toll--Letters of Albert Gallatin, Ebenezer Finley - and Thomas A. Wiley--Curiosities of the Old Postal - Service - 357-384 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - T. B. Searight Frontispiece - Old Mile Post 5 - Stage House and Stables at Mt. Washington 13 - Gen. Henry W. Beeson 15 - Hon. Daniel Sturgeon 16 - Hon. Andrew Stewart 47 - Old Toll House 53 - Iron Bridge over Dunlap's Creek 95 - Hon. T. M. T. McKennan 107 - Road Wagon 109 - John Thompson 111 - Daniel Barcus 112 - Henry Clay Rush 114 - Harrison Wiggins 116 - John Marker 118 - Ellis B. Woodward 119 - John Deets 121 - John Snider 122 - William Hall 124 - John Wallace 126 - Alfred Bailes 129 - German D. Hair 130 - Ashael Willison 135 - Jacob Newcomer 137 - John Ferren 138 - Morris Mauler 140 - James Smith, of Henry 144 - Stage Coach 146 - William Whaley 151 - Redding Bunting 152 - John Bunting 156 - Samuel Luman 158 - Joseph Whisson 162 - Maj. William A. Donaldson 165 - William G. Beck 168 - Henry Farwell 171 - The Narrows 176 - Hanson Willison 178 - Matt. Davis 180 - John McIlree 182 - L. W. Stockton 185 - James Reeside 186 - William H. Stelle 189 - John Kelso 204 - David Mahaney 210 - John Risler 215 - The Temple of Juno 217 - The Endsley House 218 - The Big Crossings 220 - Daniel Collier 222 - Sebastian Rush 225 - Ruins of John Rush House 226 - Hon. Samuel Shipley 229 - Stone House, Darlington's 230 - James Snyder 232 - Gen. Ephraim Douglass 235 - Aaron Wyatt 239 - The Brownfield House 240 - Col. Samuel Elder 242 - The Searight House 245 - Joseph Gray 247 - William Shaw 248 - Abel Colley 250 - Hon. William Hatfield 252 - The Johnson-Hatfield House 254 - The Workman House 256 - Bridge over the Monongahela 259 - Old Tavern at Malden 261 - William Greenfield 263 - Charles Guttery 265 - Billy Robinson 267 - Daniel Ward 268 - John W. McDowell 270 - S. B. Hayes 279 - George T. Hammond 281 - The Rankin House 283 - The Miller House 284 - The "S" Bridge 286 - David Bell 288 - Joseph F. Mayes 291 - Mrs. Sarah Beck 292 - Col. Moses Shepherd 294 - Mrs. Lydia Shepherd 295 - John McCortney 296 - Bridge over Whitewater River 308 - Gen. George W. Cass 311 - William Searight 313 - William Hopkins 315 - Daniel Steenrod 320 - W. M. F. Magraw 327 - "Crazy Billy" 333 - German D. Hair House 353 - Dr. Hugh Campbell 354 - The Big Water-Trough on Laurel Hill 356 - -[Illustration: STAGE HOUSE AND STABLES AT MT. WASHINGTON.] - - - - -THE OLD PIKE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - _Inception of the Road--Author's Motive in Writing its History--No - History of the Appian Way--A Popular Error Corrected--Henry Clay, - Andrew Stewart, T. M. T. McKennan, Gen. Beeson, Lewis Steenrod and - Daniel Sturgeon--Their Services in Behalf of the Road--Braddock's - Road--Business and Grandeur of the Road--Old and Odd - Names--Taverns--No Beer on the Road--Definition of Turnpike--An Old - Legal Battle._ - - -The road which forms the subject of this volume, is the only highway of -its kind ever wholly constructed by the government of the United States. -When Congress first met after the achievement of Independence and the -adoption of the Federal Constitution, the lack of good roads was much -commented upon by our statesmen and citizens generally, and various -schemes suggested to meet the manifest want. But, it was not until the -year 1806, when Jefferson was President, that the proposition for a -National Road took practical shape. The first step, as will hereinafter -be seen, was the appointment of commissioners to lay out the road, with -an appropriation of money to meet the consequent expense. The author of -this work was born and reared on the line of the road, and has spent his -whole life amid scenes connected with it. He saw it in the zenith of its -glory, and with emotions of sadness witnessed its decline. It was a -highway at once so grand and imposing, an artery so largely instrumental -in promoting the early growth and development of our country's wonderful -resources, so influential in strengthening the bonds of the American -Union, and at the same time so replete with important events and -interesting incidents, that the writer of these pages has long cherished -a hope that some capable hand would write its history and collect and -preserve its legends, and no one having come forward to perform the -task, he has ventured upon it himself, with unaffected diffidence and a -full knowledge of his inability to do justice to the subject. - -It is not a little singular that no connected history of the renowned -Appian Way can be found in our libraries. Glimpses of its existence and -importance are seen in the New Testament and in some old volumes of -classic lore, but an accurate and complete history of its inception, -purpose, construction and development, with the incidents, accidents and -anecdotes, which of necessity were connected with it, seems never to -have been written. This should not be said of the great National Road of -the United States of America. The Appian Way has been called the Queen -of Roads. We claim for our National highway that it _was_ the King of -Roads. - -Tradition, cheerfully acquiesced in by popular thought, attributes to -Henry Clay the conception of the National Road, but this seems to be -error. The Hon. Andrew Stewart, in a speech delivered in Congress, -January 27th, 1829, asserted that "Mr. Gallatin was the very first man -that ever suggested the plan for making the Cumberland Road." As this -assertion was allowed to go unchallenged, it must be accepted as true, -however strongly and strangely it conflicts with the popular belief -before stated. The reader will bear in mind that the National Road and -the Cumberland Road are one and the same. The road as constructed by -authority of Congress, begins at the city of Cumberland, in the State of -Maryland, and this is the origin of the name Cumberland Road. All the -acts of Congress and of the legislatures of the States through which the -road passes, and they are numerous, refer to it as the Cumberland Road. -The connecting link between Cumberland and the city of Baltimore is a -road much older than the Cumberland Road, constructed and owned by -associations of individuals, and the two together constitute the -National Road. - -While it appears from the authority quoted that Henry Clay was not the -planner of the National Road, he was undoubtedly its ablest and most -conspicuous champion. In Mallory's Life of Clay it is stated that "he -advocated the policy of carrying forward the construction of the -Cumberland Road as rapidly as possible," and with what earnestness, -continues his biographer, "we may learn from his own language, declaring -that he had to _beg_, _entreat_ and _supplicate_ Congress, session after -session, to grant the necessary appropriations to complete the road." -Mr. Clay said, "I have myself toiled until my powers have been exhausted -and prostrated to prevail on you to make the grant." No wonder Mr. Clay -was a popular favorite along the whole line of the road. At a public -dinner tendered him by the mechanics of Wheeling, he spoke of "the great -interest the road had awakened in his breast, and expressed an ardent -desire that it might be prosecuted to a speedy completion." Among other -things he said that "a few years since he and his family had employed -the whole or greater part of a day in traveling the distance of about -nine miles from Uniontown to Freeman's,[A] on Laurel Hill, which now, -since the construction of the road over the mountains, could be -accomplished, together with seventy more in the same time," and that -"the road was so important to the maintenance of our Union that he -would not consent to give it up to the keeping of the several States -through which it passed." - - [Footnote A: Benjamin Freeman kept a tavern on the old Braddock - Road, a short distance south of Mt. Washington. - Locating his house on Laurel Hill, was an error of - Mr. Clay, but of little consequence, and readily - made under the circumstances. A monument was - erected, and is still standing, on the roadside near - Wheeling, commemorative of the services of Mr. Clay - in behalf of the road.] - -[Illustration: GEN. HENRY W. BEESON.] - -Hon. Andrew Stewart, of Uniontown, who served many years in Congress, -beginning with 1820, was, next to Mr. Clay, the most widely known and -influential congressional friend of the road, and in earnestness and -persistency in this behalf, not excelled even by Mr. Clay. Hon. T. M. T. -McKennan, an old congressman of Washington, Pennsylvania, was likewise a -staunch friend of the road, carefully guarding its interests and -pressing its claims upon the favorable consideration of Congress. Gen. -Henry W. Beeson, of Uniontown, who represented the Fayette and Greene -district of Pennsylvania in Congress in the forties, was an indomitable -friend of the road. He stoutly opposed the extension of the Baltimore -and Ohio railroad west of Cumberland, through Pennsylvania, and was -thoroughly sustained by his constituents. In one of his characteristic -speeches on the subject, he furnished a careful estimate of the number -of horse-shoes made by the blacksmiths along the road, the number of -nails required to fasten them to the horses' feet, the number of bushels -of grain and tons of hay furnished by the farmers to the tavern keepers, -the vast quantity of chickens, turkeys, eggs and butter that found a -ready market on the line, and other like statistical information going -to show that the National Road would better subserve the public weal -than a steam railroad. This view at the time, and in the locality -affected, was regarded as correct, which serves as an illustration of -the change that takes place in public sentiment, as the wheels of time -revolve and the ingenuity of man expands. Lewis Steenrod, of the -Wheeling district, was likewise an able and influential congressional -friend of the road. He was the son of Daniel Steenrod, an old -tavernkeeper on the road, near Wheeling; and the Cumberland, Maryland, -district always sent men to Congress who favored the preservation and -maintenance of the road. Hon. Daniel Sturgeon, who served as a senator -of the United States for the State of Pennsylvania from 1840 to 1852, -was also an undeviating and influential friend of the road. He gave -unremitting attention and untiring support to every measure brought -before the Senate during his long and honorable service in that body, -designed to make for the road's prosperity, and preserve and maintain it -as the nation's great highway. His home was in Uniontown, on the line of -the road, and he was thoroughly identified with it alike in sentiment -and interest. He was not a showy statesman, but the possessor of -incorruptible integrity and wielded an influence not beneath that of any -of his compeers, among whom were that renowned trio of Senators, Clay, -Webster and Calhoun. - -Frequent references will be made in these pages to the Old Braddock -Road, but it is not the purpose of the writer to go into the history of -that ancient highway. This volume is devoted exclusively to the National -Road. We think it pertinent, however, to remark that Braddock's Road -would have been more appropriately named Washington's Road. Washington -passed over it in command of a detachment of Virginia troops more than a -year before Braddock ever saw it. Mr. Veech, the eminent local -historian, says that Braddock's Road and Nemicolon's Indian trail are -identical, so that Nemicolon, the Indian, would seem to have a higher -claim to the honor of giving name to this old road than General -Braddock. However, time, usage and common consent unite in calling it -Braddock's Road, and, as a rule, we hold it to be very unwise, not to -say downright foolishness, to undertake to change old and familiar -names. It is difficult to do, and ought not to be done. - -From the time it was thrown open to the public, in the year 1818, until -the coming of railroads west of the Allegheny mountains, in 1852, the -National Road was the one great highway, over which passed the bulk of -trade and travel, and the mails between the East and the West. Its -numerous and stately stone bridges with handsomely turned arches, its -iron mile posts and its old iron gates, attest the skill of the workmen -engaged on its construction, and to this day remain enduring monuments -of its grandeur and solidity, all save the imposing iron gates, which -have disappeared by process of conversion prompted by some utilitarian -idea, savoring in no little measure of sacrilege. Many of the most -illustrious statesmen and heroes of the early period of our national -existence passed over the National Road from their homes to the capital -and back, at the opening and closing of the sessions of Congress. -Jackson, Harrison, Clay, Sam Houston, Polk, Taylor, Crittenden, Shelby, -Allen, Scott, Butler, the eccentric Davy Crockett, and many of their -contemporaries in public service, were familiar figures in the eyes of -the dwellers by the roadside. The writer of these pages frequently saw -these distinguished men on their passage over the road, and remembers -with no little pride the incident of shaking hands with General Jackson, -as he sat in his carriage on the wagon-yard of an old tavern. A coach, -in which Mr. Clay was proceeding to Washington, was upset on a pile of -limestone, in the main street of Uniontown, a few moments after supper -at the McClelland house. Sam Sibley was the driver of that coach, and -had his nose broken by the accident. Mr. Clay was unhurt, and upon being -extricated from the grounded coach, facetiously remarked that: "This is -mixing the Clay of Kentucky with the limestone of Pennsylvania." - -As many as twenty-four horse coaches have been counted in line at one -time on the road, and large, broad-wheeled wagons, covered with white -canvass stretched over bows, laden with merchandise and drawn by six -Conestoga horses, were visible all the day long at every point, and many -times until late in the evening, besides innumerable caravans of horses, -mules, cattle, hogs and sheep. It looked more like the leading avenue of -a great city than a road through rural districts. - -[Illustration: HON. DANIEL STURGEON.] - -The road had a peculiar nomenclature, familiar to the tens of thousands -who traveled over it in its palmy days. The names, for example, applied -to particular localities on the line, are of striking import, and -blend harmoniously with the unique history of the road. With these names -omitted, the road would be robbed of much that adds interest to its -history. Among the best remembered of these are, The Shades of Death, -The Narrows, Piney Grove, Big Crossings, Negro Mountain, Keyser's Ridge, -Woodcock Hill, Chalk Hill, Big Savage, Little Savage, Snake Hill, Laurel -Hill, The Turkey's Nest, Egg Nog Hill, Coon Island and Wheeling Hill. -Rich memories cluster around every one of these names, and old wagoners -and stage drivers delight to linger over the scenes they bring to mind. - -The road was justly renowned for the great number and excellence of its -inns or taverns. On the mountain division, every mile had its tavern. -Here one could be seen perched on some elevated site, near the roadside, -and there another, sheltered behind a clump of trees, many of them with -inviting seats for idlers, and all with cheerful fronts toward the weary -traveler. The sign-boards were elevated upon high and heavy posts, and -their golden letters winking in the sun, ogled the wayfarer from the hot -road-bed and gave promise of good cheer, while the big trough, -overflowing with clear, fresh water, and the ground below it sprinkled -with droppings of fragrant peppermint, lent a charm to the scene that -was well nigh enchanting. - -The great majority of the taverns were called wagon stands, because -their patrons were largely made up of wagoners, and each provided with -grounds called the wagon-yard, whereon teams were driven to feed, and -rest over night. The very best of entertainment was furnished at these -wagon stands. The taverns whereat stage horses were kept and exchanged, -and stage passengers took meals, were called "stage houses," located at -intervals of about twelve miles, as nearly as practicable. - -The beer of the present day was unknown, or if known, unused on the -National Road during the era of its prosperity. Ale was used in limited -quantities, but was not a favorite drink. Whisky was the leading -beverage, and it was plentiful and cheap. The price of a drink of whisky -was three cents, except at the stage houses, where by reason of an -assumption of aristocracy the price was five cents. The whisky of that -day is said to have been pure, and many persons of unquestioned -respectability affirm with much earnestness that it never produced -delirium tremens. The current coin of the road was the big copper cent -of United States coinage, the "fippenny bit," Spanish, of the value of -six and one-fourth cents, called for brevity a "fip," the "levy," -Spanish, of the value of twelve and a half cents, the quarter, the half -dollar, and the dollar. The Mexican and Spanish milled dollar were -oftener seen than the United States dollar. The silver five-cent piece -and the dime of the United States coinage were seen occasionally, but -not so much used as the "fip" and the "levy." In times of stringency, -the stage companies issued scrip in denominations ranging from five -cents to a dollar, which passed readily as money. The scrip was similar -to the postal currency of the war period, lacking only in the artistic -skill displayed in the engraving of the latter. A hungry traveler could -obtain a substantial meal at an old wagon stand tavern for a "levy," and -two drinks of whisky for a "fippenny bit." The morning bill of a wagoner -with a six-horse team did not exceed one dollar and seventy-five cents, -which included grain and hay for the horses, meals for the driver, and -all the drinks he saw proper to take. - -The National Road is not in a literal sense a turnpike. A turnpike, in -the original meaning of the word, is a road upon which pikes were placed -to turn travelers thereon through gates, to prevent them from evading -the payment of toll. Pikes were not used, or needed on the National -Road. It was always kept in good condition, and travelers thereon, as a -rule, paid the required toll without complaining. At distances of -fifteen miles, on the average, houses were erected for toll collectors -to dwell in, and strong iron gates, hung to massive iron posts, were -established to enforce the payment of toll in cases of necessity. These -toll houses were of uniform size, angular and round, west of the -mountains constructed of brick, and through the mountains, of stone, -except the one six miles west of Cumberland, which is of brick. They are -all standing on their old sites at this date (1893), except the one that -stood near Mt. Washington, and the one that stood near the eastern base -of Big Savage Mountain. At the last mentioned point, the old iron gate -posts are still standing, firmly rooted in their original foundations, -and plastered all over with advertisements of Frostburg's business -houses, but the old house and the old gates have gone out of sight -forever. - -It is curious to note how the word turnpike has been perverted from its -literal meaning by popular usage. The common idea is that a turnpike is -a road made of stone, and that the use of stone is that alone which -makes it a turnpike. The common phrase, "piking a road," conveys the -idea of putting stones on it, whereas in fact, there is no connection -between a stone and a pike, and a road might be a turnpike without a -single stone upon it. It is the contrivance to turn travelers through -gates, before mentioned, that makes a turnpike. We recall but one -instance of a refusal to pay toll for passing over the National Road, -and that was a remarkable one. It grew out of a misconception of the -scope of the act of Congress, providing for the exemption from toll of -carriages conveying the United States mails. The National Road Stage -Company, commonly called the "Old Line," of which Lucius W. Stockton was -the controlling spirit, was a contractor for carrying the mails, and -conceived the idea that by placing a mail pouch in every one of its -passenger coaches it could evade the payment of toll. Stage companies -did not pay toll to the collectors at the gates, like ordinary -travelers, but at stated periods to the Road Commissioner. At the time -referred to, William Searight, father of the writer, was the -commissioner in charge of the entire line of the road through the state -of Pennsylvania, and it was fifty years ago. Upon presenting his account -to Mr. Stockton, who lived at Uniontown, for accumulated tolls, that -gentleman refused payment on the ground that all his coaches carried the -mail, and were therefore exempt from toll. The commissioner was of -opinion that the act of Congress could not be justly construed to cover -so broad a claim, and notified Mr. Stockton that if the toll was not -paid the gates would be closed against his coaches. Mr. Stockton was a -resolute as well as an enterprising man, and persisted in his position, -whereupon an order was given to close the gates against the passage of -his coaches until the legal toll was paid. The writer was present, -though a boy, at an execution of this order at the gate five miles west -of Uniontown. It was in the morning. The coaches came along at the usual -time and the gates were securely closed against them. The commissioner -superintended the act in person, and a large number of people from the -neighborhood attended to witness the scene, anticipating tumult and -violence, as to which they were happily disappointed. The drivers -accepted the situation with good nature, but the passengers, impatient -to proceed, after learning the cause of the halt, paid the toll, -whereupon the gates were thrown open, and the coaches sped on. For a -considerable time after this occurrence an agent was placed on the -coaches to pay the toll at the gates. Mr. Stockton instituted -prosecutions against the commissioner for obstructing the passage of the -United States mails, which were not pressed to trial, but the main -contention was carried to the Supreme Court of the United States for -adjudication on a case stated, and Mr. Stockton's broad claim was -denied, the court of last resort holding that "the exemption from tolls -did not apply to any other property (than the mails) conveyed in the -same vehicle, nor to any persons traveling in it, unless he was in the -service of the United States and passing along the road in pursuance of -orders from the proper authority; and further, that the exemption could -not be claimed for more carriages than were necessary for the safe, -speedy and convenient conveyance of the mail." This case is reported in -full in 3d Howard U. S. Reports, page 151 _et seq._, including the full -text of Chief Justice Taney's opinion, and elaborate dissenting opinions -by Justices McClean and Daniel. The attorneys for the road in this -controversy were Hon. Robert P. Flenniken and Hon. James Veech of -Uniontown, and Hon. Robert J. Walker of Mississippi, who was Secretary -of the Treasury in the cabinet of President Polk. After this decision, -and by reason of it, the Legislature of Pennsylvania enacted the law of -April 14th, 1845, still in force, authorizing the collection of tolls -from passengers traveling in coaches which at the same time carried the -mail. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - _Origin of the Fund for Making the Road.--Acts for the Admission of - Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri--Report of a Committee of - Congress as to the Manner of Applying the Ohio Fund--Distances from - Important Eastern Cities to the Ohio River--The Richmond Route - Postponed--The Spirit and Perseverance of Pennsylvania--Maryland, - "My Maryland," not behind Pennsylvania--Wheeling the Objective - Point--Brownsville a Prominent Point--Rivers tend to Union, - Mountains to Disunion._ - - -Act of April 30, 1802, for the admission of Ohio, provides that -one-twentieth part of the net proceeds of the lands lying within the -said State sold by Congress, from and after the 30th of June next, after -deducting all expenses incident to the same, shall be applied to laying -out and making public roads leading from navigable waters emptying into -the Atlantic to the Ohio, to the said State and through the same, such -roads to be laid out under the authority of Congress, with the consent -of the several States through which the road shall pass. - -Act of April 19, 1816, for the admission of Indiana, provides that five -per cent. of the net proceeds of lands lying within the said territory, -and which shall be sold by Congress from and after the first day of -December next, after deducting all expenses incident to the same, shall -be reserved for making public roads and canals, of which three-fifths -shall be applied to those objects within the said State under the -direction of the Legislature thereof, and two-fifths to the making of a -road or roads leading to the said State under the direction of Congress. - -Act of April 18, 1818, for the admission of Illinois, provides that five -per cent. of the net proceeds of the lands lying within the said State, -and which shall be sold by Congress from and after the first day of -January, 1819, after deducting all expenses incident to the same, shall -be reserved for the purposes following, viz: Two-fifths to be disbursed -under the direction of Congress in making roads leading to the State, -the residue to be appropriated by the Legislature of the State for the -encouragement of learning, of which one-sixth part shall be exclusively -bestowed on a college or university. - -Act of March 6, 1820, admitting Missouri, provides that five per cent. -of the net proceeds of the sale of lands lying within the said Territory -or State, and which shall be sold by Congress from and after the first -day of January next, after deducting all expenses incident to the same, -shall be reserved for making public roads and canals, of which -three-fifths shall be applied to those objects within the State under -the direction of the Legislature thereof, and the other two-fifths in -defraying, under the direction of Congress, the expenses to be incurred -in making a road or roads, canal or canals, leading to the said State. - - - No. 195. - - NINTH CONGRESS--FIRST SESSION. - - CUMBERLAND ROAD. - - Communicated to the Senate December 19, 1805. - -Mr. Tracy, from the committee to whom was referred the examination of -the act entitled, "An act to enable the people of the eastern division -of the territory northwest of the river Ohio to form a Constitution and -State Government, and for the admission of such State into the Union on -an equal footing with the original States, and for other purposes;" and -to report the manner in which, in their opinion, the money appropriated -by said act ought to be applied, made the following report: - -That, upon examination of the act aforesaid, they find "the -one-twentieth part, or five per cent., of the net proceeds of the lands -lying within the State of Ohio, and sold by Congress from and after the -30th day of June, 1802, is appropriated for the laying out and making -public roads leading from the navigable waters emptying into the -Atlantic to the river Ohio, to said State, and through the same; such -roads to be laid out under the authority of Congress, with the consent -of the several States through which the road shall pass." - -They find that by a subsequent law, passed on the 3d day of March, 1803, -Congress appropriated three per cent. of the said five per cent. to -laying out and making roads _within_ the State of Ohio, leaving two per -cent. of the appropriation contained in the first mentioned law -unexpended, which now remains for "_the laying out, and making roads -from the navigable waters emptying into the Atlantic to the river Ohio, -to said State_." - -They find that the net proceeds of sales of land in the State of Ohio, - - From 1st July, 1802, to June 30, 1803, both inclusive, were $124,400 92 - From 1st July, 1803, to June 30, 1804 176,203 35 - From 1st July, 1804, to June 30, 1805 266,000 00 - From 1st July, 1805, to Sept. 30, 1805 66,000 00 - ----------- - Amounting, in the whole, to $632,604 27 - -Two per cent. on which sum amounts to $12,652. Twelve thousand six -hundred and fifty-two dollars were, therefore, on the 1st day of October -last, subject to the uses directed by law, as mentioned in this report; -and it will be discerned that the fund is constantly accumulating, and -will, probably, by the time regular preparations can be made for its -expenditure, amount to eighteen or twenty thousand dollars. The -committee have examined, as far as their limited time and the scanty -sources of facts within their reach would permit, the various routes -which have been contemplated for laying out roads pursuant to the -provisions of the act first mentioned in this report. - -They find that the distance from Philadelphia to Pittsburg is 314 miles -by the usual route, and on a straight line about 270. - -From Philadelphia to the nearest point on the river Ohio, contiguous to -the State of Ohio, which is probably between Steubenville and the mouth -of Grave creek, the distance by the usual route is 360 miles, and on a -straight line about 308. - -From Baltimore to the river Ohio, between the same points, and by the -usual route, is 275 miles, and on a straight line 224. - -From this city (Washington) to the same points on the river Ohio, the -distance is nearly the same as from Baltimore; probably the difference -is not a plurality of miles. - -From Richmond, in Virginia, to the nearest point on the river Ohio, the -distance by the usual route is 377 miles; but new roads are opening -which will shorten the distance fifty or sixty miles; 247 miles of the -contemplated road, from Richmond northwesterly, will be as good as the -roads usually are in that country, but the remaining seventy or eighty -miles are bad, for the present, and probably will remain so for a length -of time, as there seems to be no existing inducement for the State of -Virginia to incur the expense of making that part of the road passable. - -From Baltimore to the Monongahela river, where the route from Baltimore -to the Ohio river will intersect it, the distance as usually traveled is -218 miles, and on a straight line about 184. From this point, which is -at or near Brownsville, boats can pass down, with great facility, to the -State of Ohio, during a number of months in every year. - -The above distances are not all stated from actual mensuration, but it -is believed they are sufficiently correct for the present purpose. - -The committee have not examined any routes northward of that leading -from Philadelphia to the river Ohio, nor southward of that leading from -Richmond, because they suppose the roads to be laid out must strike the -river Ohio on some point contiguous to the State of Ohio, in order to -satisfy the words of the law making the appropriation; the words are: -"Leading from the navigable waters emptying into the Atlantic, to the -river Ohio, to the said State, and through the same." - -The mercantile intercourse of the citizens of Ohio with those of the -Atlantic States is chiefly in Philadelphia and Baltimore; not very -extensive in the towns on the Potomac, within the District of Columbia, -and still less with Richmond, in Virginia. At present, the greatest -portion of their trade is with Philadelphia; but it is believed their -trade is rapidly increasing with Baltimore, owing to the difference of -distance in favor of Baltimore, and to the advantage of boating down the -Monongahela river, from the point where the road strikes it, about 70 -miles by water, and 50 by land, above Pittsburg. - -The sum appropriated for laying out and making roads is so small that -the committee have thought it most expedient to direct an expenditure to -one route only. They have therefore endeavored to fix on that which, for -the present, will be most accommodating to the citizens of the State of -Ohio; leaving to the future benevolence and policy of congress, an -extension of their operations on this or other routes, and an increase -of the requisite fund, as the discoveries of experience may point out -their expediency and necessity. The committee being fully convinced that -a wise government can never lose sight of an object so important as that -of connecting a numerous and rapidly increasing population, spread upon -a fertile and extensive territory, with the Atlantic States, now -separated from them by mountains, which, by industry and an expense -moderate in comparison with the advantages, can be rendered passable. - -The route from Richmond must necessarily approach the State of Ohio in a -part thinly inhabited, and which, from the nature of the soil and other -circumstances, must remain so, at least for a considerable time; and, -from the hilly and rough condition of the country, no roads are or can -be conveniently made, leading to the principal population of the State -of Ohio. - -These considerations have induced the committee to postpone, for the -present, any further consideration of that route. - -The spirit and perseverance of Pennsylvania are such, in the matter of -road making, that no doubt can remain but they will, in a little time, -complete a road from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, as good as the nature of -the ground will permit. They are so particularly interested to -facilitate the intercourse between their trading capital, Philadelphia, -not only to Pittsburg, but also to the extensive country within that -State, on the western waters, that they will, of course, surmount the -difficulties presented by the Allegheny mountain, Chestnut Ridge and -Laurel Hill, the three great and almost exclusive impediments which now -exist on that route. - -The State of Maryland, with no less spirit and perseverance, are engaged -in making roads from Baltimore and from the western boundary of the -District of Columbia, through Fredericktown, to Williamsport. Were the -Government of the United States to direct the expenditure of the fund in -contemplation upon either of these routes, for the present, in -Pennsylvania or Maryland, it would, probably, so far interfere with the -operations of the respective States, as to produce mischief instead of -benefit; especially as the sum to be laid out by the United States is -too inconsiderable, alone, to effect objects of such magnitude. But as -the State of Maryland have no particular interest to extend their road -across the mountains (and if they had it would be impracticable, because -the State does not extend so far), the committee have thought it -expedient to recommend the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, -on the northerly bank of the Potomac, and within the State of Maryland, -to the river Ohio, at the most convenient place between a point on the -easterly bank of said river, opposite to Steubenville, and the mouth of -Grave creek, which empties into said river Ohio a little below Wheeling, -in Virginia. This route will meet and accommodate the roads leading from -Baltimore and the District of Columbia; it will cross the Monongahela -river, at or near Brownsville, sometimes called Redstone, where the -advantage of boating can be taken; and from the point where it will -probably intersect the river Ohio, there are now roads, or they can -easily be made over feasible and proper ground, to and through the -principal population of the State of Ohio. - -Cumberland is situated at the eastern foot of the Allegheny mountains, -about eighty miles from Williamsport, by the usual route, which is -circuitous, owing to a large bend in the river Potomac, on the bank of -which the road now runs, the distance on a straight line is not more -than fifty or fifty-five miles, and over tolerable ground for a road, -which will probably be opened by the State of Maryland, should the route -be established over the mountains, as contemplated by this report. - -From Cumberland to the western extremity of Laurel Hill, by the route -now travelled, the distance is sixty-six miles, and on a straight line -about fifty-five; on this part of the route, the committee suppose the -first and very considerable expenditures are specially necessary. From -Laurel Hill to the Ohio river, by the usual route, is about seventy -miles, and on a straight line fifty-four or five; the road is tolerable, -though capable of amelioration. - -To carry into effect the principles arising from the foregoing facts, -the committee present herewith a bill for the consideration of the -Senate. They suppose that to take the proper measures for carrying into -effect the section of the law respecting a road or roads to the State of -Ohio, is a duty imposed upon Congress by the law itself, and that a -sense of duty will always be sufficient to insure the passage of the -bill now offered to the Senate. To enlarge upon the highly important -considerations of cementing the union of our citizens located on the -Western waters with those of the Atlantic States, would be an indelicacy -offered to the understandings of the body to whom this report is -addressed, as it might seem to distrust them. But from the interesting -nature of the subject, the committee are induced to ask the indulgence -of a single observation: Politicians have generally agreed that rivers -unite the interests and promote the friendship of those who inhabit -their banks; while mountains, on the contrary, tend to the disunion and -estrangement of those who are separated by their intervention. In the -present case, to make the crooked ways straight, and the rough ways -smooth will, in effect, remove the intervening mountains, and by -facilitating the intercourse of our Western brethren with those on the -Atlantic, substantially unite them in interest, which, the committee -believe, is the most effectual cement of union applicable to the human -race. - -All which is most respectfully submitted. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -_The Act of Congress Authorizing the Laying Out and Making of the Road._ - - - An Act to Regulate the Laying Out and Making a Road from Cumberland, - in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio. - -_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United -States of America in Congress assembled_, That the President of the -United States be, and he is hereby authorized to appoint, by and with -the advice and consent of the Senate, three discreet and disinterested -citizens of the United States, to lay out a road from Cumberland, or a -point on the northern bank of the river Potomac, in the State of -Maryland, between Cumberland and the place where the main road leading -from Gwynn's to Winchester, in Virginia, crosses the river, to the State -of Ohio; whose duty it shall be, as soon as may be, after their -appointment, to repair to Cumberland aforesaid, and view the ground, -from the points on the river Potomac hereinbefore designated, to the -river Ohio; and to lay out in such direction as they shall judge, under -all circumstances the most proper, a road from thence to the river Ohio, -to strike the same at the most convenient place, between a point on its -eastern bank, opposite the northern boundary of Steubenville, in said -State of Ohio, and the mouth of Grave creek, which empties into the said -river a little below Wheeling, in Virginia. - -SEC. 2. _And be it further enacted_, That the aforesaid road shall be -laid out four rods in width, and designated on each side by a plain and -distinguishable mark on a tree, or by the erection of a stake or -monument sufficiently conspicuous, in every quarter of a mile of the -distance at least, where the road pursues a straight course so far or -farther, and on each side, at every point where an angle occurs in its -course. - -SEC. 3. _And be it further enacted_, That the commissioners shall, as -soon as may be, after they have laid out said road, as aforesaid, -present to the President an accurate plan of the same, with its several -courses and distances, accompanied by a written report of their -proceedings, describing the marks and monuments by which the road is -designated, and the face of the country over which it passes, and -pointing out the particular parts which they shall judge require the -most and immediate attention and amelioration, and the probable expense -of making the same passable in the most difficult parts, and through the -whole distance; designating the State or States through which said road -has been laid out, and the length of the several parts which are laid -out on new ground, as well as the length of those parts laid out on the -road now traveled. Which report the President is hereby authorized to -accept or reject, in the whole or in part. If he accepts, he is hereby -further authorized and requested to pursue such measures, as in his -opinion shall be proper, to obtain consent for making the road, of the -State or States through which the same has been laid out. Which consent -being obtained, he is further authorized to take prompt and effectual -measures to cause said road to be made through the whole distance, or in -any part or parts of the same as he shall judge most conducive to the -public good, having reference to the sum appropriated for the purpose. - -SEC. 4. _And be it further enacted_, That all parts of the road which -the President shall direct to be made, in case the trees are standing, -shall be cleared the whole width of four rods; and the road shall be -raised in the middle of the carriageway with stone, earth, or gravel and -sand, or a combination of some or all of them, leaving or making, as the -case may be, a ditch or water course on each side and contiguous to said -carriageway, and in no instance shall there be an elevation in said -road, when finished, greater than an angle of five degrees with the -horizon. But the manner of making said road, in every other particular, -is left to the direction of the President. - -SEC. 5. _And be it further enacted_, That said Commissioners shall each -receive four dollars per day, while employed as aforesaid, in full for -their compensation, including all expenses. And they are hereby -authorized to employ one surveyor, two chainmen and one marker, for -whose faithfulness and accuracy they, the said Commissioners, shall be -responsible, to attend them in laying out said road, who shall receive -in full satisfaction for their wages, including all expenses, the -surveyor three dollars per day, and each chainman and the marker one -dollar per day, while they shall be employed in said business, of which -fact a certificate signed by said commissioners shall be deemed -sufficient evidence. - -SEC. 6. _And be it further enacted_, That the sum of thirty thousand -dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated, to defray the expense -of laying out and making said road. And the President is hereby -authorized to draw, from time to time, on the treasury for such parts, -or at any one time, for the whole of said sum, as he shall judge the -service requires. Which sum of thirty thousand dollars shall be paid, -first, out of the fund of two per cent, reserved for laying out and -making roads _to_ the State of Ohio, by virtue of the seventh section of -an act passed on the thirtieth day of April, one thousand eight hundred -and two, entitled, "An act to enable the people of the eastern division -of the territory northwest of the river Ohio to form a constitution and -State government, and for the admission of such State into the Union on -an equal footing with the original States, and for other purposes." -Three per cent. of the appropriation contained in said seventh section -being directed by a subsequent law to the laying out, opening and -making roads _within_ the said State of Ohio; and secondly, out of any -money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, chargeable upon, and -reimbursable at the treasury by said fund of two per cent. as the same -shall accrue. - -SEC. 7. _And be it further enacted_, That the President be, and he is -hereby requested, to cause to be laid before Congress, as soon as -convenience will permit, after the commencement of each session, a -statement of the proceedings under this act, that Congress may be -enabled to adopt such further measures as may from time to time be -proper under existing circumstances. - - _Approved, March 29, 1806._ TH. JEFFERSON. - - * * * * * - - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, } - DEPARTMENT OF STATE.} - -_To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting_: - -I certify that hereto annexed is a true copy of an Act of Congress, -approved March 29, 1806, the original of which is on file in this -Department, entitled: "An Act to regulate the laying out and making a -road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio." - -In testimony whereof, I, James G. Blaine, Secretary of State of the -United States, have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the seal of -the Department of State to be affixed. - -Done at the City of Washington, this seventh day of March, A. D. 1891, -and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and -fifteenth. - - JAMES G. BLAINE. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - _Special Message of President Jefferson--Communicating to Congress the - First Report of the Commissioners--They View the Whole - Ground--Solicitude of the Inhabitants--Points Considered--Cumberland - the First Point Located--Uniontown Left Out--Improvement of the - Youghiogheny--Distances--Connellsville a Promising Town--"A Well - Formed, Stone Capped Road"--Estimated Cost, $6,000 per Mile, exclusive - of Bridges._ - - - No. 220. - - NINTH CONGRESS--SECOND SESSION. - - January 31, 1807. - -_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: - -In execution of the act of the last session of Congress, entitled, "An -act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the -State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," I appointed Thomas Moore, of -Maryland, Joseph Kerr, of Ohio, and Eli Williams, of Maryland, -commissioners to lay out the said road, and to perform the other duties -assigned to them by the act. The progress which they made in the -execution of the work, during the last season, will appear in their -report now communicated to Congress; on the receipt of it, I took -measures to obtain consent for making the road of the States of -Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, through which the commissioners -propose to lay it out. I have received acts of the Legislatures of -Maryland and Virginia, giving the consent desired; that of Pennsylvania -has the subject still under consideration, as is supposed. Until I -receive full consent to a free choice of route through the whole -distance, I have thought it safest neither to accept nor reject, -finally, the partial report of the commissioners. - -Some matters suggested in the report belong exclusively to the -legislature. - - TH. JEFFERSON. - - * * * * * - -The commissioners, acting by appointment under the law of Congress, -entitled "An act to regulate the laying out and making a road from -Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," beg leave to -report to the President of the United States, and to premise that the -duties imposed by the law became a work of greater magnitude, and a task -much more arduous, than was conceived before entering upon it; from -which circumstance the commissioners did not allow themselves sufficient -time for the performance of it before the severity of the weather -obliged them to retire from it, which was the case in the first week of -the present month (December). That, not having fully accomplished their -work, they are unable fully to report a discharge of all the duties -enjoined by the law; but as the most material and principal part has -been performed, and as a communication of the progress already made may -be useful and proper, during the present session of Congress, and of the -Legislatures of those States through which the route passes, the -commissioners respectfully state that at a very early period it was -conceived that the maps of the country were not sufficiently accurate to -afford a minute knowledge of the true courses between the extreme points -on the rivers, by which the researches of the commissioners were to be -governed; a survey for that purpose became indispensable, and -considerations of public economy suggested the propriety of making this -survey precede the personal attendance of the commissioners. - -Josias Thompson, a surveyor of professional merit, was taken into -service and authorized to employ two chain carriers and a marker, as -well as one vaneman, and a packhorse man and horse, on public account; -the latter being indispensable and really beneficial in excelerating the -work. The surveyors' instructions are contained in document No. 1, -accompanying this report. - -Calculating on a reasonable time for the performance of the instructions -to the surveyor, the commissioners, by correspondence, fixed on the -first day of September last, for their meeting at Cumberland to proceed -in the work; neither of them, however, reached that place until the -third of that month, on which day they all met. - -The surveyor having, under his instructions, laid down a plat of his -work, showing the meanders of the Potomac and Ohio rivers, within the -limits prescribed for the commissioners, as also the road between those -rivers, which is commonly traveled from Cumberland to Charleston, in -part called Braddock's road; and the same being produced to the -commissioners, whereby straight lines and their true courses were shown -between the extreme points on each river, and the boundaries which limit -the powers of the commissioners being thereby ascertained, serving as a -basis whereon to proceed in the examination of the grounds and face of -the country; the commissioners thus prepared commenced the business of -exploring; and in this it was considered that a faithful discharge of -the discretionary powers vested by the law made it necessary to view the -whole to be able to judge of a preference due to any part of the -grounds, which imposed a task of examining a space comprehending upwards -of two thousand square miles; a task rendered still more incumbent by -the solicitude and importunities of the inhabitants of every part of the -district, who severally conceived their grounds entitled to a -preference. It becoming necessary, in the interim, to run various lines -of experiment for ascertaining the geographical position of several -points entitled to attention, and the service suffering great delay for -want of another surveyor, it was thought consistent with the public -interest to employ, in that capacity, Arthur Rider, the vaneman, who had -been chosen with qualification to meet such an emergency; and whose -service as vaneman could then be dispensed with. He commenced, as -surveyor, on the 22d day of September, and continued so at field work -until the first day of December, when he was retained as a necessary -assistant to the principal surveyor, in copying field notes and -hastening the draught of the work to be reported. - -The proceedings of the commissioners are specially detailed in their -general journal, compiled from the daily journal of each commissioner, -to which they beg leave to refer, under mark No. 2. - -After a careful and critical examination of all the grounds within the -limits prescribed, as well as the grounds and ways out from the Ohio -westwardly, at several points, and examining the shoal parts of the Ohio -river as detailed in the table of soundings, stated in their journal, -and after gaining all the information, geographical, general and -special, possible and necessary, toward a judicial discharge of the -duties assigned them, the commissioners repaired to Cumberland to -examine and compare their notes and journals, and determine upon the -direction and location of their route. - -In this consultation the governing objects were: - -1st. Shortness of distance between navigable points on the eastern and -western waters. - -2d. A point on the Monongahela best calculated to equalize the -advantages of this portage in the country within reach of it. - -3d. A point on the Ohio river most capable of combining certainty of -navigation with road accommodation; embracing, in this estimate, remote -points westwardly, as well as present and probable population on the -north and south. - -4th. Best mode of diffusing benefits with least distance of road. - -In contemplating these objects, due attention was paid as well to the -comparative merits of towns, establishments, and settlements already -made, as to the capacity of the country with the present and probable -population. - -In the course of arrangement, and in its order, the first point located -for the route was determined and fixed at Cumberland, a decision founded -on propriety, and in some measure on necessity, from the circumstance of -a high and difficult mountain, called Nobley, laying and confining the -east margin of the Potomac so as to render it impossible of access on -that side without immense expense, at any point between Cumberland and -where the road from Winchester to Gwynn's crosses, and even there the -Nobley mountain is crossed with much difficulty and hazard. And this -upper point was taxed with another formidable objection; it was found -that a high range of mountains, called Dan's, stretching across from -Gwynn's to the Potomac, above this point, precluded the opportunity of -extending a route from this point in a proper direction, and left no -alternative but passing by Gwynn's; the distance from Cumberland to -Gwynn's being upward of a mile less than from the upper point, which -lies ten miles by water above Cumberland, the commissioners were not -permitted to hesitate in preferring a point which shortens the portage, -as well as the Potomac navigation. - -The point on the Potomac being viewed as a great repository of produce, -which a good road will bring from the west of Laurel Hill, and the -advantages which Cumberland, as a town, has in that respect over an -unimproved place, are additional considerations operating forcibly in -favor of the place preferred. - -In extending the route from Cumberland, a triple range of mountains, -stretching across from Jenings' run in measure with Gwynn's, left only -the alternative of laying the road up Will's creek for three miles, -nearly at right angles with the true course, and then by way of Jenings' -run, or extending it over a break in the smallest mountain, on a better -course by Gwynn's, to the top of Savage mountain; the latter was -adopted, being the shortest, and will be less expensive in hill-side -digging over a sloped route than the former, requiring one bridge over -Will's creek and several over Jenings' run, both very wide and -considerable streams in high water; and a more weighty reason for -preferring the route by Gwynn's is the great accommodation it will -afford travelers from Winchester by the upper point, who could not reach -the route by Jenings' run short of the top of Savage, which would -withhold from them the benefit of an easy way up the mountain. - -It is, however, supposed that those who travel from Winchester by way of -the upper point to Gwynn's, are in that respect more the dupes of common -prejudice than judges of their own case, as it is believed the way will -be as short, and on much better ground, to cross the Potomac below the -confluence of the north and south branches (thereby crossing these -two, as well as Patterson's creek, in one stream, equally fordable in the -same season), than to pass through Cumberland to Gwynn's. Of these -grounds, however, the commissioners do not speak from actual view, but -consider it a subject well worthy of future investigation. Having gained -the top of Allegany mountain, or rather the top of that part called -Savage, by way of Gwynn's, the general route, as it respects the most -important points, was determined as follows, viz.: - -From a stone at the corner of lot No. 1, in Cumberland, near the -confluence of Will's creek and the north branch of the Potomac river; -thence extending along the street westwardly, to cross the hill lying -between Cumberland and Gwynn's, at the gap where Braddock's road passes -it; thence near Gwynn's and Jesse Tomlinson's, to cross the big -Youghiogheny near the mouth of Roger's run, between the crossing of -Braddock's road and the confluence of the streams which form the Turkey -foot; thence to cross Laurel Hill near the forks of Dunbar's run, to the -west foot of that hill, at a point near where Braddock's old road -reached it, near Gist's old place, now Colonel Isaac Meason's, thence -through Brownsville and Bridgeport, to cross the Monongahela river -below Josias Crawford's ferry; and thence on as straight a course as the -country will admit to the Ohio, at a point between the mouth of Wheeling -creek and the lower point of Wheeling island. - -In this direction of the route it will lay about twenty-four and a half -miles in Maryland, seventy-five miles and a half in Pennsylvania, and -twelve miles in Virginia; distances which will be in a small degree -increased by meanders, which the bed of the road must necessarily make -between the points mentioned in the location; and this route, it is -believed, comprehends more important advantages than could be afforded -in any other, inasmuch as it has a capacity at least equal to any other -in extending advantages of a highway, and at the same time establishes -the shortest portage between the points already navigated, and on the -way accommodates other and nearer points to which navigation may be -extended, and still shorten the portage. - -It intersects Big Youghiogheny at the nearest point from Cumberland, -then lies nearly parallel with that river for the distance of twenty -miles, and at the west foot of Laurel Hill lies within five miles of -Connellsville, from which the Youghiogheny is navigated; and in the same -direction the route intersects at Brownsville the nearest point on the -Monongahela river within the district. - -The improvement of the Youghiogheny navigation is a subject of too much -importance to remain long neglected; and the capacity of that river, as -high up as the falls (twelve miles above Connellsville), is said to be -equal, at a small expense, with the parts already navigated below. The -obstructions at the falls, and a rocky rapid near Turkey Foot, -constitute the principal impediments in that river to the intersection -of the route, and as much higher as the stream has a capacity for -navigation; and these difficulties will doubtless be removed when the -intercourse shall warrant the measure. - -Under these circumstances the portage may be thus stated: - -From Cumberland to Monongahela, 66-1/2 miles. From Cumberland to a point -in measure with Connellsville, on the Youghiogheny river, 51-1/2 miles. -From Cumberland to a point in measure with the lower end of the falls of -Youghiogheny, which will lie two miles north of the public road, 43 -miles. From Cumberland to the intersection of the route with the -Youghiogheny river, 34 miles. - -Nothing is here said of the Little Youghiogheny, which lies nearer -Cumberland; the stream being unusually crooked, its navigation can only -become the work of a redundant population. - -The point which this route locates, at the west foot of Laurel Hill, -having cleared the whole of the Allegheny mountain, is so situated as to -extend the advantages of an easy way through the great barrier, with -more equal justice to the best parts of the country between Laurel Hill -and the Ohio. Lines from this point to Pittsburg and Morgantown, -diverging nearly at the same angle, open upon equal terms to all parts -of the Western country that can make use of this portage; and which may -include the settlements from Pittsburg, up Big Beaver to the -Connecticut reserve, on Lake Erie, as well as those on the southern -borders of the Ohio and all the intermediate country. - -Brownsville is nearly equi-distant from Big Beaver and Fishing creek, -and equally convenient to all the crossing places on the Ohio, between -these extremes. As a port, it is at least equal to any on the -Monongahela within the limits, and holds superior advantages in -furnishing supplies to emigrants, traders, and other travelers by land -or water. - -Not unmindful of the claims of towns and their capacity of reciprocating -advantages on public roads, the commissioners were not insensible of the -disadvantage which Uniontown must feel from the want of that -accommodation which a more southwardly direction of the route would have -afforded; but as that could not take place without a relinquishment of -the shortest passage, considerations of public benefit could not yield -to feelings of minor import. Uniontown being the seat of justice for -Fayette county, Pennsylvania, is not without a share of public benefits, -and may partake of the advantages of this portage upon equal terms with -Connellsville, a growing town, with the advantage of respectable -water-works adjoining, in the manufactory of flour and iron. - -After reaching the nearest navigation on the western waters, at a point -best calculated to diffuse the benefits of a great highway in the -greatest possible latitude east of the Ohio, it was considered that, to -fulfill the objects of the law, it remained for the commissioners to -give such a direction to the road as would best secure a certainty of -navigation on the Ohio at all seasons, combining, as far as possible, -the inland accommodation of remote points westwardly. It was found that -the obstructions in the Ohio, within the limits between Steubenville and -Grave creek, lay principally above the town and mouth of Wheeling; a -circumstance ascertained by the commissioners in their examination of -the channel, as well as by common usage, which has long given a decided -preference to Wheeling as a place of embarcation and port of departure -in dry seasons. It was also seen that Wheeling lay in a line from -Brownsville to the centre of the State of Ohio and Post Vincennes. These -circumstances favoring and corresponding with the chief objects in view -in this last direction of the route, and the ground from Wheeling -westwardly being known of equal fitness with any other way out from the -river, it was thought most proper, under these several considerations, -to locate the point mentioned below the mouth of Wheeling. In taking -this point in preference to one higher up and in the town of Wheeling, -the public benefit and convenience were consulted, inasmuch as the -present crossing place over the Ohio from the town is so contrived and -confined as to subject passengers to extraordinary ferriage and delay, -by entering and clearing a ferry-boat on each side of Wheeling island, -which lies before the town and precludes the opportunity of fording when -the river is crossed in that way, above and below the island. From the -point located, a safe crossing is afforded at the lower point of the -island by a ferry in high, and a good ford at low water. - -The face of the country within the limits prescribed is generally very -uneven, and in many places broken by a succession of high mountains and -deep hollows, too formidable to be reduced within five degrees of the -horizon, but by crossing them obliquely, a mode which, although it -imposes a heavy task of hill-side digging, obviates generally the -necessity of reducing hills and filling hollows, which, on these -grounds, would be an attempt truly Quixotic. This inequality of the -surface is not confined to the Allegheny mountain; the country between -the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, although less elevated, is not better -adapted for the bed of a road, being filled with impediments of hills -and hollows, which present considerable difficulties, and wants that -super-abundance and convenience of stone which is found in the mountain. - -The indirect course of the road now traveled, and the frequent -elevations and depressions which occur, that exceed the limits of the -law, preclude the possibility of occupying it in any extent without -great sacrifice of distance, and forbid the use of it, in any one part, -for more than half a mile, or more than two or three miles in the whole. - -The expense of rendering the road now in contemplation passable, may, -therefore, amount to a larger sum than may have been supposed necessary, -under an idea of embracing in it a considerable part of the old road; -but it is believed that the contrary will be found most correct, and -that a sum sufficient to open the new could not be expended on the same -distance of the old road with equal benefit. - -The sum required for the road in contemplation will depend on the style -and manner of making it; as a common road cannot remove the difficulties -which always exist on deep grounds, and particularly in wet seasons, and -as nothing short of a firm, substantial, well-formed, stone-capped road -can remove the causes which led to the measure of improvement, or render -the institution as commodious as a great and growing intercourse appears -to require, the expense of such a road next becomes the subject of -inquiry. - -In this inquiry the commissioners can only form an estimate by recurring -to the experience of Pennsylvania and Maryland in the business of -artificial roads. Upon this data, and a comparison of the grounds and -proximity of the materials for covering, there are reasons for belief -that, on the route reported, a complete road may be made at an expense -not exceeding six thousand dollars per mile, exclusive of bridges over -the principal streams on the way. The average expense of the Lancaster, -as well as Baltimore and Frederick turnpike, is considerably higher; but -it is believed that the convenient supply of stone which the mountain -affords will, on those grounds, reduce the expense to the rate here -stated. - -As to the policy of incurring this expense, it is not the province of -the commissioners to declare; but they cannot, however, withhold -assurances of a firm belief that the purse of the nation cannot be more -seasonably opened, or more happily applied, than in promoting the speedy -and effectual establishment of a great and easy road on the way -contemplated. - -In the discharge of all these duties, the commissioners have been -actuated by an ardent desire to render the institution as useful and -commodious as possible; and, impressed with a strong sense of the -necessity which urges the speedy establishment of the road, they have to -regret the circumstance which delays the completion of the part assigned -them. They, however, in some measure, content themselves with the -reflection that it will not retard the progress of the work, as the -opening of the road cannot commence before spring, and may then begin -with marking the way. - -The extra expense incident to the service from the necessity (and -propriety, as it relates to public economy,) of employing men not -provided for by law, will, it is hoped, be recognized, and provision -made for the payment of that and similar expenses, when in future it may -be indispensably incurred. - -The commissioners having engaged in a service in which their zeal did -not permit them to calculate the difference between their pay and the -expense to which the service subjected them, cannot suppose it the wish -or intention of the Government to accept of their services for a mere -indemnification of their expense of subsistence, which will be very much -the case under the present allowance; they, therefore, allow themselves -to hope and expect that measures will be taken to provide such further -compensation as may, under all circumstances, be thought neither profuse -nor parsimonious. - -The painful anxiety manifested by the inhabitants of the district -explored, and their general desire to know the route determined on, -suggested the measure of promulgation, which, after some deliberation, -was agreed on by way of circular letter, which has been forwarded to -those persons to whom precaution was useful, and afterward sent to one -of the presses in that quarter for publication, in the form of the -document No. 3, which accompanies this report. - -All which is, with due deference, submitted. - - ELI WILLIAMS, - THOMAS MOORE, - DECEMBER 30, 1806. JOSEPH KERR. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - _Pennsylvania Grants Permission to Make the Road Through Her - Territory--Uniontown Restored, Gist Left Out, and Washington, - Pennsylvania, Made a Point--Simon Snyder, Speaker of the - House--Pressly Carr Lane, a Fayette County Man, Speaker of the - Senate, and Thomas McKean, Governor--A Second Special Message From - President Jefferson, and a Second Report of the - Commissioners--Heights of Mountains and Hills--On to Brownsville - and Wheeling--An Imperious Call Made on Commissioner Kerr._ - - - An Act authorizing the President of the United States to open a road - through that part of this State lying between Cumberland, in the - State of Maryland, and the Ohio river. - -WHEREAS, by an Act of the Congress of the United States, passed on the -twenty-ninth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and six, entitled -"An act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in -the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," the President of the -United States is empowered to lay out a road from the Potomac river to -the river Ohio, and to take measures for making the same, so soon as the -consent of the legislatures of the several States through which the said -road shall pass, could be obtained: And whereas, application hath been -made to this legislature, by the President of the United States, for its -consent to the measures aforesaid: Therefore, - -SECTION 1. _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of -the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is -hereby enacted by the authority of the same_, That the President of the -United States be, and he is hereby authorized to cause so much of the -said road as will be within this State, to be opened so far as it may be -necessary the same should pass through this State, and to cause the said -road to be made, regulated and completed, within the limits, and -according to the intent and meaning of the before recited Act of -Congress in relation thereto; _Provided, nevertheless_, That the route -laid down and reported by the commissioners to the President of the -United States, be so altered as to pass through Uniontown, in the county -of Fayette, and Washington, in the county of Washington, if such -alteration can, in the opinion of the President, be made, consistently -with the provisions of an act of Congress passed March 29th, 1806, but -if not, then over any ground within the limit of this State, which he -may deem most advantageous. - -SEC 2. _And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid_, That such -person or persons as are or shall be appointed for the purpose of -laying out and completing the said road, under the authority of the -United States, shall have full power and authority to enter upon the -lands through which the same may pass, and upon any land near or -adjacent thereto, and therefrom to take, dig, cut and carry away such -materials of earth, stone, gravel, timber and sand as may be necessary -for the purpose of completing, and for ever keeping in repair, said -road; _Provided_, That such materials shall be valued and appraised, in -the same manner as materials taken for similar purposes, under the -authority of this Commonwealth are by the laws thereof, directed to be -valued and appraised, and a certificate of the amount thereof shall, by -the person or persons appointed, or hereafter to be appointed under the -authority of the United States for the purpose aforesaid, be delivered -to each party entitled thereto, for any materials to be taken by virtue -of this act, to entitle him, her or them to receive payment therefor -from the United States. - - SIMON SNYDER, - _Speaker of the House of Representatives_. - P. C. LANE, - _Speaker of the Senate_. - -_Approved, the ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and -seven._ - - THOMAS M'KEAN. - - - TENTH CONGRESS--FIRST SESSION. - - Communicated to Congress February 19, 1808. - -_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: - -The States of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia having, by their -several acts consented that the road from Cumberland to the State of -Ohio, authorized by the act of Congress of March 29, 1806, should pass -through those States, and the report of the commissioners communicated -to Congress with my message of January 31, 1807, having been duly -considered, I have approved of the route therein proposed for the said -road as far as Brownsville, with a single deviation since located, which -carries it through Uniontown. - -From thence the course to the Ohio, and the point within the legal -limits at which it shall strike that river, is still to be decided. - -In forming this decision, I shall pay material regard to the interests -and wishes of the populous parts of the State of Ohio, and to a future -and convenient connection with the road which is to lead from the -_Indian_ boundary near Cincinnati, by Vincennes, to the Mississippi, at -St. Louis, under authority of the act of April 21, 1806. In this way we -may accomplish a continuous and advantageous line of communication from -the seat of the General Government to St. Louis, passing through several -very interesting points, to the Western country. - -I have thought it advisable, also, to secure from obliteration the trace -of the road so far as it has been approved, which has been executed at -such considerable expense, by opening one-half of its breadth through -its whole length. - -The report of the commissioners herewith transmitted will give -particular information of their proceedings under the act of March -29, 1806, since the date of my message of January 31, 1807, and will -enable Congress to adopt such further measures, relative thereto, as -they may deem proper under existing circumstances. - - TH. JEFFERSON. - -FEBRUARY 19, 1808. - - * * * * * - -The undersigned, commissioners appointed under the law of the United -States, entitled "An act to regulate the laying out and making a road -from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," in -addition to the communications heretofore made, beg leave further to -report to the President of the United States that, by the delay of the -answer of the Legislature of Pennsylvania to the application for -permission to pass the road through that State, the commissioners could -not proceed to the business of the road in the spring before vegetation -had so far advanced as to render the work of exploring and surveying -difficult and tedious, from which circumstance it was postponed till the -last autumn, when the business was again resumed. That, in obedience to -the special instructions given them, the route heretofore reported has -been so changed as to pass through Uniontown, and that they have -completed the location, gradation and marking of the route from -Cumberland to Brownsville, Bridgeport, and the Monongahela river, -agreeably to a plat of the courses, distances and grades in which is -described the marks and monuments by which the route is designated, and -which is herewith exhibited; that by this plat and measurement it will -appear (when compared with the road now traveled) there is a saving of -four miles of distance between Cumberland and Brownsville on the new -route. - -In the gradation of the surface of the route (which became necessary) is -ascertained the comparative elevation and depression of different points -on the route, and taking a point ten feet above the surface of low water -in the Potomac river at Cumberland, as the horizon, the most prominent -points are found to be elevated as follows, viz.: - - Feet. 10ths. - Summit of Wills mountain 581 3 - Western foot of same 304 4 - Summit of Savage mountain 2022 24 - Savage river 1741 6 - Summit Little Savage mountain 1900 4 - Branch Pine Run, first Western water 1699 9 - Summit of Red Hill (after called Shades of Death) 1914 3 - Summit Little Meadow mountain 2026 16 - Little Youghiogheny river 1322 6 - East Fork of Shade Run 1558 92 - Summit of Negro mountain, highest point 2328 12 - Middle branch of White's creek, at the west foot of Negro - mountain 1360 5 - White's creek 1195 5 - Big Youghiogheny river 645 5 - Summit of a ridge between Youghiogheny river and Beaver - waters 1514 5 - Beaver Run 1123 8 - Summit of Laurel Hill 1550 16 - Court House in Uniontown 274 65 - A point ten feet above the surface of low water in the - Monongahela river, at the mouth of Dunlap's creek 119 26 - -The law requiring the commissioners to report those parts of the route -as are laid on the old road, as well as those on new grounds, and to -state those parts which require the most immediate attention and -amelioration, the probable expense of making the same passable in the -most difficult parts, and through the whole distance, they have to state -that, from the crooked and hilly course of the road now traveled, the -new route could not be made to occupy any part of it (except an -intersection on Wills mountain, another at Jesse Tomlinson's, and a -third near Big Youghiogheny, embracing not a mile of distance in the -whole) without unnecessary sacrifices of distances and expense. - -That, therefore, an estimate must be made on the route as passing wholly -through new grounds. In doing this the commissioners feel great -difficulty, as they cannot, with any degree of precision, estimate the -expense of making it merely passable; nor can they allow themselves to -suppose that a less breadth than that mentioned in the law was to be -taken into the calculation. The rugged deformity of the grounds rendered -it impossible to lay a route within the grade limited by law otherwise -than by ascending and descending the hills obliquely, by which -circumstance a great proportion of the route occupies the sides of the -hills, which cannot be safely passed on a road of common breadth, and -where it will, in the opinion of the commissioners, be necessary, by -digging, to give the proper form to thirty feet, at least in the breadth -of the road, to afford suitable security in passing on a way to be -frequently crowded with wagons moving in opposite directions, with -transports of emigrant families, and droves of cattle, hogs, etc., on -the way to market. Considering, therefore, that a road on those grounds -must have sufficient breadth to afford ways and water courses, and -satisfied that nothing short of well constructed and completely finished -conduits can insure it against injuries, which must otherwise render it -impassable at every change of the seasons, by heavy falls of rain or -melting of the beds of snow, with which the country is frequently -covered; the commissioners beg leave to say, that, in a former report, -they estimated the expense of a road on these grounds, when properly -shaped, made and finished in the style of a stone-covered turnpike, at -$6,000 per mile, exclusive of bridges over the principal streams on the -way; and that with all the information they have since been able to -collect, they have no reason to make any alteration in that estimate. - -The contracts authorized by, and which have been taken under the -superintendence of the commissioner, Thomas Moore (duplicates of which -accompany this report), will show what has been undertaken relative to -clearing the timber and brush from part of the breadth of the road. The -performance of these contracts was in such forwardness on the 1st -instant as leaves no doubt of their being completely fulfilled by the -first of March. - -The commissioners further state, that, to aid them in the extension of -their route, they ran and marked a straight line from the crossing place -on the Monongahela, to Wheeling, and had progressed twenty miles, with -their usual and necessary lines of experiment, in ascertaining the -shortest and best connection of practical grounds, when the approach of -winter and the shortness of the days afforded no expectation that they -could complete the location without a needless expense in the most -inclement season of the year. And, presuming that the postponement of -the remaining part till the ensuing spring would produce no delay in the -business of making the road, they were induced to retire from it for the -present. - -The great length of time already employed in this business, makes it -proper for the commissioners to observe that, in order to connect the -best grounds with that circumspection which the importance of the duties -confided to them demanded, it became indispensably necessary to run -lines of experiment and reference in various directions, which exceed an -average of four times the distance located for the route, and that, -through a country so irregularly broken, and crowded with very thick -underwood in many places, the work has been found so incalculably -tedious that, without an adequate idea of the difficulty, it is not easy -to reconcile the delay. - -It is proper to mention that an imperious call from the private concerns -of Commissioner Joseph Kerr, compelled him to return home on the 29th of -November, which will account for the want of his signature to this -report. - -All of which is, with due deference, submitted, this 15th day of -January, 1808. - - ELI WILLIAMS, - THOMAS MOORE. - -NOTE.--It will be observed that Keyser's Ridge, which is unquestionably -the highest point on the road, is not mentioned by the commissioners. -This is, no doubt, because, at the date of their report, the locality -did not bear the name Keyser's Ridge, and was known as a peak of Negro -mountain. Soon after the location of the road, one Keyser acquired the -property at the ridge, and it took its name from him. It will also be -observed that the measurement of heights by the commissioners was made -from "a point ten feet above the surface of low water in the Potomac at -Cumberland." A table of heights given in a subsequent chapter, the -authority for which is not ascertainable, differs from that in the -commissioners' report, but their report must be accepted as accurate -from their point of measurement. The other table referred to gives the -heights above the Atlantic and above Cumberland, and embraces more hills -than the commissioners' report. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - _Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, called upon for - Information respecting the Fund Applicable to the Roads mentioned - in the Ohio Admission Act--His Responses._ - - - TENTH CONGRESS--FIRST SESSION. - - Communicated to the House of Representatives March 8, 1808. - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT. March 3, 1808. - -_Sir_: In answer to your letter of the 1st instant, I have the honor -to state: - - 1st. That the 5 per cent. reserved by the act of 30th April, 1802, - on the net moneys received for public lands in the State of Ohio, sold - since 1st July, 1802, has amounted to the following sums, viz: - - From 1st July, 1802, to 30th June, 1803 $ 6,220 00 - From 1st July, 1803, to 30th June, 1804 8,810 17 - From 1st July, 1804, to 30th June, 1805 13,994 30 - From 1st July, 1805, to 30th June, 1806 31,442 20 - From 1st July, 1806, to 30th June, 1807 28,827 92 - From 1st July, 1807, to 31st December, 1807 (estimated) 15,000 00 - ----------- - $104,294 59 - - - And that the said 5 per cent. will henceforth probably amount to - $30,000 a year. - - - 2d. That, of the $30,000 appropriated by act of 29th March, 1806, there - has been expended, in laying out the Cumberland road from Cumberland to - Brownsville, about $10,000 - That there may be wanted to complete the location, about 5,000 - ------- - $15,000 - - - 3d. That contracts have been made for opening one-half of the breadth of - said road, which, as verbally informed by one of the commissioners, will - require about $3,000, leaving, probably, about $12,000 of the - appropriation for the further improvement of the road. - - 4th. That the portion of the road actually located and confirmed, no - part of which exceeds an angle of five degrees, extends from the - navigable waters of the Potomac, at Cumberland, to the navigable waters - of the Monongahela, at Brownsville (Red Stone Old Fort), and it is - stated, though no official report has been made to me, at about seventy - miles. - - 5th. That that road can be considered as a national object only if - completed as a turnpike, whereby all the flour and other produce of the - western adjacent countries may be brought to a market on the Atlantic - shores; and the transportation of all the salt and other commodities and - merchandise whatever, imported from the Atlantic ports to the western - country generally, may be reduced probably one dollar per cwt. - - And, Lastly, that the expense of completing that part of the road in - such manner, is estimated at $400,000. - - I have the honor to be, respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, - - ALBERT GALLATIN. - - Hon. John Montgomery, of Maryland, Chairman, etc., in Congress. - - - COMMITTEE ROOM, Dec. 22, 1808. - -_Sir_: The committee appointed on the message of the President, -transmitting a report of the commissioners concerning a road from -Cumberland to Ohio, have directed me to request that you would cause to -be laid before them such information as may be in possession of the -Treasury Department respecting the fund applicable by law to "the laying -out and making public roads leading from the navigable waters emptying -into the Atlantic, to the Ohio," etc. (1) The unexpended balance of the -$30,000 appropriated by the act of the 29th of March, 1806; (2) The -amount of moneys, exclusive of the above, now in the treasury, and in -the hands of the receiver of public moneys, applicable to that object; -and (3) an estimate of the probable amount of moneys that will accrue to -the fund within the two succeeding years. - -I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, - - JEREMIAH MORROW. - -To the Hon. Secretary of the Treasury. - - - TENTH CONGRESS--SECOND SESSION. - - _Cumberland Road._ - - Communicated to the House of Representatives, February 16, 1809. - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Dec. 29, 1808. - -_Sir_: In answer to your letter of the 22d instant. I have the honor -to state, for the information of the committee: - - 1st. That the unexpended balance of the appropriation, made by the act - of March 29, 1806, for opening a road from Cumberland, on the Potomac, - to the river Ohio, amounts to $16,075.15; part of which sum will - probably be wanted in order to complete the location and opening of the - road. It is probable that about $13,000 will remain applicable to making - the road. - - 2dly. That the total amount received, either at the treasury, or by the - receivers of public moneys on account of roads, and calculated at the - rate of 5 per cent, of the net proceeds of the sales of lands in the - State of Ohio, subsequent to the 30th day of June, 1802, was, on - - the 30th day of September last $104,692 - leaving, if that mode of calculating be correct, and after - deducting the sum appropriated by the above mentioned act 30,000 - -------- - a sum applicable to the road of $ 74,692 - in addition to the above mentioned unexpended balance of 16,075 - -------- - and making together a sum of $ 90,767 - But if the amount applicable to roads be calculated at the - rate of 2 per cent. only, on the net proceeds of the sales of - lands, this will, on the 30th of September last, have produced - only $ 41,876 - from which, deducting the appropriation of 30,000 - -------- - leaves an unappropriated balance of $ 11,876 - which, added to the unexpended balance of the appropriation 16,075 - -------- - makes an aggregate of only $ 27,951 - - - 3dly. That the probable receipts on account of that fund may, for the - two ensuing years, be estimated at $22,500 a year, if calculated at the - rate of 5 per cent., and at $9,000 a year, if calculated at the rate of - 2 per cent. on the sales of lands. - - I have the honor to be, respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, - - ALBERT GALLATIN. - - Hon. Jeremiah Morrow, Chairman of the Land Committee. - - P.S.--Amount of the 2 per cent. of the net proceeds of the lands - within the State of Ohio: - - From 1st July, 1802, to 30th June, 1803, 2 per cent. $ 2,400.00 - From 1st July, 1803, to 30th June, 1804, 2 per cent. 3,524.06 - From 1st July, 1804, to 30th June, 1805, 2 per cent. 5,597.72 - From 1st July, 1805, to 30th June, 1806, 2 per cent. 11,243.55 - From 1st July, 1806, to 30th June, 1807, 2 per cent. 9,120.75 - From 1st July, 1807, to 30th June, 1808, 2 per cent. 9,902.80 - Estimated July, 1808, to 31st October, 1808, 2 per cent. 2,815.60 - ---------- - Total $44,692.48 - - The sum of $30,000 appropriated per act of 29th of March to be - paid therefrom; of which $13,924.85 seems to have been paid. - - A. G. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - _The Life of the Road Threatened by the Spectre of a Constitutional - Cavil--President Monroe Vetoes a Bill for its Preservation and - Repair--General Jackson has Misgivings--Hon. Andrew Stewart comes - to the Rescue._ - - - SPECIAL MESSAGE. - - MAY 4, 1822. -_To the House of Representatives_: - -Having duly considered the bill, entitled "An act for the preservation -and repair of the Cumberland Road," it is with deep regret (APPROVING, -AS I DO, THE POLICY), that I am compelled to object to its passage, and -to return the bill to the House of Representatives, in which it -originated, under a conviction that Congress do not possess the power, -under the Constitution, to pass such a law. A power to establish -turnpikes, with gates and tolls, and to enforce the collection of the -tolls by penalties, implies a power to adopt and execute a complete -system of internal improvements. A right to impose duties to be paid by -all persons passing a certain road, and on horses and carriages, as is -done by this bill, involves the right to take the land from the -proprietor on a valuation, and to pass laws for the protection of the -road from injuries; and if it exist, as to one road, it exists as to any -other, and to as many roads as Congress may think proper to establish. A -right to legislate for one of these purposes, is a right to legislate -for the others. It is a complete right of jurisdiction and sovereignty -for all the purposes of internal improvement, and not merely the right -of applying money under the power vested in Congress to make -appropriations (under which power, with the consent of the States -through which the road passes, the work was originally commenced, and -has been so far executed). I am of opinion that Congress do not possess -this power--that the States individually cannot grant it; for, although -they may assent to the appropriation of money within their limits for -such purposes, they can grant no power of jurisdiction of sovereignty, -by special compacts with the United States. This power can be granted -only by an amendment to the Constitution, and in the mode prescribed by -it. If the power exist, it must be either because it has been -specifically granted to the United States, or that it is incidental to -some power, which has been specifically granted. If we examine the -specific grants of power, we do not find it among them, nor is it -incidental to any power which has been specifically granted. It has -never been contended that the power was specifically granted. It is -claimed only as being incidental to some one or more of the powers -which are specifically granted. The following are the powers from which -it is said to be derived: (1) From the right to establish post offices -and post roads; (2) From the right to declare war; (3) To regulate -commerce; (4) To pay the debts and provide for the common defence and -general welfare; (5) From the power to make all laws necessary and -proper for carrying into execution all the powers vested by the -Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any -department or officer thereof; (6) And lastly, from the power to dispose -of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory -and other property of the United States. According to my judgment, it -cannot be derived from either of these powers, nor from all of them -united, and in consequence it does not exist. Having stated my -objections to the bill, I should now cheerfully communicate at large the -reasons on which they are founded, if I had time to reduce them to such -form as to include them in this paper. The advanced stage of the session -renders that impossible. Having, at the commencement of my service in -this high trust, considered it a duty to express the opinion that the -United States do not possess the power in question, and to suggest for -the consideration of Congress the propriety of recommending to the -States an amendment to the Constitution, to vest the power in the United -States, my attention has been often drawn to the subject since, in -consequence whereof, I have occasionally committed my sentiments to -paper respecting it. The form which this exposition has assumed is not -such as I should have given it had it been intended for Congress, nor is -it concluded. Nevertheless, as it contains my views on this subject, -being one which I deem of very high importance, and which, in many of -its bearings, has now become peculiarly urgent, I will communicate it to -Congress, if in my power, in the course of the day, or certainly on -Monday next. - - JAMES MONROE. - -General Jackson, in his famous veto of the Maysville Road bill (May 27, -1830), refers to the Cumberland Road, and to the above message of -President Monroe, in the following terms; - -"In the administration of Mr. Jefferson we have two examples of the -exercise of the right of appropriation, which, in the consideration that -led to their adoption, and in their effects upon the public mind, have -had a greater agency in marking the character of the power than any -subsequent events. I allude to the payment of fifteen millions of -dollars for the purchase of Louisiana, and to the ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION -FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CUMBERLAND ROAD; the latter act deriving -much weight from the acquiescence and approbation of three of the most -powerful of the original members of the confederacy, expressed through -their respective legislatures. Although the circumstances of the LATTER -CASE may be such as to deprive so much of it as relates to the actual -construction of the road of the force of an obligatory exposition of the -Constitution, it must nevertheless be admitted that so far as the mere -appropriation of money is concerned, they present the principle in its -most imposing aspect. No less than twenty-three different laws have been -passed through all the forms of the Constitution, appropriating upwards -of two millions and a half of dollars out of the national treasury in -support of that improvement, with the approbation of every president of -the United States, including my predecessor, since its commencement. The -views of Mr. Monroe upon this subject were not left to inference. During -his administration, a bill was passed through both houses of Congress, -conferring the jurisdiction and prescribing the mode by which the -federal government should exercise it in the case of THE CUMBERLAND -ROAD. He returned it with objections to its passage, and in assigning -them, took occasion to say that in the early stages of the government he -had inclined to the construction that it had no right to expend money -except in the performance of acts authorized by the other specific -grants of power, according to a strict construction of them; but that on -further reflection and observation his mind had undergone a change; that -his opinion then was: 'that Congress had an unlimited power to raise -money, and that in its appropriation they have a discretionary power, -restricted only by the duty to appropriate it to purposes of common -defence and of general, not local, National, not State benefit;' and -this was avowed to be the governing principle through the residue of his -administration." - -[Illustration: HON. ANDREW STEWART.] - -On the 27th of January, 1829, the Hon. Andrew Stewart, of Pennsylvania, -in a vigorous speech on the floor of Congress, repelled the proposition -that the general government was lacking in power and authority to make -and preserve the road, from which the following extracts are taken: - -"Mr. Stewart expressed his regret that gentlemen had deemed this a fit -occasion to draw into discussion all the topics connected with the -general power over the subject of internal improvements. If repeated -decisions, and the uniform practice of the government could settle any -question, this, he thought, ought to be regarded as settled. The -foundation of this road (the National or Cumberland) was laid by a -report made by Mr. Giles, the present Governor of Virginia, in 1802, and -was sanctioned the next session by a similar report, made by another -distinguished Virginian (Mr. Randolph), now a member of this House--it -was the offspring of Virginia, and he hoped she would not now abandon it -as illegitimate. Commenced under the administration of Mr. Jefferson, it -had been sanctioned and prosecuted by every president, and by almost -every Congress, for more than a quarter of a century.* * * * - -"Without roads and canals, of what avail was it to the people of the -West to possess a country, abounding with all the essential elements of -wealth and prosperity--of what avail was it to have a country abounding -with inexhaustible mines of coal and ore; to possess a fruitful soil and -abundant harvests, without the means of transporting them to the places -where they were required for consumption? Without a market, the people -of the West were left without a motive for industry. By denying to -this portion of the Union the advantages of internal improvements, you -not only deprive them of all the benefits of governmental expenditures, -but you also deprive them of the advantages which nature's God intended -for them. Possessing the power, how, he asked, could any representative -of the interior or western portions of this Union vote against a policy -so essential to the prosperity of the people who sent him here to guard -their rights, and advance their interests? * * * * - -"The right of this government to construct such roads and canals as were -necessary to carry into effect its mail, military, and commercial -powers, was as clear and undoubted as the right to build a post office, -construct a fort, or erect a lighthouse. In every point of view the -cases were precisely similar, and were sustained and justified by the -same power." * * * * - -The power, said Mr. S., "to establish post offices and post roads," -involves the power and duty of transporting the mail, and of employing -all the means necessary for this purpose. The simple question, then, was -this: Are roads necessary to carry the mail? If they were, Congress had -expressly the right to make them, and there was an end to the question. -Roads were, he contended, not only necessary to carry into effect this -power, but they were absolutely and indispensably necessary; you cannot -get along without them, and yet we are gravely told that Congress have -no right to make a mail road, or repair it when made! That to do so -would ruin the States and produce consolidation--ruin the States by -constructing good roads for their use and benefit; produce consolidation -by connecting the distant parts of the Union by cheap and rapid modes of -inter-communication. If consolidation meant to confirm and perpetuate -the Union, he would admit its application, but not otherwise. But we are -told that the _States_ will make roads to carry the mails. This was -begging the question. If the States would make all the roads required to -carry into effect our powers, very well; but if they did not, then we -may undoubtedly make them ourselves. But it was never designed by the -framers of the Constitution that this government should be dependent on -the States for the means of executing its powers: "its means were -adequate to its ends." This principle was distinctly and unanimously -laid down by the Supreme Court in the case already referred to: "No -trace," says the Chief Justice, "is to be found in the Constitution of -an intention to create a dependence of the government of the Union on -the States for the execution of the powers assigned to it--its means are -adequate to its ends. To impose on it the necessity of resorting to -means it cannot control, which another government may furnish or -withhold, would render its course precarious, the result of its measures -uncertain, and create a dependence on other governments, which might -disappoint the most important designs, and is incompatible with the -language of the Constitution." And this was in perfect harmony with the -constant and uniform practice of the government. * * * - -Mr. S. begged gentlemen to turn their attention for a moment to the -statute book, and see what the practice of the government had been; what -had been already done by Congress in virtue of this power of -"establishing post offices and post roads." In 1825 an act had been -passed, without a word of objection, which went infinitely further than -the bill under consideration. His colleague (Mr. Buchanan) was then a -member of this House, and, no doubt, voted for it. His eloquence was -then mute--we heard nothing about States rights, spectres, and sedition -laws. This bill, regulating the post office establishment, not only -created some thirty or forty highly penal offences, extending not only -over the Cumberland Road, but over every other road in the United -States, punishing with severest sanctions, even to the taking away the -liberty and the lives of the citizens of the States, and requiring the -State courts to take cognizance of these offences and inflict these -punishments. This was not all: this act not only extended over all the -mail roads, but all other roads running parallel with them, on which all -persons are prohibited, under a penalty of fifty dollars, from carrying -letters in stages or other vehicles performing regular trips; and -authorizing, too, the seizure and sale of any property found in them for -the payment of the fines. The same regulations applied to boats and -vessels passing from one town to another. Compare that bill with the one -under debate. This bill had two or three trifling penalties of ten -dollars, and was confined to one road of about one hundred and fifty -miles in extent, made by the United States, while the other act, with -all its fines and forfeitures, pains and penalties, extended not only to -all the mail roads in the United States, but also to all parallel roads; -yet no complaint was then heard about the constitutionality of this law, -or the dreadful consequences of carrying the citizens hundreds of miles -to be tried. Under it no difficulties had ever been experienced, and no -complaint had ever been heard. There had been no occasion for appointing -United States Justices and creating federal courts to carry this law -into effect, about which there was so much declamation on this occasion: -this was truly choking at gnats and swallowing camels. To take away -_life_ by virtue of the post office power for robbing the mail, is -nothing; but to impose a fine of ten dollars for wilfully destroying a -road which has cost the government a million of dollars, is a dreadful -violation of State rights! An unheard of usurpation, worse than the -sedition law; and went further towards a dissolution of the Union than -any other act of the government. Such were the declarations of his -colleague; he hoped he would be able to give some reason for thus -denouncing this bill, after voting for the act of 1825, which carried -this same power a hundred times further than this bill, both as regards -the theatre of its operations, and the extent of its punishments. - - * * * * * - -Having thus established, and, as he thought, conclusively, the right to -construct roads and canals for mail and military purposes, he came next -to say a few words on the subject of those which appertained to the -express power of "regulating commerce with foreign nations and _among -the several States_." This power carried with it, as a necessary -incident, the right to construct commercial roads and canals. From this -grant Congress derived exactly the same power to make roads and canals -that it did sea-walls, light-houses, buoys, beacons, etc., along the -seaboard. If the power existed over the one it existed over the other in -every point of view; the cases were precisely parallel; it was -impossible to draw a distinction between them. This power was essential -to every government--there was no government under the sun without it. -All writers on national law and political economy considered the right -to construct roads and canals as belonging to the commercial power of -all governments. * * * - -There were great arteries of communication between distant divisions of -this extensive empire, passing through many States or bordering upon -them, which the States never could and never would make. These works -were emphatically national, and ought to be accomplished by national -means. - -He instanced the road now under consideration--it passed through -Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, yet neither of these States would -have given a dollar to make it. It passed mostly through mountainous and -uninhabited regions. He adverted to the Potomac, Ohio, and Mississippi -rivers. Important as these were to all the States, yet they were the -internal concerns of none--they were mere boundaries to which the States -would give nothing, while they had so many objects exclusively internal -requiring all their means. For these reasons he was utterly opposed to -the project of dividing the surplus revenue of the general government -among the several States; this would be to surrender the national means -which the people had confided to this purpose to mere local and -sectional objects, while those truly national would remain forever -unprovided for. He did not claim for this government the power to make -roads and canals for all purposes. The powers of this government and of -the States were distinct and well defined. To the national government -belonged, under the Constitution, the power of making national roads and -canals for national purposes. To the States belonged the power of -providing for state and local objects. The roads and canals projected -and executed by the States and private companies were often highly -important in a national point of view; and to such, in his opinion, this -government ought always to afford aid in a proportion corresponding with -the interest the nation had in their accomplishment. When individuals -were willing to go before and vest millions of their private funds in -works strictly and truly national, connecting the remote sections of the -Union together (of which we had two distinct examples, one in this -district and the other in a neighboring city, Baltimore), could this -government, charged with the care and guardianship of all the great -interests of the nation, look on with cold indifference? Was it not our -duty to lend a helping hand to encourage, to cheer, and to sustain them -in their noble and patriotic efforts? * * * * - -Mr. Stewart said he would now proceed to answer, as briefly as possible, -some leading arguments urged by gentlemen in opposition to the bill -under consideration. His colleague (Mr. Buchanan) had said that this -bill proposed a greater stretch of power than the sedition law. This was -an argument "ad captandum vulgus." He would not do his colleague the -injustice to suppose that he was so ignorant of the Constitution of his -country as seriously to address such an argument to the understanding of -this House. The bill under consideration was necessary to carry into -effect the express power of transporting the mail. What power of this -government was the sedition law intended to carry into effect? None. It -was therefore not only clearly unconstitutional on this ground, but it -went directly to abridge the freedom of the press, and, of course, was a -plain and palpable violation of that provision in the Constitution, -which declares that "Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of -speech or of the press." Now, if his colleague could show any provision -in the Constitution in the slightest degree impugning the right of -Congress to pass this bill, then he might have some excuse for offering -such an argument, otherwise he had none. The gentleman had, in a very -labored effort, endeavored to prove that this government had no kind of -jurisdiction or control whatever over this road. Yet his own amendment -recognized the existence of the very power which he denies. By his -amendment he proposes what? That this government shall cede the roads to -the States, with the power to erect gates and collect as much toll as -was necessary to keep it in repair. But his whole argument went to prove -that Congress did not possess the very power which his amendment assumed -and proposed to the States. The gentleman's amendment, and his speech -therefore, were at open war with each other, and would perhaps both -perish in the conflict. Certainly, both could not survive--one or the -other must fall. - -The gentleman, proceeding in his argument, had assumed premises which -nobody would admit, and then, with an air of great triumph, he drew -conclusions which even his own premises would not support. He takes for -granted that this government, with all its mail, military, and -commercial powers, has no more right to make a road to carry these -powers into effect, through a State, than any individual possessing none -of these powers would have. Thus, having assumed what was utterly -inadmissible, he triumphantly inquires whether an individual, having -obtained leave to make a road through another's land, could put up gates -and exact toll? The gentleman says, surely not. But he said, surely yes, -unless expressly prohibited by the contract. Suppose, by permission, I -build a mill, said Mr. S., upon that gentleman's estate, and construct a -bridge and turnpike road to get to it, have not I as much right to -demand toll at the bridge as at the mill? Most undoubtedly; so that the -gentleman's premises and his conclusions were alike fallacious and -unsound. This position had been taken by both the gentlemen from -Virginia (Mr. Barbour and Mr. Archer), to whom he would make the same -reply. A most extraordinary argument had been advanced against military -roads: the public enemy may get possession of them in war!! Was it -possible that an American statesman could, at this time of day, urge -such an argument? It might be addressed to a set of timid savages, -secure in the midst of the wilderness. The enemy get possession of our -roads, and therefore not make them! Such cowardly arguments would -deprive us of every possible means of defence. The enemy, it might be -said with equal propriety, may get our ships, our forts, our cannon, our -soldiers, and therefore we ought not to provide them. What would the -brave freemen of this country say to the men who would deny them roads -to travel on, lest the enemy might take them from us in war? They would -reply, with Spartan magnanimity, "Let them come and take them." * * * - -A great deal has been said on the subject of jurisdiction; that, if it -existed at all, it must be exclusive; that it could not attach to soil, -and much metaphysical refinement of this sort, which had little to do -with the subject. On this point, the only sound and practical rule was, -that this government had a right to assume such jurisdiction over their -roads as was necessary for their preservation and repair by such means -as should be deemed most expedient, leaving everything beyond that to -the States. Thus far the Constitution declared the legislation of -Congress to be "the supreme law of the land, anything in the -constitution and laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding." -This left to the laws of the States, the right to punish all offences -and other acts committed upon the road, in the same manner as though -they had occurred in any other part of their territory. Such had been -the uniform practice of the government in executing all its powers up to -the present time, and no complaint had ever been made or inconvenience -experienced. - -It has been universally conceded on all hands in this debate, that the -consent of the States could not confer any jurisdiction or powers on -this government beyond what it had derived from the Constitution. This -was too clear a proposition to admit of doubt. Yet the names of -Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and Gallatin, were introduced and relied on. -Did gentlemen forget that Mr. Gallatin was the very first man that ever -suggested the plan for making the Cumberland road, and that it had been -sanctioned and actually constructed under the administrations of -Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe? Their opinions were thus reduced to -practice, which was the best evidence in the world--"By their fruits -shall ye know them." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - _State Authority prevails--The Road surrendered by Congress--The - erection of Toll Gates authorized--Commissioners appointed by the - States to receive the Road--They wrangle over its bad condition, - and demand that it be put in thorough repair by Congress, before - the States will accept it--Old and familiar names of the - Commissioners--The Road accepted by the States._ - - -At the session of the year 1831, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed a -bill, which was approved April 4th, of that year, by George Wolf, -governor, the preamble to, and the first, and part of the second, and -all of the tenth sections of which read as follows: - - "Whereas, that part of the Cumberland Road lying within the State of - Pennsylvania is in many parts in bad condition for want of repairs, - and as doubts have been entertained whether the United States have - authority to erect toll gates on said road, and collect toll; and as a - large proportion of the people of this commonwealth are interested in - said road, and its constant continuance and preservation; therefore, - - SECTION 1. _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives - of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in general assembly met, and it - is hereby enacted by authority of the same_; That as soon as the - consent of the government of the United States shall have been - obtained, as hereinafter provided, WILLIAM F. COPLAN, DAVID DOWNER, of - Fayette county, STEPHEN HILL, BENJAMIN ANDERSON, of Washington county, - and THOMAS ENDSLEY, of Smithfield, Somerset county, shall be, and they - are hereby appointed commissioners, a majority of whom shall be - sufficient to transact business, who shall hold their offices for - three years after the passage of this act, after which the right of - appointing said commissioners shall vest in the governor of this - commonwealth, to build toll houses, and erect toll gates at suitable - distances on so much of the Cumberland Road as lies within the State - of Pennsylvania; _Provided_, that if any one or more of the - commissioners should die, resign, or refuse to serve, the Governor - shall appoint one or more other commissioners to fill the vacancies so - happening; _And provided, also_, that nothing herein contained shall - be construed to prevent the Governor from re-appointing the - commissioners named in this act, if he thinks proper. - - SEC. 2. That for the purpose of keeping so much of the said road in - repair as lies within the State of Pennsylvania, and paying the - expense of collection and other incidental expenses, the - commissioners shall cause to be erected on so much of the road as - passes within this State at least six gates, and that as soon as said - gates and toll-houses shall be erected, it shall be the duty of the - toll collectors, and they are hereby required to demand and receive - for passing the said gates, the tolls hereafter mentioned; and they - may stop any person riding, leading or driving any horses, cattle, - sulky, chair, phaeton, cart, chaise, wagon, sleigh, sled or other - carriage of burden or pleasure from passing through the said gates, - until they shall respectively have paid for passing the same, that is - to say: (Here follow the rates). - - SEC. 10. That this act shall not have any force or effect, until the - Congress of the United States shall assent to the same, and until so - much of the said road as passes through the State of Pennsylvania, be - first put in a good state of repair, and an appropriation made by - Congress for erecting toll-houses and toll-gates thereon, to be - expended under the authority of the commissioners appointed by this - act: _Provided_, The legislature of this State may at any future - session thereof, change, alter or amend this act, provided that the - same shall not be so altered or amended, as to reduce or increase the - rates of toll hereby established, below or above a sum necessary to - defray the expenses incident to the preservation and repair of said - road, for the payment of the fees or salaries of the commissioners, - the collectors of tolls, and other agents. _And provided further_, - That no change, alteration, or amendment, shall ever be adopted, that - will in any wise defeat or affect, the true intent and meaning of this - act." - -Ohio was a little in advance of Pennsylvania in accepting the road, and -less exacting in her terms. The legislature of that State, on the 4th of -February, 1831, passed an act authorizing the acceptance, without -requiring that the road should be put in repair as a condition -precedent. On the 23d of January, 1832, Maryland, by an act of her -legislature, agreed to accept the road upon the same condition required -by Pennsylvania, and on the 7th of February, 1832, Virginia accepted in -an act similar to that of Ohio. On the 3d of July, 1832, Congress -declared its assent to the above mentioned laws of Pennsylvania and -Maryland in these words: "To which acts the assent of the United States -is hereby given, to remain in force during the pleasure of Congress," -and on the 2d of March, 1833, assented to the act of Virginia with a -similar limitation. - -[Illustration: TOLL HOUSE.] - - * * * * * - - JANUARY 19, 1835. - - REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE, TO - WHICH IS COMMITTED BILL NO. 221. - - _To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in - Congress assembled:_ - -The undersigned beg leave to represent that they have been appointed -commissioners, under the act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, to -accept from the general government so much of the Cumberland Road as -lies within the limits of that State, and erect toll gates as soon as -it is put in such a state of repair as is required by the provisions of -that act. That they have every disposition to relieve the government -from the burden of the road, so soon as they can feel themselves -justified, under the law, in doing so; but they beg leave to -respectfully represent that the road has not yet been put in that -condition that would enable them to accept of it. - -On some parts no more than six inches, and west of the Monongahela -river, three inches only of metal have been put upon it, and it is -apparent that this will be totally insufficient to preserve it under the -heavy travel upon that road. Besides, the bridges throughout the whole -road remain untouched. Under these circumstances, it is impossible for -us, in the discharge of our duty, to accept of it; and we would most -earnestly but respectfully urge upon Congress the propriety of making -such an appropriation as will complete the repairs in a substantial -manner, as required by the act of our own legislature. We will not -undertake to prescribe the amount which may be necessary; but, to -satisfy your honorable bodies that we are disposed to go as far as the -faithful discharge of our duty will permit, we hereby pledge ourselves, -so soon as Congress shall make an appropriation of so much money as may -be estimated by the department as necessary for that purpose, to accept -of the road, and have toll gates erected without delay. We, therefore, -beg leave most respectfully to submit to the wisdom of your honorable -bodies to determine whether it will be better to make the necessary -appropriation to justify us in accepting the road, and relieving the -government from all future charge, or to keep it in its present state, -subject to annual appropriations for its preservation, as heretofore. - - THO. ENDSLEY. - STEPHEN HILL. - DAVID DOWNER. - WILLIAM F. COPLAN. - January 7, 1835. BENJAMIN ANDERSON. - - * * * * * - -_To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the - United States in Congress assembled_: - -The undersigned beg leave to represent that they have been appointed -commissioners, under the act of Assembly of the State of Maryland, to -report to the Governor and Council of said State when that part of the -Cumberland Road which lies within the limits of said State shall have -been put in that state of repair contemplated by the act of Congress, -and the act of Assembly of the State of Maryland, agreeing to receive -the road and to keep it in repair; that they will with great pleasure -report the road to the Governor and Council the moment they can with -propriety do so. And they beg leave to represent that they feel -authorized to say that the Governor and Council will, with great -pleasure, authorize them to receive the road whenever it shall be put in -that condition which would justify the State in accepting it. They -further represent that the road has not yet been put in that condition -that would justify them in advising the State to receive it. On some -parts of the road no more than three and a half inches of metal has been -put, and it is evident that this covering will be totally insufficient -to preserve it in a fit state for use under the heavy travel which is -constantly passing over it. The bridges also, throughout the whole -distance, remain in a ruinous and dilapidated condition. They further -respectfully represent that the new location from Cumberland, through -the narrows of Wills creek and along Braddock's run, a distance of -upwards of six miles, has had but three and a half inches of metal upon -it; and the bridge over Wills creek and the bridges over Braddock's run -were to be permanent stone structures, by the act of Assembly of -Maryland, authorizing the President to change the location of the road. -The undersigned are also advised that it is contemplated by the -superintendent to put up wooden structures for bridges, in lieu of the -stone bridges required by the act of Assembly of Maryland, authorizing -the change in the location of the road, which would be in direct -violation of that act. They further represent that the floors of wooden -bridges must be removed every two or three years, and the whole -structure of the bridges themselves must be built every twenty or -twenty-five years. - -Under these circumstances it would be impossible for the undersigned, in -the discharge of their duty, to recommend to the State the acceptance of -the road. And they would most earnestly but respectfully urge upon -Congress the propriety of making such an appropriation as will be -sufficient to complete the repairs on the old road, and to finish the -new location in a substantial manner, as contemplated and required by -the act of the Legislature of Maryland. The undersigned will not -undertake to prescribe the sum which may be necessary for this purpose; -but, to satisfy your honorable bodies that they are disposed to go as -far as the faithful discharge of their duty will permit, they hereby -pledge themselves that so soon as Congress shall make an appropriation -of so much money as may be estimated by the department as necessary for -the completion of the repairs of the old road, and the finishing of the -road on the new location, together with the construction of permanent -stone bridges, they will forthwith report to the Governor and Council -the state of the road, and recommend that the State receive such part of -the road as may be completed, and to collect tolls on it to keep it in -repair, thereby relieving the United States from any further expense for -repairs on such part. They further beg leave most respectfully to submit -to the wisdom of your honorable bodies to determine whether it will be -better to make the necessary appropriation to enable them to recommend -the road as in a fit condition to be received by the State, and thus -relieve the government from any further burden, or to let it remain in -its present state, subject to appropriations for its preservation, as -heretofore. - - JOHN HOYE, - MESHECK FROST, - Commissioners of the State of Maryland. - -On April 1, 1835, Pennsylvania accepted the road in the following -brief terms, embodied in the third section of an act of her legislature -of that date: "The surrender by the United States of so much of the -Cumberland Road as lies within the State of Pennsylvania is hereby -accepted by this State, and the commissioners to be appointed under -this act are authorized to erect toll gates on the whole or any part of -said road, at such time as they may deem it expedient to do so." - -Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio also accepted the road, and thenceforth -it was, and remains under the control of the several States -through which it passes. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - _Plan of Repairs--The Macadam System adopted--Mr. Stockton offers his - services--Capt. Delafield made Superintendent--The Road in a bad - condition--Permission asked to deviate from instructions, and - refused--Capt. Giesey lifted the old road bed indiscriminately-- - First defects to be remedied--Lieut. Mansfield at Uniontown--Plan - emphasized in notices for contracts--Free passage for water a first - consideration._ - - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, July 23, 1832. - -_Lt. J. K. F. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers_: - -SIR: By direction of the Secretary of War, you have been assigned, -temporarily, to the superintendence of the repairs of the Cumberland -Road east of the Ohio river; and in the discharge of your duties in this -capacity, you will be governed by the following instructions: - -1st. Respecting the parts to be repaired. The extreme limits within -which your operations will be confined are, the point of intersection of -the road with the western boundary line of the State of Pennsylvania, -and Cumberland, in the State of Maryland; the dividing line between -these States will be considered as dividing the line of the road to be -repaired into two divisions, and the division within the State of -Pennsylvania will be subdivided into six equal sections, and that within -the State of Maryland, into two; then, having made a thorough -examination of each of these sections, with a view to make yourself -acquainted with their exact condition, you will classify them in the -order of their condition, placing the worst first, the next worst -second, and so on, making the best the last. You will then make an -estimate for the repairs of each of these sections, to ascertain how far -the appropriation, which is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, will -go toward repairing the whole road. Separate contracts will then be made -for executing the repairs, commencing with No. 1, and passing regularly -through the sections, as classified, to the best section; and these -repairs will be prosecuted with as much despatch as the nature of the -case will allow. Should you deem it advisable, in letting out these -sections, to retain any portion of them which may seem to require but -slight repairs, and which repairs could be executed with greater economy -by having overseers and laborers to act under your immediate direction, -you are at liberty to do so, bearing in mind, however, that whenever the -repairs of the road can be made with equal economy, it is the wish of -the department that they should be made by contract. As soon as one or -more of these sections are finished, you will notify the commissioners -appointed to receive this road by the laws of Pennsylvania and Maryland, -approved, that of the former on the 4th day of April, 1831, and that of -the latter on the 4th day of January, 1832, that these sections are -ready to be turned over to the State, and you will accordingly turn them -over. - -2d. Respecting the mode of repairs. In order to insure efficient and -permanent repairs, they are to be made on that which is called the -Macadam system; that is to say, the pavement of the old road must be -entirely broken up, and the stones removed from the road; the bed of -which must then be raked smooth, and made nearly flat, having a rise of -not more than three inches from the side to the center, in a road thirty -feet wide; the ditches on each side of the road, and the drains leading -from them, are to be so constructed that the water cannot stand at a -higher level than that which is eighteen inches below the lowest part of -the surface of the road; and, in all cases, when it is practicable, the -drains should be adjusted in such a manner as to lead the water entirely -from the side ditches. The culverts are to be cleared out, and so -adjusted as to allow the free passage of all water that may tend to -cross the road. - -Having thus formed the bed of the road, cleaned out the ditches and -culverts, and adjusted the side drains, the stone, reduced to a size not -exceeding four ounces in weight, must be spread on with shovels, and -raked smooth. The old material should be used only when it is of -sufficient hardness, and no clay or sand must be mixed with the stone. - -In replacing the covering of stone, it will be found best to lay it on -in strata of about three inches thick, admitting the travel for a short -interval on each layer, and interposing such obstructions from time to -time as will insure an equal travel over every portion of the road; -taking care to keep persons in constant attendance to rake the surface -when it becomes uneven by the action of the wheels of carriages. In -those parts of the road, if any, where materials of good quality cannot -be obtained from the road in sufficient quantity to afford a course of -six inches, new stone must be procured to make up the deficiency to that -thickness; but it is unnecessary, in any part, to put on a covering of -more than nine inches. None but limestone, flint or granite, should be -used for the covering, if practicable; and no covering should be placed -upon the bed of the road till it has become well compacted and -thoroughly dried. At proper intervals, on the slopes of hills, drains or -paved catch-waters must be made across the road, when the cost of -constructing culverts would render their use inexpedient. These -catch-waters must be made with a gradual curvature, so as to give no -jolts to the wheels of carriages passing over them; but whenever the -expense will justify the introduction of culverts, they will be used in -preference; and in all cases where the water crosses the road, either in -catch-waters or under culverts, sufficient pavements and overfalls must -be constructed to provide against the possibility of the road or banks -being washed away by it. - -The masonry of the bridges, culverts, and side walls, must be repaired, -when it may be required, in a substantial manner, and care must be taken -that the mortar used be of good quality, without admixture of raw clay. -All the masonry to be well pointed with hydraulic mortar, and in no case -must the pointing be put on after the middle of October; all masonry -finished after this time will be well covered, and pointed early in the -following spring. Care must be taken, also, to provide means for -carrying off the water from the bases of walls, to prevent the action of -frost on their foundations; and it is highly important that all -foundations in masonry should be well pointed with hydraulic mortar to a -depth of eighteen inches below the surface of the ground. - -As the laws on the subject of this road do not seem to justify a -deviation from the original location, you will be careful to confine -your operations to the road as you find it located; but, as it is -believed that its axis may be dropped without adding much to the expense -in those places where its inclination with the horizon exceeds four -degrees, you are authorized, under the exercise of a sound discretion, -to make this change. - -In making your contracts, it must be understood that you are to have the -general supervision of their execution, and that it will be your duty to -see that all labor and materials (provided for by them) be applied in -the most faithful and substantial manner. These contracts must provide -in their specifications for all the work that can be anticipated, and -should it happen that additional stipulations are afterwards found to be -necessary for either workmanship or supplies not originally provided -for, the facts must be reported to this department, and, with its -approbation, if obtained, new contracts will be made for the additional -services and supplies required; and it must be distinctly understood by -the contractors that no payment will be made for work not provided for -by their contracts. - -Mr. L. W. Stockton, of Uniontown, has been engaged on this road and is -intimately acquainted with every part of it, as well as with the -adjacent country; and, as he has offered his services, you would do well -to call upon him and avail yourself of them in any capacity that may -seem to you best. - -As soon as it can be done, a drawing of the whole road, with details of -construction, will be forwarded, to be filed in this office. - -You will take up your headquarters at any point on the road where your -services may appear to you to be most needed; and, as soon as you shall -have completed such an examination of the road as will place you in -possession of the information necessary to draw up the specifications to -your contracts, you will invite proposals for those contracts through -the public prints. These contracts will be closed with as little delay -as the interest of the road will allow, when the work will be commenced, -and the contracts, together with the proper estimates, forwarded to -this office. For the mode of making these estimates, keeping your -accounts, and conducting your correspondence with this office, you are -referred to the regulations of the Engineer Department. - -Captain Delafield has been assigned to the permanent superintendence of -the repairs of this road, and has been directed to join you on or before -the 1st of October next. You will, therefore, immediately on his -arrival, turn over to him these instructions, together with all the -papers and public property that may be in your possession relating to -the road. As soon as you shall have completed the necessary examinations -on the road, you will commence and continue the repairs simultaneously -in both States. - -You will make application for such instruments and funds as may appear -necessary to enable you to execute the foregoing instructions. - - I am, &c., - C. GRATIOT, - Brigadier General. - - * * * * * - - CUMBERLAND, MD., August 1, 1832. - -_Sir_: I have this evening returned from a general reconnoissance -of the road in this State. I find the road in a shocking condition, and -every rod of it will require great repair; some of it is now almost -impassable. I purpose leaving here to-morrow, on a particular -measurement and survey of the road as it is, and the requisites to put -it in complete repair. - -The object of this communication is to request to be permitted -to deviate, according to circumstances, from so much of my instructions -as requires the old bed in all cases to be lifted, and the rise in -the middle three inches; for there are parts of the road where the top -of the old bed is full low, and where it will be more expensive, and -less firm, to remove the old bed and fill in with earth, than to bring -stone and Macadamize on the top of the old bed to the thickness of -nine inches; and there are cases on the sides of the mountains where -a greater rise than three inches, such, for instance, as some parts of it -now have, which is more advantageous than a less one to confine the -water to the gutters in cases of torrents, and thereby preventing a -general sweep over the whole road, which would carry off the smallest -stuff of a Macadamized road. - -The repairs made by Mr. Giesey, about two years since, have the -radical fault resulting from having lifted the old road indiscriminately, -and not giving sufficient rise to the center for a mountainous country. - - I have the honor to be, sir, - Very respectfully, your most obedient, - J. K. F. MANSFIELD, - Lieut. of Engineers. - -Gen. Chas. Gratiot, Chief Engineer. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, August 9, 1832. - -_Sir_: Your letter of the 1st instant, requesting permission to deviate, -according to circumstances, from so much of the instructions of the -department to you, on the subject of the repairs of the Cumberland Road, -as requires the old road in all cases to be lifted, and the rise in the -middle to be made three inches, has been under consideration, and I have -to inform you that this permission cannot be granted. - -In withholding the sanction of the department to any deviation from the -prominent features of your instructions on the subject of these repairs, -it may, perhaps, be proper to state, for your information, the views of -the department on this subject. - -By referring to the report of Mr. Weaver, a printed copy of which you -have in your possession, who made an examination of the Cumberland Road -in 1827, you will perceive that the mode of constructing it was that of -digging a trench, or of sinking the bed of the road below the natural -surface of the ground; that this trench was filled with large stones, -and that these were covered with stones a size smaller, and so on. By -this construction, it was intended that the weight of the carriages -passing over the road should be supported by the large stones, and that -the smaller stones were only intended to present an even surface for the -easy passage of vehicles over it. The great objections to this -construction are, that the bed being lower than the surface of the -ground on each side, the ditches can hardly ever be sunk sufficiently -deep to intercept the passage of water from the ground adjacent to the -road to the ditch or trench in which the road is made; this water, by -keeping the bed constantly wet, would cause the heavy stones of the -first layer to sink into the ground, and thus break up the surface of -the road, and allow the free passage of water through the covering -itself. In the winter, the frost acting upon the bed, rendered wet by -the free passage of water to it in every direction, would heave the -stones to such a degree that the road in a little time would be -perfectly impassable; and if any evidence, in addition to that presented -by the testimony of the most experienced and approved road builders, -were necessary to convince the department that the present dilapidated -state of the road under your charge is owing entirely to the operation -of the causes above alluded to, it is believed that that evidence is -found in the report made by Capt. Delafield, who inspected the repairs -of this road made by Mr. Giesey. By pursuing the course suggested in -your letter, it is believed that these objections and difficulties would -still obtain, and that in a little time, however faithfully the repairs -might be made on the top of the large stones, the road would be in as -bad order as it is at present, since the great cause of these evils -would remain, viz.: that of having the bed which supports the stones, -and which in fact should be the real support of the traffic on the -road, lower than the neighboring ground. - -It is the intention of the department that the defects of the first -construction of the road shall be remedied in its repair, and as it is -believed that the adoption, as nearly as practicable, of the Macadam -system, in all its important features, presents the only means of -effecting this remedy, and as this system forms the basis of your -instructions, it is recommended that they be departed from as little as -possible. - -It is by no means the intention of the department to take from you all -discretion in the discharge of your duties; such a course would defeat -the object had in view in sending an officer of engineers on the road; -but it is believed to be highly important that the exercise of this -discretion should be limited to an extent that will insure the adoption -of such principles and rules as cannot fail to render these repairs -permanent. For these principles and rules, you are referred to Mr. -Macadam's work on the construction and repairs of roads, a copy of which -is in your possession. In removing the metal from the old road, whenever -hollows present themselves in the old bed, it is recommended that they -be filled with earth; indeed, the whole bed of the road should be -elevated, and its form given to it, before any of the covering of stone -be replaced. The earth necessary for this may be taken from the ditches, -or even from the sides of the road, where it can be done without -encroaching upon the privileges of persons residing on the road. - - I am, &c., &c., - C. GRATIOT. - Lt. J. K. F. Mansfield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - - EXTRACTS FROM NOTICES FOR CONTRACTS. - - PLAN OF REPAIRS. - -The plan for repair is to lift the pavement of the old road in all -cases, and deposit the stone off the bed; then to repair the culverts, -clear the drains, ditches, and culverts, so as to admit the free passage -of water, and graduate the bed of the road, so that, when well packed by -travel or other means, it will be three inches higher in the middle than -at either side, for a bed of thirty feet. Having thus formed the bed of -the road, the hard stone (if there be any) of the old road, broken to a -size not exceeding four ounces, is to be placed on the bed of the road -to a breadth of twenty feet, and a thickness not exceeding nine inches, -and in cases where there is a deficiency of the old material, limestone -or whinstone is to be procured to supply the deficiency to the required -thickness of nine inches. Catch-waters and hollow-ways to be permanently -constructed on the sides of hills, and at other places where it will be -thought necessary by the superintending engineer, but in no case to -exceed one in every twelve rods. In those sections where pieces of -hitherto Macadamized road are included, the sand is to be taken off, -and, before new metal is added, the surface loosened with a pick. The -metal added to be three inches thick in the cases heretofore -Macadamized. - - JOS. K. F. MANSFIELD, - Lieutenant Corps of Engineers. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, August 27, 1832. - -_Sir_: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th -inst., inclosing two printed advertisements for proposals to contract -for the repairs of the Cumberland Road under your charge. - -In answer, the department would call your attention to your remarks -under the head "Plan of Repairs," and would suggest that, instead of -removing the stones from the bed of the road before the drains, ditches, -and culverts are put in repair, to allow the free passage of water from -the road, this latter operation should be first attended to, to the end -that the removal of the stone from the road might be effected without -the fear of being annoyed by the accumulation of water from heavy rains. -Besides, thus preparing the drains, ditches, &c., in the first place, -would enable the bed to become perfectly dry by the time the stones are -prepared to be replaced. - - I am, &c., - C. GRATIOT. - - Lt. J. K. F. Mansfield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - _Lieut. Mansfield superseded by Capt. Delafield--The Turning of Wills - Mountain--Contractors not Properly Instructed--Capt. Delafield - suggests a Change of Plan, and enforces his Views by Copious - Quotations from Macadam--He is Permitted to exercise his own - Discretion--Too much sand between Uniontown and - Cumberland--Operations at Wills Creek suspended--A Collision with - the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company--The difficulty adjusted, and - operations resumed._ - - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, October 5, 1832. - -_Sir_: On the arrival of Captain Delafield, of the engineers, on the -Cumberland Road in Pennsylvania and Maryland, you will hand to him the -enclosed communication, which assigns to him the superintendence of the -repairs of that road which have heretofore been conducted under your -supervision. You will, also, turn over to him all the funds, books, -papers, and public property in your possession appertaining to this -road, and close your account with it. - - Very respectfully, &c., - By order: WM. H. C. BARTLETT, - Lieut, and Assistant to Chief Engineer. - - Lieut. J. K. F. Mansfield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - * * * * * - - Uniontown, December 13, 1832. - -_Sir_: The surveys of a route for turning Wills mountain by the valley -of Braddock's run and Wills creek are progressing, being retarded only -by the weather. I have examined the whole route, and can confirm the -most satisfactory account you may have heard of it. The ground over -which the road will pass is a uniform inclined plane, requiring very few -culverts, two small bridges over Braddock's run of about fifteen feet -span each, with side hill in no other part than about 300 yards in the -"Narrows" of Wills creek, where a most simple and expedient plan will be -to use the level and smooth bottom of the creek for the road, by -building a wall not to exceed ten feet in height, thus throwing the -stream on the opposite bank, peculiarly well formed for this -construction, being a low bottom of alluvion. The idea of cutting into -the mountain would be expensive, and no better than throwing the creek -from its present bed. - -On the arrival of Mr. Pettit, I shall divide the road into four -sections, giving him one. The present condition of the road is most -unpromising. Nearly every contractor has formed his bed in the valley -made by the removal of the old pavement, the consequence of which is, -that, with the mild season and rainy weather, the bed is not drained, -nor can it be, until the side roads are cut down to the bottom of the -stone strata--a measure I directed as the only means of correcting the -evil. Time, and the headstrong obstinacy of some of the contractors, -have prevented much of the work being so attended to. All the contracts -made by Lieut. Mansfield distinctly specify that the road for 30 feet in -width shall be graded in such manner as to avoid this difficulty; yet in -carrying the contracts into effect, the superintendents have, in no -instance, instructed the contractors in the proper course. They have, in -most instances too, permitted the stone to be broken on the road; the -consequences of this are, much sand and dirt in the metal, and a bed -graded without proper attention. This is the more remarkable, as in my -report on the work executed two years since by one of the present -superintendents, these errors were pointed out as serious evils, yet -they are not corrected. It must be expected, therefore, that all that -part of the road now under construction will be very indifferently made, -and by no means such as the Macadam system calls for. By the time the -superintendents acquire a knowledge of their business, the present -contracts will be completed. Instead of giving out any more of the work -under the present system, as I had contemplated and advertised, I shall -postpone doing so until I am better assured that the work can be -properly executed. I look anxiously for Mr. Pettit, trusting his -intelligence may correct some of the defects in the section he will be -called upon to superintend. - -To instruct the superintendents in their duties, I shall be compelled to -have printed a manual or primer, with a few lithographic sections, that -the sight may aid the mind in a proper understanding of the business. To -persevere in the present plan, where neither contractors, -superintendents, nor laborers, understand their business, is highly -inexpedient, and I shall forthwith commence maturing a system that must -be productive of more good with less money, or it were better to leave -the work undone, for I am satisfied that durability can not be looked -for under the present system. - -My first business will be to draw the operations to a close, and then -endeavor to bring about the correction. You will be apprised of my views -before carrying any of them into effect, observing that, in anticipation -of a change, I have suspended making the contracts alluded to in my -communication of the 27th ultimo. - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - RICH'D DELAFIELD, - Captain of Engineers. - Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, - Chief Engineer. - - * * * * * - - BALTIMORE, May 6, 1833. - -_Sir_: The instructions of the department of the 23d July last, relating -to the method of repairing the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio, are -founded upon principles upon which I differ in opinion, and beg leave to -request your reconsideration, involving, as they do, an expenditure of -not less than $250,000, when compared with what I judge to be the most -judicious method of making the repairs. - -It is in relation to the propriety of breaking up the old bed of the -road in all cases. I apprehend the department was not aware that the bed -is a substantial, yet rough pavement, and not formed of loose, detached -masses of quarry stone thrown together, without order. It is important -to consider this particular when examining the authorities on road -making. - -My own views are that it is decidedly preferable to retain the old -pavement in all cases where its continuity is unbroken, even mending -small parts that may be deranged, and Macadamizing over it. In this, I -think, I am borne out by Macadam, Dean, Telford, and Farey, whose ideas -on the subject are annexed, as extracted from "Macadam on Roads." - -The only two arguments against the method I propose are, first, that the -metal will grind to dust by being placed over large stone. In answer to -which, I say, that the road passing through a rocky country, even after -removing the pavement, there still remains a rocky foundation; and where -the pavement is well bedded in sand or clay, we have all the elasticity -necessary from the clay or sand bed through the pavement. In support of -which, see the sample of metal taken from the road through Uniontown, -where the under strata have not worn or crushed an iota, presenting -angles as sharp as the day they were first placed there. Were the metal -placed upon an unyielding rock, it would doubtless soon grind to dust; -but placing it upon a pavement laid in sand or gravel, preserves the -elasticity so necessary for this kind of road. Second: That large stone, -placed under Macadam metal, will work to the surface. This is doubtless -true when detached pieces are surrounded by the metal, but with a -pavement the case is very different. I find pieces of this Cumberland -Road, repaired as far back as 1827, by Mr. Ewing, over the old pavement, -in perfect order to this day; as, also, some parts done in this way by -Giesey in 1829, that are much better than any of the repairs he made at -the same time; and a piece through Uniontown, by the authorities of the -place, in 1830, remains in perfect order. - -I have been led to reflect upon this subject from learning that the Ohio -road had cut through and was impassable at certain places during the -months of February and March, and seeing the state of the road under my -supervision between Cumberland and Wheeling, comparing the parts -repaired last season, those under Giesey, Ewing, and the town -authorities, with the old pavement that has stood sixteen years without -a cent of money in repair, and to this day is a very good wagon road, -rough, it is true, yet never cutting through during the fall, winter, -or spring, where the pavement is continuous. To throw away so firm a -foundation I cannot think advisable, and beg you to reflect upon the -subject and favor me with your views. - -The road in Ohio has worn six years (nearly) without repairs, and was -impassable this spring. The old Cumberland Road has worn sixteen years, -and mile after mile has never been known to cut through at any season. -Parts of it covered with Macadamized metal, and worn for five years, are -in fine order, and present a very smooth surface, never having cut -through. Other parts, where the old pavement has been removed and -Macadamized, were impassable during the spring after three years' wear. -We have to bear in mind the impossibility of keeping the ditches and -drains open in the mountains during the winter. Ice forming in the -drains will, of course, throw the melting snows on the surface of the -road, which is destructive to a Macadamized road on clay or sand, -whereas, if on the old pavement, it has strength enough to resist the -travel until either dried by frost, or sun. This is a consideration that -the English road-makers had not to consider with the same weight. As to -keeping the drains open, and the road surface free from water in the -winter, I conceive it impracticable in the mountains; hence the further -propriety of preserving a foundation that will secure a firm road at all -seasons, even if the wear should prove some five or ten per cent. more -rapid, which I do not even think will be the case on the plan suggested -of Macadamizing upon a pavement, and not on an unyielding, rocky bottom. - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - - RICHARD DELAFIELD, - Captain of Engineers. - - Brig. Gen. C. Gratiot, - Chief Engineer. - - - EXTRACTS FROM "MACADAM ON ROADS," MADE BY CAPTAIN DELAFIELD IN SUPPORT - OF HIS VIEWS RELATING TO THE PAVEMENT FORMING THE BED OF THE - "CUMBERLAND ROAD EAST OF THE OHIO." - -Page 39.--"It would be highly unprofitable to lift and relay a road, -even if the materials should have been originally too large. The road -between Cirencester and Bath is made of stone too large in size. In this -case I recommend cutting down the high places," &c. - -Page 40.--"A part of the road in the Bath district is made of freestone, -which it would be unprofitable to lift. Other cases of several kinds -have occurred where a different method must be adopted, but which it is -impossible to specify, and must be met by the practical skill of the -officer, and who must constantly recur to general principles." - -Page 42.--"The price of lifting a road, &c., leaving the road in a -finished state, has been found in practice to be from 1d. to 2d. per -superficial yard, lifted four inches deep." - -Page 47.--"It is well known to every skillful and observant road-maker, -that if strata of stone of various sizes be placed on a road, the -largest stones will constantly work up." (This is in no manner -applicable to a pavement, and a road made even in the manner he alludes -to was lifted only four inches deep.--R. D.) - -Page 105.--"How deep do you go in lifting the roads? That depends upon -circumstances, but I have generally gone four inches deep. I take up the -materials four inches, and, having broken the large pieces, I put them -back again." - -"Does the plan which you have mentioned, of breaking up the roads, apply -to gravel roads, or only to those roads composed of hard stones? In -gravel roads, and in some other roads, it would be impossible to break -them up to advantage; and, in several places, I should think it -unprofitable to lift a road at all. I did not order the road near -Reading to be lifted, but I directed, whenever a large piece of flint -was seen, it should be taken up, broken, and put down again. I am -speaking of a gravel road now." - -Page 107.--"There are other cases besides that of gravel, in which I -should think it unprofitable to lift a road. The road between ---- and ----- is made of very soft stone, and is of so brittle a nature, that if -it were lifted it would rise in sand, and there would be nothing to lay -down again that would be useful. I should not recommend lifting of -freestone roads, for the same reason, because it would go so much to -sand that there would be very little to lay down again. I will explain -what I have done to the road between Cirencester and Bath. I was obliged -to lift a little of the sides of the road, in order to give it shape, -but in the center of the road we 'shoved it.' It was before in the state -which the country people call gridirons: that is, it was in large -ridges, with long hollows between, and we cut down the high part to a -level with the bottom of the furrows, and took the materials and sifted -them at the side of the road, and returned what was useful to the -center." - -(So far we have the views of Mr. Macadam. From the same work I continue -to quote.--R. D.) - -Page 153.--"Considering the very great traffic upon Whitechapel road, is -it your opinion (addressed to Mr. Farey) that it would be advantageous -to pave any part of that road? I think it would be desirable to pave it -within some feet of the footpath," &c. - -Page 158.--"In the neighborhood of London the materials that are to be -procured are of too tender and brittle a nature to endure the wear of -the heavy carriages. I, therefore, am of the opinion that it would be -proper to pave the sides of all the principal entrances into London." - -Page 166.--"James Walker says, 'The traffic upon the Commercial rail -road, both up and down, is very great. I am quite sure that the expense -of this road would have been very much greater, probably much more than -doubled, if it had not been paved. The road has been paved for about -sixteen years, and the expense of supporting it has been small. During -the thirteen years that the East India dock branch has been paved, the -paving has not cost L20.'" - -Page 167.--"But as the paving is always preferred for heavy carriages," -&c. - -Page 172.--"The thickness ought to be such, that the greatest weight -will not effect more than the surface of the shell, in order to spread -the weight which comes upon a small part only of the road over a large -portion of the foundation." - -Page 173.--"If the foundation is bad, breaking the bottom stone into -small pieces is expensive and injurious, upon the principle I have above -described, for the same reason that an arch formed of whole bricks, or -deep stones, is preferred to one of the same materials broken into -smaller pieces, for, in some countries, the materials will admit of the -foundation of the road being considered as of the nature of a flat arch, -as well as being supported by the strata directly under it. But the -error of laying stones in large pieces upon the surface is more common -and more injurious." - -Page 183.--"James Dean says, 'Near to great towns it would be highly -advantageous if the center of the road, for about twelve feet in width, -were to be paved with hard, well-squared stones, nine inches deep.'" - -Page 188.--"Thomas Telford, Esq., says, 'The improvements made in North -Wales I beg leave to submit as models for the roads through hilly -countries. Great pains have been taken in constructing firm and -substantial foundations for the metallic part of the roadway.'" - -Page 189.--"There has been no attention paid to constructing a good and -solid foundation for the roadway." - -Page 192.--"Are you of the opinion that it would be advisable or -practicable to procure, from any particular part of the country, better -materials, so as to form perfect roads without the necessity of paving -them? That these materials could be procured, is evident; but I am -satisfied that the most economical and preferable mode would be by the -means of paving." - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT. - WASHINGTON. May 8, 1833. - -_Sir_: Your communication of the 6th instant, submitting your views in -regard to lifting the old bed in prosecuting the repairs of the -Cumberland road east of the Ohio, and requesting a reconsideration of so -much of the instructions of the department of the 23d July last as -relates to this matter, has just been received. That part of the -instructions alluded to, which requires that the old bed shall, in all -cases, be taken up, will be considered as suspended, and you are hereby -authorized to exercise your discretion in this particular. - - Very respectfully, &c., - C. GRATIOT, Brig. General. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - * * * * * - - UNIONTOWN, PA., June 11, 1833. - -_Sir_: I find upon an examination of the National Road, under your -superintendence, from Cumberland to this place, that too great a portion -of sand and other perishable stone has been allowed to be put on it. In -almost the whole distance, little or no regard has been paid to the -keeping the side drains open, at least sufficiently so to carry the -water freely from the road. The culverts are too few and small, -particularly on the long slopes; and the manner of constructing the -hollow-ways and catch-waters is defective. These errors of construction -cause the water, in many places, to pass over the road, to its rapid -destruction. I am aware of the difficulties you have to contend with -under the contract system, and that to this cause most of the evils -complained of may be traced. As it is all important that they should be -remedied, as soon as practicable, you will enforce the early completion -of the several contracts, according to their conditions, after making -due allowance for the stoppage arising from your order for suspending -operations during last winter. On the completion of the road, should it -be found not to possess the requisite properties to secure its -permanency, you will make such additions under your own agency as will -place it in the condition contemplated by the government, before turning -it over to the States. Not less than six inches of lime or sandstone -should be put upon the surface, and where lime is exclusively used, the -thickness should not be less than nine inches. The side ditches should, -when practicable, be at least eighteen inches below the bed of the road; -and when this cannot be done, culverts, 2'x3', should be constructed at -convenient distances to carry off the water, which, in no instance, -should be allowed to rise above the level of the bed of the road. The -catch-waters should be constructed in such a manner, that while they -subserve the purposes for which they are intended, they should admit the -passage of vehicles without jolting; and, in every case, with a view to -prevent their being washed into deep gullies. As this frequently happens -when they are constructed with broken stone, it will be proper to pave -them with shingle stones, if to be had; or, when this cannot be -obtained, with limestone firmly imbedded in the road. It should -especially be observed that, before breaking up the road for the -reception of the metal, the ditches should be first prepared, and then -the culverts. This will keep the roadway dry for travel, and better -prepare it for the reception of its covering. As it is found -impracticable to keep the travel from the center of the road, and the -deep ruts that are formed, then, as a consequence, I would recommend, -instead of the present system of blocking, that rakers should be -constantly employed to preserve the transverse profile. If it does not -come within the spirit of the contract, that this labor should be -performed by the contractors, you will hire men to do it yourself. This -operation, in addition to the draining system before recommended, will, -it is presumed, preserve the road from further ruin, and place it in a -condition to receive its last coat of limestone. Finally, while -studying due economy in your administration of the affairs of the road, -you should constantly bear in mind that the wishes of the government are -to have a superior road, both as regards workmanship, and the quality of -the materials used in its construction. With this understanding, it is -expected that you will avail yourself of all the facilities within your -reach to effect, in a satisfactory manner to yourself and the public at -large, the great end proposed--the construction of a road unrivaled in -the country. These are the views and special instructions of the -Secretary of War. - - I am, respectfully, &c., - C. GRATIOT, Brig. General. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - * * * * * - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, July 16, 1833. - -_Sir_: You will forthwith cause all operations to cease on that -part of the new location of the Cumberland Road on the east of Wills -creek. You shall in a few days receive further instructions on this -subject. - - Very respectfully, &c., - WM. H. C. BARTLETT, - Lieut. and Assistant to Chief Engineer. - - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, July 20, 1833. - -_Sir_: On the 16th you were advised to delay any further action as to -the location of the Cumberland Road until you were again written to. - -Mr. Purcell reports to the Board of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal -Company that the road being at the site now chosen will occasion an -increased cost to the Canal Company of upwards of $16,000. It is very -desirable to avoid this state of things, for, as their charter claims -precedence, it would necessarily create a demand upon the government -commensurate with the injury sustained. - -Major Eaton, president of the Canal Company, will direct Mr. Purcell, -the engineer, to proceed forthwith to Cumberland, with you, to ascertain -the best mode of making the location by which to avoid any injury or -increased expense to the Canal Company. You are instructed to confer -freely with Mr. Purcell, holding the object suggested steadily in view, -and give such direction to the location of the road as may best attain -this object. This done, you will forward a plan of the route agreed on, -and a minute detail of everything, particularly what increased expense -to the Canal Company will probably be occasioned. On receiving your -report, the case will be considered here, and you be advised immediately -of the course to be pursued. - - Very respectfully, &c., &c., - By order: WM. H. C. BARTLETT, - Lieut. and Assistant to Chief Engineer. - - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - * * * * * - - PHILADELPHIA, July 26, 1833. - -_Sir_: The order of your department of the 16th instant was received by -me at Cumberland, and its injunctions forthwith carried into effect. The -communication of the 20th has since been received, explanatory of that -order. In relation to locating that part of the National Road that might -probably interfere with the Canal Company, measures were taken to -procure from the Company such information as would enable me to locate -the road without coming in contact with any part of the Canal route; -and, so far as the information was furnished, I have endeavored so to -do. I enclose copies of the letter and information received from the -president of the company, in reply to a request for such information as -would enable me to "ascertain at what point the Chesapeake and Ohio -Company contemplate erecting their dam across Wills creek, and to what -height it will be raised above low water. The information desired is for -enabling me to locate the bridge for the road at a point, and elevate -its arches to such a height that the interest of the Canal Company will -not be effected; and that I may at the same time, fulfill the objects -contemplated by the law authorizing the new location." - -In reply to which you will perceive "the location of the canal is that -recommended by General Bernard, and the Board of Internal Improvement, -over which he presided," and that it was proposed to feed the canal at -Cumberland, and below by a dam to be erected across the Potomac about a -mile above Cumberland. The water of the Potomac was to be carried over -Wills creek twenty-one or two feet above ordinary water in the creek. - -Such is the information furnished me by the president of the Canal -Company, and by which I have been governed in the location of the road. -On the eastern side of Wills creek the grading is finished to the site -of the bridge; on the western side I have directed no work to be -executed that can have any bearing upon this point. - -You perceive it has been my study to avoid conflicting with the -interests of the Canal Company; but, from the want of knowing the exact -location of their works, will occasion to them an increased expense, as -reported by Mr. Purcell, of 16,000 dollars if the bridge is constructed -at the point now chosen. If, then, the Company will cause the Canal to -be located through the gap of Wills mountain, and give me bench marks -from which to ascertain the cuttings and embankments they propose -making, I will then locate the road on such ground as not to interfere -in any manner with their operations, and such as shall be most -advantageous for the public interest. I judge the communication of the -department was written under the impression that an interference with -the works of the Canal Company was unavoidable, and that some compromise -of advantages and disadvantages would necessarily have to be made. Such, -however, I do not conceive to be the case. - -I have located as high up the creek as would give room for a six horse -team to turn off and on a bridge at right angles with the stream with -facility. If the Canal Company make choice of this ground, I have but to -make a bridge oblique with the current, and thus avoid the work of the -Canal Company. To ascertain this, it is essential that the Canal Company -should make choice of the ground and locate their works; after having so -done, if they will favor me with plans and sections, with bench marks of -reference of the part in the valley of the creek, the road shall be made -not to interfere with their interest, which has always been looked upon -by me as claiming precedence. - -I have here pointed out a course for the consideration of the -department, differing materially from the one ordered by the letter of -the 20th instant. First, in consideration of its not being acquainted -with the nature of the case, and, next, with its requiring me to perform -a service in no way necessary to a proper understanding of the interests -of the Government connected with the road; to do which, surveys, levels, -calculations of excavation and embankment must be made, that the time of -neither myself nor the officers associated with me could accomplish. - -What I ask is, information from the Company as to their own works -solely. It will suffice for all purposes connected with the location of -the road. - -Be pleased to address me at New Castle, and on any matter relating to -the section of the road near Cumberland requiring immediate attention, a -copy of the communication forwarded to Lieutenant Pickell, at that -place, would prevent any delay; Lieutenant P. being the officer to whom -I have assigned this particular section of the road. - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - RICH'D DELAFIELD. - Captain of Engineers. - Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot. - Chief Engineer. - - * * * * * - - WASHINGTON, D. C., May 10, 1832. - -_Sir_: Your letter to Mr. Ingle, the clerk of the Chesapeake and Ohio -Canal Company, has been handed over to me, and I am authorized, on the -part of the president and directors, to express to you our thanks for -the considerate regard you have paid to the location adopted by the -Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, for the part of their work which -will pass through Cumberland. The location adopted is that recommended -by General Bernard, and the Board of Internal Improvement, over which he -presided. - -When the proposed change of the Cumberland Road immediately above the -town was under consideration of the Committee on Roads and Canals, I -suggested the very precaution you now practice, which was to see that no -conflict would arise in hereafter conducting the canal over its long -established route, by a conflict with the location of the improved road, -the value of which I know well how to appreciate. The hill above -Cumberland, which it is proposed to avoid, was the worst between that -place and Wheeling, if reference be had to the inclination of its -surface. General Bernard proposed to feed the canal at Cumberland, and -for some distance below it, as far, at least, as the mouth of the South -branch, by means of a dam to be erected at a ledge of rocks crossing the -Potomac about a mile above Cumberland. The dam was to be elevated so -high as to conduct the canal over Wills creek at Cumberland, with an -elevation of twenty-one or twenty-two feet above ordinary water in the -creek. This was to be effected by an aqueduct across the creek. I -presume at this season of the year the ledge of rocks is visible above -Cumberland. Enclosed I send you extracts from General Bernard's report, -which accompanied the President's message to Congress of December 9, -1826, and is now a congressional record. From that you may perhaps infer -all that is essential to your purpose of avoiding a collision with the -rights of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, who have adopted for -the location of the canal General Bernard's report. - - C. F. MERCER, - President of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company. - - - EXTRACTED--PAGE 55, DOC. NO. 10, 19TH CONGRESS, - 2D SESSION.--EXECUTIVE PAPERS. - -"The difficulties of this passage (down Wills creek) are great, and -continue for more than a mile. The ground then becomes favorable -(_i.e._, in descending Wills creek from the west), permitting the canal -to pass at the outskirts of Cumberland, to join with the eastern -section. Adjoining Cumberland, the canal will receive a feeder from the -Potomac for a supply below, and more especially to complete what is -necessary in relation to the first subdivision of the eastern section. - -"This feeder is proposed to be made navigable, in order to accommodate -the trade of the Potomac above Cumberland. Its length is one mile, its -width at the water line thirty feet, its depth four feet. At its point -of departure from the Potomac, a basin is formed in the bed of the -river, by means of a dam erected at the first ledge above Cumberland. - -"This basin, comprehending an extent of about eight miles, will afford a -constant supply of water, and also accommodate the canal trade of the -Potomac. The levees around the basin, the dam, the guard lock of the -feeder, and its aqueduct over Wills creek, are included in the estimate -of this subdivision. - -"In the table of quantities and cost, this feeder is made to cost a very -large sum (two or three words illegible in the MS.) if the dam above -Cumberland is supposed to be ever changed from the above location. The -aqueduct over Wills creek is computed to cost $41,601; the length of the -aqueduct, seventy yards; the number of arches, three; the span of the -arch, thirty feet; the height of the piers, sixteen feet." - -The above is a true copy. - C. F. MERCER. -May 10, 1833. - - * * * * * - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, August 10, 1833. - -_Sir_: The Secretary of War has just returned to this place, having -passed over the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio. He feels great -interest in this road, and is anxious that the operations on it shall be -so directed as to obtain the best possible results. His confidence in -your ability induced him to select you as its superintendent, knowing -that under your management his wishes would be realized; and deeming it -a work of much greater importance than that with which you are occupied -on the Delaware, he has expressed a wish that by far the greater portion -of your time should be passed upon the road. You will, therefore, repair -to Cumberland without loss of time, ascertain the exact location of the -Chesapeake and Ohio canal along the valley of Wills creek, and so adjust -that of the road as shall remove the present difficulties, and avoid any -interference with the interests of the Canal Company. This being done, -you will communicate to the department the result. - - Very respectfully, &c., - WM. H. C. BARTLETT, - Lt. and Ass't to Ch. Eng'r. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, New Castle, Del. - - * * * * * - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, September 12, 1833. - -_Sir_: Your letter of the 9th instant, enclosing a plan and sections of -part of Wills' creek, exhibiting the location of the National Road "as -now constructed;" the ground selected by the engineer of the Chesapeake -and Ohio Canal Company for its canal, and the new location of the -National Road, in consequence of the Canal Company having made choice of -the route upon which the road was constructed, has been received. The -plan has been submitted, with the approval of this department, to the -Secretary of War, and by him adopted; and the construction of the road -on the new location will, therefore, be proceeded with. - - I am, sir, &c., - C. GRATIOT, - Brig. General. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Cumberland, Md. - - * * * * * - CUMBERLAND ROAD, AT STODDARD'S, MD., - September 17, 1833. - -_Sir_: I enclose herewith plan and sections of part of the Cumberland -Road between Cumberland and Frostburg, where an alteration has just been -made in the location, by which a very steep hill is avoided, and the -distance decreased. - -By the new route there is a slope of 18-2/10 feet in a distance of -1,600; by the old road the slope was 53.9' in 700 feet on one side of -the hill, and 35.7' in 900 feet on the other side. - -This is now undergoing construction. The foundation of the center pier -of the bridge over Wills creek is raised above water. Respectfully, your -obedient servant, - - RICH'D DELAFIELD, - Captain of Engineers. - Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot. - Chief Engineer. - - * * * * * - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT. - WASHINGTON, September 25, 1833. - -_Sir_: Your letter of the 17th inst., enclosing a plan and sections of -part of the Cumberland Road between Cumberland and Frostburg, where you -had made an alteration in the location, thereby avoiding a steep hill, -and decreasing the distance, was duly received; and I have to inform you -that the alteration referred to has been approved. I am, &c., - - C. GRATIOT, - Brig. General. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Cumberland, Md. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - _On with the work--Wooden Bridges proposed for the new location up - Wills Creek and Braddock's Run--The War Department holds that - Wooden Superstructures would be a Substantial Compliance with the - Maryland law--New instructions issued from Wheeling--The old bed to - be retained--Two classes of work--Frauds by Contractors--Form for - Contracts forwarded from Brownsville--Report and Estimate called - for by the Senate--The law of Congress renders a change of plan - necessary--The Secretary of War greatly interested in the - Road--Cumberland to Frostburg._ - - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, June 25, 1834. - -_Sir_: In addition to the views of the department, communicated to you -this morning, I now have to request that you will proceed to apply the -funds available for the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio, with the -utmost despatch consistent with the public interest. It is greatly to be -desired that the repairs of this road may be completed before the -termination of the coming fall. - - I am, &c ., - C. GRATIOT, - Brigadier General. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, New Castle, Del. - - - CUMBERLAND, Md., July 23, 1834. - -_Sir_: I beg leave to call your attention to the act of the Legislature -of Maryland, giving its consent to change the location of the National -Road near this place, to turn Wills mountain by the route of Wills creek -and Braddock's run, in which it is provided that certain bridges shall -be constructed of stone, and to compare this act with that of the last -session of Congress, and inform me whether or not I will be justified in -constructing the bridges with stone abutments and wing-walls, and -_wooden_ superstructures. There is a necessity growing out of the cost, -the law requiring the road to be finished with $300,000. - -From the most advantageous offers received, the bridge over Wills creek -will not cost less than $15,000, constructed of stone, and if built of -wood, planed, and painted with three coats of white lead, roofed with -shingles, will cost not to exceed $7,000. There are two other bridges on -the same new route to be constructed, the ratio of expense of which will -not materially vary. * * * - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - RICH'D DELAFIELD, - Captain of Engineers. - Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, - Chief Engineer. - - - CUMBERLAND, July 24, 1834. - -_Sir_: I have just finished comparing the numerous offers for work to be -done on the 16 miles of road immediately west of this place. There is -great competition among very excellent and responsible men of the -country, as well as from the railroad and canal below us. - -The offers for the bridge render its construction with stone next to -impracticable, under the law, to finish the road with $300,000. They are -as follows: $22,000, $21,930, $23,323, $22,680, $24,000. - -To construct the abutments I have offers at $3.80 cents per perch; that -would, with the superstructure of wood, make the whole cost not to -exceed $6,500 to $7,000. We cannot with propriety expend so large a sum -for a stone bridge, with such limited means. I strongly recommend a -wooden superstructure if compatible with existing laws under which we -act, and beg to be advised as requested in my letter of yesterday. - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - RICH'D DELAFIELD, - Captain of Engineers. - Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, - Chief Engineer. - - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT. - WASHINGTON, July 29, 1834. - -_Sir_: It has just been determined by the War Department that the -substitution of wood for stone, in the superstructures of the bridges on -the new piece of road around Wills hill would be deemed by the State of -Maryland a substantial compliance with the requirements of her law -giving assent to the change from the old to the present location of that -part of the road. You will, therefore, build the abutments of those -bridges in a good and durable manner, of the best stone to be had in -your immediate neighborhood, and make the superstructure of wood. These -last, when completed, must be well covered, and painted in the best -manner. This is communicated in answer to your two letters of the 23d -and 24th instant, on the subject, which are at hand. - - I am, &c., - C. GRATIOT. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers. Cumberland, Md. - - - COPY OF INSTRUCTIONS SENT BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CUMBERLAND - ROAD, EAST OF THE OHIO, TO EACH OF HIS ASSISTANTS ON THE LINE OF - THE ROAD. - WHEELING, May 29, 1834. - -_Sir_: In conducting the operations for repairing the section of the -road under your supervision, during the present season, two very -important alterations will be made in the system of last year. - -The first is to retain, in all cases, the old bed or pavement, breaking -down with sledges the prominent or projecting pieces into the ruts and -holes, and smoothing the grade with quarry chips, or stone broken on the -face of the road with sledge-hammers, slightly covering the bed so -prepared with the earth from the ditches, observing to put no more earth -than is barely sufficient to prevent the metal coming in contact with -the large stone of the bed. - -Where there is no stone in the old bed, restore the grade with the best -and hardest material to be found in the vicinity, making it a point to -have stone to fill the large holes. This formation of the bed for the -metal on top of the old bed will enable large and sufficient ditches to -be formed for carrying off the water. The most particular attention must -be given to these ditches, as upon them depends the preservation of the -road. - -All the earth taken from the ditches, side roads, and slopes, not -required to make good the grade and side roads, must be thrown down the -hill side, and on no account whatever upon the slope of a side hill -cutting, from whence it soon washes back into the ditches. The minimum -size of the ditches should not be less than three feet wide on top, one -foot deep, and one foot wide in the bottom; the whole depth to be below -the bed of the road. Rock and peculiar side slopes can alone prevent -this being practiced. - -The side slopes must be cut to a slope of 45, with berms, as a minimum; -and as low as 60 wherever it is practicable. - -Wherever earth is required for a filling to make good the side roads, -require that it be taken from some near side slope or other point that -will improve such part of the road. The minimum side road is to be five -feet; wherever the natural ground will permit, cause it to be increased -to admit of summer roads, placing the ditches outside of such increased -side road. - -The second alteration is, to have the whole work done by contract, -instead of job work and day labor, as was practiced last year. - -To effect this, the greatest precaution is necessary to specify what -work has to be done on each chain of four rods of the road, the -particular grade for such portion, the depth and size of the ditches, -the side roads and slopes, and from whence the required earth is to be -taken to restore the grade, and where the surplus earth is to be taken -from the ditches, drains, side slopes, &c. - -In the delivery of stone for the metal, the contract must provide that -the stone be delivered and broken on the side roads in rectangular piles -or strings of such dimensions as you require on the several parts of the -road, and the measurement made of the cubic contents of the stone thus -prepared; from which measurement you will ascertain the number of -perches, by previously having a mass, containing five perches of stone, -as it comes from the quarry, as compactly piled as can be without the -use of a hammer, taking large and small indiscriminately. Have this mass -broken to the size of four ounces; ascertain the cubic contents of the -bulk it shall produce, the fifth part of which you will take as a perch, -and the unit of measurement for paying for the number of perches to be -delivered. - -The metal is to be thrown on the road at such favorable periods as you -shall designate, after it has been measured, and not until the -contractor has prepared the required quantity for half a mile at a time. - -You will require the contractor to commence the grade at one end of the -piece he is to repair, and continue regularly through, not permitting -him to seek the parts requiring least work to execute first; and when -delivering stone, to commence the delivery at a point giving a mean -distance for hauling from the quarry; a mean rate of payment is then -equitable, otherwise it would not be. - -The work on your section may be divided into two distinct classes: the -one, where nothing has as yet been done; and the other, the part graded -and stone prepared for the metal during the past season. - -On the first class, you will make contracts to grade, deliver, and put -on three perches of limestone where the old bed remains firm, and four -perches where the old bed has disappeared, requiring the grade to be -finished by the 15th of October; and if the metal is all prepared by -that date, to be put on by the 1st of November, the contractor -continuing to rake the road, change the travel, and preserve the whole -work in order, until the succeeding 1st of April. Should the contractor, -however, not be able to prepare the metal to put it on the road by the -1st of November, then he is to preserve the grade of the road in order -until the first favorable state of the weather after the 15th of March -ensuing, when he is to put on the metal, raking and smoothing the -surface for twenty days after the whole metal shall have been put on the -road. - -You will observe that the contract is to call for preserving the road in -either case during the winter; in one case, by adding metal, raking, -&c., and in the other, by breaking with a sledge stone to fill the ruts, -covering such stone in the spring lightly before putting on the metal. - -The second class of work is the unfinished part of last year's -operations, upon which there will be time to put three and a half -additional perches per rod on such parts as were covered last year, and -four perches per rod on such as had none, requiring that it be put on by -the 1st of November, and be preserved, raked, &c., until the succeeding -1st of April, during the winter filling ruts made by travel with -additional metal, to be prepared and ready at convenient points on the -road. - -For the culverts you will make a contract with one person for all that -may be necessary on half your section, and with a second person for the -other half, the work to be paid by the perch of twenty-five cubic feet, -measured by the plan and dimensions you shall designate for each -locality, and according to which plan the work must be constructed. For -this work you will require the stone to be of good proportions, with -parallel beds and faces, and not smaller than two cubic feet in each -piece, in no case ever permitting a stone to be placed "on edge," a very -common practice, destructive of good masonry. The covering stone to be -of such additional dimensions as you shall judge necessary for each -locality. The bottoms of the culverts to be paved or flagged with stone, -and such an apron constructed at each end as to guard against the ends -being undermined by the passage of the water. - -The repairs of the masonry of the bridges and walls on Wheeling Hill it -is very desirable to effect by contract, if practicable. On Wheeling -Hill the object may be effected by requiring the masonry to conform with -that already executed, particularly in regard to the size and quality of -the stone, paying for it by the perch measured in the wall when -finished, reserving the one-fifth of the value from monthly payments as -security for the faithful execution of the whole work. The repairs of -the bridge may be executed in like manner, specifying the masonry of the -bridge now building over Wheeling Creek as the standard, excepting -stones placed on edge. - -It is desirable to postpone the repair of all masonry to the latest -date, excepting only such parts as are necessary to perfect the grade; -you will make your contracts accordingly. The masonry of the culverts -and some of the bridges must be finished in time, including the filling -to make good the roadway, to permit the contractor for grading to comply -with his agreement. The usual one-fifth of the value of work done being -retained until the expiration of the time for completing the whole work, -when this sum is to be applied either to carry into effect the remaining -provisions of the agreement, as stipulated to be executed, or paid to -the contractor, if the work has been faithfully executed according to -the tenor of the agreement. - -You will make all your payments by checks drawn on the bank through -which I shall make your remittances, taking duplicate receipts for -moneys thus paid, attached to a bill giving the quantity rate, cost, and -date of the receipt of the article clearly and distinctly expressed. - -Your check book must be added up, and the balance in bank ascertained -every Saturday evening, which balance must be reported in the weekly -reports to be forwarded to me, as required last season. - -The balance of your account, as appears by your ledger account with me, -must also form an item in the weekly report. The assistant engineer -will make an inspection of these books, and report to me whenever he -comes on your section of the road. - -The receipted vouchers you will forward to the office at Brownsville, of -all payments made during the week at the end of such week, reserving the -duplicate until called for by myself or the assistant engineer. - -So soon as you are apprised by me of funds being available you will -immediately advertise by hand bills, and through the public prints, that -contracts will be made for repairing the section of road under your -supervision, and that proposals for executing the work will be received -for twenty days from the date of your advertisement, for repairing each -mile of the road according to stipulations and particular information, -to be had on enquiring of you on or after such date as you are enabled -to collect it. Let the advertisements express that the repairs consist -principally in grading the road over the old bed, cleaning out the -ditches and drains, restoring the side roads to their width of five feet -and covering the road thus prepared with limestone broken to four ounce -pieces, in such quantities as shall be specified for each rod, varying -from two to four perches per rod, and keeping the whole in order until -the first of April next, by which date the contracts are to be -completed. - -To ascertain the work to be done on the different mile sections, and on -the particular parts of each mile, you will, the instant funds are -available, make a measurement of the road, noting the work to be done on -each chain (as specified in the previous parts of this communication) in -the most minute detail. - -This statement, reduced as much as practicible to a tabular form, you -will cause to be printed, as the information to be given to persons upon -which to make their proposals, and it will be embodied in or attached to -the articles of agreement as a specification of the work to be done. - -As you will find it convenient to have the prepared metal piled in -uniform masses, admitting of the application of a gauge to ascertain -whether or not the required quantity is in the pile, you will cause such -gauges to be made with slopes of 45 degrees and in no instance permit a -measurement of stone to be made without having previously verified the -dimensions of the gauge. The necessity for this you will perceive by -reflecting that the end of the gauge may be cut off and the angles -altered to make a material difference in the quantity, without being -perceptible to the eye. - -The following are some of the frauds heretofore practiced, and now -enumerated that you may look cautiously to their not being practiced -upon your section of the road: i 1st. Diminishing the size and altering -the angle of the gauge. - -2d. Loosening the pile of metal just before the measurement, to increase -its bulk. - -3d. Concealing or covering up in the piles of metal large masses of -stone or other matter. - -4th. Breaking stone of a softer or otherwise inferior quality than the -sample agreed upon. - -5th. Breaking the metal to a larger size than that agreed upon. - -6th. Removing the prepared metal from one point to another after it has -been measured. - -7th. Taking metal from the face of the road, of the first or second -stratum, to make it appear the desired quantity has been broken to fill -the gauge. - -8th. On parts of the road where limestone has already been delivered, -wagoners, with a partial load, passing from the quarries to the point of -delivery, have been detected in stealing a piece from several piles, -thus making a full load from what has already been paid for. - -Very many other frauds have been detected upon receiving and paying for -stone perches before breaking. No corrective offers for the many that -may be practiced under this system. It is, therefore, in no case, to be -adopted. Always measuring the stone after it is broken, and reserving -one-fifth of its value until the whole agreement has been fully and -faithfully complied with, are the best securities against fraudulent -practices. - -Immediately after concluding the contracts on your section for the -season, you will forward me a statement of the funds required to carry -them into effect, and the times such funds will probably be required. - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - RICH'D DELAFIELD, - Captain of Engineers. - - - PHILADELPHIA, December 28, 1834. - -_Sir:_ The enclosed letter of the 29th May was prepared as the -instructions for Lieutenant Vance, conducting the operations on the -seventh division of the road, and a copy thereof was forwarded to the -officer of each division, with directions to conform thereto on their -respective sections, suiting the phraseology to their divisions. - -On the 27th June, on being made acquainted with the particulars of the -act of Congress making the appropriation for the year's service, the -following instructions were communicated to the officers of the several -divisions, slightly changed to suit each particular division: - - "_Sir:_ Funds having been made available for continuing the repairs of - the Cumberland Road, east of the Ohio, you will cause the preparatory - measures to be taken immediately, and notice given as required by my - letter of the 29th of May, a copy of which has been forwarded to you - from Brownsville. - - "The act of Congress grants a specific sum for finishing the repairs - of the road; you will, therefore, in your arrangements, provide for - the stone bridges on the new road, and three and a half perches of - stone to the rod on the surface of the road as metal; the latter to be - furnished by the 31st of December, and kept raked and additional metal - put on until the 15th day of February ensuing; the masonry of the - bridges to be finished by the 15th of October, with proposals of the - terms for finishing the same work by the 30th day of June, 1835. - - "The form of a contract has also been forwarded to you from - Brownsville, which, with the letter of instructions accompanying it, - connected with the tenor of this communication, you will make your - guide in the management of the section of road confided to your - supervision. - - "You will observe the form of the contract provides for work that may - not occur in your division. You will, in preparing the form to be - printed, be cautious to suit the same to your particular division, as - to distance, &c., &c. Mile sections are desirable for subdividing the - road, and as the portion to be given under contract to an individual: - on your division other subdivisions will be found more convenient, and - your attention must, in consequence, be given to make the phraseology - of the instrument conform with the facts of the case. - - "Hereafter, you will commence and continue your weekly reports to me. - Apprise me of the date you limit the reception of proposals, that I - may be with you at the time. - - "RICH'D DELAFIELD, Captain of Engineers." - -The instructions to the officer of the third division required him -to provide for the work to be done on his division not exceeding three -and a half perches of stone to a rod on the surface of the road as metal, -reducing the quantity to two or one perch, as might be requisite to -keep the whole in repair until finally completed. - -For a copy of the form of contract forwarded to the officers of the -several divisions, see the contracts on file in your office, for the -_fourth_ division of the road. - -I enclose the statement called for by the letter of your department -of the 9th instant. - - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - RICH'D DELAFIELD, - Captain of Engineers. - Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, - Chief Engineer. - - - REPORT AND ESTIMATE FOR THE CUMBERLAND ROAD EAST OF THE OHIO, UNDER A - RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, CALLING FOR THE - CONDITION OF THE MASONRY, THE THICKNESS OF METAL ON VARIOUS PARTS, - &c., &c., DECEMBER, 1834. - -The plan of repair adopted and continued for this road to July, 1834, -was that of Macadam, with nine inches of metal in three strata. - -The provisions of the act of Congress of the last session made a change -in the plan of operation necessary. The sum of $300,000 was appropriated -to finish the repairs of the road from Cumberland to Wheeling, a -distance of one hundred and thirty-two miles, of which fifty-four miles -had not been commenced. - -To conform with the provisions of the law, it became necessary to -confine the expenditure of this sum to the most indispensable parts of -the system, and adopt a less expensive and less permanent repair; -abandoning the plan of finishing the mountain division with limestone -throughout, and to a width of twenty feet; confining the metal on the -more expensive parts of these divisions to a width of from twelve to -fifteen feet, instead of twenty; abandoning further repairs to the -masonry of the parapets of the bridges; depositing the stone that had -been prepared for this purpose on the side roads, and leaving the side -walls on Wheeling Hill in their unfinished state; limiting the stratum -of metal to be put on this season to three perches and a half, on an -average, per rod, on the whole line of the road; transporting the stone -that had previously been collected for an additional thickness of metal -to parts that had not been supplied with any; substituting wooden -bridges for stone over Wills creek and Braddock's run, and abandoning -altogether the construction of any bridge over Dunlap's creek. The -repairs thus modified are fast drawing to a close, when the road will -present parts covered with thicknesses of metal varying from three to -nine inches, as follows: - -First division, in Maryland, sixteen miles, one hundred and sixty rods, -including new location, is covered with three inches of metal. - -Second division, in Maryland, sixteen miles, one hundred and ninety-four -rods, is covered with six inches of metal. - -Third division, in Pennsylvania, two hundred rods, is covered with four -inches and a half of metal. - -Third division, in Pennsylvania, twenty-five miles, one hundred rods, to -a width of from twelve to fifteen feet, is covered with nine inches of -metal. - -Fourth division, in Pennsylvania, one mile, seven rods, is covered with -three inches of metal. - -Fourth division, in Pennsylvania, fourteen miles, one hundred and -twenty-three rods, to a width of from twelve to fifteen feet, is covered -with six inches of metal. - -Fifth division, in Pennsylvania, eighteen miles, nine rods, is covered -with three inches of metal. - -Sixth division, in Pennsylvania, twenty-one miles, two hundred and -seventy-three rods, is covered with three inches of metal. - -Seventh division, in Virginia, five miles, is covered with three inches -of metal. - -Seventh division, in Virginia, nine miles, two hundred and sixteen rods, -is covered with six inches of metal. - -The number of inches of metal put on that part which has been located -anew, the first six miles of the first division, being three inches, and -the number of inches of metal put upon that part of the road which lies -between the Monongahela and the Ohio, the fifth, sixth, and seventh -divisions, being three inches of metal on forty-four miles and two -hundred and eighty-two rods, and six inches of metal on nine miles and -two hundred and sixteen rods. - -To make this a permanent and substantial road, such that the heavy -transportation wagons shall not force their wheels through the metal -into the bed, not less than the original contemplated thickness of three -strata of three inches each, or the same number of strata of three -perches and a half of stone each, appears sufficient. That three inches -of metal will not suffice to bear up the travel passing over this road, -is proved by the experience of the last two years. Nor will six inches -answer the purpose on all parts of the road, during a long or continued -wet spell of weather, when, from absorption alone, the solidity and -contiguity of the metal has become weakened and lessened. On the crests -of the hills it will be solid, with a thickness of six inches, when, in -the valley and grades under one degree, the evidence of its -insufficiency are apparent. Nothing less than the three strata of three -inches each has been found sufficient; the last stratum being unequally -applied according to the firmness and dryness, and the slope or grade of -the bed. Such was judged necessary for a Macadam road from Cumberland to -Wheeling, and the results tend to confirm the necessity of a thickness -of nine inches on an average, to secure the object contemplated by the -instructions of the Chief Engineer. - -The condition of the masonry on the whole line of the road is in an -unfinished state, so far as regards many of the parts upon which repairs -have been commenced; and where nothing had been done toward repairing -the bridges, many of their side-walls or parapets are in a dilapidated -state, or torn down to the level of the roadway. In repairing the road -under the last act of Congress, no more masonry was undertaken than the -construction of culverts to drain the road, and repairing such parts as -were necessary to perfect the roadway twenty feet in width; all other -parts were left in the unfinished and decayed state in which they were -when the appropriation of the year caused an abandonment of further -repairs to this part of the work. - -To carry into effect the repairs originally contemplated, and to secure -the uniform strength throughout the whole line of the road equivalent to -nine inches of metal, the following sums will be necessary, after -applying the means now on hand, and which are pledged for the work -commenced and contracted for in July last. - -By reference to the annexed statement, it will be perceived the price -per perch for delivered stone prepared as metal on the road varies from -ninety-three cents to $2.50, and is stated for each section throughout -the whole line of the road. Three quarries supply upward of twenty miles -of the road, there being none nearer or accessible. Quarries of the best -limestone are numerous and not remote from the road between Wheeling and -the eastern base of Laurel hill; from thence to Frostburg they are few -in number, situated in deep ravines, and remote from the road; from -Frostburg to Cumberland they are comparatively numerous and of easy -access. It will be seen that the price agrees with the difficulty of -procuring the stone, and in the ratio above stated, from ninety-three -cents to $2.50 per perch. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - _Gen. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War, transmits a Report--More about the - Wooden Bridges for the New Location near Cumberland--The War - department thinks they will do--John Hoye stoutly Objects--The - Governor of Maryland takes a hand against Wooden Bridges--John Hoye - to the Front Again--The Pennsylvania Commissioners make another - demand that the Road be put in Repair._ - - - WAR DEPARTMENT, January 3, 1835. - -_Sir_: Herewith I have the honor to transmit a report from the Chief -Engineer, which furnishes the information called for by the resolution -of the House of Representatives of the 12th ultimo, respecting the -Cumberland Road east of the Ohio. - - Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, - LEW. CASS. - Hon. John Bell, - Speaker of the House of Representatives. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, January 3, 1835. - -_Sir_: I have the honor to hand you the information called for by the -House of Representatives on the 12th ultimo, relating to the Cumberland -Road east of the Ohio, - - And remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, - C. GRATIOT, - Chief Engineer. - The Hon. Lewis Cass, - Secretary of War. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, July 28, 1834. - -_Sir_: In making the repairs of the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio -river, it was deemed expedient, in the fall of 1832, to change that part -of the old location which is immediately west of Cumberland, in the -State of Maryland, for the purpose of turning Wills hill. By this an -abrupt rise of several hundred feet would be avoided. A survey, -preparatory to this change, was made, and the result submitted to -Congress, in the session of 1832-'33; the proposed change was -authorized, and the location, as exhibited on the drawing of the survey, -adopted. This change of location involved the construction of a bridge -over the mill-race in the town of Cumberland, and another over Wills -creek, as well as other bridges of minor importance, with several -culverts. The Legislature of the State of Maryland passed an act giving -assent to the change in question, with the proviso, however, "that the -part of the road embraced in this change should be made of the best -material, upon the Macadam plan, and that a good, substantial stone -bridge should be made over the mill-race, in the town of Cumberland, and -over Wills creek at the place of crossing, and that substantial stone -bridges and culverts should be made wherever the same may respectively -be necessary along the line of said road." - -In the estimates which were prepared, and submitted at the commencement -of the last session of Congress for its action, the sum proposed for the -completion of the repairs of the entire road from Cumberland to the Ohio -river, contemplated the erection of the bridges on the new location, in -conformity to the requirements of the law of Maryland just referred to. -But, as is known to you, more than one-half of this sum was stricken -from the bill, which embodied the whole amount of the estimate. The act -appropriating the remainder requires that the whole of the repairs shall -be completed for this diminished sum. Under these circumstances, it -becomes necessary to change the plan upon which it was proposed to -execute the work, and the object of this communication is to ascertain -the extent to which the department may be allowed to carry this change -on the new part of the road embraced by the law of Maryland. If the -bridges alluded to be built of stone, the expense will be much greater -than the sum allotted to that section would bear: whereas, if the -abutments be built of stone, and the superstructure of wood, the same -ends would be attained as would result from bridges built entirely of -stone, but the letter of the Maryland law would be departed from. Good -wooden superstructures, well covered and painted, would last, with a -little care, at least forty years, and perhaps longer. To abandon this -new location, and return to the old road, would be to sacrifice a large -amount of money already expended on the former, which is now in a state -of forwardness, and would soon be finished. Besides, a bridge must, in -any event, be constructed over Wills creek, and every consideration of -convenient and easy traveling conspires to render its location on the -new line of the road desirable. - -The officer charged with the repairs of the road is now engaged in -giving out the work to contract, and making other arrangements necessary -to a speedy application of the funds. It is, therefore, very desirable -that an early decision may be had of this question, and it is -accordingly respectfully requested. - - I have the honor to be, &c., - C. GRATIOT, Brig. Gen. - Hon. Secretary of War. - - * * * * * - -I approve of the course recommended by General Gratiot with -regard to the bridges--the abutments to be of stone, and the superstructure -of wood--believing that such a course would be deemed by -Maryland a substantial compliance with the law, under the circumstances -of the case. - - JOHN FORSYTH, - Act. Sec'y of War. -July 28, 1834. - - * * * * * - - CUMBERLAND, August 5, 1834. - -_Sir_: I was this day informed that the bridge across Wills creek, on -the new location of the Cumberland road up Braddock's run, is to be -built of wood. By the act of the Legislature of Maryland, authorizing -the President to change the location of the road, it is enacted that the -road may be located up Wills creek through the narrows, provided the -bridges were all built of stone. I am decidedly of the opinion that, by -the provisions of that law, the President had no right to change the -location of the road unless he strictly complied with every provision -and requisition of said law. You will, on examination of the act of -Maryland, passed at December session, 1832, chapter 55, see that the -bridges are to be all built of stone. I sincerely hope you will, on -examining the law, and reflecting on the subject, direct the bridges to -be built in strict compliance with the law authorizing the change in -location; it would, in all probability, save money and time. - -I am sure the State will not receive the road without the stone bridges. -I shall be gratified to hear from you on this subject by return mail. - - Your most obedient, - JOHN HOYE. - General C. Gratiot. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, August 14, 1834. - - _Sir_: Your communication in behalf of the citizens of Cumberland, - remonstrating against the erection of bridges of wooden - superstructures over Wills creek, &c., addressed to me under date of - 6th instant, is received. The measure to which the citizens of - Cumberland object, grows, of necessity, out of existing - circumstances; and the bridges will have to be built in the manner - and of the materials named in the instruction of the department to - the superintendent of the road, or the new location to turn Wills - hill must be abandoned. The people of Cumberland are doubtless aware - that estimates were submitted to Congress last fall for funds - sufficient to put up the structures in conformity with the law of - Maryland, to which you refer; and it is hoped that they are also - aware that these funds were reduced more than one-half in amount, - and that the act appropriating the residue imposes the task of - completing all the repairs on the whole road east of the Ohio, with - the sum rendered available by it. You will perceive, sir, that - there was no other course left to the department than to change the - plan and system of repairs. - - The bridges which it is proposed to construct will, with care, last - at least forty years. - - Very respectfully, &c., - C. GRATIOT, - Brig. Gen. and Chief Engineer. - B. S. Pigman, Esq., Cumberland, Md. - - * * * * * - - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, - ANNAPOLIS, September 10, 1834. - -_Sir_: By an act of the General Assembly, passed at December session, -1832, (of which, at your request, an authenticated copy was transmitted -to you on the 29th day of March, 1833), the consent of this State was -given to a change of the location of a part of the Cumberland or -National Road within our limits, upon certain conditions; among which, -"that a good and substantial stone bridge shall be made over the -mill-race in the town of Cumberland, and over Wills creek at the place -of crossing, and that substantial stone bridges or culverts shall be -made wherever the same may respectively be necessary along the line of -said road." - -By the same act, John Hoye and Meshach Frost, Esqrs., and the -superintendent for the time being of the said road, appointed by the -President of the United States, were appointed commissioners "to report -the said National Road, when finished and repaired within the limits of -this State, to the Governor and Council." - -A communication has been received from John Hoye, Esq., in which he -states that "the War Department has now directed and contracted to have -all the bridges on said new location built of wood." - -I beg leave to call your attention to this subject, in the fullest -confidence that there has been some mistake or misapprehension on the -part of some of the agents or persons employed upon the work in -question, and that you will cause the terms and conditions upon which -the consent of the State was given to the proposed improvements to be -respected and carried into effect. - - With great respect, I have the honor to be, - Your obedient servant, - JAMES THOMAS. - Hon. Lewis Cass, - Secretary of War. - - * * * * * - - WAR DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, September 12, 1834. - -_Sir_: I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 10th instant, -respecting the construction of the bridge on the National Road near -Cumberland, and for your information I beg leave to enclose the -accompanying report from the Engineer Department, which explains the -course which has been taken, and the necessity of it. I trust that you -will find that the act of the State of Maryland has been substantially -complied with, and certainly so far as the means within this department -permitted. - - Very respectfully, &c. - LEW. CASS. - His Excellency James Thomas, - Governor of Maryland, Annapolis. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, September 12, 1834. - -_Sir_: In answer to your inquiries of this morning respecting certain -bridges on the Cumberland Road, in the State of Maryland, I have the -honor to submit the following statement: - -In applying the money appropriated by Congress at the session of 1831 -and '32, for the repairs of the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio river, -it was deemed highly important to change the location of that part of -the road immediately west of Cumberland to turn Wills mountain, as, by -that means, a rise of several hundred feet, within a few miles, would be -avoided. A survey was accordingly made, and submitted to Congress, and -the change was approved. The State of Maryland assented, provided the -part of the road embraced in the change should be "made of the best -materials, upon the Macadam plan, and that a good and substantial stone -bridge should be made on the mill-race, in the town of Cumberland, and -over Wills creek at the place of crossing, and that substantial stone -bridges and culverts should be made wherever the same may respectively -be necessary along the line of said road." - -Estimates were prepared last fall for the entire completion of the -repairs of the road from Cumberland to the Ohio. These estimates, which -contemplated the construction and erection of bridges, in strict -conformity with the law of Maryland giving her consent to the change of -location, were submitted to Congress at the commencement of its recent -session, and amounted to six hundred and fifty-two thousand one hundred -dollars. Full and ample explanations accompanied these estimates, so -there could have been no misunderstanding respecting them. A bill of -appropriation was introduced, embracing their entire amount. This -amount, after much discussion, was reduced to less than one-half, -to-wit: $300,000, and the bill became a law, containing a section which -requires that as soon as the sum of $300,000, or as much thereof as is -necessary, shall be expended on the road agreeably to the provisions of -this act, the same shall be surrendered to the States, respectively, -through which the road passes; "and the United States shall not -thereafter be subject to any expense for repairing said road." Under -these circumstances, it was plain that the system of repairs upon which -the estimates were predicated could not be executed, and a change -became necessary. The stone bridges referred to in the law of Maryland -constituted a heavy item in the estimates, and it was entirely out of -the question to build them without absorbing more of the appropriation -than the absolute requirements of other sections of the road would -admit. There being no obligation to finish the new location further than -that imposed by the very great advantage resulting from its adoption, -the question arose whether it would be best to abandon it, and return to -the old road or not. After adopting every expedient, consistent with a -faithful execution of the law, to diminish the expenses on other -portions of the road, it was found that a sufficient sum would be left -to construct this new portion of the best material, on the Macadam plan, -and to build the abutments and piers of all the bridges on it of good -stone, and in the best manner, provided the superstructures were made of -wood. This was the best that could be done; and when it was considered -that these superstructures, being made of the best materials, would, -when covered and well painted, last, with a little care, from thirty to -forty years, it was recommended to the acting Secretary of War, during -your absence, to adopt them in preference to surrendering all the -benefits that will result from the new road. The acting Secretary, -considering that the approval of the measure would, under this state of -things, be a substantial compliance with the law of Maryland, directed -instructions to that effect to be issued to the superintendent of the -road, which was accordingly done. - - - With great respect, &c., - By order: WM. H. C. BARTLETT, - Lieut. and Assist. to Chief Engineer. - The Hon. Secretary of War. - - * * * * * - - CUMBERLAND, December 12, 1834. - -_Sir_: As one of the commissioners appointed by the Legislature of -Maryland to report to the Governor and Council of said State when that -part of the National Road within the limits of this State shall have -been repaired agreeably to the provisions of the law of the State -agreeing to receive that part of the road lying within the limits of -this State; and a further act of the Legislature of Maryland, -authorizing the President of the United States to change the location of -a part of said road within the limits of Maryland, the change of -location was authorized to be made on certain and positive conditions -that the bridges over Wills creek and Braddock's run should all be -permanent stone bridges; and the road to be constructed with the best -materials, on the Macadam plan (see the law of Maryland, passed December -session, 1832, chapter 55). The plan of the bridges has been changed by -the superintendent to wooden bridges, in direct violation of the -engagements with this State. The President had no right to change the -location of the road, unless the law of this State authorizing the -change was fully complied with. - -The "metal" on the new location is not more than three and a half -inches, and every wagon that passes over it, when the road is wet, cuts -entirely through the stone, and turns up the clay. I am advised that -there is a part of the road, fourteen miles west of Cumberland, which -has had but three and a half inches of metal put on it over the original -pavement. I am gratified to have it in my power to state that, from -observation, and the best information I have been able to collect, the -last appropriation for the road has been most judiciously expended. I -believe that it is the first that has been well laid out. - -I must say that we cannot report in favor of this State receiving the -road until the permanent stone bridges are erected, and the road in that -state of repair contemplated by the law. - -I beg leave to refer you to my letter to General C. Gratiot, dated in -August last, which, with my communication to his excellency James -Thomas, Governor of Maryland, a copy of which, I presume, he -communicated to your department during the last summer, you will please -to consider a part of this communication. I should have addressed you at -an earlier period, but was prevented by severe indisposition. - - I remain, with respect, your most obedient, - JOHN HOYE. - Hon. Lewis Cass, - Secretary of War, Washington City. - - * * * * * - - NOVEMBER 17, 1834. - -_Sir_: The undersigned commissioners, appointed by the Governor of -Pennsylvania to erect gates and superintend the collection of tolls on -the Cumberland Road "after it shall be put in a good state of repair by -the United States," respectfully represent: - -That, from a full and careful examination of the subject, they are -satisfied that they are not authorized, by the terms of the law under -which they are appointed, to accept the road from the United States, or -erect gates for the collection of tolls, until provision is made by -Congress for completing the repairs on the plan already adopted by the -agents of the United States, and sanctioned by several appropriations to -carry it into effect. Without this it is evident that a considerable -portion of the road, which has received but a single stratum of stone, -will be left in a condition so weak and imperfect as soon to become -again totally impassable for a considerable portion of the year. - -The law of Pennsylvania expressly requires that, before the road is -accepted by the Commissioners, it must be put in good and complete -repair by the United States. To this act and all its provisions, -Congress, on the 3d of July, 1832, gave its assent; an appropriation was -made, and a plan of repair was accordingly adopted by the agents of the -government, and two subsequent appropriations made by Congress to carry -this plan and compact into effect. The complete repair of the road is -made by the compact a condition precedent to be performed by the United -States. It is not performed, as appears by the report of the agents of -the United States, and, until it is, the Commissioners appointed by the -State cannot be justified in accepting the road or exacting tolls. -Besides, it is evident that the tolls established, even if raised to the -maximum, will be totally inadequate to the preservation and repair of -the road, unless first put in a state of complete and substantial -repair. This, a statement of a single fact will fully demonstrate. It -appears by a report lately received from the superintendent of that part -of the road which lies between Hagerstown and Cumberland, that the tolls -there collected amount to $312 per mile per annum; of this $45 is -required to pay gate keepers and superintendents, leaving $267 for -repairs. The tolls on that part of the road are more than three times as -high as those proposed on this, so that the amount of tolls applicable -to the repair of this road will not exceed $89 per mile per annum, a sum -barely sufficient to preserve the road after it is put in the best -possible state of repair. The undersigned do not presume to prescribe a -plan of repair; they are satisfied with that adopted and partly executed -by the agents of the United States; and they now distinctly declare and -pledge themselves, that so soon as Congress shall appropriate the sum -required by the Secretary of War to complete the repair of the road on -the plan adopted in his report at the last session, we will, with all -possible despatch, proceed to erect the gates, and relieve the United -States from all further charge or expense on account of said road, after -the appropriation so made shall be expended. - - Very respectfully, your most obedient servants, - THOMAS ENDSLEY. - DANIEL DOWNER. - WILLIAM F. COPLAN. - STEPHEN HILL. - BENJAMIN ANDERSON. - Hon. Lewis Cass, - Secretary of War. - - NOTE.--The bridges near Wills creek were in the end built of - stone. - -[Illustration: IRON BRIDGE.] - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - _The Iron Bridge over Dunlap's Creek at Brownsville--Interesting - facts relating to its projection and construction--The first - step--Several respectable Gentlemen of Brownsville call the - attention of the Government's Agent to the subject._ - - - NATIONAL ROAD, 85-5/8 MILES FROM CUMBERLAND, - August 15, 1832. - -_Sir_: Yesterday, as I passed through Brownsville, I was waited on by -several of the most respectable gentlemen of that place, who were -anxious to have me examine the bridge over Dunlap's creek, between -Brownsville and Bridgeport, to see its condition, and to give my opinion -as to its renewal. Accordingly, I observed that I thought the bridge -would not stand a twelve-month, and that I did not feel myself -authorized to renew it, as the bridge had never been made by the -government, but recommended that they write to the department for a -decision; and, agreeably to their request, observed that I would -likewise report the actual condition of the bridge. Consequently, I -enclose to the department a leaf from my note book, giving a rough -sketch of the bridge, and pointing out its defects. The reason why this -bridge was not originally constructed by the government, as well as a -bridge over the Monongahela river, are better known to the department -than I am able to conjecture. - -I have to observe that a company is now constructing a substantial -bridge over the Monongahela river, across from Bridgeport, thereby -making the bridge over Dunlap's creek an important link in the road; and -that a bridge, to ensure the purpose of a common highway, would not be -suitable for the only connecting point between two important and -increasing towns. - - I have the honor to be, sir, - Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, - J. K. F. MANSFIELD, - Lieutenant Corps of Engineers. - Gen. C. Gratiot, - Chief Engineer. - - - THE SUBJECT TO BE EXAMINED. - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, August 20, 1832. - -_Sir_: Your letter of the 15th inst., informing the department that you -had, at the request of the citizens of Brownsville, made an examination -of the bridge over Dunlap's creek, with a view to an opinion on the -question of its removal, and transmitting a rough sketch of the bridge -as it at present exists, is received. - -In consequence of the views presented in your letter, it will be -necessary to make a thorough examination of this bridge to ascertain -whether it is sufficiently substantial to answer all the purposes of the -road, by putting proper repairs upon it, or whether it will be necessary -to remove it entirely, and to build a new one. - -You will accordingly make this examination, and with your report on the -subject you will transmit such drawings and explanatory notes as may be -necessary to present a full and clear view of the repairs, or new -bridge, as the case may be, accompanied by the proper estimates for -their execution. - -You will also ascertain, by the best oral testimony that can be obtained -in the vicinity of the bridge, whether it is on the line of the road as -originally located, and make known the fact in your report. - -The Secretary of War has been written to on the subject, and, as soon as -his decision is known at the department, you will be instructed -accordingly. - - I am, &c., &c., - C. GRATIOT. - Lieut. J. K. P. Mansfield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - - AN EXAMINATION MADE, AND AN ADVERSE DECISION RENDERED. - - UNIONTOWN, PA., August 24, 1832. - -_Sir_: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of the -department on the subject of the bridge over Dunlap's creek, at -Brownsville, and to state that I have completed the examination of the -road to the Virginia line, and have already given out notices for -contracts, two of which are enclosed for the perusal of the department. - - I am, &c., - J. K. F. MANSFIELD, - Lieutenant Corps of Engineers. - Gen. Charles Gratiot, - Chief Engineer. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, October 11, 1832. - -_Sir_: You were informed by letter from the department, under date of -20th August last, that the Secretary of War had been written to on the -subject of building a new bridge over Dunlap's creek in the place of -that which is at present in the line of the Cumberland Road, between -Brownsville and Bridgeport, and which was referred to in your -communication to the Chief Engineer of the 15th of August last. I now -have to inform you that the Secretary of War has decided that the bridge -in question cannot be built at the expense of the government, under the -law making appropriation for the repairs of the Cumberland Road east of -the Ohio river. - - Very respectfully, &c., - By order: WM. H. C. BARTLETT, - Lieut. of Engineers, and Assistant to Chief Engineer. - - Lieut. J. K. F. Mansfield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa., or Capt. Delafield. - - - THE DECISION REVERSED, AND THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT. - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, May 13, 1833. - -_Sir_: The Secretary of War has determined that a new bridge shall be -built across the mouth of Dunlap's creek, in the line of the Cumberland -Road; you will, therefore, be pleased to submit a plan, and estimate, -with as little delay as practicable, with the view to the erection of -this bridge during the present year. - - I am, sir, &c., - C. GRATIOT, - Brig. General. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Uniontown, Pa. - - - A SERIOUS QUESTION AS TO LOCATION ARISES--A REQUEST THAT BARRIERS BE - USED ON THE ROAD. - -Extract from a letter dated BROWNSVILLE, May 14, 1834. - -_Sir_: To establish the location of Dunlap's creek bridge, I desire the -field notes of the commissioners, if on file in your office, and Mr. -Shriver's notes of location. From these, I am inclined to believe it -will appear that the most favorable route for the bridge was pointed out -by the commissioners, and the route over the bridge now used, no part of -the National Road, but a county bridge, that we have no right to -interfere with. May I request such information as is within your reach -on this subject? - -The road may be called a very excellent turnpike between this and -Frostburg, at the present time; so smooth that already the stage -proprietors have commenced the use of a "rough lock," that materially -injures the surface. Some defects are clearly observable, growing out of -the constant travel and wear of the center of the road from the -prohibition to use barriers to change the travel. - -Without being permitted to use barriers of logs, stumps and stones, it -is out of our power ever to make a perfect Macadamized road, and far -from being as good as the expenditure should produce. Such a system has -been resorted to on every road I have seen made, and every officer -associated with me concurs in the opinion that we cannot succeed without -using them. Permit me to ask a reconsideration of the order prohibiting -their use. - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - RICH'D DELAFIELD, - Captain of Engineers. - Brig. Gen. Charles Gratiot, - Chief Engineer. - - -THE USE OF BARRIERS PERMITTED--A ROAD BEGINNING AT UNIONTOWN, AND - ENDING AT WASHINGTON. - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, May 20, 1834. - -_Sir_: Your communication, dated the 14th instant, was duly received. In -conformity with your request, a detail of two officers, as your -assistants on the Cumberland Road, has been applied for. Herewith is -transmitted a book containing, as stated, "the notes of a location of -the United States western road, beginning at Uniontown, and ending at -the turnpike near Washington," which is the only document among the -papers transferred from the Treasury Department to this office, relating -to the Cumberland Road, embraced in the notes, required to be forwarded -to you. - -(On the subject of regulating the travel so as to preserve the surface -of the road from injury mentioned in your letter, you will again resort -to the use of barriers, wood only, to be used for the purpose, and -placed only on one side of the road at the same time, provided the -object can thus be accomplished, and so elevated as to be very -conspicuous, that the travel by night may not be endangered by the -barriers.) - - I am, &c., - C. GRATIOT, - Brig. General. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Brownsville, Pa. - - -A BIG APPROPRIATION, BUT THE BRIDGE ABANDONED. - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, June 25, 1834. - -_Sir_: Three hundred thousand dollars have just been appropriated for -the repairs of the Cumberland Road east of the Ohio. You will perceive -by the law, a printed copy of which is herewith enclosed, that the -intention is that this sum shall complete the repairs. You will, -therefore, take your measures accordingly, and put the road in as good -condition as this sum will admit of. The new section to turn Wills hill -will be completed on the plan already commenced, but the plan of -operations on the other sections must be modified to suit the -requirements of the law. The iron bridge over Dunlap's creek will be -abandoned. Your project, when matured, will be transmitted for the -approval of the department. - - Very respectfully, &c., - By order: WM. H. C. BARTLETT. - Lieut. and Assistant to Chief Engineer. - Capt. R. Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, New Castle, Del. - - -ANOTHER AND FINAL CHANGE--THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE - OLD ONE. - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, - WASHINGTON, August 14, 1834. - -_Sir_: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, dated -31st ultimo, in reference to the bridge over Dunlap's creek, on the -Cumberland Road, east of the Ohio. The subject of rebuilding this bridge -was brought to the notice of the Secretary of War during the summer of -1832, when he refused to take any action in the matter, on the ground -that it was a county bridge, which should be repaired or rebuilt by the -county authorities, as the United States, in adopting a system of -repairs, had undertaken to repair only that which they had originally -constructed. It was thought on the other side, that notwithstanding the -United States had not built this bridge, yet, as they had enjoyed the -free benefit of it, and as it lay on the tacitly acknowledged line of -the road, they were bound, under the act of Congress authorizing the -repairs of the road to work on every part of it without reference to -original constructors or proprietors. In this state of the case, it was -submitted to Mr. Taney, then Attorney General, who decided verbally in -favor of the latter view, and instructions in conformity thereto were -issued to the superintendent of the road, requiring him to cause the -bridge to be either repaired or rebuilt. This question having been -settled, the next is, whether Dunlap's creek can be crossed at any other -point than where the county bridge now stands. It is the opinion of the -department that it cannot. It would seem there is no evidence on record -that any location was ever finally fixed upon by the commissioners, and -reported by them to the President, for the part of the road in the -immediate vicinity of this creek; but the fact that the road was -actually made in its present location, and used ever since its original -construction, without any opposition, is strong proof that this route -was adopted by the Government; at all events, in the absence of all -other evidence, the department feels constrained to act upon this. Now, -the appropriations having been made for the repairs of the road, and not -for constructing any part of it, except the new section to turn Wills -hill, it is not perceived how any part of the funds can be applied to -the new location proposed by you. These views having been submitted to -the acting Secretary of War, he concurs in them. Your operations will, -therefore, be confined to the old road on which the bridge must be -located. - - Very, &c., - C. GRATIOT, - Capt. Richard Delafield, - Corps of Engineers, Brownsville, Pa. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - _Appropriations by Congress at various times for Making, Repairing, - and Continuing the Road--Aggregate of Appropriations, - $6,824,919.33._ - - - 1. Act of March 29, 1806, authorizes the President to - appoint a commission of three citizens to lay out - a road four rods in width "from Cumberland or a - point on the northern bank of the river Potomac in - the State of Maryland, between Cumberland and the - place where the main road leading from Gwinn's to - Winchester, in Virginia, crosses the river, * * * - to strike the river Ohio at the most convenient - place between a point on its eastern bank, - opposite to the northern boundary of Steubenville - and the mouth of Grave creek, which empties into - the said river a little below Wheeling, in - Virginia." Provides for obtaining the consent of - the States through which the road passes, and - appropriates for the expenses, to be paid from the - reserve fund under the act of April 30, 1802 $ 30,000 00 - - 2. Act of February 14, 1810, appropriates to be - expended under the direction of the President, in - making the road between Cumberland and Brownsville, - to be paid from fund act of April 30, 1802 60,000 00 - - - 3. Act of March 3, 1811, appropriates to be expended - under the direction of the President, in making the - road between Cumberland and Brownsville, and - authorizes the President to permit deviations from - a line established by the Commissioners under the - original act as may be expedient; _Provided_, that - no deviation shall be made from the principal - points established on said road between Cumberland - and Brownsville, to be paid from fund act of April - 30, 1802 50,000 00 - - 4. Act of February 26, 1812, appropriates balance of - a former appropriation not used, but carried to - surplus fund 3,786 60 - ------------ - _Carried forward_ $ 143,786 60 - - _Brought forward_ $ 143,786 60 - - 5. Act of May 6, 1812, appropriates to be expended - under direction of the President, for making the - road from Cumberland to Brownsville, to be paid - from fund act of April 30, 1802 30,000 00 - - 6. Act of March 3, 1813 (General Appropriation Bill), - appropriates for making the road from Cumberland to - the State of Ohio, to be paid from fund act of - April 30, 1802 140,000 00 - - 7. Act of February 14, 1815, appropriates to be - expended under the direction of the President, for - making the road between Cumberland and Brownsville, - to be paid from fund act of April 30, 1802 100,000 00 - - 8. Act of April 16, 1816 (General Appropriation Bill), - appropriates for making the road from Cumberland to - the State of Ohio, to be paid from the fund act, - April 30, 1802 300,000 00 - - 9. Act of April 14, 1818, appropriates to meet claims - due and unpaid 52,984 60 - - Demands under existing contracts 260,000 00 from money - in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. - - 10. Act of March 3, 1819, appropriates for existing - claims and contracts 250,000 00 - - Completing road 285,000 00 To be paid from reserved - funds, acts admitting Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. - - 11. Act of May 15, 1820, appropriates for laying out - the road between Wheeling, Va., and a point on the - left bank of the Mississippi river, between St. - Louis and the mouth of the Illinois river, road to - be eighty feet wide and on a straight line, and - authorizes the President to appoint Commissioners. - To be paid out of any money in the treasury not - otherwise appropriated 10,000 00 - - 12. Act of April 11, 1820, appropriates for completing - contract for road from Washington, Pa., to - Wheeling, out of any money in the treasury not - otherwise appropriated 141,000 00 - - 13. Act of February 28, 1823, appropriates for repairs - between Cumberland and Wheeling, and authorizes the - President to appoint a superintendent at a - compensation of $3.00 per day. To be paid out of - money not otherwise appropriated 25,000 00 - ------------- - _Carried forward_ $1,737,771 20 - - _Brought forward_ $1,737,771 20 - - 14. Act of March 3, 1825, appropriates for opening and - making a road from the town of Canton, in the State - of Ohio, opposite Wheeling, to Zanesville, and for - the completion of the surveys of the road, directed - to be made by the act of May 15, 1820, and orders - its extension to the permanent seat of government - of Missouri, and to pass by the seats of government - of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, said road to - commence at Zanesville, Ohio; also authorizes the - appointment of a superintendent by the President, - at a salary of $1,500 per annum, who shall make all - contracts, receive and disburse all moneys, &c.; - also authorizes the appointment of one - commissioner, who shall have power according to - provisions of the act of May 15, 1820; $10,000 of - the money appropriated by this act is to be - expended in completing the survey mentioned. The - whole sum appropriated to be advanced from moneys - not otherwise appropriated, and replaced from - reserve fund, acts admitting Ohio, Indiana, - Illinois, and Missouri 150,000 00 - - 15. Act of March 14, 1826 (General Appropriation - Bill), appropriates for balance due superintendent, - $3,000; assistant superintendent, $158.90; - contractor, $252.13 3,411 03 - from moneys not otherwise appropriated. - - 16. Act of March 25, 1826 (Military Service), - appropriates for continuation of the Cumberland - Road during the year 1825 110,749 00 - - 17. Act of March 2, 1827 (Military Service), - appropriates for construction of road from Canton - to Zanesville, and continuing and completing the - survey from Zanesville to the seat of government of - Missouri, to be paid from reserve fund, acts - admitting Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri 170,000 00 - For balance due superintendent, from moneys not - otherwise appropriated 510 00 - - 18. Act of March 2, 1827, appropriates for repairs - between Cumberland and Wheeling, and authorizes the - appointment of a superintendent of repairs, at a - compensation to be fixed by the President. To be - paid from moneys not otherwise appropriated. The - language of this act is, "For repairing the public - road from Cumberland to Wheeling" 30,000 00 - ------------- - _Carried forward_ $2,202,441 23 - - _Brought forward_ $2,202,441 23 - - 19. Act of May 19, 1828, appropriates for the - completion of the road to Zanesville, Ohio, to be - paid from fund, acts admitting Ohio, Indiana, - Illinois, and Missouri 175,000 00 - - 20. Act of March 2, 1829, appropriates for opening - road westwardly, from Zanesville, Ohio, to be paid - from fund, acts admitting Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, - and Missouri 100,000 00 - - 21. Act of March 2, 1829, appropriates for opening - road eighty feet wide in Indiana, east and west - from Indianapolis, and to appoint two - superintendents, at $800 each per annum, to be paid - from fund, acts admitting Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, - and Missouri 51,600 00 - - 22. Act of March 3, 1829, appropriates for repairing - bridges, &c., on road east of Wheeling 100,000 00 - - 23. Act of May 31, 1830 (Internal Improvements), - appropriates for opening and grading road west of - Zanesville, Ohio, $100,000; for opening and grading - road in Indiana, $60,000, commencing at - Indianapolis, and progressing with the work to the - eastern and western boundaries of said State; for - opening, grading, &c., in Illinois, $40,000, to be - paid from reserve fund, acts admitting Ohio, - Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri; for claims due and - remaining unpaid on account of road east of - Wheeling, $15,000; to be paid from moneys in - the treasury not otherwise appropriated 215,000 00 - - To this act is appended the following note: - - "I approve this bill, and ask a reference to my - communication to Congress of this date in relation - thereto. - "ANDREW JACKSON."[B] - - ------------ - _Carried forward_ $2,844,041 23 - - [Footnote B: The following is the communication referred to by - President Jackson: - - SPECIAL MESSAGE. - - MAY 30, 1830. _To the Senate of the United States_: - - _Gentlemen_: I have approved and signed the bill entitled - "An act making appropriations for examinations and - surveys, and also for certain works of internal - improvement," but as the phraseology of the section, - which appropriates the sum of eight thousand dollars for - the road from Detroit to Chicago, may be construed to - authorize the application of the appropriation for the - continuance of the road beyond the limits of the - territory of Michigan, I desire to be understood as - having approved this bill with the understanding that the - road, authorized by this section, is not to be extended - beyond the limits of the said territory. - - ANDREW JACKSON.] - - _Brought forward_ $2,844,041 23 - - 24. Act of March 2, 1831, appropriates $100,000 for - opening, grading, &c., west of Zanesville, - Ohio; $950 for repairs during the year 1830; - $2,700 for work heretofore done east of Zanesville; - $265.85 for arrearages for the survey from - Zanesville to the capital of Missouri; and $75,000 - for opening, grading, &c., in the State of Indiana, - including bridge over White river, near Indianapolis, - and progressing to eastern and western boundaries; - $66,000 for opening, grading, and bridging in - Illinois; to be paid from the fund, acts admitting - Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri 244,915 85 - - 25. Act of July 3, 1832, appropriates $150,000 for - repairs east of the Ohio river; $100,000 for - continuing the road west of Zanesville; $100,000 - for continuing the road in Indiana, including - bridge over east and west branch of White - river; $70,000 for continuing road in - Illinois; to be paid from the fund acts admitting - Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, 420,000 00 - - 26. Act of March 2, 1833, appropriates to carry on - certain improvements east of the Ohio river, - $125,000; in Ohio, west of Zanesville, $130,000; - in Indiana, $100,000; in Illinois, $70,000; in - Virginia, $34,440 459,440 00 - - 27. Act of June 24, 1834, appropriates $200,000 for - continuing the road in Ohio; $150,000 for - continuing the road in Indiana; $100,000 for - continuing the road in Illinois, and $300,000 for - the entire completion of repairs east of Ohio, to - meet provisions of the Acts of Pennsylvania (April - 4, 1831), Maryland (Jan. 23, 1832), and Virginia - (Feb. 7, 1832), accepting the road surrendered to - the States, the United States not thereafter to be - subject for any expense for repairs. Places - engineer officer of army in control of road - through Indiana and Illinois, and in charge of all - appropriations. $300,000 to be paid out of any - money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, - balance from acts admitting Ohio, Indiana and - Illinois 750,000 00 - - 28. Act of June 27, 1837, (General Appropriation) for - arrearages due contractors 1,609 36 - ----------- - _Carried forward_ $4,720,006 44 - - _Brought forward_ $4,720,006 44 - - 29. Act of March 3, 1835, appropriates $200,000 for - continuing the road in the State of Ohio; $100,000 - for continuing road in the State of Indiana; to be - out of fund acts admitting Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, - and $346,186.58 for the entire completion of - repairs in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; - but before any part of this sum can be expended - east of the Ohio river, the road shall be - surrendered to and accepted by the States through - which it passes, and the United States shall not - thereafter be subject to any expense in relation - to said road. Out of any money in the Treasury not - otherwise appropriated 646,186 58 - - 30. Act of March 3, 1835, (Repair of Roads) - appropriates to pay for work heretofore done by - Isaiah Frost on the Cumberland Road, $320; to pay - late Superintendent of road a salary, $862.87 - 1,182 87 - - 31. Act of July 2, 1836, appropriates for continuing - the road in Ohio, $200,000; for continuing road in - Indiana, $250,000, including materials for a - bridge over the Wabash river; $150,000 for - continuing the road in Illinois, provided that the - appropriation for Illinois shall be limited to - grading and bridging, and shall not be construed - as pledging Congress to future appropriations for - the purpose of macadamizing the road, and the - moneys herein appropriated for said road in Ohio - and Indiana must be expended in completing the - greatest possible continuous portion of said road - in said States so that said finished part thereof - may be surrendered to the States respectively; to - be paid from acts admitting Ohio, Indiana, - Illinois and Missouri 600,000 00 - - 32. Act of March 3, 1837, appropriates $190,000 for - continuing the road in Ohio; $100,000 for - continuing the road in Indiana; $100,000 for - continuing road in Illinois, provided the road in - Illinois shall not be stoned or graveled, unless - it can be done at a cost not greater than the - average cost of stoning and graveling the road in - Ohio and Indiana, and provided that in all cases - where it can be done the work to be laid off in - sections and let to the lowest substantial bidder. - Sec. 2 of the act provides that Sec. 2 of act of - July 2, 1836, shall not be applicable to - expenditures hereafter made on the road, and - $7,183.63 is appropriated by this act for repairs - east of the Ohio river; to be paid from the acts - admitting Ohio, Indiana and Illinois 397,183 63 - ------------- - _Carried forward_ $6,364,559 52 - - _Brought forward_ $6,364,559 52 - - 33. Act of May 25, 1838, appropriates for continuing - the road in Ohio, $150,000; for continuing it in - Indiana, including bridges, $150,000; for - continuing it in Illinois, $9,000; for the - completion of a bridge over Dunlap's creek at - Brownsville; to be paid from moneys in the - Treasury not otherwise appropriated and subject to - provisions and conditions of act of March 3, 1837 459,000 00 - - 34. Act of June 17, 1844, (Civil and Diplomatic) - appropriates for arrearages on account of survey - to Jefferson, Mo. 1,359 81 - ------------- - Total $6,824,919 33 - - NOTE--The appropriation of $3,786 60, made by act of Feb. 26, 1812, - is not included in the above total for the reason that it was a - balance from a former appropriation. - - The act of March 3, 1843, appropriates so much as is necessary to - settle certain claims on contract for building bridges over - Kaskaskia river and constructing part of Cumberland Road. - -[Illustration: HON. T. M. T. McKENNAN.] - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - _Speech of Hon. T. M. T. McKennan, delivered in Congress, June 6, - 1832--The Road a Monument of National Wealth and Greatness--A Bond - of Union--Business of the Road--Five Thousand Wagons unload in - Wheeling in a single year--Facilities afforded by the Road for - transporting the Mails and Munitions of War._ - - -This road, Mr. Speaker (the National Road), is a _magnificent -one_--magnificent in extent; it traverses seven different States of this -Union, and its whole distance will cover an extent of near eight hundred -miles. Magnificent in the difficulties overcome by the wealth of a -nation, and in the benefits and advantages and blessings which it -diffuses, east and west, far and wide, through the whole country. It is, -sir, _a splendid monument of national wealth and national greatness, and -of the deep interest felt by the government in the wealth and prosperity -and happiness of the people_. - -It is not, sir, like the stupendous monuments of other countries and of -other times, which have been erected merely for the purpose of show and -of gratifying the pride of some despotic monarch; but this and all -similar national improvements are _works of utility; they tend to cement -the bond of union; they bring together the distant parts of this exalted -republic; they diffuse wealth and happiness among a free people, and -will be a source of never failing prosperity to millions yet unborn_. - -It is, sir, _a great commercial, military, mail, national work_. To give -the House, or those of its members who are unacquainted with the fact, -some idea of the immense commercial advantages which the eastern as well -as the western country has derived from the construction of this road, -let me call their attention to the amount of merchandise transported to -the Ohio river in a single year after its completion; and here, sir, I -avail myself of an estimate made by an honorable member of the other -House on another occasion, when he strongly urged the propriety and -importance of the extension of the road through the State of Ohio. - -In the year 1822, shortly after the completion of the road, a single -house in the town of Wheeling unloaded 1,081 wagons, averaging about -3,500 pounds each, and paid for the carriage of the goods $90,000. At -that time there were five other commission houses in the same place, and -estimating that each of them received two-thirds the amount of goods -consigned to the other, there must have been nearly 5,000 wagons -unloaded, and nearly $400,000 paid as the cost of transportation. But, -further, it is estimated that at least every tenth wagon passed through -that place into the interior of Ohio, Indiana, &c., which would -considerably swell the amount. These wagons take their return loads and -carry to the eastern markets all the various articles of production and -manufacture of the West--their flour, whisky, hemp, tobacco, bacon, and -wool. Since this estimate was made, the town of Wheeling is greatly -enlarged; its population has nearly doubled; the number of its -commercial establishments has greatly increased; and the demand for -merchandise in the West has increased with the wealth and improvement -and prosperity of the country. - -But, further, sir, before the completion of this road, from four to six -weeks were usually occupied in the transportation of goods from -Baltimore to the Ohio river, and the price varied from six to ten -dollars per hundred. Now they can be carried in less than half the time -and at one-half the cost, and arrangements are making by some -enterprising gentlemen of the West to have the speed of transportation -still increased, and the price of carriage diminished. - -Equally important are the benefits derived by the government and the -people from the rapid, regular, and safe transportation of the mail on -this road. Before its completion, eight or more days were occupied in -transporting the mail from Baltimore to Wheeling; it was then carried on -horseback, and did not reach the western country by this route more than -once a week. Now it is carried in comfortable stages, protected from the -inclemency of the weather, in forty-eight hours; and no less than -twenty-eight mails weekly and regularly pass and repass each other on -this road. To show this fact, and the absolute necessity and importance -of keeping the road in a good state of repair, in order to enable the -postoffice department to fulfill the expectations of the public, I will -ask the favor of the clerk to read to the House a communication received -from the Postmaster General on the subject. [Here the clerk read an -extract from a letter of the Postmaster General]. The facilities -afforded by such a road in time of war for the transportation of the -munitions of war, and the means of defence from one point of the country -to another, need scarcely be noticed; they must be palpable and plain to -every reflecting mind, and I will not take up the time of the House in -detailing them. - -As I said before, the road traverses seven different States of this -Union, and in its whole extent will cover a distance of near 800 miles. -Who, then, can doubt its nationality? Who can question the allegation -that it is an immensely important national work? _Who can reconcile it -to his conscience and his constituents to permit it to go to -destruction?_ - -[Illustration: ROAD WAGON] - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - _Life on the Road--Origin of the Phrase Pike Boys--Slaves Driven Like - Horses--Race Distinction at the Old Taverns--Old Wagoners--Regulars - and Sharpshooters--Line Teams--John Snider, John Thompson, Daniel - Barcus, Robert Bell, Henry Clay Rush, and other Familiar Names._ - - -As the phrase "Pike Boys" is frequently used in this volume, it is -considered pertinent to give its origin. When first used, it was -confined in its application to boys--sons of wagoners, stage drivers, -tavern keepers, farmers, and in fact the sons of persons of every -occupation who lived on or adjacent to the road, in the same sense that -the boys of a town are called "town boys." Its meaning and import, -however, expanded in course of time, until it embraced, as it now does, -all persons in any manner and at any time identified with the road, -whether by residence or occupation, and without "regard to age, race, -color or previous condition of servitude," as the statute puts it, for -be it remembered that negro slaves were frequently seen on the National -Road. The writer has seen them driven over the road arranged in couples -and fastened to a long, thick rope or cable, like horses. This may seem -incredible to a majority of persons now living along the road, but it is -true, and was a very common sight in the early history of the road and -evoked no expression of surprise, or words of censure. Such was the -temper of the times. There were negro wagoners on the road, but negro -stage drivers were unknown. Stage driving was quite a lofty calling, and -the acme of many a young man's ambition. The work was light and the -whirl exciting and exhilarating. Wagoners, white and black, stopped over -night at the same taverns, but never sat down together at the same -table. A separate table was invariably provided for the colored -wagoners, a custom in thorough accord with the public sentiment of the -time, and seemingly agreeable to the colored wagoners themselves. -Country life in the olden time was enlivened by numerous corn huskings, -balls, spelling matches, school exhibitions and frolics of all kinds. -Young men and boys along the road, were in the habit of attending these -gatherings, going as far as three miles and more in the back country, to -reach them, some on foot and others on horseback. A young man would -think nothing of getting a girl up behind him on a horse, and hieing -away after nightfall, four and five miles to a country dance, and many -of the girls of the period considered it but pleasant recreation to walk -two or three miles with their lovers, to a spelling match or a revival -meeting. A feeling of jealousy always existed between the young men and -boys, living along and near the road, and those in the back country, and -the occasions before mentioned furnished opportunities from time to time -for this feeling to break out, as it often did, in quarrels and fights. -The country boys would get together in anticipation of an approaching -gathering at some school house, and organize for offense or defense, as -the exigencies might require, always calling their rivals and imaginary -enemies, "Pike Boys," and this was the origin of that familiar phrase. - -The men who hauled merchandise over the road were invariably called -wagoners, not teamsters, as is the modern word, and they were both, -since Webster defines wagoner as one who conducts a wagon, and teamster -as one who drives a team. The teams of the old wagoners consisting, as a -rule, of six horses, were very rarely stabled, but rested over night on -the wagon yards of the old taverns, no matter how inclement the weather. -Blankets were used to protect them in the winter season. Feed troughs -were suspended at the rear end of the wagon bed, and carried along in -this manner, day after day all the year round. In the evening, when the -day's journey was ended, the troughs were taken down and fastened on the -tongues of the wagon to which the horses were tied, three on a side, -with their heads to the trough. Wagoners carried their beds, rolled up, -in the forepart of the wagon, and spread them out in a semi-circle on -the bar room floor in front of the big bar room fire upon going to rest. -Some of the old bar room grates would hold as much as six bushels of -coal, and iron pokers from four to six feet in length, weighing eight -and ten pounds, were used for stirring the fires. To get down an icy -hill with safety, it was necessary to use an ice cutter, a rough lock, -or a clevis, and sometimes all combined, contingent upon the thickness -and smoothness of the ice, and the length and steepness of the hill. The -ice cutter was of steel or iron, in appearance like a small sled, fitted -on the hind wheels, which were first securely locked. The rough lock was -a short chain with large, rough links, and the clevis was like that used -on an ordinary plow, except that it was larger and stronger. These -instruments were essential parts of the wagoners' "outfit." There were -two classes of wagoners, the "regular" and the "sharpshooter." The -regular was on the road constantly with his team and wagon, and had no -other pursuit than hauling goods and merchandise on the road. The -sharpshooters were for the most part farmers, who put their farm teams -on the road in seasons when freights were high, and took them off when -prices of hauling declined; and there was jealousy between the two -classes. The regular drove his team about fifteen miles a day on the -average, while the sharpshooter could cover twenty miles and more. Line -teams were those controlled by an association or company. Many of the -regular wagoners became members of these companies and put in their -teams. The main object of the combination was to transport goods more -rapidly than by the ordinary method. Line teams were stationed along -the road, at distances of about fifteen miles, and horses were exchanged -after the manner of the stage lines. Many of the old wagoners had -bull-dogs tied at the rear of their wagons, and these dogs were often -seen pressing with all their strength against the collar about their -necks, as if to aid the horses in moving their load; and this is -probably the origin of the common form of boast about a man being equal -in strength to "a six-horse team with a cross dog under the wagon." - -[Illustration: JOHN THOMPSON.] - -The whip used by old wagoners was apparently five feet long, thick and -hard at the butt, and tapering rapidly to the end in a silken cracker. -Battley White, of Centerville, Washington county, Pa., made more of -these whips than any other man on the road. The interior of his whip was -a raw hide. John Morrow, of Petersburg, Somerset county, Pa., also made -many whips for the old wagoners. There was another whip, much used by -old wagoners, known as the "Loudon Whip." The inner portion of this whip -was an elastic wooden stock, much approved by the wagoners. It was -manufactured in the village of Loudon, Franklin county, Pa., and hence -its name. It was used almost exclusively on what was called the "Glade -Road," from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, _via_ Chambersburg and Bedford. - -Some of the old wagoners of the National Road became rich. John Snider -was one of these. He drove a six-horse team on the road for twenty -years, and died on his farm near Uniontown in December, 1889, much -lamented. Few men possessed more of the higher attributes of true -manhood than John Snider. The author of this volume gratefully and -cheerfully acknowledges his indebtedness to John Snider for many of the -facts and incidents it contains. He was a clear-headed, intelligent, -sober, discreet, and observing man, whose statements could be relied on -as accurate. - -It would be an impossible task to collect the names of all the old -wagoners of the National Road. They number thousands, and many of them -left the road long since to seek fortunes in new and distant sections of -our widely extended country. The most of them have gone to scenes beyond -the boundaries of time. It is the author's aim to collect as many of -their names as is practicable and write them down in history. The names -of John Thompson, James Noble, and John Flack are recalled. These worthy -old wagoners are still living in the vicinity of Taylorstown, Washington -county, Pa., and highly respected by all their neighbors. The point at -which they first entered upon the road was the famous "S" bridge. -Thompson drove his father's team when quite young, in fact, a mere boy. -The first trip he made over the road was in the spring of 1843, in -company with the veteran wagoner, George Hallam, of Washington, Pa. -Thompson's father was a pork packer, and the youthful wagoner's "down -loads," as those moving eastwardly were called, consisted for the most -part of bacon. His recollections of the road are vivid, and warmly -cherished. He can sit down in a room, at his comfortable home, and "in -his mind's eye" see every mile post along the road and recall the -distances to points inscribed thereon. In the year 1852, he went to -California, engaged in mining, and was successful. With the instinct -planted in every human breast, he returned to his native land, and with -his accumulations bought his father's homestead farm. The old farm -enhanced in value by reason of the oil developments, and landed the old -wagoner in the ranks of the rich. - -The name Noble is a familiar one on the National Road, and suggestive of -rank. "Watty" and William Noble were stage drivers. James Noble, the old -wagoner, drove a team for the late Hon. Isaac Hodgens, who was at one -time a pork salter. He remained on the road as a wagoner until its tide -of business ceased, and retired to Taylorstown to take his chances in -the on-moving and uncertain affairs of life. He seemed possessed of the -idea that there was undeveloped wealth in the vicinity of Taylorstown, -and made up his mind to gain a foothold there and wait the coming of -events. He managed by the exercise of industry and economy to become the -owner of a farm, and the discovery of oil did the rest for him. He is -rich. - -John Flack's career is similar to those of Thompson and Noble, -culminating in like good fortune. "He struck oil, too." - -We have in the story of these old wagoners, examples of the -possibilities for achievement, under the inspiring genius of American -institutions. Poor boys, starting out in life as wagoners, with wages -barely sufficient for their subsistence, pushing on and up with -ceaseless vigilance, attaining the dignity of farmers, in all ages the -highest type of industrial life, and now each bearing, though meekly, -the proud title of "freeholder," which Mr. Blaine said in his celebrated -eulogium of Garfield, "has been the patent and passport of self-respect -with the Anglo-Saxon race ever since Horsa and Hengist landed on the -shores of England." - -[Illustration: DANIEL BARCUS.] - -Otho and Daniel Barcus, brothers, were among the prominent wagoners of -the road. They lived near Frostburg, Md. Otho died at Barton, Md., in -1883. Daniel is now living in retirement at Salisbury, Somerset county, -Pa. In 1838 he engaged with John Hopkins, merchant at the foot of Light -and Pratt streets, Baltimore, to haul a load of general merchandise, -weighing 8,300 pounds, to Mt. Vernon, Ohio. "He delivered the goods in -good condition" at the end of thirty days from the date of his departure -from Baltimore. His route was over the National Road to Wheeling, thence -by Zanesville and Jacktown, Ohio, thence thirty-two miles from the -latter place to the point of destination, the whole distance being 397 -miles. He received $4.25 per hundred for hauling the goods. At Mt. -Vernon he loaded back with Ohio tobacco, 7,200 pounds in hogsheads, for -which he received $2.75 per hundred. On the return trip he upset, -between Mt. Vernon and Jacktown, without sustaining any damage, beyond -the breaking of a bow of his wagon bed, and the loss caused by -detention. The expense of getting in shape for pursuing his journey, was -the price of a gallon of whisky. Mt. Vernon is not on the line of the -road, and Mr. Barcus writes that "when he reached the National Road -at Jacktown, he felt at home again." Mr. Barcus also states in a letter -to the writer of these pages, that the first lot of goods shipped over -the Baltimore and Ohio railway, after its completion to Cumberland, -destined for Wheeling, was consigned to Shriver and Dixon, commission -merchants of Cumberland, and by that firm consigned to Forsythe and Son, -of Wheeling. This lot of goods aggregated 6,143 pounds, an average load -for a six-horse team, and Mr. Barcus contracted with Shriver and Dixon -to haul it through to Wheeling in six days for fifty cents a hundred, -which he accomplished. He further states that a delegation of wholesale -and retail merchants of Wheeling met him at Steenrod's tavern, east of -Wheeling Hill, and escorted him to town, then a place of 4,000 or 5,000 -inhabitants, and in the evening there was public rejoicing over the -unprecedented event of goods reaching Wheeling from Baltimore in the -short space of seven days. Mr. Barcus concludes his letter as follows: -"I stayed many nights at Hopwood with Wilse Clement, and many with Natty -Brownfield, in Uniontown. I often stayed with Arthur Wallace, five miles -east of Brownsville. I remember one night at Wallace's, after caring for -my team, I accompanied his two fine and handsome daughters to a party -about a mile distant in the country, where I danced all night, till -broad daylight, and then walked home with the girls in the morning." - -John Grace was another old wagoner, who became wealthy. The old pike -boys will remember him as the driver of a black team. He was a Maryland -man. When the old road yielded its grasp on trade, to the iron railway, -Grace settled in or near Zanesville, Ohio, where he still lives, or was -living a few years ago, worth a hundred thousand dollars. He transported -his family to Ohio in his big road wagon. - -Jesse Franks, and his son Conrad, of High House, Fayette county, Pa., -were old wagoners. Conrad's team ran off near Cumberland, on one of his -trips, overthrowing the wagon, and causing an ugly dislocation of -Conrad's thigh, from which he suffered great pain for many weeks. - -John Manaway, late owner of the Spottsylvania House, Uniontown, drove a -team on the road for many years, and no man enjoyed the business more -than he. - -There was an Ohio man of the name of Lucas, called Gov. Lucas, because a -man of like name was an early Governor of Ohio, who was an old wagoner, -and his team consisted of but five horses, yet he hauled the biggest -loads on the road. He was the owner of the team he drove. In the year -1844, one of his loads weighed twelve thousand pounds--"one hundred and -twenty hundred," as the old wagoners termed it, and the biggest load -ever hauled over the road up to that date. - -William King, of Washington county, Pa., an old wagoner, was noted for -his steady habits. On one of his trips over the road, and going down the -eastern slope of Laurel Hill, when it was covered with ice, his wagon -slipped from the road and fell over the bank near the old Price -residence, dragging the team after it. Strange to say, the horses were -uninjured and but little damage done to the wagon. The contents of the -load were Ohio tobacco and bacon. After getting things restored, King -drove to Jimmy Snyder's, stayed all night, and the next morning -proceeded on his journey to Baltimore. He was the owner of a farm in -Washington county. - -Joseph Thompson, an old wagoner on the road, is now and has been for -many years in charge of the large and valuable coal farm belonging to -the estate of the Hon. James G. Blaine, on the Monongahela river, near -Pittsburg. A trusty old wagoner, he has approved himself the trusty -agent of the great statesman. - -Jacob Probasco was an old wagoner, and also kept a tavern at Jockey -Hollow. He went west and founded a fortune. - -Joseph Lawson, an old wagoner, kept tavern for many years in West -Alexander, Washington county, Pa., and died the possessor of a valuable -estate. The author of this book took dinner, in 1848, at Lawson's -tavern, in company with James G. Blaine, the late distinguished -Secretary of State. - -Matthias Fry, an old wagoner, kept the Searight House in 1840, and -subsequently presided as landlord over several houses at different times -in Hopwood. He was one of the best men on the road. His large and well -proportioned form will be readily recalled by the old pike boys. He was -a native of Old Virginia, and died in Hopwood. - -David Hill was one of the most noted wagoners of the road. He was an -active, bustling man, and given to witty sayings. He belonged to -Washington county, Pa., and was the father of Dr. Hill, of Vanderbilt, -and the father-in-law of the Rev. J. K. Melhorn, who preached for many -years in the vicinity of McClellandtown, Fayette county, Pa. - -Andrew Prentice, who died recently in Uniontown, the possessor of -considerable money, drove a team on the old road in his early days. - -Henry Clay Rush, a prominent citizen of Uniontown, and ex-jury -commissioner, was once the proud driver of a big six-horse team. He -drove through from Baltimore to Wheeling, and can recount incidents of -every mile of the road to this day. None of the old pike boys enjoys -with keener relish a recital of the stories of the old pike than Rush. - -William Worthington, who died not long since in Dunbar township, Fayette -county, Pa., aged upwards of ninety years, was one of the earliest -wagoners on the road. When he made his first trip he was only thirteen -years old, and the road was then recently opened for travel. He -continued as a wagoner on the road for many years, and located in Dunbar -township, where he purchased property, which subsequently became very -valuable by reason of the coal development. - -William Chenriewith, who recently, and probably at the present time, -keeps a hotel near Bedford Springs, was an old wagoner of the National -Road. - -[Illustration: HENRY CLAY RUSH.] - -John Thomas, who kept a hotel and livery stable in Baltimore, was an old -wagoner, and is well remembered along the road. - -George Buttermore, father of Dr. Smith Buttermore, of Connellsville, was -at one time a wagoner on the National Road. - -John Orr, now a prosperous and well-known farmer of the vicinity of West -Newton, Westmoreland county, Pa., was an old wagoner of the road. - -James Murray, an old wagoner, is remembered for his extravagance of -speech. One of his sayings was, that "he saw the wind blow so hard on -Keyser's Ridge, that it took six men to hold the hair on one man's -head." - -E. W. Clement, of Hopwood, was an old wagoner, and invariably used bells -on his horses. He subsequently kept a tavern in Hopwood, and built the -house there known as the "Shipley House." - -Robert Bell was an old wagoner with quaint ways. He was rich, and owned -his team, which was the poorest equipped of any on the road. Horses in -his team were not infrequently seen without bridles. He was a trader, -and often bought the goods he hauled and sold them out to people along -the road. His reputation for honesty was good, but he was called "Stingy -Robert." - -George Widdle, an old wagoner of the age of eighty and upwards, still -living in Wheeling, drew the single line and handled the Loudon whip -over a six-horse team for many years, between Wheeling and Baltimore, -and accounts the days of those years the happiest of his existence. He -was also a stage driver for a time. Nothing affords him so much pleasure -as a recital of the incidents of the road. He says there never were such -taverns and tavern keepers as those of the National Road in the days of -its glory, and of his vigorous manhood. - -James Butler, like Bell, was a trader. Butler drove a "bell team," as -teams with bells were called. He was a Virginian, from the vicinity of -Winchester. It was the tradition of the road that he had a slight -infusion of negro blood in his veins, and this assigned him to the side -table of the dining room. When he quit the road he returned to -Winchester, started a store, and got rich. - -Neither tradition or kindred evidence was necessary to prove the race -status of Westley Strother. He showed up for himself. He was as black as -black could be, and a stalwart in size and shape. He was well liked by -all the old wagoners, and by every one who knew him. He was mild in -manner, and honest in purpose. He had the strongest affection for the -road, delighted in its stirring scenes, and when he saw the wagons and -the wagoners, one after another, departing from the old highway, he -repined and prematurely died at Uniontown. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - - _Old Wagoners continued--Harrison Wiggins, Morris Mauler, James - Mauler, John Marker, John Bradley, Robert Carter, R. D. Kerfoot, - Jacob F. Longanecker, Ellis B. Woodward--Broad and Narrow Wheels--A - peculiar Wagon--An experiment and a failure--Wagon Beds--Bell - Teams._ - - -Harrison Wiggins, widely known as a lover of fox hunting, and highly -respected as a citizen, was one of the early wagoners. His career as a -wagoner ceased long before the railroad reached Cumberland. He hauled -goods from Baltimore to points west. His outfit, team and wagon, were -owned by himself and his father, Cuthbert Wiggins. Harrison Wiggins was -born in the old Gribble house, two miles east of Brownsville, on the -30th of April, 1812. About the year 1817 his father moved to Uniontown, -and kept a tavern in a frame building which stood on the lot adjoining -the residence of P. S. Morrow, Esq. He remained here until 1821, when he -went to the stone house at the eastern base of Chalk Hill, and was its -first occupant. His house at Uniontown numbered among its patrons, Hon. -Nathaniel Ewing, Samuel Cleavenger, Mr. Bouvier, John A. Sangston, John -Kennedy, John Lyon, and other eminent men of that period. In 1832 or -'33, Harrison Wiggins married a daughter of John Risler, a noted tavern -keeper of the road, one of the very best, a talent which descended to -his children. At the date of the marriage Mr. Risler was keeping the -stone house at Braddock's run, and the wedding occurred in that house. -In 1839 Harrison Wiggins went to Iowa, with a view of locating in that -State, but returned the next year and leased the property on which he -now lives from Charles Griffith. In ten years thereafter he bought this -property, and it has been his home for more than half a century. Under -the careful and sagacious management of Mr. Wiggins, it has become one -of the prettiest and most valuable properties in the mountains. It has -been a long time since he was a wagoner, but he enjoys a recital of the -stirring scenes he witnessed on the old road in the days of its glory. - -[Illustration: HARRISON WIGGINS.] - -There is not a more familiar name among the old pike boys than that of -Morris Mauler. He was an old wagoner, stage driver and tavern keeper. He -was born in Uniontown in the year 1806. The house in which he first -beheld the light of day, was a log building on the Skiles corner, kept -as a tavern by his father. Before he reached the age of twenty-one he -was on the road with a six-horse team and a big wagon, hauling goods -from the city of Baltimore to points west. He continued a wagoner for -many years, and afterward became a stage driver. He drove on Stockton's -line. From stage driving he went to tavern keeping. His first venture as -a tavern keeper was at Mt. Washington, when the old tavern stand at that -point was owned by the late Hon. Nathaniel Ewing. He subsequently and -successively kept the old Probasco house at Jockey Hollow, the old -Gaither house, the Yeast house, and a house in Hopwood. He always -furnished good entertainment for strangers and travelers, as well as for -friends and acquaintances, and as a consequence, was well patronized. He -died about seven years ago at Fairchance, and when his light went out a -shadow of sorrow passed over the hearts of all the old pike boys. - -James Mauler, a son of Morris, above mentioned, is also an old wagoner. -He went on the road with a team in the year 1830, and remained on it as -long as he could obtain a load of goods to haul over it. He is still -living and in robust health, at Brownfield station, four miles south of -Uniontown. - -[Illustration: JOHN MARKER.] - -John Marker, now residing in the east end of Uniontown, is an old -wagoner. He was born at the Little Crossings in the State of Maryland, -in the year 1816, and while yet a lad began to drive a team on the road -for Joseph Plucker. In 1839 he quit the service of Plucker and came to -Wharton township, Fayette county, Pa., and soon thereafter began driving -again, first for Sebastian Rush and next for Nicholas McCartney. He is a -near relative of the Shipley, McCollough and McCartney families, all of -the old pike. Marker says he never suffered an "upset" himself, but saw -a great many "upsets" on the road. He also states that he saw a stage -driver killed near Little Crossings in 1835 by the "running off" of his -team and the "upsetting" of the coach. The name of this unfortunate -stage driver was James Rhodes, and he drove on Stockton's line. John -Marker, in his prime, was one of the stoutest men on the road, upwards -of six feet in height, and rounded out in proportion, but, being of an -amiable temperament, he never engaged in broils, realizing, no doubt, -and acting upon the poetic sentiment that: - - "It is excellent to have a giant's strength, - But tyrannous to use it as a giant." - -He still clings to the old road, breaking stone to repair it, when his -health will permit. He is in the 76th year of his age. - -John Bradley, brother of Daniel, of Jockey Hollow, is an old wagoner. He -drove a team for Benjamin Brownfield, Jr., now residing near Newark, -Ohio., son of Col. Ben., the centennarian of South Union township, and -grand marshal of Democratic processions of the olden time. John Bradley -also worked on the construction of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad in -1839, near Oldtown, Md., fifteen miles east of Cumberland. His employer -on this work was the late Zalmon Ludington, of Uniontown, who had a -contract at the point mentioned. John Bradley is now living in the city -of Pittsburg. - -Robert Carter was a well known old wagoner, a native of Washington -county, Pa., a "regular," and a very energetic, persevering and keen -sighted man. He took a prominent part in many of the festivities of the -old road, but never lost his head. He was a money maker, and unlike most -of that class, kind hearted and generous. He married the eldest daughter -of Thomas Moxley, the old tavern keeper, whose house was three miles -west of Uniontown. After his marriage he bought a small farm, known as -the Solomon Colley farm, near Hatfield's, in Redstone township, Fayette -county, Pa., subsequently merged in the Hatfield estate. He operated -this farm for a short time, but while engaged as a farmer, kept his team -on the road in charge of a hired driver. He sold his farm and leased the -Bar house in Bridgeport, and kept tavern there for some time. When -business ceased on the road, he gave up his team and his tavern, and -moved with his family to Iowa, where he engaged extensively in farming -and stock raising. - -R. D. Kerfoot, the well known miner and labor leader of Everson, was at -one time a wagoner on the National Road. He was born in Lancaster -county, Pa., and before reaching the full stature of manhood in point of -age, went to Washington county, Md., where he engaged as a driver for -one J. B. Bear, a farmer of that county and State, and was put in charge -of a fine six-horse team, and a broad wheeled wagon, with which he -hauled goods, wares and merchandise to and from Baltimore and Wheeling. -He enjoyed the stirring scenes of the old road, and recalls with a keen -relish the bounteous tables of the old taverns. - -Jacob F. Longanecker, who served as county commissioner of Fayette -county, Pa., from 1854 to 1857, was an old wagoner. He owned a farm in -German township, and was a good practical farmer, but spent much of his -time, for many years, on the road with his team. He enjoyed life on the -road, and seemed loath to relinquish the occupation of a wagoner. - -[Illustration: ELLIS B. WOODWARD.] - -Ellis B. Woodward, of Menallen township, Fayette county, Pa., is an old -wagoner with experience hardly sufficient to entitle him to be classed -as a "regular," and yet almost enough to take him from the list of -"sharp-shooters." He kept his big road wagon on his farm for many years -after the road ceased to be a profitable avenue of transportation, and -felt a pride in exhibiting it as a reminder of his identification with -the great highway, in the days of its prosperity. He still lives and -warmly cherishes the memories of the old road. - -The first wagons used on the National Road were made with narrow rimmed -wheels, like those in use at the present day on farms and country roads. -It was not long, however, after the opening of the road, until the broad -wheeled, or "broad tread wagon," as it was called, was introduced, and -came into general use by the "regulars." The "sharpshooters," as a rule, -retained the narrow tread, as their wagons were designed mainly for farm -service. The width of the broad tread was about four inches, and lighter -tolls were exacted at the gates from broad than from narrow tread -wagons for the obvious reason that narrow wheels cut deeper into the -road than broad wheels. - -A gentleman of Wheeling interested in the transportation business at one -time, conceived the idea of constructing a wagon that would make so wide -a track as to be allowed to pass over the road for a very low rate of -toll, if not entirely exempt. His model was a wagon with the rear axle -four inches shorter than the front one, so that a track was made of -eight inches in width. To this wagon nine horses were attached--three -abreast. It passed over the road several times, with Joseph Sopher as -driver, attracting much attention, but turning out a failure as well in -the matter of saving toll as in being an impracticable vehicle of -transportation. - -The bed of the regular road wagon was long and deep, bending upward at -the bottom in front and rear. The lower broad side was painted blue, -with a movable board inserted above, painted red. The covering was of -white canvas stretched over broad wooden bows, so that the old road -wagon, probably more as a matter of taste than design, disclosed the -tri-colors of the American escutcheon, red, white and blue. - -An average load was 6,000 pounds, but loads weighing 10,000 pounds, "a -hundred hundred," as all old wagoners boastfully put it, were frequently -hauled over the road. - -The reader who never saw the endless procession on the old pike, in the -days of its glory, may have the impression that the bells used by some -of the old wagoners on their teams were like sleigh bells, or those of -the milk wagon of the present day, and in like manner strapped around -the horses. But that was not the way of it. The bells of the old -wagoners were cone shaped, with an open end, not unlike a small dinner -bell, and were attached to a thin iron arch, sprung over the tops of the -hames. The motion of the horses caused a quiver in the arch, and the -bell teams moved majestically along the road attracting attention and -eliciting admiration. The great majority of wagoners did not use bells. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - - _Old Wagoners continued--John Deets--His story told by himself--David - Church--John Snider loads up with Butter--Billy Ashton, John - Bradfield, Frank Bradfield--An Escapade--William Hall, Henry - Puffenberger and Jacob Breakiron--Collision between a "regular" and - a "sharpshooter"--Joseph Lawson, Jeff. Manypenny, Joseph Arnold, - The Sophers, Robert Beggs, Thomas Gore, and John Whetsel._ - - -John Deets was a wagoner on the road as early as 1826, before the -invention of the rubber, or at least before its application to wagons on -the National Road. He had a brother, Michael, who preceded him as a -wagoner on the road. John Deets located in Guernsey county, Ohio, in -1835, whence he went from Menallen township, Fayette county, Pa. He is -still living. The following from his own pen furnishes a graphic account -of life on the road in his day: - -MR. SEARIGHT: I will try to give you as much information as I can at -this time. My brother, Michael Deets, about four years older than -myself, was among the first that wagoned on the pike. That was about the -year 1822. He first drove his father's team, and the first load of goods -he hauled from Baltimore was to Uniontown for Isaac Beeson or Isaac -Skiles, I am not certain which. After that he drove for Abram Beagle, -who lived in the west end of Uniontown. After that he bought a team, and -a few years after bought two more, so that he owned three teams at one -time. He drove one of the teams himself and hired drivers for the other -two. The team he drove himself was a bell team. One of his drivers was -George Richards, and the other, Jesse Barnet, a colored man, who lived -in the east end of Uniontown. When they took up the old bed of the road, -and macadamized it, my brother took a contract and put his teams to -hauling stones. After finishing his contract, he resumed the hauling of -merchandise on the road and continued until about 1837, when he moved to -Ohio, thence to Illinois, and thence to Missouri, where he died. - -[Illustration: JOHN DEETS.] - -The pike boys had some hard times and they had some good times. They -were generally very fond of sport, and mostly tried to put up where the -landlord was a fiddler, so that they could take a hoe-down. Every one -carried his own bed, and after they had all the sport they wanted they -put their beds down on the floor in a circle, with their feet to the -fire, and slept like a mouse in a mill. They were generally very -sociable and friendly with each other, but I must note one thing just -here: Two of the boys met at David Barnett's, some three miles east of -Hancock, and got into a dispute, which was not often the case. Elias -Meek and Abner Benley were the two. Meek was for fight, Benley was for -peace. But Meek pushed on Benley and Benley run, but Meek caught him. -Then Benley knew he had to fight, and turned on Meek and gave him a -wonderful thrashing, so that he was not able to drive his team for some -time. And now with regard to getting up and down the hills. They had no -trouble to get up, but the trouble was in getting down, for they had no -rubbers then, and to tight lock would soon wear out their tires. They -would cut a small pole about 10 or 11 feet long and tie it to the bed -with the lock chain and then bend it against the hind wheel and tie it -to the feed trough, or the hind part of the wagon bed, just tight enough -to let the wheel turn slow. Sometimes one driver would wear out from 15 -to 20 poles between Baltimore and Wheeling. Sometimes others would cut -down a big tree and tie it to the hind end of the wagon and drop it at -the foot of the hill. When there was ice, and there was much of it in -winter, they had to use rough locks and cutters, and the wagon would -sometimes be straight across the road, if not the hind end foremost. The -snow was sometimes so deep that they had to go through fields, and -shovel the drifts from the fences, and often had to get sleds to take -their loads across Nigger Mountain, and on as far as Hopwood. Those of -us who had to go through the fields were three days going nine miles. -This was in the neighborhood of Frostburg, Md. There were no bridges -then across the Monongahela or the Ohio rivers. Wagoners had to ferry -across in small flat-boats, and sometimes to lay at the rivers for some -days, until the ice would run out or the river freeze over. A small -bridge across Dunlap's creek, at Brownsville, broke down with one of the -pike boys and did a great deal of damage. Sometimes a barrel of coffee -would spring a leak and the coffee would be scattered along the road, -and women would gather it up and be glad for such a prize. The writer -has scattered some in his time. Some of the old citizens of Uniontown, -no doubt, well remember the time, when scores of poor slaves were driven -through that place, handcuffed and tied two and two to a rope that was -extended some 40 or 50 feet, one on each side. And thousands of droves -of hogs were driven through to Baltimore, some from Ohio. Sometimes they -would have to lay by two or three days on account of the frozen road, -which cut their feet and lamed them. While the writer was wagoning on -the old pike, the canal was made from Cumberland to Harper's Ferry. The -pike boys were bitterly opposed to railroads and so were the tavern -keepers. The writer heard an old tavern keeper say "he wished the -railroad would sink to the lower regions." That great phenomenon that -occurred the 13th of November, 1833, or, as it is often called, the -Shooting stars. That circumstance caused a great deal of excitement. -Some became very much alarmed, and it was reported that some went crazy, -and thought the world was coming to an end. The writer was at Hopwood -that night with his team and wagon. The phenomenon was also seen in -Ohio. It was reported in Ohio that there was a box of money hid on the -old Gaddis farm, near the pike, about two miles west of Uniontown, -supposed to have been hid there by Gen. Braddock. It was sought for but -never found. The taverns we mostly put up at in Baltimore were the -Maypole, on Paca street, south of Gen. Wayne, and at Thomas Elliott's, -near the Hill market; and where we mostly loaded our goods was at J. -Taylor & Sons and at Chauncey Brook's, on Baltimore and Howard streets. -Our first day's drive out of Baltimore was 19 miles, to Enoch Randall's, -or 20, to John Whalon's. The second day to Frank Wathers--who could -almost outswear the world. And one thing more: Before this writer became -a pike boy he plowed many a day with a wooden mold-board plow, and after -being engaged on the road for about ten years, he left the road and went -to Ohio, and then made a public profession of religion and united with -the Baptist church. In conclusion, will say to make as good a history as -you possibly can, and I hope you shall be well rewarded for your labor, -and above all never forget your Creator, as in Him we live, move and -have our being. - - Yours respectfully, - JOHN DEETS. - -David Church was an old wagoner, a native of Wheeling, and when the old -pike ceased to ring with the clatter of travel and trade, he purchased a -farm in Wharton township, near Farmington, Fayette county, Pa., took up -his residence thereon, and died a mountain farmer. He was a large, fat -man, of ruddy complexion and reddish hair. The leader in his team was of -a dun color, and as it approached the old taverns and the big -water-troughs, was recognized as the team of David Church by the color -of the leader. Charley Rush often invited Church to take a chair and be -seated when he visited the store at Farmington, but he invariably -declined, remarking that he could rest as well standing as sitting. He -felt like nearly all the old wagoners, that his occupation was gone when -transportation ceased on the old road, and could never fully adapt -himself to the new order of things. - -[Illustration: JOHN SNIDER.] - -In the year 1842 John Snider hauled a load of butter from Wheeling to -Washington, D. C. The owner of this butter was a man by the name of -Oyster, a butter dealer of Wheeling. He could have shipped his butter -from Cumberland to its destination by rail, as the Baltimore & Ohio road -had just then been finished to Cumberland; but his animosity against -railroads was so deep-seated that he engaged Snider to haul it all the -way through with his big team. On his way to Washington with this load -he struck off from the National Road at Frederick City, Maryland. He -reached that city on Christmas night and "put up" at Miller's tavern. -The guests of that old tavern danced all of that night, and early in the -morning of the day after Christmas, Snider "pulled out" on a strange -road for the city of Washington with his load of butter. He was three -days on a mud road between Frederick and Washington, but, nevertheless, -delivered his butter in "good condition" to the consignee. This butter -was bought up in small quantities in the vicinity of Wheeling for ten -cents per pound, and Snider got two dollars and fifty cents per hundred -pounds for hauling it to Washington. - -William Ashton, a well-known old wagoner, was an Englishman by birth. He -was also an old tavern keeper. He was noted for his mental vivacity, and -for his achievements as an athlete. At Petersburg he once bounded over -the top of one of the big road wagons with the aid of a long pole. He -kept a tavern at Funkstown, seventy miles west of Baltimore, and was -largely patronized by wagoners. While keeping tavern he had two teams on -the road in charge of hired drivers. This was as early as 1835. His -drivers were Samuel Kelly and William Jones, and they hauled goods from -Hagerstown, Maryland (then the terminus of the railroad), to Terre -Haute, Indiana, and to Springfield, Illinois, involving a trip of four -months duration, and the compensation was six dollars per hundred -pounds. - -John Bradfield was one of the most prominent old wagoners on the road. -He was the general agent of the first transportation company on the -road. He was also a tavern keeper. He kept the brick house west of, and -a short distance from, Petersburg, and owned it. He was a native of -Virginia. - -Frank Bradfield, son of John, before mentioned, was also a wagoner. -Fifty years ago, when but a boy, he drove one of his father's teams to -Baltimore, "pulled up" on the wagon yard of the old Maypole tavern, in -that city, attended to his team, remained over night, and the next day -mysteriously disappeared. Search was instituted, but he could not be -found. He had enlisted as a soldier in the regular army. His friends -thought he was dead. He served through the Mexican war, and yet his -relatives knew not of his existence. When that war was over he stepped -one morning from a steamboat to the wharf at Brownsville. Nobody -recognized him. He took a seat in a coach at Brownsville, and in a few -hours thereafter entered his father's house, near Petersburg. He called -for supper and lodging, and the person he addressed was his father, who -did not recognize him, and to whom he did not make himself known. Supper -was announced, and his father showed him to the dining room and -withdrew. His mother, who was attending at the table, immediately after -he was seated, recognized him, and fell fainting in his arms, and there -was joy in that household, although inaugurated by a great shock. Frank -Bradfield subsequently became a clerk in the Adams Express Company, and -entered the Pittsburg office when it was first established in that city, -and remained in its service until his death, a few years ago. He has a -brother at this time in the office of the Adams Express Company at -Pittsburg, where he has been employed for many years, and esteemed as a -faithful and efficient clerk. - -William Hall was a fine specimen of the old wagoner in the palmy days -of the road--a regular of regulars, zealous in his calling, and jealous -of his rights. Robert Bell, the quaint old wagoner before referred to, -was his uncle and his friend, who, it is said, rendered him substantial -aid in securing a foothold on the great National highway. There was a -certain kind of _esprit de corps_ among the old regular wagoners, and -William Hall possessed it in a high degree. He was well attired, and -clean in person and conversation. He was born in Adams county, -Pennsylvania, and his first appearance on the road was in the year 1838. -He was a great admirer of Thomas Corwin, and was in Ohio with his team -on the day that old-time statesman and orator was chosen Governor, a -circumstance he frequently referred to in after years with feelings of -pride and pleasure. He married a daughter of Aaron Wyatt, and -granddaughter of Major Paul, old tavern keepers, and this formed a -silken cord that bound him to the destinies of the old pike. In the -declining years of the road he became a stage proprietor, and in -conjunction with Redding Bunting (not a stranger to these pages), -operated a line of coaches between Cumberland and Washington, -Pennsylvania. This line had nothing of the whirl and dash of the older -lines of coaches. When wagons and stages ceased to enliven the road, -William Hall located in Cumberland, and is living there at this time, -one of the leading citizens of that place. Soon after he cast his lot in -Cumberland he was appointed Superintendent of the Maryland Division of -the road by Governor Hicks, and served in that office for a number of -years previous to the late war. He had a brother, Robert, who was also -an old wagoner, and subsequently, and for several years, a postal clerk -on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad between Cumberland and Pittsburg. - -Henry Puffenberger, a "regular," given to blustering, but not a vicious -man, and Jacob Breakiron, a "sharpshooter" and a fat man, met one day on -the road and indulged in a wrangle about the right of way. Strings of -fresh broken stone on either side of the road, as was often the case, -left but a narrow passage where the meeting occurred, and this led to -the difficulty. "Old Puff," as he was called, demanded of Breakiron, -with an air of authority, that he should "turn out." Breakiron declined -to obey, and showed a determined spirit of resistance. After an exchange -of angry words Puffenberger inquired of Breakiron his name, and he -answered, "my name is Breakiron." "That," said Puffenberger, "is a hard -name, but you look harder than your name." "I am as hard as my name," -said Breakiron, "and what is your name?" "Puffenberger," was the reply. -"That," said Breakiron, "is a windy name." "Yes," rejoined Puffenberger, -"but there is thunder with it." After this explosion of wit the -contestants compromised, shook hands, and passed without colliding. -Puffenberger was a Maryland man, became a Confederate soldier, and was -killed in battle. Breakiron was a farmer of Georges township, Fayette -county, Pennsylvania, and died on his farm a number of years ago. - -[Illustration: WILLIAM HALL.] - -Turner Brown, brother of Henry, famous for the big loads he hauled, was -an old wagoner. After a number of years' experience as a wagoner he -moved to Ohio and settled in Guernsey county, where he became wealthy -and was elevated to the office of Probate Judge. Persons who remember -him say he was "pompous" in manner, but honest in his dealings. He was a -native of Fayette county, Pa., born and reared in the vicinity of -Brownsville, and of the family of Browns prominently identified with the -National Road in its early days. He had a number of sons, three of -whom--Samuel, Turner and Levi--were Union soldiers in the late war. -Another, Thomas, published for a time _The Ohio Farmer_, at Cleveland; -and another, William, took to theology, and is engaged in missionary -work in some remote quarter of the globe. - -Joseph Lawson was, like his fellow teamster, John Galwix, considered a -fancy wagoner. He took pride in his calling, and his team consisted of -six stallions, well mated and of gigantic size. The gears he used were -the very best of the John Morrow pattern, and his "outfit" attracted -attention and evoked words of praise from the throngs that lined the -road in that day. There was a regulation tread and an air about the old -wagoner, especially of the regular line, that rose almost, if not -altogether, to the standard of dignity. - -Jeff. Manypenny was an old wagoner, and a son of the old tavern keeper -of Uniontown, referred to in a subsequent chapter. - -Joseph Arnold is said to have hauled the first "eighty hundred load" -ever hauled on the road, and it gave him great fame. It was in 1837. - -Joseph Sopher tried the experiment of using nine horses in his team, -driven three abreast. It did not prove practicable or profitable, and he -soon abandoned it and returned to the ordinary six-horse team. There -were four Sophers on the road and they were brothers, viz: Joseph, -Nimrod, Jack and William, and they were stage drivers as well as -wagoners. - -Robert Beggs, an old wagoner, prosecuted Jacob Probasco for perjury. The -prosecution grew out of an affidavit made by Probasco alleging that -Beggs, who was indebted to him, was about to remove his goods from the -State with intent to defraud his creditors. This prosecution gave -Probasco much trouble and involved him in considerable expense, and is -said to have been the cause of his removal from Fayette county, -Pennsylvania. - -Thomas Gore was one of the first wagoners on the road, and a regular. He -lived in Hopwood when that village was known as Woodstock. He drove a -"bell team," and owned it. He was well known all along the road, but it -is so long ago that but few of the pike boys of this day remember him. -He gave up wagoning long before business ceased on the road, and settled -in Franklin township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he died thirty -years ago. Robinson Addis, a well known and much esteemed citizen of -Dunbar township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, married a daughter of -Thomas Gore; and a grandson of the old wagoner, bearing the name Thomas -Gore Addis, is one of the trusted and trustworthy superintendents of the -H. Clay Frick Coke Company, with headquarters at Brownfield Station, on -the Southwest Railway. - -John Whetzel, called "Johnny," a regular old wagoner, was small in -stature, quiet in disposition, and of swarthy complexion. He talked but -little, rarely using a word beyond the size of a monosyllable, and was -well known and highly esteemed all along the road. When the career of -the road as a great National highway ended, "Johnny" Whetzel retired to -a farm in Saltlick township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he -still lives, bending under the weight of many years, but enjoying the -confidence and respect of all his neighbors. - -[Illustration: JOHN WALLACE.] - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - - _Old Wagoners continued--The Harness they Used--John Morrow a maker of - Harness--Capt. Elias Gilmore encounters a Man Eater--Perry Gaddis, - William G. Patterson, Alfred Bailes, the Scarboroughs and - McLaughlins--Hill, who respected Sunday--James Riley and Oliver - Pratt, Robert Carr, Robert Allison, David Herr, William Keefer, - Abram Beagle, Samuel Youman, Robert Cosgrove, James Brownlee, John - Collier, Darius Grimes, Fielding Montague, James Smith, Elisha - Maxon, Jacob Marks, Thomas Starr, Thomas Hastings, Henry Foster, - John Smasher, Maj. Jesse B. Gardner, McWilliams, Pixler, Riley and - Hankins._ - - -John Morrow, of Petersburg, mentioned herein before as a manufacturer of -the wagoner's whip, was likewise a saddle and harness maker, and had the -reputation of making the best harness on the road. He was a man of thin -visage and energetic habit. - -Gears was the name old wagoners applied to harness. The gears used on -the team of the regular wagoner were of immense proportions. The back -bands were fifteen and the hip straps ten inches wide, and heavy black -housing covered the horses' shoulders down to the bottom of the hames. -The traces used were iron chains with short and thick links. It required -a strong man to throw these heavy gears on the back of a big horse. -Heavy and broad as they were, these gears were not out of proportion to -the large fat horses of the old teams, and looked well on their broad -and shining backs. The wagoner's saddle was unique. It was made over an -ordinary wooden model, covered with thick, black leather, and had long -and wide skirts or aprons, cut straight on the edges and ends. Daniel P. -Gibson, the well known capitalist of Uniontown, learned the trade of -saddle and harness making with John Morrow in Petersburg, and worked -many a day on the big gears and odd saddle, above described. - -Capt. Elias Gilmore was not strictly an old wagoner, but a pike boy to -all intents and purposes, yet his home was not immediately on the road. -He had a team which he employed for the most part in hauling stones for -repairs on the road. He was a contractor, and an energetic one. He was -an amiable man, in a general way, but given at times to pugilistic -encounters, and it is said that no man along the road could outdo him in -a fight. A stage driver once came upon the road who was called "the man -eater." He drove from Uniontown to Mt. Washington on the Good Intent -line. Gilmore, hearing of this famous "man eater," was desirous of -meeting him, and calling one day at Mt. Washington, inquired where he -was. Upon being introduced, Gilmore said to him: "You are a pretty -stout looking man, but I can lick you," and at it they went, without -further ceremony, and Gilmore did lick him. At another time Gilmore was -in Uniontown with a load of lumber, and stood his team across the -street, which caused John P. Sturgis, who was constable then, to take -him to task for obstructing the street, whereupon Gilmore fell upon -Sturgis and gave him a tremendous beating, for which he was fined by the -burgess. Gilmore was born in Wharton township, Fayette county, Pa., and -owned and lived on a farm near "Sugar Loaf," in the vicinity of -Ohiopyle. His wife was a sister of Boss Rush, "the prince of landlords." -Captain Gilmore moved, with his family, to Illinois thirty years ago, -and subsequently to York county, Nebraska, where he is still living in -comfortable circumstances, a farmer and stock dealer. He long since -abandoned the profitless pastime of sowing wild oats, and is esteemed as -one of the most respectable and influential citizens of Nebraska. John -Rush, a brother of Boss, and brother-in-law of Gilmore, an old wagoner -and tavern keeper, went west with Gilmore, and lives near him now, in -Nebraska. - -Perry Gaddis, who died a few years ago at Dunbar, Pennsylvania, was an -old wagoner. His first service on the road as driver was for Isaac -Bailey, who kept a tavern near the old red house east of Brownsville, -subsequently postmaster at Brownsville, and a member of the Fayette -county, Pennsylvania, bar. Gaddis married a daughter of Robert Shaw, an -old tavern keeper, and many years ago steward of the county home near -Uniontown. She was a schoolmate of the author of these pages, as was -also her sister, who became the wife of Robert S. McDowell, another well -known pike boy. William D. Beggs, father-in-law of the late Dr. Smith -Fuller, blessed be his memory, was our faithful old teacher. Mrs. -Gaddis, Perry's widow, is still living at Dunbar. - -[C]William G. Patterson, of Jefferson township, Fayette county, -Pennsylvania, an old wagoner, has a record worthy of special mention. -When on the road he was called "Devil Bill," and this name followed him -to his farm, and adhered to him for many years. To see him now at his -ancestral home, bending beneath his four score years and more, gentle in -manner and intelligent and entertaining in conversation, surrounded by -all the needful comforts of this life, one wonders how he ever got the -name of "Devil Bill." His first appearance on the National Road as a -driver was in the year 1820, when he assisted in driving a lot of hogs -for his father to Baltimore. It required almost a month to drive a lot -of hogs from the vicinity of Brownsville to the city of Baltimore. He -made his first trip over the road as a wagoner in 1823, going clear -through to Baltimore. The first team he drove was his father's, but it -was not long until he became the owner of a team himself. He was on the -road many years as a wagoner. The farm on which he now resides descended -from his grandfather to his father, and then to himself. His father died -on this farm on Christmas day of the year 1827. His grandfather came -out from Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, at an early day. - -[Footnote C: Died in Iowa in 1892.] - -[Illustration: ALFRED BAILES.] - -Alfred Bailes, of Dunbar, Pennsylvania, is probably the oldest man -living who drove a team on the National Road. He was first a wagoner, -and subsequently and for many years a stage driver. He was born in -Loudon county, Virginia, and came upon the road about the year 1830, at -the solicitation of John Bradfield, who was also a native of Virginia, -and agent of the first line of wagons on the road. Alfred Bailes was -born in 1804, and although closely approaching his ninetieth year, his -eye is undimmed and his natural vigor unabated. Samuel Luman, of -Cumberland, is two years younger than Bailes, but two years his senior -as a stage driver. Bailes was one of the most commanding figures on the -road, upwards of six feet in height, with broad chest and shoulders, and -long arms. Noted for great strength, he was never quarrelsome. As a -driver he performed his functions faithfully and carefully. He is a most -interesting relic of the road, and his memory is well stored with -interesting reminiscences of its faded glory. - -Samuel and William Scarborough were old wagoners. They lived on the old -William Elliott farm, in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Pa., and -were brothers. William Hogg, the pioneer merchant of Brownsville, was -the owner of the William Elliott farm at the time referred to, and the -Scarboroughs paid their rent by hauling a load of merchandise for Mr. -Hogg once a year, from Baltimore to his store in Brownsville. - -George McLaughlin, still living near Uniontown, but now, and for a long -time, a sufferer from rheumatism, is an old wagoner. It may be that -exposure, when a wagoner, to the snow storms of the mountains, is the -source of the rheumatism which now afflicts him. His brother, Abraham, -who lives at Mt. Braddock, is also an old wagoner, and, when a boy, -broke stone on the pike at a "levy" a perch. - -There was an old wagoner whose name was Hill, and he lived at -Triadelphia, now West Virginia, then "Old Virginia never tire," who -never drove his team on Sunday. He seems not to have lost anything by -resting his team and himself on Sunday, for he made as good time on his -trips as any other wagoner, and in the end became rich. - -Michael Teeters, a spluttering old wagoner, was noted for his profanity. -He was possessed with the fatal delusion that hard swearing was evidence -of superior intelligence. He, of course, had some good traits, as the -worst of men have; but when age and infirmity came upon him, he -exchanged the tramp over the hills of the old pike for a "walk over the -hills to the poor house," and died in the county home of Washington -county, Pennsylvania. Had he followed the example of Hill, who rested on -Sunday, it may not be said that he would have grown rich, but it is -pretty certain that the surroundings of his dying hours would have been -different from what they were. - -James Riley and Oliver Pratt were among the oldest of the old -wagoners--veterans in every sense. Riley was a large man, with florid -face and very white hair, and was called "Old Whitey." He lived and died -in Hopwood. Pratt was also a large man, and stout, a steady drinker, -with red-rimmed eyes. He was a good driver, and devoted to his calling. -He married a Miss Bird, of the old family of that name, in Henry Clay -township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and when flush times ended on -the road, went west and died, far from the scenes of the grand old -highway. - -Robert Carr, who died in Uniontown about two years ago, was an old -wagoner. He was on the road as early as 1825. He drove first for -Benjamin Miller, grandfather of Ben, Sam and Jeff Miller, of Uniontown. -He subsequently married a daughter of Abner Springer, of North Union -township, Fayette county, who owned a road team which was placed in -charge of Carr, and he drove it several years. He was also a stage -driver. - -Robert Q. Fleming, now residing in Uniontown, is an old wagoner. He -hauled whiskey from the old Overholt distillery, near Mt. Pleasant, to -Baltimore for many years, and loaded back with merchandise to various -points in the west. One of his earliest back loads consisted of oysters -for Pittsburg, _via_ Brownsville. The oyster boxes were piled up to the -canvass covering, and upon reaching Brownsville he was required to drive -down the wharf to the steamboat landing, which was "sidling," and at the -time icy. Some of the top boxes fell out and were broken, whereupon the -bystanders helped themselves to fresh shell oysters. They were not -carried away, but the eager oyster lovers picked them up, cracked open -the shells on the wagon wheels and gulped down the juicy bivalves on the -ground. Fleming was "docked," as they termed the abating of loss, from -the freight charges. - -Robert Allison, one of the best known of the old wagoners, was a -fighting man. He did not seem to be quarrelsome, yet was often, as by -some sort of untoward destiny, involved in pugilistic encounters along -the road. In one of these at Fear's tavern, on Keyser's Ridge, he bit -off the nose of a stage driver. - -David Harr was a good fiddler, and William Keefer was a good dancer, and -these two old wagoners warmed the bar room of many an old tavern between -Baltimore and Wheeling, in the good old days when every mile of the -National Road bristled with excitement. - -Abram Beagle was a widely known old wagoner. He lived with David -Moreland in Uniontown as early as 1820, and probably before that time, -and subsequently became a tavern keeper. The house he kept was twelve -miles east of Wheeling, and he married it. That is to say: The Widow -Rhodes owned the tavern stand, and he married _her_. He kept a good -house, and was largely patronized. Old citizens of Uniontown who -remember Abram Beagle, and there are not many of them living, speak of -him as a good and worthy citizen of the olden time. - -[Illustration: GERMAN D. HAIR.] - -Samuel Youman, of Washington county, Pa., was an old wagoner, stage -driver and tavern keeper. He drove stage from Hillsboro to Washington, -and subsequently kept tavern in Hillsboro. He had the distinction of -being next to the largest man on the road, "Old Mount" being admittedly -the largest. Youman was a man full of zeal, as to all pursuits and -interests relating to the National Road. He understood the art of -driving horses to perfection, was kindly in disposition, and attracted -attention by reason of his immense size. He had a son, Israel, who was -also a stage driver and a lively fellow. Father and son are presumably -both dead, but the marks they made on the memories of the old pike are -indelible. - -Poor old Robert Cosgrove, who once traversed the road with all the pride -and pomp of a "regular," finally succumbed to the adverse tides of life -and time, and to avoid "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," -took refuge in the "county home," where he remains, indulging the -memories of better days and awaiting the summons to rejoin the -companionship of old wagoners who have passed over the dark river. - -James Brownlee was one of the old wagoners who suffered the experience -of a genuine "upset." It occurred near Hagen's tavern, east of -Cumberland. He had a high load, and encountered a big snow drift which -he thought he could overcome by pulling out and around, but he failed, -and his wagon capsized. His main loss was in time, which was "made up" -by the good cheer at Hagen's old tavern. - -John Collier, father of Daniel Collier, was a wagoner on the road when -it was first opened up for travel. He had been a wagoner on the Braddock -road for years before the National Road was made. He lived in Addison, -Somerset county, Pa., as early as 1795, and was one of the foremost -wagoners of his day. He was the grandfather of Mrs. Amos S. Bowlby, of -Fayette street, Uniontown. - -Darius Grimes was among the first crop of wagoners, and gave up the whip -and line long before the termination of the road's prosperous era. When -the writer first knew him he was living a retired life on the roadside -at the foot of Graham's lane, three miles west of Uniontown. He was one -of the earliest tavern keepers on the road, beside being a wagoner. He -kept the old Abel Colley house, west of and near Searight's, before Abel -Colley owned that property, and that was a long time ago. William -Johnson, farmer and dealer in fruits and vegetables, well known to the -people of Uniontown, married a daughter of Darius Grimes. - -Fielding Montague, an old wagoner and stage driver, is still living on -the road. His residence is in Henry Clay township, Fayette county, -Pennsylvania, where his sleep is undisturbed by the clatter which in -other years was heard at all hours of the night as well as day. Montague -was not a driver on the old stage lines, but after they were withdrawn -from the road, drove the mail hack for a considerable length of time -between Uniontown and Somerfield. He was, however, a regular wagoner in -the palmy days of the road. - -[D]James Smith, now living in Wharton township, Fayette county, -Pennsylvania, well and favorably known, is an old wagoner. He enjoyed -the grand march along the old road, and was deeply grieved when -stillness took the place of the bustling activity that marked its palmy -days. The old veteran is bending to the storms of time, but glows with -enthusiasm when recounting the scenes he witnessed on the old highway -"in the days of yore." - -[Footnote D: Deceased.] - -Elijah Maxon was an old wagoner. His home was near the Charlestown -school house, in Luzerne township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He -owned the team he drove, and made money on the road. He moved west many -years ago, and in all probability has gone to that bourne whence no -traveler returns. - -Jacob Marks was an old wagoner, and subsequently, like so many of his -fellows, became a tavern keeper. He first kept the stone house at -Malden, between Brownsville and Centreville, and afterward the old -Workman House at Brownsville. The glory of the old road had departed -before he took charge of the Workman House, and business was dull; but -the road was flush when he entertained the public at Malden, and he did -a thriving business there. - -Thomas Starr was an old wagoner, and drove for John Riley, an old tavern -keeper of Bridgeport, Fayette county, Pa. The old citizens of Bridgeport -and Brownsville will remember Starr and Riley, as they were conspicuous -pike boys in their day. - -Thomas Hastings was an old wagoner and tavern keeper. He kept the house -well known and well patronized in his day about four miles east of -Washington. - -Henry Foster, late of North Union township, Fayette county, Pa., a well -known farmer in his day, was an old wagoner. He drove a six-horse team -to Baltimore in 1837, when but nineteen years old. His first load was -bacon, consigned to a Baltimore house by Edward Gavin, of Uniontown. His -return load was merchandise, consigned to William Bryson, a merchant of -that day at Uniontown. - -David Blakely was an old wagoner and became a tavern keeper. He kept a -tavern in Washington in 1838, and subsequently in Wheeling. He was a -prominent man, well known all along the road. He was also an agent of -one of the transportation lines, and a very competent man for that -business. - -John Smasher, an old wagoner, was noted as a nimble and expert dancer, -and had many opportunities to display his talent in this line on the old -road. It frequently happens that a good dancer makes a ready "smasher." - -Major Jesse B. Gardner, of Uniontown, ex-jury commissioner and -ex-soldier of two wars, drove a team several trips on the old road for -Archibald Skiles, who kept a tavern at Monroe, and was a thorough pike -boy. - -Huston McWilliams, Joseph Pixler and John Riley were old wagoners who -retired to farms in German township when the steam railway usurped the -functions of the old pike. - -William Hankins, a well known farmer of North Union township, still -living, is an old wagoner, and made many a dollar on the road. He is -a son of James Hankins, who owned the farm at Frost's Station, and was -reputed to have a barrel of money. One Hook, P. U., merchant and -auctioneer of Uniontown, and member of the Legislature, was accustomed -to speak of ready cash as "Hankins' Castings," in allusion to the -Hankins barrel. He had a small store in an old frame house near the -store room and residence of the late Col. Ewing Brownfield, on which he -nailed a rough board for a sign, bearing the legend: "Hook and Hankins -versus Boyle and Rankin." Boyle and Rankin kept a rival store further up -town. Hook also frequently advertised his business under the firm name -of "Hook and Wife." He was well known and is well remembered by the old -citizens of Uniontown. - -James Ambrose was a regular. He drove from Baltimore to Wheeling. He was -a strong driver, and well known on the road. He married the youngest -daughter of Robert Shaw, the old tavern keeper near Braddock's Grave. -After business ceased on the road, he engaged in mining coal in the -Connellsville coke district, and died near Vanderbilt, in January, 1892. -His wife survives him. - -Isaac Hurst was a sharpshooter, and appeared on the road near the close -of its prosperous era. He hauled flour from his father's mill on -George's Creek, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, and "loaded -back" with merchandise to Brownsville. His experience on the road as a -wagoner was confined between the points named. He subsequently became -first, Treasurer, and afterward, Commissioner of Fayette county, -Pennsylvania. He is still living in Uniontown, pursuing the calling of a -contractor, and taking an active interest in public affairs. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - - _Old Wagoners continued--An Exciting Incident of the Political - Campaign of 1840--All about a Petticoat--Neri Smith, Isaac Stuck, - John Short, William Orr, Ashael Willison--A Wagoner - Postmaster--Robert Douglas--A Trip to Tennessee--Abram Brown, - William Long, Samuel Weaver--A Quartet of Bell Teams--A Trio of - Swearing Men--A Peculiar Savings Bank--William C. McKean and a Long - List of other Old Wagoners--Graphic Description of Life on the Road - by Jesse J. Peirsol, an Old Wagoner--Origin of the Toby Cigar--The - Rubber--The Windup and Last Lay of the Old Wagoners._ - - -The political campaign of 1840, as is well known, was one of the most -spirited and exciting contests ever witnessed in the United States. It -was a campaign made memorable by log cabins, hard cider, coon skins and -glee clubs. William Henry Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe, and -grandfather of the late chief executive, Benjamin Harrison, was the Whig -candidate for President, and John Tyler, of Virginia, was his running -mate, and the whole country resounded with shouts for "Tippecanoe and -Tyler too." Martin Van Buren was the Democratic candidate for President, -and his associate on the ticket was Col. Richard M. Johnston, of -Kentucky. Harrison and Tyler were triumphantly elected. One day during -this exciting campaign Neri Smith, an old wagoner, drove his big -six-horse team through Uniontown, exhibiting from the front of his wagon -a petticoat, in allusion to a partisan and groundless charge of -cowardice made against General Harrison, the Whig candidate. The coming -of the wagon with the petticoat was made known to the Whigs of Uniontown -before it reached the place, and a delegation met Smith a short distance -east of town and requested him to take down the offensive symbol, but he -stubbornly refused. Upon reaching Uniontown an attempt was made by some -of the muscular Whigs, led by John Harvey, to "tear down the dirty rag," -but an equal number of muscular Democrats rallied to the support of the -old wagoner, and the attempt failed. The affair caused great excitement -in Uniontown, leading to violence and almost to the shedding of blood. - -Isaac Stuck, now residing in Perryopolis, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, -in service on the extensive Fuller estate, near that place, was an old -wagoner, and is not forgotten and never will be forgotten by the old -pike boys. He drove a fine "bell team," which was notice to all the -world that he was on the road in earnest and to stay. The team belonged -to William Stone, the well remembered old farmer of Menallen, and tanner -of Uniontown. - -[Illustration: ASHAEL WILLISON.] - -John Short, an old wagoner, retired from the road at an early day and -took up his abode in Franklin township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. -Before going on the road he learned the trade of a cooper, and upon -leaving it resumed work at his trade. He was a good mechanic, and made -most of the barrels used at Cook's and Sharples' mills, on Redstone -creek, for many years. His team on the road was a good one, and he owned -it. He met with an accident while working at his trade by cutting his -knee with an adze, which crippled him for life. He died in Franklin -township about eight years ago, aged nearly eighty. The old citizens of -Franklin township all knew and respected him. - -William Orr, a well known old wagoner, died of cholera at Keyser's Ridge -in 1853. He left three sons. One of them died a soldier of the Northern -army in the late war, leaving a widow surviving him, now residing in -Cumberland and drawing a pension. Another son of the old wagoner is a -watchman at the rolling mill in Cumberland, and the third is on the -police force of that city. - -Ashael Willison, another of the old wagoners, is still living in -Cumberland, and one of the most prominent citizens of that place. He was -postmaster at Cumberland during the first administration of President -Cleveland. From the saddle horse of a six-horse team on the old pike to -the control of a city postoffice is distinctively an American idea, and a -good one. The old wagoner made a capital postmaster. Mr. Willison is now -deputy collector of Internal Revenue for the State of Maryland. - -Robert Douglas, father of the well known real estate dealer of -Uniontown, was an old wagoner. He owned his team and wagon, and hauled -between Baltimore and Wheeling at an early day. He resided near West -Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and died there in 1861. He -was esteemed as an honest man, and was one of the few pike boys who -never took a drink of liquor. - -In the year 1839 John Snider, Isaac Browning and Black Westley, made a -trip with their teams from Baltimore to Jonesboro, Tennessee, a distance -of six hundred miles. They were loaded with goods for Jonesboro -merchants, and were paid six dollars a hundred for hauling them. On -their return they drove with empty wagons to Lynchburg, Virginia, a -distance of two hundred miles, where they loaded up with pig lead, and -got two dollars a hundred for hauling it to Baltimore. - -Abram Brown, the wealthy land owner of the vicinity of Uniontown, was an -old wagoner, a "sharpshooter," and always lucky in avoiding losses while -pushing over the mountains. While on the road as a wagoner he formed the -acquaintance of the girl who subsequently became his wife. She was -Hannah, now deceased, the eldest daughter of Abel Colley, who kept the -old tavern a short distance west of Searights. His wife was a good -woman, and her seemingly premature death was much lamented by a wide -circle of friends. - -William Long, an old wagoner, after quitting the road, went to Beaver -county, Pennsylvania, and died there; and Samuel Weaver, a well -remembered old wagoner, died about seven years ago in New Cumberland, -West Virginia. - -John Galwix, Black Wesley, Wilse Clement and James Pelter used bells on -their teams. Galwix was called a "crack" wagoner, "swell," as it would -be termed at this day. - -Stephen Golden, an old wagoner, drove a team for John Gribble, who for -many years kept the red tavern two miles east of Brownsville. - -John Strong, one of the earliest regular wagoners, is still living in -Cumberland, and has been Coroner at that place for many years. - -John Kelso, a steady old regular, well remembered and well liked, died -at Cumberland about two years ago. - -Robert Nelson was run over by his wagon many years ago, and died from -injuries inflicted by the accident. - -Col. James Gardner was an old wagoner and an old soldier. He was a -native of Winchester, Virginia, but spent the greater portion of his -life in Uniontown. - -John Phillips, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, an old wagoner, was -noted for using the heaviest gears on the road. When in need of new ones -he ordered them an inch wider than the widest in use. The gear pole boys -at the old taverns groaned under the weight of Phillips' gears. - -William C. McKean, nine years a deputy Sheriff of Fayette county, -Pennsylvania, was in early life a regular wagoner of the road. He was a -native of German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and died in the -Sheriff's house, at Uniontown, in 1859. He was noted for his energy and -habit of pushing things. The prominent young attorney of Uniontown of -the same name is a nephew of the old wagoner. - -Peter Skiles, an old wagoner of the vicinity of Uniontown, died in -Cumberland of typhoid fever, while at that place with his team and -wagon. - -Christian Herr, an old wagoner, was a very profane man, going to show -that there is nothing in a name. He, Wilse Clement and Michael Teeters -were the hardest swearers on the road. - -Wyney Hunter, still living, an octogenarian, and rich, was an old -wagoner. His residence is on the roadside five miles east of Hagerstown, -Maryland. - -Charles Allum and James Brownlee drove for Leonard Vail, an old -pork-packer of the vicinity of Prosperity, Washington county, -Pennsylvania. Lott Lantz, of Willow Tree, Greene county, Pennsylvania, -had a pork-packing establishment in the olden time, and sent his produce -over the road to Baltimore by the regular broad wheeled wagons in charge -of hired drivers. - -Isaac Browning, an old wagoner, at one time owned the "Browning farm," -near Uniontown, whence its name is derived. This farm now belongs to -Robert Hogsett. - -John Wright, an old wagoner, is still living in Salisbury, Somerset -county, Pennsylvania, and has passed the ninetieth mile-post of his age. - -[Illustration: JACOB NEWCOMER.] - -Capt. James Gilmore was a sharpshooter. He owned a little farm in -Menallen township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, which he sold long ago -and went West. - -Noble McCormick, a regular old wagoner, was, while on the road, the -owner of the Semans farm, near Uniontown. He sold his farm to Thomas -Semans and went West. He is remembered as an habitual wearer of the -broad-rimmed, yellow, long-napped regulation hat. - -John Christy, an old wagoner, was eccentric as to his apparel, and -careful of his money. He wore a full suit of buckskin, and improvised a -savings bank by boring holes in blocks in which he placed his money, and -secured it by plugging up the holes. - -Charles Guttery, who recently died at an advanced age in Beallsville, -Washington county, Pennsylvania, was one of the best known and most -esteemed old wagoners of the road. After many years experience as a -wagoner, he devoted the remainder of his life to tavern keeping. - -John Yardley, as the saying goes, was a natural born wagoner. He loved -the occupation, and was faithful in it, for many years. He was born in -Maryland, but lived a long time at Searights, where he died. He was the -father of William and Gus Yardley, of Uniontown. - -David Newcomer, a farmer of German township, Fayette county, -Pennsylvania, who served a term as County Commissioner, belongs to the -long list of wagoners. His father, Jacob Newcomer, and Jacob F. -Longanecker went to Loudon, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in the year -1849, and each bought a new wagon and a new whip at that place. Jacob -Newcomer soon thereafter became afflicted with rheumatism, and turned -over his team and wagon to his son David, who traversed the road until -the close of its busy era. Jacob Newcomer died in 1866, on the farm now -owned and occupied by his son David. - -John Ferren drove a six-horse team on the road many years for William -Searight, and is remembered as a careful and discreet driver and an -honest and industrious man. At the close of active business on the road, -and while yet under the influence of its ancient grandeur, he married a -daughter of "Wagoner Billy Shaw," and with his newly-wedded wife went to -Iowa to work out his destiny, where he has achieved success as a farmer. - -James E. Kline, a driver for Jacob A. Hoover, was a soldier in the late -war between the States, and died in German township, Fayette county, -Pennsylvania, after the conflict ended. - -Robert Hogsett, the millionaire farmer, stock dealer, manufacturer, and -coke operator of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was a sharpshooter, and -hauled many a load of goods from Cumberland to Brownsville at -remunerative rates per hundred. His "down loads" consisted for the most -part of corn of his own raising, which he sold out through the mountains -at good prices. - -Hiram Hackney, for many years a prosperous farmer of Menallen township, -Fayette county, Pennsylvania, now a retired resident of Uniontown, and a -director in the First National Bank of that place, was a sharpshooter -and a drover. - -Samuel Flowers was one of the earliest wagoners on the road, and of the -regular order. He was a tall man, of quiet demeanor. His home was on Egg -Nog Hill, where he lived until called away by the last summons. - -John Means, an old wagoner, was killed by an accident on the road near -Wheeling. - -John Munce, of Washington, Pennsylvania, who became rich through the oil -development in the vicinity of that place, is an old wagoner. He is -still living. - -John Olwine was an old wagoner, and by his union with the Widow Metzgar -became a tavern keeper. He died at Chalk Hill a few years ago. - -John Neff, an old wagoner, subsequently became a member of the Maryland -Legislature, and played the role of statesmanship as gracefully as he -drove a six-horse team on the old pike. - -Abner and David Peirt, brothers, were natives of Lancaster county, -Pennsylvania--steady-going straightforward, honest "Pennsylvania Dutch," -and wagoners on the road with teams of the genuine Conestoga strain. - -John McIlree, called "Broadhead," was an old wagoner and a native of -Adams county, Pennsylvania; and James Bell, William and Robert Hall were -natives also of Adams county. - -Arthur Wallace, an old wagoner devoted to the road, and esteemed for -many good qualities of head and heart, subsequently became a tavern -keeper. He was the father-in-law of Peter Frasher, the adamantine -Democrat of 1844, and up to the date of his death, in 1893. Charles -Wallace, a brother of Arthur, and an old wagoner, was killed by an -accident on Laurel Hill many years ago. - -William Reynolds, mentioned under the head of old tavern keepers, was -likewise an old wagoner. He was on the road with a team as early as -1832. His son, John, present postmaster at Confluence, Somerset county, -Pennsylvania, was also a wagoner. - -Samuel Trauger, an old wagoner, fell from his lazy board while -descending Laurel Hill, and was killed, the hind wheel of his wagon -running over him. - -John Curtis, who drove for William King, was accounted one of the best -drivers on the road. His companions called him a "strong driver," -meaning that he was skillful and careful. He followed the tide of -emigration, and became a stage driver west of the Ohio river. - -James and Benjamin Paul, sons of Major William Paul, were old wagoners. - -Joseph Doak, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was an old wagoner, -subsequently a tavern keeper, and later a superintendent of the road. - -[Illustration: JOHN FERREN.] - -Martin Horn, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was known as -the "swift wagoner." He made the trip from Cumberland to Wheeling with -his six-horse team and a big load, in five days. - -The following old wagoners were residents, when at home, and citizens of -Fayette county, Pennsylvania: Harvey Grove, Adam Yeast, Solomon Bird, -Louis Langley, James Paul, Joseph Wells, Isaiah Fouch, Ellis Campbell, -William Sullivan, George Miller, William Bird, Barney Neiman, Jesse -Hardin, John Hardin, James Marshall, Samuel Sidebottom, John Rutledge, -Robert Hogsett, Samuel Milligan, Thomas Cook, Benjamin Paul, Jeff Nixon, -George Miller, Moses Richer, John Rankin, Peter Fowler, William Ball, -James Henshaw, William McShane, Henry Frasher, Peter Frasher, Jacob -Wolf, West Jones, Daniel Turney, Eli Marlow, William Turney, William -Cooper, Dawson Marlow, Robert Henderson, John Ferren, Robinson Murphy, -Parker McDonald, William Betts, Rezin Lynch, Joseph Bixler, Moses -Husted, William Pastoris, John McClure, Thomas Cochran, William Peirsol, -Robert Lynch, Morgan Campbell, Martin Leighty, John Stentz, Philip D. -Stentz, William Bosley, Charles McLaughlin, J. Monroe Bute, John Canon, -Levi Springer, George Dearth, John McCurdy, Calvin Springer, Zachariah -Ball, Michael Cochran, Caleb Hibbs, Jacob Newcomer, John Rinehart, -Benjamin Goodwin, Harvey Sutton, Clark Hutchinson, James Ebbert, Mifflin -Jeffries, Jacob Vance, William Ullery, Abram Hall, George Tedrick, -Alexander Osborn, James Abel, Harper Walker, Jerry Fouch, Elias Freeman, -George Wilhelm, father of Sheriff Wilhelm, of Uniontown, Caleb Langly, -Jacob Wagoner, Oliver Tate, Jacob Strickler, George Shaffer, John -Newcomer, Jesse J. Peirsol, James Shaffer, Samuel Harris, Caleb Antrim, -William Cooper, Andrew Prentice, Ira Strong, William Gray, William -Kennedy, Samuel Hatfield, Bernard Dannels, Stewart Henderson, David -Dunbar, George Grace, Dicky Richardson, Reuben Woodward, John King, John -Williams, George McLaughlin, Darlington Jeffries, John Nelson, John -Moore, Bazil Sheets, Isaac Young, Jerry Strawn, Samuel Renshaw, Reuben -Parshall, Hiram Hackney, James Martin. - -The following were of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there were -many others from that county, as well as from Fayette and the other -counties mentioned, whose names, very much to the writer's regret, are -unascertainable: Eberon Hurton, James Bradley, Jerome Heck, James -Dennison, James Bard, Thomas Bailes, Charles Thurston, William Kirkman, -Otho Hartzell, Seldon King, William King, Zeph Riggle, John Guttery, -Samuel Charlton, George Hallam, Lewis Hallam, David Hill, Charles -Reddick, John Reddick, Joseph Arnold, Moses Kline, James Brownlee, -Elisha Brownlee, Charles Allen, Philip Slipe, John Valentine, Daniel -Valentine, John Quinter, Robert Magee, William Robinson, Arthur -Robinson, John Cook, William Darlington, Griffith Darlington, Joseph -Whisson, David Blakely, Samuel Boyd, Joseph King, Joseph Sopher, Nimrod -Sopher, Jack Sopher, Peter Shires, John Smith, James Smith, Thomas -Flack, James Blakely, William Darr, Robert Beggs, Josiah Brown, called -"Squire" Brown, James Arthur, George Munce, Joseph Lawson, Robert -Judson, John A. Smith, Elisha Ely, Charles Bower, William Dennison, John -Phillips, Joseph Doak, Moses Little, Samuel Guttery, William Shouse, -William Jones, Robert Sprowl, William Hastings, James Thompson, Robert -Doak, James Doak, Charles Allen, John Hastings (called Doc). - -The following were of Allegheny county, Maryland: Isaac Browning, James -Browning, Michael Humbert, George McGruder, Peter Hager, Nathan Tracy, -Thomas Plumer, Richard Gray (colored), Ben Carter, James McCartney, -Joseph Brooks, John Carlisle, Joseph Turner, William Yeast, John Curtis, -Louis Smith, John Smith, Fred Shipley, Alex. Greer, John Keener, David -Swaggart, George Lehman, Andrew Lehman, William McClintock, Jacob -Albright, Thomas Ashbel, Charles McAleer, Caleb Madden, William Lowry, -Augustus Butler, John Sheeres, Edward Finch, James Clary, Daniel Barcus, -Ashael Willison, Hanson Willison, Joseph Strong, Thomas Plumer, Josiah -Porter, John Kelso, John Magraw, Ira Ryan, John Ryan, Moses McKenzie, -Moses Porter, Henry Porter, John Porter, George Huff, Lewis Lachbaus, -Neil Connor, John Long, George Long, Upton Long, William Dixon, Hanson -Clary, James Porter, Josiah McKenzie. - -The following were of Washington county, Maryland: Abram Herr, Fred -Herr, David Herr, John Coffman, Samuel Kelly, William Jones, Joseph -Watt, John Brentlinger, James Ambrose, James Dowler, William Ford, -Robert Fowler, Peter Hawes, Samuel Emert, Michael Welty, John Duvall, -Andrew Arnett, John Reinhart, Hiram Sutton, John Thomas, William Thomas, -Barney Hitchin, Emanuel McGruder, William Orr, Emanuel Griffith, Michael -Miller, John Makel, John Neibert, Samuel Brewer, Henry Stickle, Ezra -Young, Joshua Johnson, Samuel Boyd, Joseph Myers, William Keefer, Peter -Urtz, Jonas Speelman, Thomas Flack, David Connor, Eli Smith, John -Galwix, Henry Urtz, Henry Puffenberger. John Snider, was born in -Washington county, Maryland. - -The following were of Somerset county, Pennsylvania: Michael Deets, -Samuel Wable, Clem Engle, Samuel Thompson, John Livengood, Isaac Light, -John Sloan, Joseph Light, Abram Hileman, Joseph Hileman, William -Lenhart, Daniel Augustine, Andrew Hebner, James Klink, Andrew Bates, -Robert Duncan, Robert Allison, John Dunbar, Alex. Dunbar, Joseph Skelly, -James Irvin, John Fleck, William Moonshire, Thomas Collier, Frank -Bradfield, Samuel Shoaf, John Bradfield, Eli Marble, Henry Renger, -Michael Longstaff, John Mitchell, William McClintock, still living at -Salisbury, nearly ninety years old. - -[Illustration: MORRIS MAULER.] - -The following were from the State of Ohio: James Gregory, William -Hoover, David Hoover, Christian Hoover, Gov. Lucas, William Morely, -Philip Slife, Samuel Breakbill, John Carroll, William Lefevre, John -Lefevre, Alby Hall, Solomon Mercer, Jacob Breakbill, Joseph McNutt, John -Scroggins, William Archie, Elias Petticord, Harvey Hamilton, Pryn -Taylor, Alex. McGregor, Westley McBride, William George, Michael Neal, -Tim Taylor, Joseph Vaughn, William Whittle, Daniel Kildo, Marion -Gordon, Martin Kildo, George Clum, Oliver Mahon, William Chaney, Abner -Bailey, Matthias Meek, John A. Smith, George Zane, Samuel Paxon, -Benjamin McNutt, Knox Keyser, B. F. Dillon, Valentine Mann, Jacob Mann, -Benjamin Corts, John Whittle, John Johnson (Old Sandy), William -McDonald, John Moss, William Tracy, Joseph Watson, George Schaffer, -William Reynolds, not the old tavern keeper. - -Ohio county, Virginia, contributed the following names to the list of -old wagoners: Wash. and Hiram Bennett, John Frasher, John Moss, John -Weyman, Joseph Watson, Michael Detuck, James Johnson, David Church, -William Brooks, Robert Boyce, Allen Davis, Thomas McDonald, James Jones, -Charles Prettyman, John Christy, John Curtis, William, Adam, and David -Barnhart, George Weddel, and William Tracy. - -Greene county, Pennsylvania, contributed the following well remembered -veterans: Christian and Washington Adams, John Snyder (not the old -regular), Philip Snyder, George Miller, Samuel Milligan, Caldwell -Holsworth, Joseph Milligan, Joseph Craft, Jack Dunaway, Otho W. Core, -Thomas Chambers, Samuel Minor, Jacob Hart. - -Frederic county, Maryland, contributed the following: John Crampton, -Joseph Crampton, Samuel Brewer, Ross Fink, Grafton Shawn, Henry Smith, -Jacob Wagoner, John Fink, John Miller, William Miller, and Henry -McGruder. - -Jacob and James Tamon were of Baltimore. - -James Walker, Daniel Keiser, John Keiser, and Sharp Walker were of -Franklin county, Pennsylvania. - -The home of the regular wagoner was on the road, and a good home it was, -in so far as mere subsistence and stimulus to the senses were concerned, -and it is his nativity, that the author has endeavored to note. Regulars -and sharpshooters are listed herein indiscriminately, but a majority of -the names given as of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, are those of -sharpshooters. The residences and homes of the following old wagoners -could not be accurately ascertained, but they are familiar names, all -well remembered by old inhabitants of the roadside, viz: William Kieger -(a lively fellow, and a "regular"), James Dunbar, William Keefer, Rafe -Rutlege, Samuel Jackson, Benjamin Hunter, David Greenland, John -Strauser, Jacob Cox, Jonathan Whitton, Gus Mitchell, Samuel Dowly, James -Patton, Joseph Freeman, James Hall, William Purcell, Samuel Rogers, John -Nye, Israel Young, James Davis, Jacob Beem, Isaac Young, Martin Irwin, -James Parsons, James Kennedy, Isaac Shaffer, John Lynch, Michael -Longstaff, George Nouse, Peter Penner, James Shaffer, John McClure, John -Cox, William Cox, Joseph Cheney, Frank Mowdy, Caldwell Shobworth, James -Jolly, Andrew Sheverner, Jacob and James Layman, John Crampton, Henry -Smith, William Miller, John Miller, Henry McGruder, Elias McGruder, -Michael Miller, John Seibert, Henry Stickle, Ezra Young, Jonas Speelman, -David Connor, Eli Smith, Jacob Everson, Nathaniel Everson. Joseph Shaw, -James Irvin, John Chain, William Wiglington, Doug. Shearl, Marion -Ritchie, John Vandyke, John Alphen, Daniel Carlisle, George Burke, -Thomas Ogden, Michael Abbott, Charles Genewine, Herman Rolf, Isaac -Manning. - -The following letters from Jesse J. Peirsol, now a prosperous farmer of -Franklin township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, of vigorous health and -unimpaired memory, furnish a graphic description of life on the road in -its palmy days: - - December 3, 1892. -MR. T. B. SEARIGHT: - -_Dear Sir_: I have stayed over night with William Sheets, on Nigger -mountain, when there would be thirty six-horse teams on the wagon yard, -one hundred Kentucky mules in an adjacent lot, one thousand hogs in -other enclosures, and as many fat cattle from Illinois in adjoining -fields. The music made by this large number of hogs, in eating corn on a -frosty night, I will never forget. After supper and attention to the -teams, the wagoners would gather in the bar room and listen to music on -the violin, furnished by one of their fellows, have a "Virginia -hoe-down," sing songs, tell anecdotes, and hear the experience of -drivers and drovers from all points on the road, and when it was all -over, unroll their beds, lay them down on the floor before the bar room -fire, side by side, and sleep, with their feet near the fire, as soundly -as under the paternal roof. Coming out from Cumberland in the winter of -1851 or 1852, we stopped one night with Hiram Sutton, at Sand Springs, -near Frostburg. The night was hazy, but not cold. We sat on our buckets, -turned bottom up, and listened to a hundred horses grinding corn. One of -our number got up in the night and complained that snow was falling on -his face. This aroused us all, and we got up, went to the door and -witnessed the most blinding snow storm I ever saw. Some of the horses -broke loose from the tongue, and we had difficulty in finding them. We -stayed up till morning, when the snow had risen to the hubs of the front -wheels. We hitched eight or ten horses to a wagon, pulled out to -Coonrod's tavern, one mile west, and returned to Sutton's for another -wagon, and in this way all reached Coonrod's. The next morning we pulled -out again, and on little Savage mountain found the snow deeper than -ever, and a gang of men engaged in shoveling it from the road. I got -stuck and had to be shoveled out. We reached Tom Johnson's that night, -making three miles in two days. The next day John Ullery, one of our -number upset at Peter Yeast's, and a barrel of Venetian Red rolled out -from his wagon, which painted the snow red for many miles, east and -west. We stayed with Yeast the third night after the storm. In the -winter of 1848 a gang of us went down, loaded with tobacco, bacon, lard, -cheese, flour, corn, oats and other products. One of our number was an -Ohio man, named McBride. His team consisted of seven horses, the seventh -being the leader. His load consisted of nine hogsheads of tobacco, five -standing upright in the bed of his wagon, and four resting crosswise on -top of the five. The hogsheads were each about four feet high and three -and a half feet in diameter at the bulge, and weighing from nine to -eleven hundred pounds each. This made a "top-heavy load," and on the -hill west of Somerfield, and near Tom Brown's tavern, the road icy, -McBride's load tumbled over, the tobacco in the ditches, and the horses -piled up in all shapes. The work of restoring the wreck was tedious, and -before we got through with it we had the aid of thirty or forty wagoners -not of our company. Of course the occasion brought to the ground a -supply of the pure old whisky of that day, which was used in moderation -and produced no bad effects. After we had righted up our unfortunate -fellow wagoner, we pushed on and rested over night at Dan Augustine's, -east of Petersburg. - - Yours truly, - JESSE J. PEIRSOL. - - -ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE SAME PERSON ON THE SAME SUBJECT. - - February 2, 1893. - -In September, 1844 or 5, my father came home from Uniontown late at -night, and woke me up to tell me that there had been a big break in the -Pennsylvania Canal, and that all western freights were coming out over -the National Road in wagons. The stage coaches brought out posters -soliciting teams. By sunrise next morning, I was in Brownsville with my -team, and loaded up at Cass's warehouse with tobacco, bacon, and wool, -and whipped off for Cumberland. I drove to Hopwood the first day and -stayed over night with John Wallace. That night Thomas Snyder, a -Virginia wagoner, came into Hopwood with a load of flour from a back -country mill. When we got beyond Laurel Hill, Snyder retailed his flour -by the barrel to the tavern keepers, and was all sold out when we -reached Coonrod's tavern, on Big Savage. I was a mere boy, and Snyder -was especially kind and attentive to me. After we pulled on to Coonrod's -yard Snyder told me to unhitch and feed, but leave the harness on. At -midnight we rose, hitched up, Snyder lending me two horses, making me a -team of eight, pulled out, and reached Cumberland that night. On leaving -Coonrod's the night was dark, and I shall never forget the sounds of -crunching stones under the wheels of my wagon, and the streaks of fire -rolling out from the horses' feet. In Cumberland, we found the -commission houses, and the cars on sidings filled with goods, and men -cursing loudly because the latter were not unloaded. Large boxes of -valuable goods were likewise on the platform of the station, protected -by armed guards. After unloading my down load I re-loaded at McKaig & -Maguire's commission house for Brownsville, at one dollar and -twenty-five cents a hundred. We reached Brownsville without incident or -accident, made a little money, and loaded back again for Cumberland. On -my return I found plenty of goods for shipment, and loaded up at -Tuttle's house for Wheeling, at two dollars and twenty-five cents a -hundred. In coming back, it looked as if the whole earth was on the -road; wagons, stages, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, and turkeys without -number. Teams of every description appeared in view, from the massive -outfit of Governor Lucas down to the old bates hitched to a chicken -coop. The commission merchants, seeing the multitude of wagons, sought -to reduce prices, whereupon the old wagoners called a meeting and made a -vigorous kick against the proposed reduction. It was the first strike I -ever heard of. Nothing worried a sharpshooter more than lying at expense -in Cumberland waiting for a load. Two of the "sharps," unwilling to -endure the delay caused by the strike, drove their four-horse rigs to a -warehouse to load at the reduction. This excited the "regulars," and -they massed with horns, tin buckets, oyster-cans and the like, and made -a descent upon the "sharps," pelting and guying them unmercifully. An -old wagoner named Butler commanded the striking regulars with a pine -sword, and marched them back and forth through the streets. Finally the -police quelled the disturbance, and the "sharps" loaded up and drove out -sixteen miles, to find their harness cut and their axles sawed off in -the morning. In this dilemma an old regular, going down empty for a -load, took the contract of the "sharps," and made them promise to never -return on the road, a promise they faithfully kept. - - Yours truly, - JESSE J. PEIRSOL. - -Many old wagoners wore a curious garment called a hunting shirt. It was -of woolen stuff, after the style of "blue jeans," with a large cape -trimmed with red. It was called a hunting shirt because first used by -hunters in the mountains. - -The origin of Pennsylvania tobies is worth recording, and pertinent to -the history of the old wagoners. The author is indebted to J. V. -Thompson, esq., president of the First National bank of Uniontown, for -the following clipping from a Philadelphia paper concerning the "toby:" -"It appears that in the old days the drivers of the Conestoga wagons, so -common years ago on our National Road, used to buy very cheap cigars. To -meet this demand a small cigar manufacturer in Washington, Pennsylvania, -whose name is lost to fame, started in to make a cheap 'roll-up' for -them at four for a cent. They became very popular with the drivers, and -were at first called Conestoga cigars; since, by usage, corrupted into -'stogies' and 'tobies.' It is now estimated that Pennsylvania and West -Virginia produce about 200,000,000 tobies yearly, probably all for home -consumption." - -[Illustration: JAMES SMITH, OF HENRY.] - -It is probable that the manufacturer referred to in the above was George -Black, as that gentleman made "tobies" in Washington at an early day, -and continued in the business for many years, and until he became quite -wealthy. In his later days his trade was very large and profitable. Old -wagoners hauled his "tobies" over the road in large quantities, as they -did subsequently the Wheeling "tobies," which were, and continued to be, -a favorite brand. Many habitual smokers prefer a Washington or a -Wheeling "toby" to an alleged fine, high priced cigar, and the writer -of these lines is one of them. As has been noted, the "rubber," called -brake at this day, was not in use when the National Road was first -thrown open for trade and travel. Instead, as related by John Deets, -sapplings, cut at the summit of the hills, were shaped and fashioned to -answer the ends of the "rubber," and at the foot of the hills taken off -and left on the roadside. E. B. Dawson, esq., the well known, well -posted and accurate antiquarian of Uniontown, and, by the way, deeply -interested in the history of the National Road, is authority for the -statement that one Jones, of Bridgeport, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, -claimed to be the inventor of the "rubber." He, however, never succeeded -in obtaining letters patent, if, indeed, he ever applied. There were -other claimants, among them the Slifers, of Maryland, mentioned -elsewhere in these pages. The real and true inventor seems to be -unknown, and yet it is an invention of vast importance, and with legal -protection would have yielded the inventor an immense fortune. - -Old wagoners, as a class, were robust, hardy, honest and jovial. But one -of the long list is remembered as a criminal. His name was Ben Pratt, -and he belonged to Philadelphia. He turned out to be a counterfeiter of -coin and currency, and suffered the punishment that all counterfeiters -deserve. Many old wagoners were fond of fun and frolic, but very few of -them were intemperate, although they had the readiest opportunities for -unrestrained drinking. Every old tavern had its odd shaped little bar, -ornamented in many instances with fancy lattice work, and well stocked -with whiskey of the purest distillation, almost as cheap as water. In -fact all kinds of liquors were kept at the old taverns of the National -Road, except the impure stuff of the present day. The bottles used were -of plain glass, each marked in large letters with the name of the liquor -it contained, and the old landlord would place these bottles on the -narrow counter of the little bar, in the presence of a room filled with -wagoners, so that all could have free access to them. None of the old -tavern keepers made profit from the sales of liquor. They kept it more -for the accommodation of their guests, than for money making purposes. -There was probably a tavern on every mile of the road, between -Cumberland and Wheeling, and all combined did not realize as much profit -from the sales of liquor in a year as is realized in that time by one -licensed hotel keeper of Uniontown, at the present day. - -When, at last, the Conestoga horse yielded up the palm to the Iron -horse, and it became manifest that the glory of the old road was -departing, never to return, the old wagoners, many of whom had spent -their best days on the road, sang in chorus the following lament: - - "Now all ye jolly wagoners, who have got good wives, - Go home to your farms, and there spend your lives. - When your corn is all cribbed, and your small grain is good, - You'll have nothing to do but curse the railroad." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - - _Stage Drivers, Stage Lines and Stage Coaches--The Postilion--Changing - Horses--He comes, the Herald of a Noisy World--Pioneer - Proprietors--Peter Burdine and his Little Rhyme--Anecdote of Thomas - Corwin--Johny Ritter--Daniel Brown, his sad Ending--Soldier - Drivers--Redding Bunting--Joseph and William Woolley--Andrew J. - Wable--James Burr._ - - - "My uncle rested his head upon his hands and thought of the busy - bustling people who had rattled about, years before, in the old - coaches, and were now as silent and changed; he thought of the - numbers of people to whom once, those crazy, mouldering vehicles - had borne, night after night, for many years, and through all - weathers, the anxiously expected intelligence, the eagerly looked - for remittance, the promised assurances of health and safety, the - sudden announcement of sickness and death. The merchant, the lover, - the wife, the widow, the mother, the school boy, the very child who - tottered to the door at the postman's knock--how had they all - looked forward to the arrival of the old coach! And where were they - all now?"--_Charles Dickens._ - -[Illustration: STAGE COACH] - -Stage drivers as a class did not rank as high morally as wagoners, but -despite this there were among them men of good sense, honest intentions -and steady habits. As typical of the better class, the reader who is -familiar with the old road will readily recall Redding Bunting, Samuel -Luman, Elliott Seaburn, Watty Noble, James Carroll, Aquila and Nat -Smith, William Scott, David Gordon, James Burr, William Robinson, John -Huhn, David Bell, John Guttery, John Ritter, Joseph Henderson and Peter -Null. Others will be instantly recognized as their names shall appear on -these pages. It is the sincere belief of all old pike boys that the -stage lines of the National Road were never equalled in spirit and dash -on any road, in any age or country. The chariots of the Appian Way, -drawn by the fastest horses of ancient Italy, formed a dismal cortege in -comparison with the sprightly procession of stage coaches on the old -American highway. The grandeur of the old mail coach is riveted forever -in the memory of the pike boy. To see it ascending a long hill, -increasing speed, when nearing the summit, then moving rapidly over the -intervening level to the top of the next hill, and dashing down it, a -driver like the stately Redding Bunting wielding the whip and handling -the reins, revealed a scene that will never be forgotten. And there was -another feature of the old stage lines that left a lasting mark on -memory's tablet. It was the "Postilion." A groom with two horses was -stationed at the foot of many of the long hills, and added to the -ordinary team of four horses to aid in making the ascent. The summit -gained, the extra horses were quickly detached and returned to await and -aid the next coming coach, and this was the "Postilion." Nathan Hutton -is a well remembered old postilion. He was a tall, spare man, and lived -in a small log house on the roadside, a short distance west of the old -Johnson tavern, and four and a half miles east of Brownsville. At the -foot of the hill below his house, he re-enforced the coaches with his -postilion both ways, east and west, up Colley's hill, going west, and -the equally long hill, coming east from that point. When he wanted a man -or horse to be faithful to duty he exhorted him to "stand by his 'tarnal -integrity." The old postilion bade adieu to the scenes of earth long -ago, and nothing is left to indicate the spot where his lowly dwelling -stood except a few perishing quince bushes. - -Hanson Willison, of Cumberland, when a boy rode postilion for Samuel -Luman, and for Alfred Bailes. John Evans and Jacob Hoblitzell rode -postilion through the mountains, east of Keyser's Ridge. Martin Massey -rode out from Brownsville, and Thomas M. Fee, now crier of the courts of -Fayette county, Pennsylvania, rode out from Uniontown, over Laurel Hill. - -Excitement followed in the wake of the coaches all along the road. Their -arrival in the towns was the leading event of each day, and they were so -regular in transit that farmers along the road knew the exact hour by -their coming, without the aid of watch or clock. They ran night and day -alike. Relays of fresh horses were placed at intervals of twelve miles, -as nearly as practicable. Ordinarily a driver had charge of one team -only, which he drove and cared for. Mail drivers, however, in many -instances, drove three or four teams and more, which were cared for by -grooms at the stations. Teams were changed almost in the twinkling of an -eye. The coach was driven rapidly to the station, where a fresh team -stood ready harnessed and waiting on the roadside. The moment the team -came to a halt the driver threw down the reins, and almost instantly the -incoming team was detached, the fresh one attached, the reins thrown -back to the driver, who did not leave his seat, and away again went the -coach at full speed, the usual group of loafers, meanwhile, looking on -and enjoying the exciting scene. The horses used were showy and superb, -the admiration of all who beheld them. Mr. Stockton had a strain called -the "Murat," and another known as the "Winflower," which have become -extinct, but many expert horsemen contend that they have not, in later -days, been surpassed for nerve, beauty or speed. A peculiar affliction -came upon many of the "wheel horses," expressed by the phrase "sprung in -the knees." It is said to have been produced by the efforts of the -horses in "holding back," while descending the long and steep hills. - -There was one mail coach that was especially imposing. On its gilded -sides appeared the picture of a post boy, with flying horse and horn, -and beneath it in gilt letters this awe inspiring inscription: - - "He comes, the herald of a noisy world, - News from all nations lumbering at his back." - -No boy who beheld that old coach will ever forget it. The coaches were -all handsomely and artistically painted and ornamented, lined inside -with soft silk plush. There were three seats furnished with luxurious -cushions, and three persons could sit comfortably on each, so that nine -passengers made a full load as far as the interior was concerned. A seat -by the side of the driver was more coveted in fair weather than a seat -within. During the prosperous era of the road it was not uncommon to see -as many as fifteen coaches in continuous procession, and both ways, east -and west, there would be thirty each day. - -James Kinkead, Jacob Sides and Abraham Russell put on the first line of -passenger coaches west of Cumberland, and as early as 1818 John and -Andrew Shaffer, Garrett Clark, Aaron Wyatt, Morris Mauler, John Farrell, -Quill and Nathan Smith, and Peter Null, were drivers on this line. The -Smiths and Null drove in and out from Uniontown. One of the Smiths -subsequently became the agent of a stage line in Ohio. James Kinkead, -above mentioned, was the senior member of the firm of Kinkead, Beck and -Evans, who built most of the large stone bridges on the line of the -road. This early line of stages was owned and operated in sections. -Kinkead owned the line from Brownsville to Somerfield; Sides, from -Somerfield to the Little Crossings, and thence to Cumberland Russell was -the proprietor. Kinkead sold his section to George Dawson, of -Brownsville, and Alpheus Beall, of Cumberland, bought out Russell's -interest. This line was subsequently purchased by, and merged in, the -National Road Stage Company, the principal and most active member of -which was Lucius W. Stockton. The other members of this company were -Daniel Moore, of Washington, Pennsylvania, Richard Stokes and Moore N. -Falls, of Baltimore, and Dr. Howard Kennedy, of Hagerstown, Maryland. -After the death of Mr. Stockton, in 1844, Dr. Kennedy and Mr. Acheson -were the active members of the firm. John W. Weaver put a line of stages -on the road at an early day, known as the People's Line. After a short -run it was withdrawn from the road east of Wheeling, and transferred to -the Ohio division. Previous to 1840, James Reeside put on a line which -Mr. Stockton nick-named the "June Bug," for the reason, as he alleged, -it would not survive the coming of the June bugs. Mr. Stockton -subsequently bought out this line and consolidated it with his own. -There was a line of stages on the road called the "Good Intent," which -came to stay, and did stay until driven off by the irresistible force of -the Steam King. This line was owned by Shriver, Steele & Company, and -was equal in vim, vigor and general equipment to the Stockton line. The -headquarters of the Good Intent line at Uniontown was the McClelland -house. There passengers took their meals, and the horses were kept in -the stables appurtenant. The "old line" (Stockton's) had its -headquarters at the National house, on Morgantown street, now the -private residence of that worthy and well known citizen, Thomas Batton. -This little _bon mot_ is one among a thousand, illustrative of the -spirit of the competition between these rival lines. There was one Peter -Burdine, a driver on the Good Intent line, noted for his dashing -qualities, who was accustomed to give vent to his fidelity to his -employers, and his confidence in himself in these words: - - "If you take a seat in Stockton's line, - You are sure to be passed by Pete Burdine." - -And this became a popular ditty all along the road. - -On authority of Hanson Willison, the old stage driver of Cumberland, the -first line of stages put on the road east of Cumberland, in opposition -to the Stockton line, was owned, from Frederic to Hagerstown, by -Hutchinson and Wirt; from Hagerstown to Piney Plains, by William F. -Steele; from Piney Plains to Cumberland, by Thomas Shriver. - -Thomas Corwin, the famous Ohio statesman and popular orator of the olden -time, was not a stage driver, but he was a wagoner, and one of the -rallying cries of his friends, in the campaign that resulted in his -election as governor, was: "Hurrah for Tom Corwin, the wagoner boy." -The introduction of his name, in connection with stages and stage -drivers, becomes pertinent in view of the following anecdote: Corwin was -of very dark complexion, and among strangers, and in his time, when race -distinction was more pronounced than now, often taken for a negro. On -one occasion, while he was a member of Congress, he passed over the road -in a "chartered coach," in company with Henry Clay, a popular favorite -all along the road, and other distinguished gentlemen, en route for the -capital. A chartered coach was one belonging to the regular line, but -hired for a trip, and controlled by the parties engaging it. The party -stopped one day for dinner at an old "stage tavern," kept by Samuel -Cessna, at the foot of "Town Hill," also known as "Snib Hollow," -twenty-five miles east of Cumberland. Cessna was fond of entertaining -guests, and particularly ardent in catering to distinguished travelers. -He was, therefore, delighted when this party entered his house. He had -seen Mr. Clay before, and knew him. The tall form of Mr. Corwin -attracted his attention, and he noted specially his swarthy complexion, -heard his traveling companions call him "Tom," and supposed he was the -servant of the party. The first thing after the order for dinner was a -suggestion of something to relieve the tedium of travel, and excite the -appetite for the anticipated dinner, and it was brandy, genuine old -cogniac, which was promptly brought to view by the zealous old landlord. -Brandy was the "tony" drink of the old pike--brandy and loaf sugar, and -it was often lighted by a taper and burnt, under the influence of a -popular tradition that "if burnt brandy couldn't save a man" in need of -physical tension, his case was hopeless. When the brandy was produced, -the party, with the exception of Corwin, stepped up to the bar and each -took a glass. Corwin, to encourage the illusion of the old landlord, -stood back. In a patronizing way the landlord proffered a glass to -Corwin, saying: "Tom, you take a drink." Corwin drank off the glass, and -in an humble manner returned it to the landlord with modest thanks. -Dinner was next announced, and when the party entered the dining room, a -side table was observed for use of the servant, as was the custom at all -old taverns on the road at that time. Corwin, at once recognizing the -situation, sat down alone at the side table, while the other gentlemen -occupied the main table. The dinner was excellent, as all were at the -old taverns on the National Road, and while undergoing discussion, Mr. -Clay occasionally called out to the lone occupant of the side table: -"How are you getting on, Tom?" to which the modest response was, "Very -well." After dinner the old landlord produced a box of fine cigars, and -first serving the distinguished guests, took one from the box and in his -hand proffered it to Mr. Corwin, with the remark: "Take a cigar, Tom?" -When it was announced that the coach was in readiness to proceed on the -journey, Mr. Clay took Corwin's arm, and, approaching the old landlord, -said: "Mr. Cessna, permit me to introduce the Hon. Thomas Corwin, of -Ohio." Cessna was thunder-struck. His mortification know no bounds. -Observing his mental agony, Mr. Corwin restored him to equanimity by -saying: "It was all a joke, Mr. Cessna; do not, I beg you, indulge in -the slightest feeling of mortification. I expect to be back this way -before long, and will call again to renew acquaintance, and take another -good dinner with you." - -John Ritter, affectionately and invariably, by his acquaintances, called -"Johnny," was noted for his honesty and steady habits. For many years -after staging ceased on the road, he was a familiar figure about -Washington, Pennsylvania. He assisted Major Hammond for thirty years in -conducting the Valentine house, and acted as agent for Brimmer's line of -mail hacks, and other similar lines, after the great mail and passenger -lines were withdrawn. He was a bachelor, and a soldier of 1812, and drew -a small pension. He died at the Valentine house, in Washington, on -January 28th, 1879, in the eightieth year of his age, leaving behind him -a good name and many friends. - -The first line of passenger coaches put on the road between Brownsville -and Wheeling was owned, organized and operated by Stephen Hill and Simms -and Pemberton. This was in 1818, and a continuation of the early line -before mentioned from Cumberland to Brownsville. Stephen Hill, while a -stage proprietor, was also a tavern keeper in Hillsboro, Washington -county, a small town, but an old town, which probably derived its name -from his family. Under the inspiration of modern reformation, so called, -the name of this old town has been changed and languishes now under the -romantic appellation of Scenery Hill. When it was Hillsboro, and a stage -station of the old pike, it was a lively little town. Under its -present picturesque name it remains a little town, but not a lively one. -The change of name, however, has not yet penetrated the thinned ranks of -the old pike boys, and they still refer to it as Hillsboro. - -[Illustration: WILLIAM WHALEY.] - -The next station west of Hillsboro, where stage horses were changed, -twelve miles distant, was Washington, where passengers also took meals. -The Good Intent line stopped at the Mansion house, situate at the upper -end of the town, and the "Old Line" stopped at the National, in the -lower end. The next changing place west of Washington was Claysville, -the next Roneys Point, and thence to Wheeling. About the year 1846 the -Good Intent line stopped its coaches, or a portion of them, at the -Greene house in Washington, kept by Daniel Brown, who, previous to that -date, had, for a time, been a road agent of that line. Of all the good -taverns on the road there were none better than Brown's. He had his -peculiarities, as most men have, but he knew how to keep a hotel. He -enjoyed the occupation of entertaining guests, and glowed with good -feeling while listening to the praises bestowed upon his savory spreads. -This popular old landlord came to a sad and untimely end by being cut to -pieces in a mill by a buzz saw, on what was once called the plank road, -leading from Washington through Monongahela City, West Newton, Mt. -Pleasant, Somerset and Bedford to Cumberland. Stages ran on that road, -and at the time of the accident, Mr. Brown was in the service of a stage -company and at the saw mill to urge forward the work of getting out -plank for the road. - -David Sibley, an old driver on Stockton's line, went with the Fayette -county "boys in blue" to Mexico in 1847, a member of Co. H, 2d regiment -of Pennsylvania volunteers. He participated in the engagement at Cerro -Gordo, emerged from that conflict unscathed, but died soon after at -Pueblo from ailments incident to an inhospitable climate. - -William Whaley, a soldier of the war between the States, and a son of -Capt. James Whaley, a soldier of 1812, was an old stage driver. He was -born in Connellsville, but spent the prime of his life in Uniontown, and -on the road. He used to tell the boys that one of the horses of his team -died coming down Laurel Hill, but that he held him up until he reached -the McClelland house in Uniontown. Whaley drove for a time on the -Morgantown route from Uniontown, and died in the latter place twenty -years and more ago. - -James Turner, a Somerset county man, an old stage driver, also -volunteered as a soldier in the Mexican war, and started out a member of -Co. H, above mentioned. In crossing the Gulf he fell down a hatchway of -the vessel and was killed, and the mortal remains of the old driver were -buried in the deep sea. - -James Gordon, a well remembered old stage driver, went with Co. H to -Mexico, and died in the capital city of that Republic. He was the -father-in-law of Peter Heck, a former postmaster of Uniontown. - -Samuel Sibley, probably a brother of David, before mentioned, was a -well-known driver. He was small in stature, but alert in movement. It -was he who drove the coach that upset on a stone pile in the main street -of Uniontown with Henry Clay as a passenger, the details of which have -elsewhere been given. - -Ben Showalter is remembered as an old driver, who sang little songs and -performed little tricks of legerdemain for the amusement of the boys. He -went to the war between the States as a private in Major West's cavalry -of Uniontown, and died in the service. - -[Illustration: REDDING BUNTING.] - -Redding Bunting, mentioned before, was probably more widely known and -had more friends than any other old stage driver on the road. His entire -service on the road, covering many years, was in connection with the -"old Line." He was a great favorite of Mr. Stockton, the leading -proprietor of that line. His commanding appearance is impressed upon the -memories of all who knew him. He stood six feet six inches high in his -stockings, and straight as an arrow, without any redundant flesh. His -complexion was of a reddish hue and his features pronounced and -striking. His voice was of the baritone order, deep and sonorous, but he -was not loquacious and had a habit of munching. He was endowed with -strong common sense, which the pike boys called "horse sense," to -emphasize its excellence. He was affable, companionable and convivial. -He was a native of Fayette county, Pa., and born in Menallen township. -He was not only a stage driver, but a trusted stage agent, stage -proprietor, and also a tavern keeper. He once owned the property now -known as the "Central Hotel," in Uniontown, and if he had retained it -would have died a rich man. Despondency and depression of spirits seemed -to have encompassed him, when business ceased on the road, and he -appeared as one longing for the return of other and better days. During -the presidency of Mr. Van Buren, it was deemed desirable by the -authorities that one of his special messages should be speedily spread -before the people. Accordingly arrangements were made by the Stockton -line, which had the contract for carrying the mails, to transmit the -message of the President with more than ordinary celerity. The Baltimore -and Ohio railroad at the time was not in operation west of Frederic -City, Maryland. Mr. Bunting, as agent of the company, repaired to that -point to receive the coming document and convey it to Wheeling. He sat -by the side of the driver the entire distance from Frederic to Wheeling -to superintend the mission and urge up the speed. The distance between -the points named is two hundred and twenty-two miles, and was covered in -twenty-three hours and thirty minutes. Changes of teams and drivers were -made at the usual relays, and the driver who brought the flying coach -from Farmington to Uniontown was Joseph Woolley, who made the sparks fly -at every step, as he dashed down the long western slope of Laurel Hill. -Homer Westover drove the coach from Uniontown to Brownsville, covering -the intervening distance of twelve miles in the almost incredible -compass of forty-four minutes. The coach used on this occasion was -called the "Industry," one of the early mail coaches with "monkey box" -attachment, and it literally woke up the echoes in its rapid transit -over the road. The Pittsburg _Gazette_ had arranged for an early copy of -the important message and agreed to pay Robert L. Barry and Joseph P. -McClelland, of Uniontown, connected in various subordinate capacities -with the stage lines, the sum of fifty dollars for a speedy delivery of -the document at the office of that journal in Pittsburg. Brownsville was -then the distributing point for all mail matter sent west over the -National Road, consigned to Pittsburg, and Barry and McClelland went -down to Brownsville on the "Industry" to obtain the message there and -transmit it thence to Pittsburg by special convoy overland to the -_Gazette_; but when the mail was opened it was discovered that it did -not contain a package for the _Gazette_, and Barry and McClelland -returned home disappointed, while the _Gazette_ suffered still greater -disappointment in not being able to lay an early copy of the message -before its readers. The reader will bear in mind that at the time -referred to the telegraph was unknown as an agency for transmitting -news, and the railroad, as has been seen, had not advanced west of -Frederic City, Maryland. - -In the year 1846, after the railroad was completed to Cumberland, -Redding Bunting rivaled, if he did not surpass, the feat of rapid -transit above described. He drove the great mail coach from Cumberland -to Wheeling, which carried the message of President Polk, officially -proclaiming that war existed between the United States and Mexico. -Leaving Cumberland at two o'clock in the morning, he reached Uniontown -at eight o'clock of the same morning, breakfasted there with his -passengers, at his own house (for he was then the proprietor of the -National), and after breakfast, which was soon disposed of, proceeded -with his charge, reaching Washington at eleven A. M. and Wheeling at two -P. M., covering a distance of one hundred and thirty-one miles in twelve -hours. He was not at that time an ordinary driver, but an agent of the -line, and took the reins in person for the avowed purpose of making the -highest speed attainable. Redding Bunting has been dead about ten years. -His wife, who was a daughter of Capt. Endsley, the old tavern keeper at -the Big Crossings, survived him about three years. He left two sons and -two daughters. One of his sons, Henry Clay, is at present postmaster of -Dunbar, Pa., and the other, William, is a printer, and at this writing -foreman of the composing force of the Pittsburg _Times_. One of the -daughters is the wife of Milton K. Frankenberry, a prominent citizen of -Fayette county, Pa., and the other is the wife of Armor Craig, a leading -merchant of Uniontown. The old driver has gone to his last home, but his -memory remains fresh and fragrant all along the road. - -Joseph Woolley, above mentioned, had a brother, William, who was also a -well known stage driver. When the staging days on the road were ended, -and the exciting incidents thereof relegated to the domain of history, -Joseph and William Woolley sought and obtained employment in the service -of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company, and both ultimately became -competent and trustworthy locomotive engineers. - -Andrew J. Wable commenced driving stage in 1840, and continued -uninterruptedly until 1851. He went to Illinois in 1867, and is still -living, in good health and spirits. He frequently visits his old home in -the mountains of Fayette county, where he was reared, and is there now, -or was very recently. He drove first on the "Shake Gut," which was not a -passenger line, but a line put on the road to carry light freights with -rapidity. He drove next on the "Good Intent" line, and subsequently on -the old, or Stockton line. He was a driver on the Good Intent line when -William Scott was its agent, and on the old line during the agencies of -Granger and Bunting. He drove on the Good Intent line from Somerfield to -Keyser's Ridge, and on the old line from Keyser's Ridge to Piney Grove. -He also drove between Washington and Wheeling, and from Uniontown to -Farmington. His recollections of the old road are vivid, and he is fond -of recounting incidents of its palmy days. - -James Burr drove out westward from Washington. He was reputed to be a -man of great muscular power, but with it all, a man of quiet demeanor. A -Cincinnati man, name not given, had achieved the reputation of "licking" -everybody in and around Cincinnati, and like Alexander of old, sighed -for more victories. Hearing of Jim Burr, he resolved to encounter him, -and struck out for Claysville, where he had been informed Burr could be -found. He traveled by steamboat to Wheeling, thence by stage coach to -Claysville. The Cincinnati man "put up" at the tavern of William Kelley, -the stopping place of Burr's line at Claysville. Upon entering, the -stranger inquired for Jim Burr, and was politely informed by Mr. Kelley, -the old landlord, that Mr. Burr was at the stable looking after his -team, and would soon be in. In a little while Burr came in, and Mr. -Kelley remarked to the stranger, "this is Mr. Burr." The stranger, who -was a somewhat larger man than Burr, saluted him thus: "Burr, I have -been told that you are the best man in all this country, and I have come -all the way from Cincinnati to fight you, and lick you, if I can." -"Well," said Burr, "you have come a long distance for a job like that, -and besides I don't know you, and there is no reason why we should -fight." "But," rejoined the stranger, "you must fight me, I insist on -it, and will not leave here until you do." Burr persisted in declining -the proffered combat, and finally went upstairs to bed, and after a nap -of half an hour's duration, came down without a thought of again meeting -his aggressive visitor. To his utter surprise the Cincinnati bluffer met -him at the foot of the stairs, and again demanded a trial of strength. -This was more than Burr's good nature could withstand, and stepping -back, he drew up in the attitude of a striker, warning his assailant at -the same time to "look out," when with one blow of his fist, he felled -him stone dead on the floor. Burr then went to the water stand in a -rear room of the tavern, washed his face and hands, and upon returning -saw the victim of his deadly blow still lying prostrate upon the floor, -and exclaimed: "My God, has that man not got up yet?" But the vanquished -bully did, after a while, get up, and in rising discovered that he was a -wiser, if not a better man. News of this singular encounter spread -rapidly through the town of Claysville, and nearly every inhabitant -thereof rushed to the scene to learn how it happened, and all about it. -The facts were minutely and carefully made known to all inquirers by -William Kelley, the old landlord, and cheers went up and out for Jim -Burr, the hero of Claysville. At the time of this occurrence David -Gordon was also driving out westwardly from Washington. Tradition has it -that these two men had a reciprocal fear of each other, but they never -collided, and it is a mooted question as to which of them was the better -man in a physical sense. It is a long time since Burr and Gordon were -seen on the front boot of a handsome Concord coach, wielding the reins -and flourishing the whip over the backs of four dashing steeds with a -grace and dignity befitting a more pretentious calling; and presumably -they have answered the last summons, but living or dead, their names are -indelibly stamped on the history of the National Road. - -David Gordon was sent out from the east by James Reeside, and drove -first on the "June Bug Line." Going out west from Claysville soon after -he commenced driving his team ran off, with a full load of passengers. -Discerning in a moment that the flying team could not be checked by -ordinary methods, he pulled it off the road and turned the coach over -against a high bank. The passengers were badly frightened, but none were -hurt, and attributed their escape from injury to the skillfulness of the -driver. After "righting up," the coach but little damaged, proceeded to -Roney's Point without further casualty. This incident, or rather -accident, gave Gordon a wide reputation as a cool and skillful driver, -and he rapidly advanced to the front rank of his calling. The "June Bug -Line" did not remain long on the road, and when it was withdrawn Gordon -took service in the Good Intent line, and continued with it until all -through lines of coaches were taken from the road. Gordon was a very -stout man, six feet in height, and weighing about two hundred pounds, -without any surplus flesh. It was said that he could fight, but was not -quarrelsome. His motto seemed to be "_non tangere mihi_." On one -occasion, as tradition has it, he was compelled to engage in a -knock-down, in self defense. It was at Triadelphia, Virginia. Three -"toughs" fell upon him at that place, with the intention, as they stated -it, of "doing him up," but they failed ignominously. Gordon repulsed and -routed them completely and decisively, and they never thereafter coveted -a rencounter with Gordon, and the example of their fate rendered others -with pugilistic proclivities a little shy about encountering him. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - - _Stages and Stage Drivers continued--Character of Drivers - Defended--Styles of Driving--Classification of Drivers--Samuel - Luman, old mail driver--His thrilling encounter with - Robbers--George Fisher dashes into a Whig procession--Daniel - Leggett--Accident to Black Hawk--Tobias Banner, Jerry McMullin, - George McKenna, Paris Eaches, Jack Bailiss, Henry A. Wise, and - other familiar names._ - - -Mr. A. J. Endsley, of Somerset, an intelligent, educated and observing -gentleman, who was born and reared on the National Road, gives it as his -judgment that old stage drivers, as a class, were better, morally, than -old wagoners. He says that while some of the stage drivers were given to -blaspheming and drinking, there were wagoners who would "discount them, -especially in the matter of profanity." He names, as types of orderly, -well behaved stage drivers, Thomas Grace, William and Alexander -Thompson, John Mills, Charley Howell, John High, William Robinson, Isaac -Frazee (still living in Markleysburg), Isaac Denny, Samuel Halsted, -William White, Samuel Jaco, Thomas Moore, James A. Carroll, William -Bishop and John Bunting. William Robinson and Pate Sides were expert -penmen. - -John E. Reeside, a son of Commodore James Reeside, the old stage -proprietor, now residing in Baltimore, who had a general supervision of -his father's lines on the National Road, gives three styles of stage -driving, as follows, viz: (1) The Flat Rein (English); (2) the Top and -Bottom (Pennsylvania); (3) the Side Rein (Eastern). In the first style -Mr. Reeside says that John Bennett and Watty Noble excelled, and in the -second, Jack Bailiss, Frank Lawson and Joe Bowers carried off the palm. -He adds that the third mode was the one adopted by a majority of the -best drivers, and in this, Isaac Page, Luda Adams, Peyton R. Sides, -David Gordon, John Lanning, Abram Dedrick and David Johnson excelled all -other drivers. - -Mr. Endsley, before mentioned, divides the old stage drivers in four -classes, as follows: "(1) Awkward, slovenly, careless drivers, such as -handled the whip and 'ribbons' so clumsily, and kept their teams so -unseemly together, up hill, down grades and on the level, that it was -painful to see them on the box. Typical of this class were Tom Frantz, -Dan Boyer, Pete Null and Abe Halderman. (2) Cruel men--their cruelty -amounting almost to brutality. This class seemed to take a fiendish -delight in whipping, lashing and gashing horses. Wash Alridge and a big, -burly driver by the name of Robinson, were types of the cruel class. (3) -Careful, easy-going, common, every day kind of drivers--men who never -made pretensions to fancy styles. They were such as John Bunting (Old -Judy), Jim Reynolds, James Carroll (Flaxey), Blanchard (Hatchet Face), -Billy Armor and Josh. Boyd. (4) Well dressed drivers, clean and neat in -person, and men who regarded sitting down to a meal in shirt sleeves as -_contra, bonos mores_. This class manipulated the whip and 'ribbons' -scientifically, and sat on the box in a way that showed they were -masters of the situation. Prominent in this class were John High, Pate -Sides, Peter Halderman, 'Yankee' Thompson, Sam Jerome, Jim Moore," &c. -In this latter class might be ranked David Gordon, James Burr, and -others of the western end of the road. - -[Illustration: JOHN BUNTING.] - -Samuel Luman, still living in Cumberland, and in good health, was one of -the best equipped stage drivers on the road. His experience covers many -of the most exciting and interesting events in the road's history. He -commenced his career as a stage driver in 1832, the same year that -Alfred Bailes began as a wagoner. He tells of a collision with -highwaymen in the mountains, which was attended by thrilling details. On -the 12th of August, 1834, he was on the road between Piney Grove and -Frostburg, with a mail and passenger coach going east. After nightfall, -and at a point studded by a thick growth of pine trees, he was -confronted by a party of foot-pads, five in number, and strange to -relate, one a woman, bent on felony. The outlook was alarming. Luman -carried no fire-arms, and there was but one weapon among his passengers, -a small, brass pistol, not brought into requisition, as the sequel -shows. The assailants had thrown across the road an obstruction like a -rude fence, made of logs, stumps and brush. As Luman's trusty leaders -approached the obstruction, one of the highwaymen stepped out from his -cover and seized a bridle, and the coach was stopped. The assailant -ordered Luman to descend from his seat and surrender his charge. This he -very politely, but very decidedly declined to do. "What do you want?" -queried Luman, with seeming innocency. "We are traders," was the -response. "Well," rejoined Luman, coolly, "I have nothing to trade; I am -satisfied with my trappings, and not desirous of exchanging them." -During this little parley the wood-be robber, who held a leader by the -bridle, cried out to a partner in crime, who was near at hand, though -under cover of darkness, to shoot the driver, and denounced him as a -coward for not firing. The party thus addressed then leveled a pistol at -Luman and pulled the trigger, but the result was nothing more than a -"snap," the night air being damp and the powder failing to explode. -These favorable surroundings, no doubt, saved Luman's life. The -foot-pads at the heads of the leaders had, in the confusion and -excitement of the moment, turned the horses squarely around, so that the -leaders faced west, while the wheel horses stood to the east. In this -conjuncture the party in charge of the leaders undertook to unhitch -them, and to guard against the movements of Luman, wrapped a driving -rein tightly around one of his arms. This was Luman's opportunity, and -summoning all his resources, he poured a volley of stinging lashes upon -his antagonist, smiting him on the face and arm, alternately, and most -vigorously. The bandit winced, and soon relinquished his grasp, when, -almost in the twinkling of an eye, the team under Luman's skillful hands -started up on a full run, leaping the improvised fence, and speeding on, -leaving the foot-pads behind to lament their discomfiture. Mr. Luman -relates that in crossing the improvised fence, he fairly trembled for -the fate of himself and passengers, as the coach was within an ace of -capsizing. He also states that the ruffian who seized his leader wore a -gown that covered his whole person, tied around the middle of his body -with a belt, and that another of his assailants wore a white vest, dark -pantaloons, and covered his face with a black mask. The other three kept -in the back ground during the attack, so that he is unable to recall -their appearance. Mr. Luman further relates that when the first assault -was made on him, he apprized his passengers of the impending danger and -besought their assistance, but they crouched in their seats and made no -effort to aid him or defend themselves. They were western merchants -going east to buy goods, and had among them as much as sixty thousand -dollars in cash. When the coach arrived safely at the Highland house, -Frostburg, George Evans at that time proprietor thereof, the grateful -passengers "took up" a collection for the benefit of their courageous -and faithful driver and deliverer, but Luman says the sum proffered was -so ludicrously small that he declined to receive it, and ever thereafter -regarded that lot of passengers as a "mean set." Samuel Luman drove four -teams between Cumberland and the Big Crossings. In 1839 he concluded to -give up stage driving and try tavern keeping. His first venture in this -line was at Piney Plains, east of Cumberland and near Cessna's old -stand. He approved himself a popular landlord, and was well patronized. -From Piney Plains he went to Frostburg, and took charge of the Franklin -House. His next and last experience in tavern keeping was at the -National House, in Cumberland. Luman interested himself in the detection -and punishment of mail robbers, which drew upon him the animosity of -suspected persons, and Mr. Stockton, fearing that the suspected ones -might waylay and murder him, advised him to take service east of -Cumberland, which he did. He is altogether one of the most interesting -characters of the road. - -[Illustration: SAMUEL LUMAN.] - -George Fisher was a stage driver, who left his footprints very plainly -on the limestone dust of the road. He was noted for his daring in the -manipulation of fiery steeds. A fractious team was stationed at -Claysville, which was the terror of all the drivers on that section of -the road. It "ran off" several times, once killing a passenger outright, -and seriously injuring others. This occurred on Caldwell's Hill, seven -miles west of Washington, Pennsylvania. George Fisher was sent down from -Washington to take charge of this team, and soon had it under complete -control. He drove it many years without an accident. Fisher was a large, -well proportioned, and fine looking man. He was driving the team -mentioned in 1844, the year in which the celebrated political contest -occurred, wherein James K. Polk and Henry Clay were opposing -candidates for the presidency. Fisher was an ardent supporter of Polk, -and quite bitter in his enmity against the Whigs. On the day of a large -Whig meeting in Washington, an extra coach, not on regular time, but -filled with passengers, passed over the road, going west. It fell to -Fisher's lot to haul this coach from Claysville to Roney's Point, a -relay beyond the State line, in Virginia. A delegation of Whigs, with -banners and music, from West Alexander and vicinity, went up to -Washington to attend the meeting, and on their return homeward in the -evening, were overhauled by Fisher, who ran his team and coach into the -Whig procession at several points, doing damage to buggies, carriages, -and light wagons, and inflicting some quite serious personal injuries. -Colin Wilson, a prominent citizen of Washington county at that date, was -one of the persons injured by Fisher's inroad, and was seriously hurt. -Fisher, in extenuation of his apparently criminal conduct, pleaded the -irritability of his team, that it became frightened by the banners and -music, was unmanageable, and the injuries inflicted were not intentional -on his part, but purely accidental. The reputation of the team for -pettishness was well known in the neighborhood of the occurrence, and -served as a plausible excuse, and really saved Fisher from prosecution, -and probably consequent punishment, but all the Whigs of that -neighborhood went to their graves under the solemn belief that Fisher -"did it a purpose." The following account of an accident, furnished by -John Thompson, the old wagoner, no doubt relates to Fisher's team -previous to the date at which he took charge of it: In the month of -October, 1843, a stage team started to run from the locust tree near -Caldwell's tavern. The driver lost control, and the team dashed down the -long hill at a terrific gait. They kept in the road until Wickert's -bridge was reached, at which point the coach, team, passengers, driver -and all were violently thrown over the bridge. A Mr. Moses, a Kentucky -merchant, and his nephew, were sitting by the side of the driver, and -all remained firmly in their seats until the collapse occurred. The -Kentucky merchant had a leg badly crushed, and in two days after the -accident died, and was buried in the old graveyard at Washington. -Doctors Stevens and Lane, of Washington, were promptly summoned and did -all that medical and surgical skill could devise to aid the unfortunate -sufferer, but gangrene ensued and baffled it all. The driver was -severely hurt, and nursed at the Caldwell House until the spring of -1844, when he recovered. The nephew of Mr. Moses and all the other -passengers escaped without injury. The remains of Mr. Moses were -subsequently removed from Washington by his relatives, and interred near -his home in Kentucky. Wickert's bridge is so called because a man of -that name was murdered many years ago near it, and for a long time -thereafter, according to neighborhood superstition, returned to haunt -the bridge. - -Daniel Leggett was an old stage driver, well known, and will be long -remembered. He once had the distinction of hauling the celebrated -Indian chief, Black Hawk, and his _suite_. The party ascended the Ohio -river by steamboat, and took stage at Wheeling. Upon entering the coach -at that point, Black Hawk showed shyness, fancying it might be a trap -set for him by his pale faced enemies, and it required some persuasion -by an interpreter, who accompanied his party, to induce him to enter and -take a seat. The coach passed over the road without unusual incident -until it reached Washington, Pennsylvania. Going down the main street of -Washington, from the postoffice, which was in the neighborhood of the -court house, the breast strap of one of the wheel horses broke, causing -a precipitation of the coach upon the leaders, and the team becoming -frightened, dashed down the street at fearful speed. One of the party of -Indians was seated by the driver, and thrown off, carrying down with him -the driver. The team, thus left without a driver, rushed headlong for -the stable of the National House, and at the corner of Main and Maiden -streets, the coach upset. It contained nine passengers, eight Indians -and one half-breed. The first one to show up from the wreck was Black -Hawk, who stood upright in the middle of the street, disclosing a single -drop of blood on his forehead, and manifesting much excitement and -indignation, as he uttered "Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!" The interpreter had an arm -broken, which was the only serious casualty attending the accident. -Black Hawk now became almost wholly irreconcilable. The interpreter -tried to explain to him the true situation, and to assure him that no -harm was aimed at him, but the dusky warrior repelled the approaches of -the friendly mediator, and refused to be reconciled. He was now certain -that the white men intended to kill him. After a little while the -excitement abated, and with it the temper of the unfortunate Indian -chieftain. He was persuaded to enter the tavern, and observing that the -surroundings were not hostile, threw off his sullenness, and became -somewhat sensible of the situation, and apparently reconciled to it. -Another coach of the line was provided, and the party proceeded on their -journey to parley with the Great Father of the White House. The occasion -marked an era in the life and career of the old driver, Daniel Leggett, -which he referred to with intense interest on frequent occasions -throughout the remainder of his life. The Black Hawk incident occurred -in 1837, when Van Buren was president. - -Tobias Banner, as if to do justice to his name, was an imposing driver. -He was a chum of Jerry McMullin, another old driver, and the two -together enjoyed many a game of bluff, while their teams were quietly -resting in the well furnished old stables. They were both mail drivers -in and out from Washington. McMullin at one time to vary the monotony of -stage life, made a trip to Stockton's lane, in Greene county, to see the -races, which occurred at regular periods at that place in that day. He -engaged in a game of seven up, with a stalwart native of Greene county, -for five dollars a side, and while he really won the game, his overgrown -adversary claimed the stakes on an allegation of foul play. A quarrel -and a fight ensued, and Jerry McMullin returned to Washington with a -blackened eye and diminished purse, vowing that he would never venture -upon mud roads again. - -George McKenna drove first on the Oyster line and afterwards a stage -team. He was a Greene county man, and brother-in-law of Morgan R. Wise. -After he quit driving he set up an oyster saloon in Waynesburg, and -finally engaged with a travelling menagerie and lost his life in a -railroad accident between New York and Philadelphia. - -Paris Eaches, a strangely sounding name now, but once familiar to the -ear of every pike boy, was a well known and well liked driver. He -radiated from Washington, Pennsylvania, but left his mark all along the -line. He was a jolly fellow and enjoyed the excitement of the road. He -was always a favorite at social parties of young folks, and entertained -them with songs. He had a good voice and sang well. "I have left -Alabama," was one of his best songs, and he always sang it to the -delight of his hearers. - -Jack Bailiss was a widely known and popular driver, a married man, and a -resident of Washington, Pennsylvania. He was accounted a reckless -driver, and delighted in exciting the apprehension of his passengers, -often filling them with terror by specimens of what they considered -reckless driving. He knew the danger line however, and always kept -within it. He drove the coach from Claysville to Washington, -Pennsylvania, in which Gen. Taylor traveled on his way to the Capital to -assume the Presidency. - -Henry A. Wise, an old driver, is well remembered by the old people of -the road on account of the quaintness of his character. He was not a -driver on the National Road, but drove the mail coach from Uniontown to -Morgantown, Virginia. Mr. Stockton had the contract for carrying the -mail between these points, and Wise was his chief driver, and pursued -this calling for many years. His headquarters in Uniontown were at the -Old Hart tavern, Jackson's favorite stopping place, now the Hotel -Brunswick. He was driving on this route as early as 1836. He was an odd -genius, as Mr. John E. Reeside says of him, a "typical tide water -Virginian." He claimed to be descended from blue blood, and simply drove -stage for amusement. He always had plenty of slack in his reins, and as -a consequence rarely kept his team straight in the road. It is said that -on one occasion, while half asleep on the box, his team turned from the -road through an open gap into a field, and commenced eagerly to graze on -the growing clover. Wise was tall and spare, and habitually wore a high -silk hat. - -John Huhn was a driver west of Washington, Pennsylvania. He married a -daughter of John McCrackin, a well known and prosperous farmer of the -vicinity of Claysville. When stage lines dissolved and stage coaches no -longer rattled over the old pike, John Huhn engaged in the tanning -business at Claysville, and was successful. - -Peter Payne, an old driver east and west from Keyser's Ridge, was noted -as an expert hand at a game of poker. He was usually a winner, and being -a man of economic habits, saved his small accumulations from time to -time and ultimately became rich. He often sat down to a game with Joseph -Dilly, an old blacksmith of the mountain division of the road, a -skillfull player, who, like Payne, also grew rich. - -Frank Lawson, who subsequently kept tavern in Triadelphia, was a stage -driver. He first drove on Weaver's Ohio line, next on a line in -Kentucky, where he upset a coach causing the death of one or more of his -passengers, and afterward came to the National Road and drove between -Wheeling and Washington. He is mentioned by Mr. Reeside as an expert -driver of the "Top and Bottom," or Pennsylvania mode of driving. - -John Stotler was among the drivers on the first line of stages. He was -stoutly built, a good reinsman and a popular driver. He drove out east -and west from Cumberland. John Whitney, an Englishman, was an early -driver, and noted for his caution in handling his team and caring for -the comfort and safety of passengers. - -Joseph Whisson drove from Washington to Claysville, and is well -remembered and highly spoken of by all old citizens living on that -section of the road. He is still living at Triadelphia, West Virginia. - -Jason Eddy was one of the many drivers sent out on the road in an early -day from New Jersey by "Commodore" Reeside, as James, the old stage -proprietor, was frequently called. Eddy was an expert driver, and it was -said of him that "he could turn his team and coach on a silver dollar." -He was likewise a good musician, and played well on the bugle. He often -entertained his passengers with stirring bugle blasts. - -William Walker was a careful old driver, and so economical that he -acquired property from the savings of his scanty wages. - -William Craver, Edward Hays and the two Welches were old stage drivers, -whose names were familiar along the road in its early history. - -Isaac Page, first named by Mr. Reeside as a good driver in the Eastern -style, was a Uniontown man, and died in that place before the glories of -the old road had waned. He left a widow and a son, Charles, who went to -New York, where the son engaged in business, prospered and became rich. -His mother was highly esteemed by all who knew her, and to her example -is attributed the success of the son. - -Dr. Thayer, who subsequently became a circus proprietor, commenced -driving stage on the National Road when eighteen years of age. He drove -from Uniontown to Farmington on the "old line" previous to 1840. He was -a skillful driver, and subsequently achieved success as a circus owner. - -Gideon Bolton (nicknamed "Hoop-pole," from the circumstance of his -coming from a hoop-pole region in Preston county, West Virginia), drove -many years on the mountain division of the road, and is well -remembered. - -[Illustration: JOSEPH WHISSON.] - -James McCauley, an old driver, before reaching the dignity of the box, -was a "postilion" for Redding Bunting on the mail coaches from -Somerfield to Woodcock Hill, and to Winding ridge. - -Jack Lee was a spirited driver, and would have been called a "dude" if -he had not died before that term was applied to persons of fanciful and -fashionable apparel. He drove in and out from Cumberland and was -contemporaneous with Whitney. - -David Bell, an old stage driver, subsequently kept a tavern in -Claysville. His daughter became the wife of Calvin King, an officer of -one of the Claysville banks. - -William Corman, an old stage driver, is remembered as a _pal_ of Dr. -John F. Braddee in the celebrated mail robberies of 1840, at Uniontown. -Braddee's office adjoined Stockton's stage yard. Corman drove the mail -coach, and handed over the mail bags to Braddee, who rifled them. A full -account of these mail robberies is given elsewhere in this volume. - -John Bennett and James and John Bailiss drove out west from Washington, -Pennsylvania, for many years, and were among the most careful and -skillful drivers. Bennett died in Hillsboro. - -Joshua Johnson, a Canadian, and an old stage driver, married a Miss -Slicer, of Flintstone, Maryland, and subsequently kept a tavern in -Cumberland. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - - _The first Mail Coaches--The stage yard at Uniontown--Employees - therein--Mr. Stockton goes back on John Tyler--Names of - Coaches--Henry Clay and the drivers--Anecdote of Clay, and Humes, - of Claysville--Jenny Lind and Phineas T. Barnum on the - road--Exciting race between an old liner and a Good Intent - driver--Old Mount, the Giant of the road--Sim Houser, Archie - McNeil, Watty Noble, the Nestor of stage drivers, and other - familiar names._ - - -The first mail coaches were arranged to carry but three passengers, -in addition to the mail pouches, upon a model furnished by the -postoffice department. Drivers and residents along the road called -the passenger compartment of the early mail coach a "monkey box." -This was at the front end of the vehicle, and rested on springs, and -the mail pouches were placed behind it, on a lower plane, and in a -long, tight, wooden box or bed, resting on the axles of the wagon, -without springs. It made a loud noise when passing over the road, -was altogether a curious contrivance, and after a short term of usage -was abandoned, and the ordinary passenger coach substituted in its -stead. Mr. Stockton established a coach factory in Uniontown, where -many of the coaches of his line were made, and as necessity from time -to time existed, repaired. Blacksmith shops were also set up in connection -with this factory, where the stage horses of the Stockton line -were shod. It was called the "stage yard," and located on Morgantown -street, on the lot now covered by the residence and grounds of -the Hon. Nathaniel Ewing. Many mechanics in different lines of -work were employed in the "stage yard," and some of them still -linger on the shores of time, and in Uniontown. [E]Philip Bogardus is -probably the oldest of the surviving employees of the old stage yard, -and is a well known and respected citizen of Uniontown. He was -born in Dutchess county, New York, September 25, 1811, and came -to Uniontown in 1838. On his journey to that place he halted for a -season and worked at his trade, that of a coach trimmer, at Bloody -Run, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and there first met and formed -the acquaintance of Henry Nycum, the well remembered and respected -old blacksmith, who lived many years in Uniontown, and died there -about a year ago. Soon after his arrival in Uniontown, Bogardus -obtained employment in the stage yard. The foreman of the yard -at the time was William Gaddis. - -[Footnote E: Died recently.] - -[Illustration: MAJ. WILLIAM A. DONALDSON.] - -Next in seniority, among the surviving employees of the stage yard, is -[F]Maj. William A. Donaldson, one of the best known citizens of -Uniontown. He is a painter. He was born in Emmettsburg, Frederic county, -Maryland, a village situate ten miles south of Gettysburg, on February -14, 1818, and came to Uniontown February 15, 1839. He located first at -Brownsville, and remained there a year and upwards before going to -Uniontown. His first engagement in Uniontown was with Col. William B. -Roberts, in whose service he continued about a year, after which he -entered the stage yard as a painter and ornamenter of coaches. He is not -only a skillful artisan, but a gentleman well read in history, -philosophy, theology, and politics, in short a good and useful citizen. -When Dr. Braddee was first lodged in the Uniontown jail for robbing the -mails, Maj. Donaldson called in the evening to see him. The accused was -placed in charge of a special police force, which consisted of Zadoc -Cracraft, George Martin, and Stewart Speers, who "stood guard" over the -noted prisoner. Soon after Maj. Donaldson entered the jail the guardsmen -informed him that they were very hungry, and desired to go down town to -get some oysters, and requested him to remain in charge of the prisoner -until they returned. To this Maj. Donaldson assented, provided the -hungry guardsmen would speedily return. They went out for oysters and -did not get back until one o'clock in the morning. The Major and the -Doctor, being old acquaintances, spent the intervening time as -pleasantly as circumstances would admit of, but it was not exactly the -thing the Major had bargained for. Mr. Stockton had one of his coaches -named John Tyler, in honor of the vice-president of the first Harrison -administration. When Tyler, by the death of Harrison, succeeded to the -presidency, and vetoed the United States bank bill, Mr. Stockton was -very much angered thereat, and going into the stage yard, soon after the -veto was announced, accosted Maj. Donaldson thus: "Donaldson, can't you -erase that name (pointing to the Tyler coach) and substitute another? I -won't have one of my coaches named for a traitor." "Certainly I can," -replied Donaldson, "what shall the new name be?" "Call it Gen. -Harrison," said Stockton. "All right," said Donaldson, and the change -was made. Maj. Donaldson was a Democrat, and much amused by the -incident. - -[Footnote F: Died July 27th, 1893.] - -Robert L. Barry, the well remembered old merchant of Uniontown, -was, in his younger days, a painter in the old stage yard. Other -painters in the stage yard were William McQuilken, William McMullin, -William Crisfield, ---- Mathiot, Ebenezer Matthews, George Starr, -Alex. Fowler and Harrison Wiggins. Lewis Mobley was also a painter in -the stage yard. He subsequently moved to Luzerne township, Fayette -county, Pennsylvania, became a farmer and local politician. He had -many good points of character and many warm friends. He died in -Luzerne township a number of years ago. The Belfords, father and -three sons, were of the stage yard force, workers in wood. They came -from New Jersey, and were near relatives of the old and distinguished -Presbyterian preacher, Rev. A. G. Fairchild, D.D. The Belfords went -west, and in all probability have passed from earth to scenes beyond. - -Armstrong Hadden, the old postmaster and banker, of Uniontown -worked a number of years in the stage yard on harness and -"thorough braces." He learned his trade with Westley Frost, of -Brownsville. Thorough braces were the leather springs, thick and -wide, upon which the coach body was placed. Alex. McLean, the -old clerk of the county commissioners, also worked on harness and -braces. - -Charles Brower was a trimmer. He came from Baltimore, and -went from the stage yard in Uniontown to the State of Louisiana, -since which time he has made no sign so far as known. - -Abram Rogers was a worker on "thorough braces." Other workers in wood -were Isaac and Simon Sampsell, Israel Hogue, and Frank Wilkinson. Among -the blacksmiths of the old stage yard were James Rush, who subsequently -went to Washington, Pennsylvania, where he lived many years, and until -his death, which occurred recently, Thomas Haymaker, and his son, Leroy, -Thomas Stewart, Michael Claybaugh, Jesse King, Thomas King, James -Keenan, Fred Reamer, Abram Haldeman, Seth White, Hugh Rogers, and Jacob, -Isaac and Robert Prettyman. - -The inevitable company store was connected with the stage yard, but it -was not so odious then as now. It was located on Morgantown street, in -the building now occupied by the Ellis music store, and managed by John -Keffer, who is well remembered by all the old citizens of Uniontown. -George Martin was a clerk in the company store. Coaches were all named -after the manner of steamboats, and more recently, sleeping cars on the -leading railroads. The name of every State of the Union was utilized for -this purpose, and the realms of fancy were likewise explored. The coach -named for Pennsylvania bore the legend Keystone State; Ohio was honored -under the name Buckeye State, New Hampshire, the Granite State, -Massachusetts, the Bay State, and so on. Among the fancy names employed, -the old pike boy will readily recall the following: Fashion, Palmetto, -Central Route, Jewess, Beauty, Pathfinder, Samaratan, Highlander, -Ivanhoe, Herald, Industry, National, Republic, Protection, Brilliant, -Atlas, Sultana, Clarendon, Chancellor, Moravian, Miantonoma, Loch -Lomond. Warriors, statesmen and old stagers were remembered and honored -in the names following: Washington, Lafayette, General Wayne, General -St. Clair, General Jackson, General Harrison, Rough and Ready, meaning -General Taylor, General Worth, General Cass, Colonel Benton, Madison, -Monroe, Henry Clay, The President, James K. Polk, Purviance, Daniel -Moore, L. W. Stockton, General Moorehead, David Shriver, William H. -Stelle, James C. Acheson, Columbus, Pocahontas, Santa Anna. Countries -and cities were honored in the names that follow: Yucatan, Green Bay, -Oronoco, Tampico, Bangor, Mexico, Buena Vista, New Orleans, Erie, -Lexington, Vicksburg, Natchez, Trenton, San Francisco, Mobile, Troy, -Wyandott, Idaho, Ashland, Westmoreland, Allegany, Raritan, -Youghiogheny, Gautemala, Panama, Hungarian, Montgomery, Paoli, -Tuscaloosa. One coach took in a hemisphere, and was called America. -Another was named Queen Victoria in the old stage days, as now, the -reigning sovereign of England, while another rendered homage to dear old -Ireland, by bearing the legend, Erin Go Bragh. When Harrison, the first, -Polk and Taylor passed over the road to the capital, to be installed in -the presidential office, a splendid new coach was provided for each -occasion, called the President, in which the President-elect and his -immediate family were conveyed. The presidential parties did not travel -in the night time, but rested at stations along the road until morning. -At Uniontown, President Harrison and party stopped over night at the -Walker house, now called the Central. Polk lodged at the National and -Taylor at the Clinton. The Walker and Clinton were not stage houses, but -the distinguished passengers were quartered therein, respectively, for -the purpose, probably, of conciliating some local political influences. - -Henry Clay knew many of the old stage drivers personally, and -would call them by name when he met them at different points along -the road. He not only made acquaintances and friends of the drivers, but -of the tavern keepers and persons in other employments on the road. -David Mahaney, now living in Dunbar, kept tavern at various points -on the mountain division of the road, and often entertained Mr. Clay, -and became well acquainted with him. One Humes, of Claysville, -was wont to boast of the familiarity with which he was recognized by -Mr. Clay. While the teams were being changed at stations, Mr. Clay -was in the habit of getting out of the coach and going in to the taverns. -On occasion of one of these short stops, Humes was introduced to Mr. -Clay. On the return trip, less than a year afterward, Humes heard -of his coming, and hastened to the station to greet him. The coach -was driven up and Mr. Clay got out, but before entering the tavern -espied Humes approaching, and when near enough to be heard, said: -"There comes my friend Humes," and gave him a cordial hand-shaking. -Humes was delighted, and never wearied in telling the story of -his acquaintance with Clay. - -When Jennie Lind, the world renowned songstress, made her -first professional visit to the United States, she returned east from her -western tour by way of the National Road, in company with her -troupe, and in "chartered" coaches of the Stockton line. This was -at least forty years ago, probably a little more than that. P. T. -Barnum, the celebrated showman, was the great singer's manager, -and was with her on the occasion referred to. The party remained -over night at Boss Rush's tavern, twelve miles east of Uniontown. -The people along the road heard of the coming of the distinguished -travelers, and a number assembled at the tavern in the evening to -get a glimpse of them. William Shaffer drove the coach in which -Barnum was seated, and when he halted in front of the tavern one -of the curious called up to the driver on the box and inquired: "Which -is Barnum?" Shaffer answered gruffly: "I don't know Barnum -from the devil." Barnum, meanwhile, had emerged from the coach, -and standing by its side overheard the inquiry and the driver's reply, -and stepping up to the inquisitor said to him: "I am Barnum; the -driver is right, it is hard to distinguish me from the devil." The -party entered the good old tavern and were entertained and lodged -in the handsome style for which Boss Rush was greatly and justly -distinguished. Fresh trout were served for breakfast, which had been -taken the day before in a near by mountain stream by F. B. Titlow -and young Boss Rush, then a lad of sixteen. Titlow, now one of the -best known citizens of the vicinity of Uniontown, and still a lover -of fishing and hunting, was then an apprentice to the tailoring trade -at Farmington, under the guidance of John Hair. Young Boss, -grown gray, still lingers about the portals of his father's old tavern, -musing over the memories of the old pike. - -William G. Beck, an old stage driver, still living in Fairfield, -Iowa, has vivid recollections of the road. In a letter he states -that, "if there is anything in the world that makes him, at the age of -seventy-four, jump up and crack his heels together and wish he was -a boy again, it is reading about the men and things of the National -Road." He is a son of James Beck, of the old bridge building firm, -and commenced to drive stage on the Old line when in his minority. -He was born in Uniontown in 1819, went to Iowa in 1847, and was -on the National Road as a stage driver as late as 1846. In his letter -he states that in 1846 the Old line and the Good Intent both carried -the mails. There was a "Lock mail" in leather pouches, and a "Canvass -mail," the latter very frequently called "the second mail," carried -in alternate months by the respective lines. In December, 1846, he -says the Old line carried the "Lock mail." The details of an exciting -race on the road he furnishes as follows: "A Good Intent coach was -driven by Jacob Cronch to the railway station, immediately upon the -arrival of the train at Cumberland, loaded up with the 'Canvass -mail,' and started off under full speed for the West. The 'Lock -mail,' which fell to me, was taken to the postoffice and overhauled, -causing a considerable detention. While waiting in front of the postoffice -for the mail bags, Jacob Shuck and other Good Intent drivers -chided me with the fact that the 'Canvass' had such a start that I -could not get near it. I made up my mind that if it was in the hides -of my two teams I would catch him, and pass him. It was after -nightfall, and in crossing a water way in Cumberland my lamps went -out, and what I deemed a calamity turned out in the end to be an -advantage. As soon as I crossed the Wills creek bridge, I put my -team in a full run and never pulled them up until I reached Rock -Hill, seven miles out of Cumberland. At that point, in the winding -of the road, I espied the lights on the coach of my rival, while he, -by reason of the going out of my lights, was unable to see me, -although, on the long stretches, he was constantly watching for a -glimpse of me. Much to his surprise I drew up along side of him, -and side by side we drove into Frostburg, lashing our tired teams at -every jump. The grooms at the Frostburg station had my second -team hitched to the coach by the time I was fairly stopped. A -friendly driver ran with the way mail to the Frostburg postoffice, while -another re-lit my lamps. I did not leave my seat. The reins over -the fresh team were thrown up to me, and I was off again in a full -run. The way mail bag was thrown into the front boot as I dashed -past the postoffice. At Sand Spring (foot of Big Savage) I passed -the 'Canvass' and held the lead, trotting my team every inch of the -road to Piney Grove, the end of my route, which I reached twenty-two -minutes in advance of my competitor. Lem Cross kept the tavern -where our line stopped at Piney Grove. I made my route of twenty-two -miles with two teams in two hours and ten minutes, fourteen -miles of the distance, to the top of Big Savage, being ascending -grade. James Reynolds relieved me at Piney Grove, and my competitor -was relieved at that point by Joshua Boyd." - -[Illustration: WILLIAM G. BECK.] - -Among old stage drivers there was one conspicuous above all others, on -account of his immense size. It was Montgomery Demmings, known as "Old -Mount." He was six feet and upward in height, and his average weight was -four hundred and sixty-five. It was a common remark, in the days of -staging on the National Road, that "Old Mount on the front boot of a -coach balanced all the trunks that could be put in the rear boot." As he -grew old his weight increased, and at his death, upon authority of his -widow, who is still living, was six hundred and fifty pounds. He was -born and reared in Allentown, New Jersey, and was sent out on the road -in 1836 by James Reeside. His first service was on the "June Bug Line," -a line of brief existence, but full of dash and spirit. "Old Mount" -married the widow of Joseph Magee, on May 3, 1839. The clergyman who -performed the marriage ceremony was the Rev. John W. Phillips, of -Uniontown. Joseph Magee was a blacksmith. His residence and shop were on -the roadside, at the west end of Uniontown, near the present toll house. -He owned sixteen acres of land on the northeast side of the road, which -now forms a part of the Gilmore tract, and his widow, who is also the -widow of "Old Mount," is still living with a third husband, one Thomas, -of Wales. Her present home is in Allegheny City, Pa., and she continues -to draw a dower interest from the land owned by her first husband, above -mentioned. "Old Mount" has a son, Amos Frisbie Demmings, living near his -mother, named after Amos Frisbie, who lived in Uniontown many years ago, -and carried on the business of stove making. After driving a stage for a -number of years, "Old Mount" relinquished his connection with the -passenger coaches, and became a driver on the express line. This line -carried small packages of light goods, and oysters, known as fast -freight, and the people along the road, by way of derision, called it -"The Shake Gut Line." The vehicles of this line were long and strong -box-shaped wagons, something like the wagons used for transporting a -menagerie. They were drawn by four horses, with relays at established -points, driven by check reins or lines, as stage teams were driven. The -speed of the express wagons was almost equal to that of the coaches of -the stage lines. They made a great noise in their rapid passage over the -road, and coming down some of the long hills, could be heard for miles. -By the side of the drivers frequently sat one or more way-goers whose -necessities impelled them to seek cheap transportation. What proportion -of their meagre fares went to the driver, and what to the owners of the -line, has never been definitely ascertained. "Old Mount" stuck to the -road until its glory began to fade, and in April, 1851, left Uniontown -and removed with his family to Brownsville, where he remained about -eighteen months. While residing at Brownsville, he was engaged in -hauling goods from the steamboat landing at that place to points in -western Virginia, along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, -then undergoing construction. He owned the team he drove in this -employment. From Brownsville he went to South Side Pittsburg, then a -separate municipality, called Birmingham. From that point he continued -the hauling of goods to western Virginia, and also kept a boarding -house. He did not remain in Birmingham longer than two years, probably -not that long, and moved from there to McKeesport, where he engaged in -the hotel business, having previously leased the Eagle House at that -place. He died at McKeesport on March 4, 1855, and was buried there. His -death occurred in less than a year after he went to McKeesport, and thus -terminated the career of one whose name, half a century ago, was -familiarly spoken in every town, tavern and wayside cabin, from -Baltimore to Wheeling. - -Simeon Houser was a stage driver. When stages left the road Simeon went -to tavern keeping. He kept the old house which stood on the lot now -occupied by the residence of Dr. Ewing, in Uniontown. It was called the -"Buzzard's Roost," not by reason of any bad fame of Simeon Houser, for -it had that name before he got there. Simeon was a very tall man, and -raw boned, with strongly marked face and features. He served a number of -years as constable of Uniontown. In 1851 William Bigler and William F. -Johnson, rival candidates for governor, visited Uniontown. Bigler took -in Greene county on his tour, and coming over to Fayette, struck the -National Road at Searight's, where he met a popular ovation. His friends -in that vicinity made a large raft of logs, which they placed on a -strong wagon, and with a team of six white horses hauled to Uniontown, -the Brownsville brass band seated on the raft and discoursing music, as -the procession moved along the road. Bigler, in his early days, had been -employed in constructing and running rafts on the Susquehanna river, and -his supporters stirred up enthusiasm for him by calling him "The -Raftsman of the Susquehanna." He was elected, not because he was a -raftsman, but because the Democrats of that day outnumbered the Whigs. -Johnston, his competitor, was a Whig. The present Republican party was -not then in existence. Simeon Houser, aforesaid, drove the big white -team that hauled the raft, and this is why allusion is made to the -incident. It was a grand day for Simeon. Mr. Bigler spoke from the -raft in Bierer's woods, west of Uniontown, to a great multitude, and Dr. -Smith Fuller, standing on the same raft, made the speech of welcome. -Simeon Houser, like hundreds of old pike boys, yielded up his life in -defense of the Stars and Stripes. - -[Illustration: HENRY FARWELL.] - -Henry Farwell, father of the Broadway printer, was an old stage driver. -He came to Uniontown in 1839, "the winter of the deep snow." He came on -the Oyster Line from Little Crossings, working his way through the snow, -which averaged a depth of four feet on the level, and was three days on -the way. The oyster boxes were placed on a sled, drawn by six horses, -and the Oyster Line made as good time as the stage lines while the deep -snow lasted, and passenger coaches, like oyster boxes, were moved on -sleds. Farwell came to Uniontown in obedience to an order of one of the -stage lines, to take charge of a team at that place. He drove stage for -ten years, one-half of the time in Ohio. When the staging days were over -on the old road, Farwell located in Uniontown, and carried on the trade -of shoemaking, which he learned before he took to stage driving. He -owned the lot on which the National Bank of Fayette county now stands. -He has been dead several years, and is well remembered by the older -citizens of Uniontown. - -Archie McNeil was of the class of merry stage drivers, and enlivened the -road with his quaint tricks and humorous jokes. His service as a driver -was confined for the most part to the western end of the road, between -Brownsville and Wheeling. An unsophisticated youth from the back -country, of ungainly form and manners, near the close of the forties, -sauntered into Washington, Pennsylvania, to seek employment, with an -ambition not uncommon among young men of that period, to become a stage -driver. In his wanderings about the town he halted at the National -House, then kept by Edward Lane, where he fell in with Archie McNeil, -and to him made known the object of his visit. Archie, ever ready to -perpetrate a joke, encouraged the aspirations of the young "greenhorn," -and questioned him concerning his experience in driving horses and -divers other matters and things pertaining to the work he proposed to -engage in. Opposite the National House, on the Maiden street front, -there was a long wooden shed, into which empty coaches were run for -shelter, the tongues thereof protruding toward the street. McNeil -proposed to the supplicating youth that he furnish a practical -illustration of his talent as a driver, to which he readily assented, -and crossing the street to the shed where the coaches were, he was -commanded to climb up on the driver's seat, which he promptly did. -McNeil then fastened a full set of reins used for driving, to the end of -the coach tongue, and handed them up to the young man. He next placed in -his hands a driver's whip, and told him to show what he could do. The -coach bodies, it will be remembered, were placed on long, wide, and -stout leather springs, which caused a gentle rocking when in motion. The -young weakling, fully equipped as a driver, swayed himself back and -forth, cracked the whip first on one side, and then on the other of the -tongue, rocked the coach vehemently, manipulated the reins in various -forms and with great pomp, and continued exercising himself in this -manner for a considerable time, without evincing the slightest -consciousness that he was the victim of a joke. A number of persons, the -writer included, witnessed this ludicrous scene, and heartily enjoyed -the fun. Among the spectators was James G. Blaine, then a student at -Washington college. McNeil was a son-in-law of Jack Bailiss, the old -driver before mentioned, and when stage lines were withdrawn from the -road he moved with his family to Iowa, and settled in Oskaloosa. - -Watty Noble might well be esteemed the Nestor of stage drivers. He -commenced his career as a driver on the Bedford and Chambersburg pike. -His route on that road was between Reamer's and the Juniata Crossings, -_via_ Lilly's and Ray's Hills, a distance of ten miles, and his average -time between the points named, was one hour and thirty minutes. He drove -one team on this route for a period of ten years without losing or -exchanging a horse. He subsequently drove for five consecutive years on -the National Road, between Brownsville and Hillsboro, and, as the old -pike boys were accustomed to say, "leveled the road." When he "got the -start," no other driver could pass him, unless in case of accident. He -was not a showy reinsman, but noted for keeping his team well and long -together. In personal habits he was quiet and steady, and no man ever -impeached his honesty or fidelity. Jim Burr, the famous old driver -elsewhere mentioned, was a son-in-law of Watty Noble. - -Charley Bostick, a stage driver who lived in Uniontown, gained a -somewhat unsavory reputation as one of the principals in a social -scandal, involving the name of a prominent old Uniontown merchant. The -incident produced great agitation in Uniontown society at the time, and -its disagreeable details are stored away in the memories of all the -older citizens of that place, but it is doubtful if three-fourths of its -present inhabitants ever heard of it. On the night of the occurrence it -fell to Bostick's lot in the rounds of his regular service as a driver, -to take a coach from Uniontown to Farmington, but he was so prominently -and closely identified with the event referred to that he deemed it -expedient to employ a substitute, which he procured in the person of -"Dumb Ike," competent for the service and the occasion, and ever ready -for such exigencies. - -Alfred Wolf, an old stage driver, is remembered as a large, fine looking -and blustering sort of a man. His wife was a sister of Watson and -Robinson Murphy, two well known, thrifty and highly esteemed farmers of -Fayette county, Pennsylvania. The marriage ceremony that made Miss -Martha Murphy the lawful wife of Alfred Wolf was performed by the late -Hon. William Hatfield, when that gentleman was an acting Justice of the -Peace for Redstone township, and the writer hereof was present at the -wedding. When stage drivers were no longer required on the National -Road, Alfred Wolf engaged in the business of tavern keeping, and for a -number of years kept a public house in McClellandtown; and when the -strife between the States culminated in actual hostilities, he enlisted -as a Union soldier and perished in the cause. His widow went to Ohio, -re-married, and is still living in that State. - -Henry G. Marcy, called Governor, because of his near kinship to the old -time, distinguished New York statesman of that name, who was at the head -of the War Department during the conflict with Mexico, was a stage -driver and lived in Uniontown. He was a small man in stature, but had a -bright and clear intellect. He died in Uniontown a number of years ago -at an advanced age, leaving a widow, still surviving, but quite feeble by -reason of her great age. George E. Marcy, also called Governor, a well -known and active Democratic politician of Uniontown, is a son of the old -driver. - -Joseph Hughes, an old stage driver, is still living in Washington, -Pennsylvania, vivacious and sprightly despite the weight of years piled -upon his back. He was an expert and trusty driver, well known along the -road, and cherishes the memory of the stirring times, when the road was -the great highway of the Nation and he and his fellow drivers rode on -the top wave of the excitement incident thereto. - -James Bradley, an old stage driver, worked sometimes at repairs on the -road. He made a breaker of unusual height on the hill east of -Washington, Pennsylvania, and upon being questioned as to his motive for -making it so high, replied that "he wanted to give some of the boys a -lofty toss." A few days thereafter, he was in service as a driver -himself, and going down the hill mentioned at a rapid rate, to "scoot -the hollow," as he termed it, his coach struck the high breaker and he -got the "lofty toss" himself, having been thrown from the box, a -distance of nearly two rods, causing him a broken arm and other less -serious injuries. He said, after this accident, that he would never -again make high breakers on the road, or advise others to do so. - -John Teed, husband of Mrs. Teed, who keeps the popular and prosperous -boarding house on Morgantown street, Uniontown, was an old stage driver. -His first engagement as a driver on the road was with the Express line, -called derisively "The Shake Gut." After driving a short time on the -Express, he was given a team on one of the regular coach lines. He was -an approved driver and promoted to the office of guardsman. The -guardsman was a person sent with the coach to superintend its progress, -and aid in protecting it from the incursions of robbers, which were not -uncommon in the night time on the mountainous sections of the road. - -Thomas Poland was in every essential a stage driver, and zealously -devoted to his calling. He drove out from Uniontown, east and west, as -occasion required. He was a man rather below the average stature, but -stoutly built and of swarthy complexion. Many old drivers were moved to -grief when business ceased on the road, but no one felt the change more -keenly than Thomas Poland. - -John Guttery, of Washington, Pennsylvania, was one of the early stage -drivers of the road, and a good and trusty one. He was a tall man, -rounded out proportionately to his height, and closely resembled the -renowned old driver, Redding Bunting. He was a brother of Charles -Guttery, the old wagoner and tavern keeper mentioned in another chapter -of this volume. John Guttery, after driving stage a number of years, -gave up that exciting occupation and established a livery stable in -Washington, which he conducted successfully until his death in that -place a number of years ago. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - - _Stages and Stage Drivers continued--Gen. Taylor approaching - Cumberland--Early Coaches--The first Troy Coach on the Road--Mr. - Reeside and Gen. Jackson--John Buck--Accidents--Kangaroo and - Bob-tail Teams--John Mills and William Bishop--Celebration at - Cumberland--David Bonebraker, Hanson Willison, and a long list of - other old drivers--Billy Willis and Peter Burdine--Fare Rates--The - Way Bill--The Landlords--Pilot and Pioneer Lines--Compensation of - Stage Drivers--Hopwood's Row--Withdrawal of the lines--The dignity - of stage drivers, estimated by an old pike boy._ - - -Scharts' history of Western Maryland gives the following account of -President Taylor's ride over the mountain division of the road, when on -his way to Washington to be inaugurated: - -"President Taylor and his party were, in 1849, conveyed over the road -under the marshalship of that most indefatigable Whig, Thomas Shriver, -who, with some other Cumberlanders, proceeded to the Ohio river and met -the presidential party. Among the party were statesmen, politicians, and -office-hunters, notably Col. Bullet, a brilliant editor from New -Orleans, who was to occupy a relation to President Taylor something like -that of Henry J. Raymond to Lincoln. The road was a perfect glare of -ice, and everything above ground was literally plated with sleeted -frost. The scenery was beautiful; to native mountaineers too common to -be of much interest, but to a Southerner like Gen. Taylor, who had never -seen the like, it was a phenomenon. In going down a spur of Meadow -Mountain, the presidential coach, with the others, danced and waltzed on -the polished road, first on one side and then on the other, with every -sign of an immediate capsize, but the coaches were manned with the most -expert of the whole corps of drivers. Shriver was in the rear, and in -the greatest trepidation for the safety of the President. He seemed to -feel himself responsible for the security of the head of the Nation. -Down each hill and mountain his bare head could be seen protruding -through the window of his coach to discover if the President's coach was -still upon wheels. The iron gray head of the General could almost with -the same frequency be seen outside of his window, not to see after -anybody's safety, but to look upon what seemed to him an arctic -panorama. After a ride of many miles the last long slope was passed and -everything was safe. At twilight the Narrows were reached, two miles -west of Cumberland, one of the boldest and most sublime views on the -Atlantic slope. Gen. Taylor assumed authority and ordered a halt, and -out he got in the storm and snow and looked at the giddy heights on -either side of Wills creek, until he had taken in the grandeur of the -scenery. He had beheld nothing like it before, even in his campaigns in -Northern Mexico. The President-elect was tendered a reception on his -arrival at Cumberland, and the next morning he and his party left on the -cars for Washington." - -At an early day there was a coach factory at or near the Little -Crossings, where many of the first passenger coaches used on the road -were made. They were without thorough braces, or springs of any kind. -Their bodies were long, and the inside seats for passengers placed -crosswise. They had but one door, and that was in the front, so that -passengers on entering were compelled to climb over the front seats to -reach those in the rear. - -The first coach of the Troy pattern was placed on the road in the year -1829 by James Reeside, and tradition has it that he won this coach with -a bet on Gen. Jackson's election to the presidency. Mr. Reeside was -desirous that Gen. Jackson should be the first person to ride in this -coach, and accordingly tendered it to the President-elect when on his -way to Washington, who true to his habit of refusing gifts, declined the -proffered compliment as to himself, but consented that his family might -occupy the coach. Charley Howell was the driver, and his team was one of -the finest on the road. Many coaches were brought out on the road -afterward from the Troy and Concord factories. These coaches cost -between five and six hundred dollars each. - -John Buck was one of the oldest and best stage drivers on the road. He -lived in Washington, Pennsylvania, and drove on the old line in the -life-time of Daniel Moore, and was a great favorite of that ancient -stage proprietor. When Lafayette visited Washington in 1825, Mr. Moore -was active and prominent in arranging for his reception at that place, -and assigned John Buck to drive the coach in which the illustrious -visitor entered the town. It was a proud day for the old driver, who -shared with the hero of the occasion, the plaudits of the people. Buck -subsequently became the senior member of the firm of Buck, Lyon & Wolf, -contractors, who built most of the locks and dams on the Muskingum -river, in the State of Ohio. This old firm was called the "Menagerie -Company," on account of the names of its members. - -[Illustration: THE NARROWS.] - -William Robinson (not "Billy") suffered an "upset" at Somerfield, in -1832, with a full load of passengers going west. The stage coach had but -one door, and to bring up the door side to the Endsley tavern, in -Somerfield, it was necessary to wheel around. Robinson turned his team -with such rapidity as to overturn the coach, and the passengers were all -tumbled out in a pile, but none of them were seriously hurt. Wash. -Alridge threw a coach over on the Conway hill, near Somerfield, -inflicting a severe spinal injury upon a passenger who lived in -Cincinnati. The sufferer was cared for at the tavern in Jockey -Hollow, kept at the time by Aaron Wyatt. The stage company (old line) -paid the injured passenger a considerable sum in damages, without suit. -A passenger by the name of Merrill, of Indianapolis, had a leg broken by -the upsetting of a coach at the turn of the road, above Somerfield; -Samuel Jaco was the driver. William Roach, a well known driver, was -killed in an "upset" at the Little Crossings bridge, about the year -1837. This seems to have been a different accident from that which -occurred near the same place in 1835, related in the sketch of John -Marker. Marker witnessed the accident of 1835, and states that the -driver who was killed at that time was James Rhodes. David Stinson, an -old driver, was killed by an "upset" on Woodcock Hill. Woodcock Hill is -a short distance west of Thomas Brownfield's old Mt. Augusta tavern, and -is the highest peak on the road in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Charley -Howell upset in 1835, coming down the Winding Ridge Hill, and was badly -hurt. He had a leg and arm broken, and was nursed at Connelly's tavern, -in Petersburg, for many months before he recovered. - -In 1834 or 1835, Mr. Stockton transferred a number of stage teams and -drivers, from the Baltimore and Washington City road, to the National -Road. Two of these teams ran in and out from Somerfield. One called "the -Kangaroo team" was driven by John Mills. They were large, dark bays, and -much admired by lovers of fine horses. Mills knew how to handle them. He -was a superb driver. Another of these "transferred" teams was driven by -William Bishop. The horses in this team were light bays, all -"bob-tails," and notwithstanding there was but one good eye in the whole -team, and all were "sprung in the knees," it is asserted by many old -pike boys that this unique and "blemished" team was the fastest on the -road. It was brought out from the Baltimore and Washington road by -Charles Howell, who drove it a short time before it was turned over to -William Bishop. Bishop was a capital reinsman. - -The preservation of the National Road was considered so vital to the -general welfare by everybody living upon its line and adjacent to it, -that the deepest interest was manifested in the success of every measure -proposed for its benefit. There was no powerful and paid "lobby" around -the halls of Congress when the Cumberland Road was the highway of the -Republic, as there is at this day, but all measures planned and -presented for its preservation and repair, were carefully watched and -guarded by such statesmen as Henry Clay, Daniel Sturgeon, Andrew -Stewart, T. M. T. McKennan, Lewis Steenrod, W. T. Hamilton, and Henry W. -Beeson. The following from a Cumberland paper published in that place -sixty years ago shows the popular feeling in behalf of the road at that -date: - -"The citizens of the town on the 21st of May, 1832, in demonstration of -their great joy growing out of the appropriation made by the National -Government for the repair of the Cumberland Road, made arrangements for -the celebration of that event. In pursuance of that arrangement, Samuel -Slicer illuminated his large and splendid hotel, which patriotic -example was followed by James Black. In addition to the illumination, -Mr. Bunting (our famous 'old Red'), agent of L. W. Stockton, ordered out -a coach, drawn by four large gray stallions, driven by George Shuck. The -stage was beautifully illuminated, which presented to the generous -citizens of this place a novelty calculated to impress upon the minds of -all who witnessed it the great benefits they anticipated by having the -road repaired. There were also seated upon the top of the vehicle -several gentlemen who played on various instruments, which contributed -very much to the amusement of the citizens and gave a zest to everything -that inspired delight or created feelings of patriotism. They started -from the front of Mr. Slicer's hotel, and as they moved on slowly the -band played 'Hail Columbia,' 'Freemasons' March,' 'Bonaparte Crossing -the Rhine,' 'Washington's March,' together with a new tune composed by -Mr. Mobley, of this place, and named by the gentlemen on the stage, 'The -Lady We Love Best,' and many others, as they passed through the -principal streets of the town. On their return they played 'Home, Sweet -Home,' to the admiration of all who heard it." - -David Bonebraker was a stage driver of good reputation, and a general -favorite. While his name would import otherwise, he was a careful driver -and never during his whole service did he break a bone of man or beast. -He was a large, fine looking man, and drove between Somerfield and Mt. -Washington as early as 1831, and for a number of years thereafter. - -Hanson Willison was early on the road as a stage driver, and none of his -fellow drivers excelled him in skillfulness. He drove a brief period -between Uniontown and Brownsville, but for the most part in and out from -Cumberland. He is still living in Cumberland, proprietor of the American -House livery stables, and doing a profitable business. He retains the -habits of the early days of the road, generous almost to a fault, -perfectly familiar with the road's history, his memory is well stored -with its exciting incidents and accidents. Hanson Willison and Ashael -Willison before mentioned, are brothers. - -[Illustration: HANSON WILLISON.] - -The few remaining old folks who witnessed the exciting scenes of the -National Road in its palmy days, will readily recall the following old -stage drivers: John Griffith, William Witham, George Lukens, Wash -Alters, Hank Smith, John Heinselman, Barney Strader, John Munson, West -Crawford, James Chair, William Roberts, Vin Huffman, John Windell, a -small, thin faced man, with rings in his ears, one of the earliest -drivers, William Saint, who was also a blacksmith, and worked, -occasionally, at his trade in Uniontown. He went to Texas before the -civil war, and died there. Lewis Gribble, son of John, the old wagoner -and tavern keeper. He went to Virginia, drove stage in that State, and -died there. John Sparker, John Snell, David Oller, Joseph Henderson, a -steady-going man, mentioned among the old tavern keepers in connection -with the "Gals house," David Armor, William Armor, Samuel Oller, and -William Dickey. The Ollers, the Armors, Dickey and Henderson were of -Washington, Pa. Jacob Snyder, subsequently manager and proprietor of -the Shipley house, in Cumberland. William and George Grim, John Zane, -James Schaverns, Joseph Vanhorn, John McIlree, Jesse Boring, John -Munson, John Ruth, David Jones, Benjamin Miller, subsequently tavern -keeper in the old Mannypenny house, Uniontown. An early line of stages -stopped at Miller's. James Mannypenny, Thomas Fee, Walter Head, educated -for the ministry, Thomas and Edward McVenus, William Totten, William -Vanhorn, Spencer Motherspaw, James Griffith, Abram Dedrick, William -Fowler, Thomas Chilson, William Jones, Andrew Heck, John Fink, William -Irwin, James Sampey, subsequently and for many years owner and manager -of the tavern at Mt. Washington, where the Good Intent line changed -horses and passengers often stopped for meals; Isaac Newton, Robert -Jackson, a young man of diminutive size, from one of the New England -States, whose father came and took him home; James Dennison, -subsequently tavern keeper at Claysville and at Hopwood; Isaac Newton, -died at Mt. Washington when John Foster kept the tavern at that point; -Matthew Byers, Hugh Drum, John Hendrix, Alexander Thompson, William -Hart, Charles Kemp, Ben Watkins, Ben Watson, John and Andrew Shaffer, -Garret Clark, Garret Minster, John Ferrell, James Lynch, John Seaman, -James Reynolds, John Bunting, Lindy Adams, Leander Fisk, James Derlin, -Aaron Wyatt, James Andrews, Alfred Haney, Wash Bodkin, William Crawford, -Charles Cherry, William Hammers, Addis Lynn, Harry, Nelse and Jack -Hammers, Nimrod, Joseph, Jack and William Sopher, John and Joseph -Pomroy, William and Watt Whisson, John McCollough, William Miller, son -of Charley, the old tavern keeper west of Hillsborough; Robert -McIlheney, John McMack, Thomas, Joshua and William Boyd, John Parsons, -Matthew Davis, one of the oldest, and still living at Brownsville; John -W. Boyce, George Wiggins, brother of Harrison, the old fox hunter of the -mountains; Robert Bennett, William White, David Reynolds, James -McIllree, Fred Buckingham, Thomas and William Noble. - -William Noble died in Washington, Pennsylvania, Jan. 26, 1894. - -Robert McIlheny, after relinquishing the reins and whip, became an agent -for the sale of the celebrated Hayes buggies, of Washington. - -John Parsons left the road to take charge of a hotel in Bridgeville, -Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Alfred Haney went South, became -baggagemaster on a Southern railroad, and was killed in an accident. -Charley Cherry had the manners of a savage, and was called "the big -savage man," but it is not known that he ever wantonly shed the blood of -a fellow being. - -James McIlree drove between Washington and Wheeling. - -Hugh Drum was called "Mickey Murray." He lingered for a while on the -road after its glory departed, and pushed out for New York, where he -engaged to drive an omnibus. What became of him in the subsequent -shifting sands of time is not known, but presumably he has gone to the -unknown world. - -[Illustration: MATT. DAVIS.] - -William McCleary, who died recently near Claysville leaving an estate -valued at $50,000; Daniel Dawson, subsequently kept a tavern near -Limestone, Marshall county, West Virginia, and died there; Samuel -Rowalt, Robert Bell, William Watkins, John Ford, still living in -Monongahela city; George Freiger, Barney and Samuel Nunemaker, Thomas -Cox, John Ruth, Abram Boyce, Charles Oulitt, James Dean, William -("Boggy") Moore, when a boy a rider on the pony express; John Schenck, -Thomas Hager, Joseph Ruff, Dandy Jack, James Fisk, Joseph Drake, Andrew -Ferrell, John Fouch, George Walker, George Banford, Joseph Lewis, Larry -Willard, Isaiah Fuller, Davy Crockett, Henry Wagner, John Foster, Henry -Smith, James Foster, John Noble, Edward McGinnis, Thomas McGinnis, John -Johnson (Old Sandy), John Horrell, William Grim, Elias Johnson, Daniel -Boyer, James Bodkin, James Null, William Null, William Clark, David -Brower, Richard Frantz, James Rowe, John Seaman, David Brennard, Henry -Schuck, George Crow, James Andrews (Dutch Jim), drove in and out from -Grantsville; John Huhn, drove in and out from Claysville; Moses -Thornburg, Wylie Baily, James McClung, James, Abraham and Robert Devan, -brothers; Thomas and George Henderson, Stephen Leggett, James Wilson, -Henry Herrick, John Giddings, Ed Washburn, J. S. Beck, Frank White, -Jesse Matthews, Robert Fenton, Jesse Hardin, David Johnson, Archy -McGregor, Samuel Darby, James Moore, Joseph Drake, James Riley, William -Matthews, Edward Hall, James Vancamp, Benjamin Miller, grandson of the -old tavern keeper of Uniontown; Samuel Betts, Calvin Springer, -ex-sheriff of Fayette county; James Noggle, Martin Stedler, William -Wiley, John Wiley, William McGidigen, James McGidigen, Daniel Shriver, -Jerome Heck, Frederic Zimmerman, Robert Bennett, Edward Kelley, John -Clark, Samuel Blair, Ross Clark, George Butts, Beck Kelley, William -Kelley, William Fisher, James and Thomas Bradley, Thomas Johnson, -William Brower, Richard Frazee, Isaac Toner (Dumb Ike), Joseph Jenk, -Evans Holton, Daniel Dean, Jesse Brennard, George Brennard, John Steep, -John Collier, Ben Tracy, George Moore, George Richmire, Charles -Richmire, Thomas McMillen, Samuel Porter, Isaac Flagle, William and Ross -Clark, Richard Butts, Garret and West Crawford, John Brown, subsequently -a clerk in the Wheeling postoffice; Joseph Matthews, John Waugh, William -Hickman, a circus man; George Robbins, Abram Boyce, Oliver Jackson, -Joseph Bishop, Thomas McClelland, Elisha Stockwell, Isaac Denny, -subsequently tavern keeper at the old Griffin house in the mountain, -west of Somerfield; John Harris, drove on the Good Intent line, and died -in Uniontown; Charles and Robert Marquis, James Moore, son-in-law of -James Sampey, of Mount Washington; Perry Sheets, drove west of -Washington; Elmer Budd, drove from Uniontown to Brownsville; Frank -Watson, Bate Smith, Sam Jerome, James Downer, son of William, of the big -water trough on Laurel Hill, when a boy a rider for the pony express; -William Stewart, Caleb Crossland, of Uniontown; William Bogardus, who -lost an eye by coming in contact with a pump handle on Morgantown -street, Uniontown, on a dark night; John Robinson, a very large man; -Samuel Youman, mentioned under the head of old wagoners, next to "Old -Mount" the largest man on the road; Thomas Milligan, Joshua Boyd, -Stephen Leonard, David Johnson, James McCauley, Thomas Boyd, Garret -Clark, Henry Miller, Thomas Moore, William Wilkinson, Galloway Crawford, -Samuel Jaco, Robert Wright, Fred. Buckingham, Jacob Rapp, killed at -Brownsville about 1840 by his team running off; John Rush, Samuel -Holsted, Sandy Connor, living as late as 1882, and carrying the mail in -a two-horse vehicle from Frostburg to Grantsville; John Farrell, farming -near Grantsville in 1882 and at that date eighty-five years old; Jacob -Shock, Eph. Benjamin, William Bergoman, Upton Marlow, subsequently -proprietor of the American and other leading hotels in Denver, Colorado; -Archie McVicker, James Cameron, Charles Enox, Robert Amos, James -Finnegan, drove a bob-tailed team from Somerfield to Keyser's Ridge; -Squire Binch, of Brownsville, well remembered by the old folks of that -place; Richard Harris, Joseph and David Strong, the former for many -years a prominent citizen of Cumberland, and frequently honored by -public trusts; Abe Walls, ---- Bonum, called "Magnum Bonum;" James Gray, -Henry Powell, Henry Bergoman, Rock Goodridge, Sherwood Mott, Daniel -Boyer, Robert Dennis, David James, Thomas Grace, John Lidy, drove a dun -team of bob-tails from Farmington to Somerfield, that formerly belonged -to the Pioneer line; Isaac Frazee, James McLean, Thomas and Henry -Mahany, Baptist Mullinix, Amariah Bonner, B. W. Earl, subsequently a -stage agent, and tavern keeper at the Stone house near Fayette Springs, -and at Brownsville; John and Matthias Vanhorn, Daniel Quinn, James -Corbin, William Corman, of Braddee mail robbery fame; Atwood Merrill, a -fiery partisan of the Good Intent line; William Willis, noted as a fast -driver on the Old line. On one occasion Willis passed Peter Burdine, a -fast driver as before stated of the Good Intent line, which prompted the -partisans of the Old line to get up the little rhyme following to -emphasize and signalize the event: - - "Said Billy Willis to Peter Burdine, - You had better wait for the Oyster line." - -The fares on the stage lines were as follows: - - From Baltimore to Frederic $ 2 00 - " Frederic to Hagerstown 2 00 - " Hagerstown to Cumberland 5 00 - " Cumberland to Uniontown 4 00 - " Uniontown to Washington 2 25 - " Washington to Wheeling 2 00 - ------ - Through fare $17 25 - -A paper was prepared by the agent of the line at the starting point of -the coach in the nature of a bill of lading, called the "way bill." This -bill was given to the driver, and by him delivered to the landlord at -the station immediately upon the arrival of the coach. It contained the -name and destination of each passenger, and the several sums paid as -fare. It also bore the time of departure from the starting point, and -contained blanks for noting the time of the arrival and departure at -every station. The time was noted by an agent of the line, if one were -at the station, and in the absence of an agent, the noting was done by -the landlord. If a passenger got on at a way station, and this was of -daily occurrence, he paid his fare to the landlord or agent, which was -duly noted on the way bill, together with the passenger's destination. - -In addition to the stage lines hereinbefore mentioned, there was a line -known as the "Landlords' Line," put on the road by tavern keepers, -prominent among whom were William Willis (the old driver before -mentioned), Joseph Dilly, and Samuel Luman. There was also a "Pilot -Line" and a "Pioneer Line." These lines had but a short run. The -railroad managers east of Cumberland favored the older lines, and gave -them such advantages in rates that the new lines were compelled to -retire from the competition. They sold out their stock to the old -companies. James Reeside owned the "Pilot Line," and the "Pioneer Line" -was owned by Peters, Moore & Co. - -The compensation paid stage drivers was twelve dollars a month, with -boarding and lodging. They took their meals and lodged at the stage -houses, except the married men, who lodged in their own dwellings when -chance threw them at home. - -At Uniontown a number of contiguous frame buildings on Mill and South -streets, in the rear of Brownfield's tavern, known as "Hopwood's Row," -were occupied almost exclusively by the families of stage drivers. They -were erected and owned by the late Rice G. Hopwood, Esquire, and hence -the name given them. Two or three of these old houses are all that are -left standing, and they are in a dilapidated condition. The spirit of -improvement which in late years entered Uniontown, seems to have -carefully avoided the neighborhood of "Hopwood's Row." - -The Good Intent and Stockton lines were taken from the National Road in -1851, and placed on the plank road from Cumberland to West Newton. From -the latter point passengers were conveyed by steamboat to Pittsburg by -way of the Youghiogheny river, which was made navigable at that date by -a system of locks and dams like that of the Monongahela. Upon the -withdrawal of the lines mentioned, a line was put on the National Road -by Redding Bunting and Joshua Marshe, and ran as far west as Washington, -Pennsylvania. William Hall subsequently purchased the interest of Mr. -Marshe in this line, which was kept on the road until about the close of -the year 1852, when the era of four-horse coaches ended. - -[Illustration: JOHN McILREE.] - -Mr. Endsley, before quoted, furnishes his juvenile opinion of stages and -stage drivers, which was shared in by all the boys of the road, as -follows: - -"My earliest recollections are intimately associated with coaches, teams -and drivers, and like most boys raised in an old stage tavern, I -longed to be a man when I could aspire to the greatness and dignity of a -professional stage driver. In my boyish eyes no position in life had so -many attractions as that of driving a stage team. A Judge, a -Congressman, even Henry Clay or President Jackson, did not measure up to -the character of John Mills and Charley Howell, in my juvenile fancy." - -The picture of the stage coach era herein drawn may be lacking in vigor -and perspicuity of style, but it contains no exaggeration. Much more -could be written concerning it, and the story would still be incomplete. -It is sad to think that nearly all the old drivers, so full of life and -hope and promise when pursuing their favorite calling on the nation's -great highway, have answered the summons that awaits the whole human -family, and of the vast multitude that witnessed and admired the dashing -exploits of the old drivers, but few remain to relate the story. When -the old pike was superseded by the railroad, many of the stage drivers -went west and continued their calling on stage lines occupying ground in -advance of the approaching railway. Others lingered on the confines of -the familiar road, and fell into various pursuits of common life. Of -these, some achieved success. As drivers they had opportunity for making -acquaintances and friends. Hanson Willison was eminently successful as a -local politician, and achieved the distinction of being twice elected -sheriff of Alleghany county, Maryland. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - - _Distinguished Stage Proprietors, Lucius W. Stockton, James Reeside, - Dr. Howard Kennedy, William H. Stelle--Old Stage Agents, Charley - Rettig, John Risley, William Biddle, James Coudy, Redding Bunting, - Edward Lane, Theodore Granger, Charles Danforth, Jacob Beck, Daniel - Brown, "Billy" Scott, "Lem" Cross, and B. W. Earl--The Pony - Express._ - - -The most conspicuous of all the old stage proprietors of the National -Road was Lucius Witham Stockton. James Reeside was probably an older -stage man, and may have owned and operated more stage lines; but Mr. -Stockton was longer and more prominently identified with the business on -the National Road. He was born at Flemington, New Jersey, September 1, -1799. He was a son of Lucius Stockton, and a grandson of the Rev. Philip -Stockton, known in his day and among his countrymen as "The -Revolutionary Preacher," who was a brother of Richard Stockton, a signer -of the Declaration of Independence from the colony of New Jersey. L. W. -Stockton appeared in Uniontown as a stage proprietor previous to the -year 1824, the exact date not ascertainable. He was twice married. His -first marriage occurred on November 24, 1824, and at that date he was a -resident of Uniontown, and had been previous thereto. His first wife was -Rebecca Moore, a daughter of Daniel Moore, an old stage proprietor who -lived in Washington, Pennsylvania. By his first marriage he had six -children, viz: Richard C., Daniel Moore, Elizabeth C., Lucius Witham, -Margaret, and Rebecca. Richard, Daniel, and Elizabeth, by the first -marriage, are dead; the last named died in infancy. Lucius Witham is -living in Philadelphia. He married Ellen, the youngest daughter of Dr. -John Wishart, an old and distinguished physician of Washington, -Pennsylvania, grandfather on the maternal line of Hon. Ernest F. -Acheson, late Republican nominee for Congress in the Twenty-fourth -district of Pennsylvania. Margaret Stockton became the wife of Dr. -Thomas McKennan, a leading physician at this time of Washington, -Pennsylvania, and a member of the old and distinguished McKennan family -of that place. Rebecca Stockton became the wife of Capt. Alexander -Wishart, and is living in Newark, New Jersey, where her husband is -executive officer of the Law and Order League. Captain Wishart was a -gallant soldier of the Union army in the war between the States. - -[Illustration: L. W. STOCKTON.] - -Mr. Stockton's second wife was Katharine Stockton, his first cousin. She -is still living, making her home with her son-in-law, Gen. Leiper, of -Philadelphia. By his second marriage Mr. Stockton had four children, as -follows: Katharine, Richard C., Elias Boudinot and Henrietta Maria. Of -these all are dead but Henrietta Maria. She is the wife of Gen. Leiper, -with whom her mother lives, as before stated, in Philadelphia. - -It is related as an incident in the early career of Mr. Stockton that he -had a race with a horse and buggy against a locomotive, between the -Relay House and Baltimore, in which he came out ahead. The horse he -drove on that occasion was a favorite gray. He had a pair of "Winflower" -mares, which he drove frequently from Uniontown to Wheeling between -breakfast and tea time, tarrying two or three hours at mid-day in -Washington. At the watering places he ordered a little whisky to be -added to the water given these spirited and fleet animals, and they -became so accustomed to it that, it is said, they refused to drink -unless the water contained the stimulating element. He would also drive -from Uniontown to Cumberland in a day, stopping at the stations to -transact business, and from Cumberland to Hagerstown, sixty-six miles, -was an ordinary day's drive for him. His private carriage was a long -open vehicle which he called "The Flying Dutchman." Hanson Willison, who -has a vivid recollection of Mr. Stockton and his lively trips over the -road, says that the names of his sorrel mares (the "Winflowers") were -"Bet" and "Sal," and that they once ran off. On that occasion Mr. -Stockton was accompanied by his wife and a sister. Miss Stockton was -much alarmed, and pulling the coat-tail of her brother cried out -piteously, "Hold on, brother William, hold on, or we'll all be killed!" -But Mr. Stockton heeded not the cries of his sister, and having no fear -of horses, soon regained control of the runaways without sustaining loss -or injury. - -Mr. Stockton died at Uniontown on April 25th, 1844, at "Ben Lomond," the -name he gave his residence, now the property of the widow and heirs of -the late Judge Gilmore. A few years ago the remains of Mr. Stockton were -removed from the old Methodist burying ground in Uniontown, under -direction of his loving daughters, Mrs. Wishart and Mrs. Dr. McKennan, -and deposited in the beautiful cemetery at Washington, Pa. - -Mr. Stockton was of Episcopalian lineage, and active in establishing the -services of the church in Uniontown. He brought out Bishop Stone, of -Maryland, to baptize his daughter Rebecca, now Mrs. Wishart. He was a -vestryman, and besides contributing liberally in money to support the -church, donated to the parish of Uniontown the lot on which the new -stone edifice of St. Peter's now stands. - -James Reeside, the second son of Edward Reeside and his wife, Janet -Alexander, was born near Paisley, Renfrew, Scotland, and was brought, -when an infant, to Baltimore county, Md., in 1789, where he was raised. -His parents being in humble circumstances, toil was his first estate. -Poor in book learning and in earthly goods, he possessed genius, energy, -executive ability, and an ambition that fitted him to be a leader of -men. Before the war of 1812 he was a wagoner, hauling merchandise from -Baltimore and Philadelphia to Pittsburg and west to Zanesville and -Columbus, Ohio. His promptness and sagacity soon enabled him to own his -own teams, which were employed in hauling artillery to Canada. -Commissioned a forage master under Gen. Winfield Scott, at Lundy's Lane, -his Scottish blood prompted him to seize a musket, as a volunteer, from -which hard fought battle he carried honorable scars. On his return he -settled at Hagerstown, Md., where, in 1816, he married Mary, the -daughter of John Weis, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Abandoning -wagoning, he ran a stage line, in 1816 to 1818, from Hagerstown _via_ -Greencastle and Mercersburg to McConnellstown, there connecting with the -stage line then in operation from Chambersburg to Pittsburg by Bedford, -Somerset, and Mt. Pleasant. In 1818, in connection with Stockton & -Stokes, of Baltimore; Joseph Boyd, of Hagerstown; Kincaid, Beck & Evans, -of Uniontown; George Dawson, of Brownsville; Stephen Hill, of Hillsboro; -and Simms & Pemberton, of Wheeling, he put on the first regular stage -line, carrying the mail, between Baltimore and Wheeling, before the -construction of the turnpikes between Hagerstown and Cumberland. This -division of the route being from Hancock to Frostburg, he removed to -Cumberland, where, in conjunction with his stage line, he kept the -"McKinley Tavern," at the corner of Baltimore and Mechanics streets, -afterward kept by Jacob Fechtig, James Stoddard, John Edwards, and -others, and now known as the "Elberon." In 1820 he quit tavern keeping, -and confined himself to mail contracting and the stage business. In 1827 -John McLean, Postmaster General, afterward one of the Justices of the -Supreme Court of the United States, prevailed on him to take the mail -contract between Philadelphia and New York, and he moved from Cumberland -to Philadelphia. In the first year he reduced the time for transporting -the mail between the two cities from twenty-three to sixteen hours, and -soon thereafter to twelve hours. He soon became the owner of most of the -lines running out of Philadelphia and New York, and the largest mail -contractor in the United States. He employed in this service more than -one thousand horses and four hundred men. The wagoner soon became the -"Land Admiral," a title given him by the press in recognition of his -energy and ability. - -[Illustration: JAMES REESIDE.] - -The Postoffice Department at that time having to rely on its own -resources, and under Major W. T. Barry, then Postmaster-General, the -service had so increased in thinly settled sections it became deeply in -debt. Mr. Reeside raised, on his personal responsibility, large sums of -money to relieve it. His efforts were appreciated, and he was the -esteemed friend of Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and other distinguished -men, without regard to politics, although he was a pronounced Democrat. -Of massive frame, six feet five inches in height, yet spare in flesh, -clear cut features, sparkling, clear blue-gray eyes, fair complexion, -with dark, sandy, curly hair, he was a true Highlander in appearance, -genial in disposition, with quick and ready wit. Fond of song and -story, kind, yet strict, with all in his employment, and generous to a -fault, no words can more appropriately describe him than those of his -favorite poet and countryman, Robert Burns: - - "For thus the royal mandate ran, - When first the human race began, - The social, friendly, honest man - Where'er he be, - 'Tis he fulfills great nature's plan, - An' none but he." - -Controversies arising between Amos Kendall, the successor of Barry, and -all the old mail contractors, their pay was suspended upon frivolous -grounds, compelling them to bring suits, among the most celebrated of -which were those of Reeside and Stockton & Stokes. The latter's case was -referred to Virgil Maxy, who found in their favor about $140,000. Mr. -Reeside's claim was tried before Justice Baldwin and a jury in 1841, and -resulted in a verdict for plaintiff of $196,496.06, which, after -seventeen years, was paid, with interest. As soon as his contracts under -Kendall expired he quit the mail service, after putting the Philadelphia -and New York mail on the Camden & Amboy railroad during the residue of -his contract term. - -In 1836 he bought the interest of John W. Weaver between Cumberland and -Wheeling, then a tri-weekly line; increased it to a daily, then twice -daily, and added another tri-weekly line, and named the lines "Good -Intent," which was the name he had previously given the fast mail line -between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. In 1839 he sold his entire interest -in the National Road lines, and gave his attention to his suit against -the United States. His health being impaired, he spent the winter of -1842 in New Orleans. Returning in the ensuing spring, without benefit to -his health, he died in Philadelphia on the 3d of September, 1842. - -Mr. Reeside attracted attention by reason of the peculiar garb he -appeared in. In the winter season he always wore a long drab overcoat -and a fur cap. Once in passing along a street in Philadelphia in company -with Col. Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, Vice-President of the United -States, some scarlet cloth was observed in a tailor's window, which -prompted Col. Johnson to say: "Reeside, as your coaches are all red, you -ought to wear a red vest." Mr. Reeside replied: "I will get one if you -will." "Agreed," said Johnson, and straightway both ordered red vests -and red neckties, and from that time as long as they lived continued to -wear vests and neckties of scarlet colors. James Reeside aided in an -early day to develop the mighty resources of our country, with such -agencies as were then available, and his name and good work deserve to -be perpetuated in history. - -Dr. Howard Kennedy, an owner of stock in the National Road Stage -Company, and for a brief period a trustee of the road under the -provisions of a Pennsylvania law, enacted in 1848, repealed in 1856, was -born in Washington county, Maryland, September 15th, 1809. His father -was the Hon. Thomas Kennedy, an illustrious citizen, who figured -conspicuously in the history of Maryland in the olden time. Dr. Kennedy -was a graduate of the Medical University of Baltimore, and a thoroughly -educated physician, but the practice of medicine not proving congenial -to his tastes, he soon abandoned it and embarked in other pursuits. -About the year 1840, or a little before that time, he was appointed a -special, confidential agent of the general postoffice department, in -which relation he achieved distinction by detecting numerous mail -robberies, and bringing the perpetrators before the courts for trial and -punishment. It was through the vigilance of Dr. Kennedy that the mail -robberies of the Haldeman brothers, Pete and Abe, and Pate Sides, at -Negro Mountain, were discovered, and the offenders apprehended and -punished. - -The Haldemans and Sides were stage drivers, and their calling through -the dismal shades of death and other dark regions in the mountains with -big, tempting, mail bags in their charge, no doubt turned their minds to -what they considered a speedy, if not altogether a safe method of -getting money. Whispers of suspicion growing out of the vigilance of Dr. -Kennedy in pushing his investigations, reached the ears of the suspected -ones, and they fled to Canada, but not to be thwarted in his purposes, -Dr. Kennedy pursued them thither, had them arrested and brought back to -Baltimore for trial. Abe Haldeman was acquitted, but Pete and Pate Sides -were convicted and sent to the penitentiary. Dr. Kennedy was also the -prime mover in bringing to light the noted mail robberies of Dr. John F. -Braddee, of Uniontown, as will be seen by the following affidavits: - - _Pennsylvania, Fayette County, ss._: - - The testimony of Dr. Howard Kennedy taken before N. Ewing, - president judge of the 14th Judicial district of Pennsylvania, the - 8th day of January, 1841, in reference to the amount of bail to be - required of John F. Braddee, Peter Mills Strayer and William - Purnell. The said Dr. Howard Kennedy being first by me duly sworn - according to law, deposeth and saith: "There will be difficulty in - ascertaining the amount of money stolen from the mails. There have - been six mail pouches or bags stolen, which would average twenty to - thirty thousand dollars each. The whole would, I am satisfied, - amount to one hundred thousand dollars. I saw the money alleged to - have been found in the stable of John F. Braddee. The amount thus - found was $10,098.60. The amount of cash stolen is probably about - $50,000. - - "HOWARD KENNEDY." - - Taken and subscribed before me, January 8th, 1841. - N. EWING, - P. Judge, 14th Judicial District. - -[Illustration: WILLIAM H. STELLE.] - - PITTSBURG, January 25, 1841. - - "Howard Kennedy, special agent of the postoffice department, in - addition to the testimony given by him before his Honor, Judge - Ewing, further deposes that since that time he has received reports - from various persons and places in the West of letters mailed at - dates which would have, by due course of mail, been in the bags - stolen, containing bank notes, scrip, certificates, drafts, and - checks, amounting to $102,000 and upwards; that every mail brings - him additional reports of losses, and that he believes the amounts - reported will not constitute more than one-half of what has been - lost in the mails between the 16th of November and the 18th of - December, 1840, on the route from Wheeling to New York. - - "HOWARD KENNEDY. - "Special Agent Postoffice Department." - - Sworn and subscribed before me the 25th day of January, 1841. - T. IRWIN, District Judge. - -As before stated, Dr. Kennedy was one of the owners of the line of -coaches known as the National Road Stage Company. This was popularly -known as the Stockton line, called "the old line," because it was the -oldest on the road. Dr. Kennedy managed all the business of this line -relating to the transportation of the mails. He was also one of the -original members of the Western Express Company, doing business between -Cumberland and Wheeling and Pittsburg _via_ the Monongahela river. L. W. -Stockton dying in the spring of 1844, in the fall of that year Dr. -Kennedy brought his family from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Uniontown, and -established his residence in the old Stockton mansion, called "Ben -Lomond," now the home of Mrs. Judge Gilmore. Here Dr. Kennedy resided -until the year 1851, when he returned to Hagerstown, where he died on -the 12th of June, 1855. He was of medium height and delicate form, of -pleasant address, and a gentleman by birth, education, association and -aspiration; in religion an Episcopalian, and in politics a Democrat. His -widow, a sister of the late Alfred Howell, of Uniontown, survives him. -She is enjoying the sunset of a gentle life in Hagerstown, the central -figure of a remnant of that polite and refined society which in the -palmy days of the National Road distinguished all the old towns along -its line. - -William H. Stelle was born in New Jersey, and it will be noted that many -of the stage owners, agents, and drivers came out from that State. Two -of Mr. Stelle's partners in the stage business, John A. Wirt and Mr. -Hutchinson, were likewise Jersey men. It is related that Mr. Stelle and -Mr. Acheson were both desirous of selling their interests in the stage -lines, the former being an owner in the Good Intent, and the latter in -the Stockton line. Mr. Stelle one day approached Mr. Acheson in -Wheeling, and told him he would give him five hundred dollars, if he -would sell or buy at a price to be mutually named. Mr. Acheson named a -price which he would give or take, and Mr. Stelle elected to sell, and -promptly paid Mr. Acheson five hundred dollars for acceding to his -proposition. Mr. Stelle located in Wheeling about the year 1841, and -died at Elm Grove, Ohio county, West Virginia, on the 26th of September, -1854, aged about fifty years. He left a son, William H., and a daughter, -Mrs. Susan R. Hamilton, both living in Wheeling. - -Agents of the stage lines possessed functions somewhat, but not -altogether, like those of railroad conductors. Some agents passed -constantly over the road, paying bills, providing horses and equipage, -and giving general direction to the running of the lines. Others were -stationary, attending to local business. These agents were prominent -characters of the road, and popularly esteemed as men of high position. -One of the earliest agents was Charles Rettig, who subsequently kept the -tavern two and one-half miles east of Washington, and referred to in a -chapter on taverns and tavern keepers. John Risly, of Frederic, Md., and -William Biddle and James Coudy, of Hancock, were old agents of lines -east of Cumberland. Redding Bunting, Edward Lane, Theodore Granger and -Charles Danforth were agents of the Old line west of Cumberland, with -authority extending to Wheeling. Bunting also kept the National House in -Uniontown, and Lane kept the National House in Washington, which were -headquarters at those points respectively for their line. Charles -Danforth was a leading local agent of the Stockton line at Uniontown. He -was a large, fine looking man, with florid complexion, heavy black -whiskers, and possessed of popular manners. He was a native of New York -State, and died at Bedford, Pa., in 1853. His remains were brought to -Uniontown, and interred in the old Methodist cemetery, near Beeson's old -mill. His widow is living in Chicago. Edward Lane was a man of average -size, of reddish complexion, energetic in motion, and affable in manner. -His tavern in Washington, Pa., was one of the best eating houses on the -road. Granger was a large, dark complexioned man, not well liked by the -people, but a favorite of Mr. Stockton. After the stage lines were taken -from the road, Granger went to Cincinnati, procured employment at a -livery stable, and died in that city in indigent circumstances. Jacob -Beck was an agent for Weaver's line, which was on the road a short time, -and went with that line to Ohio and Kentucky. He returned from the West, -and was a bar-keeper for John N. Dagg, of Washington, Pa., and -subsequently, as elsewhere stated, kept tavern at Rony's Point, Va., and -died there. He was an old stage driver, a good one, and esteemed as an -honest man. Daniel Brown, mentioned among the old tavern keepers, was an -agent of the Good Intent line, and a very competent one. He was a native -of New Jersey, and his sad ending has been alluded to in another -chapter. William Scott, familiarly called "Billy," was a well-known -agent of the Good Intent line. He had been a driver, and was promoted to -an agency on account of his competency and fidelity. He was a master of -his business, a man of small stature, dark hair and complexion, and a -little given to brusqueness of manner, but on the whole rather a popular -agent. He remained an agent of the Good Intent line until business -ceased on the road, when he went to Iowa, and became an agent of a stage -line in that State. From Iowa he went to Texas, and died at Jefferson in -that State. It is said that he was descended from a good family on both -sides, who were wealthy, and that he engaged in stage driving from -choice, rather than necessity, and his friends were disappointed in his -career. Lemuel Cross was an agent of the Old line. He also kept tavern -at Piny Grove, as elsewhere stated, and is well remembered. His -jurisdiction as agent was mainly on the mountain division of the road, -and he thoroughly understood his business, and was familiar with all the -haunts, hills, and hollows of the mountains. B. W. Earl was likewise an -agent for a while of the Good Intent line. He commenced a driver, was -advanced to an agency, and ended a tavern keeper. John Foster, Andrew -Cable, William F. Cowdery, Levi Rose and William Terry were agents at -Wheeling. The latter had charge in part of Neil, Moore & Company's line -in Ohio. - - -THE PONY EXPRESS. - -In the year 1835 or 6, Amos Kendall, being Postmaster-General, placed on -the road a line of couriers, called the "Pony Express." It was intended -to carry light mails with more speed than the general mail was carried -by the coaches. The Pony Express was a single horse and a boy rider, -with a leather mail pouch thrown over the horse's back, something after -the style of the old-fashioned saddlebags. The route for each horse -covered a distance of about six miles on the average. The horse was put -to his utmost speed, and the rider carried a tin horn which was -vigorously blown when approaching a station. William Moore, Thomas -Wooley, subsequently stage drivers, William Meredith, Frank Holly and -James Neese were among the riders on the Pony Express east of -Cumberland, and Sandy Conner, Pate Sides and Thomas A. Wiley, all three -afterward stage drivers, and William Conn rode west of Cumberland. Wiley -rode from Uniontown to Washington, Pennsylvania, and also between -Washington and Wheeling. He went with the log cabin boys from Uniontown -to Baltimore in 1840 as a driver of one of the stage teams employed on -that occasion. He is still living, an employe of the Baltimore & Ohio -Railroad Company at Camden Station, Baltimore, in the service of which -he has been employed since 1852. He was an attendant at the bedside of -L. W. Stockton during that gentleman's last illness. Calvin Morris, a -son of William Morris, the old tavern keeper on the hill west of Monroe, -and William Downer, a son of the old gentleman who lived at and -maintained the big water trough on Laurel Hill, were also riders on the -Pony Express. William Morris was one of the contractors for carrying -this fast mail, and his house was one of the relays of the line. The -relay next west was the old toll house near Searights. Luther Morris, a -brother of Calvin, the Pony Express rider, went to Iowa previous to the -civil war, and was elected State Treasurer on two or three occasions. -John Gilfillan, now, or recently, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, was a -rider on the Pony Express between West Alexander and Wheeling. Bryant -and Craven, of West Alexander, were among the contractors of the Pony -Express line. "The Pony Express" did not remain long on the road, but -when it was on, old pike boys say "it kicked up a dust." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers from Baltimore to Boonsboro--Pen - Picture of an Old Tavern by James G. Blaine--The Maypole--The Hand - in Hand--Earlocker's--Pine Orchard--The Brown Stand--Levi Chambers, - the Nullifier--Old Whalen's Sunfish, Bob Fowler's Goose and - Warfield's Ham--Poplar Springs--Allen Dorsie, Van McPherson, The - Widow Dean, Getzendanner's, Peter Hagan, Riddlemoser and the - McGruder House, Peter Zettle, Emanuel Harr._ - - - "CALDWELL'S TAVERN: We did not use the high sounding _hotel_, but - the good old Anglo-Saxon _tavern_, with its wide open fire in the - cheerful bar room, and the bountiful spread in the dining room, and - the long porch for summer loafers, and the immense stabling with - its wealth of horse-flesh, and the great open yard for the road - wagons. How real and vivid it all seems to me this moment! All the - reminiscences of the old pike, for which you are an enthusiast, are - heartily shared by me."--JAMES G. BLAINE. - -Caldwell's tavern, mentioned by Mr. Blaine, is seven miles west of -Washington, Pennsylvania, and will be referred to hereafter in its -proper place. Mr. Blaine's description is appropriate to nearly all the -old taverns of the road. - -The outward appearance of an old tavern of the National Road was no -index to the quality of the entertainment it afforded. Many of the least -pretentious houses furnished the best meals, and paid the most agreeable -attention to guests and patrons. It was not unusual to see the wagon -yard attached to a small wooden and apparently decaying tavern crowded -with teams and wagons, while the inviting grounds of the imposing brick -tavern near by were without an occupant. - -The May Pole tavern in Baltimore was a favorite stopping place for old -wagoners. It is located on the southwest corner of Paca and German -streets, and still standing, an object of much interest to the old -people of the road. In front of it stands a tall, slim, granite column, -representative of a pole, and preservative of the ancient name. The May -Pole was kept in 1833 by Henry Clark, and in 1836 by James Adams, who -remained in charge until his death. His successor was Isaac Willison, a -Virginian, and before assuming control of the May Pole, an agent of the -Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company, at Frederic City. George Elliott, -subsequently manager for Mrs. Adams, at the Mountain City house in -Cumberland, was at one time a clerk in the May Pole tavern. - -The "Hand in Hand" tavern on Paca, between Lexington and Saratoga -streets, and the "White Swan" on Howard street, were likewise old wagon -stands in Baltimore, well patronized in the early days of the National -Road. Thomas Elliott also kept a wagon stand in Baltimore, and enjoyed a -fair share of patronage. He was the father of George Elliott, above -mentioned. The May Pole, however, was the favorite tavern of the old -wagoners of the National Road. The "Three Ton" and "Gen. Wayne" taverns -had each extensive stabling, and furnished accommodations for droves and -drovers. The National Road entered the city of Baltimore by way of West -Baltimore street. - -The first wagon stand west of Baltimore, fifty years ago, was kept by a -man whose name was Hawes. It was seven miles from the city, and wagoners -often left it in the morning, drove to Baltimore, unloaded, reloaded, -and returned to it in the evening of the same day, and the next morning -proceeded on the long journey to their western destination. The Hawes -tavern ceased to do business after 1840. - -At Ellicott's Mills, ten miles west of Baltimore, there was no wagon -stand, but stage houses were located there, where stage teams were kept -and exchanged. - -One mile west of Ellicott's, Frank Earlocker kept a wagon stand, that -was largely patronized. He was rather of an economical turn of mind, and -old wagoners were wont to say of him that he concealed the whisky bottle -behind the counter, against the custom of the road, which was to expose -it to full view; and it is said that the miserly Earlocker lost more -than he gained by his habit, since it induced wagoners to inquire for a -drink, more to worry the landlord than to appease the appetite. - -A short distance west of Earlocker's is "Pine Orchard," where a tavern -was kept by one Goslin. He was a goslin only in name. Otherwise, he was -a square man, and knew how to treat strangers and travelers, especially -wagoners, who largely favored him with their patronage. His house was a -brick structure, and stood on the north side of the road, and for aught -known to the contrary, is still standing, a monument commemorative of -the many good old taverns which studded the road in the days of its -glory. - -James Dehoff kept a tavern at Pine Orchard as early as 1835. His house -was a wagoners' resort, and stood on the south side of the road. - -An old tavern, known as the "Brown Stand," four miles west of "Pine -Orchard," was a popular stopping place for wagoners in its day. In 1838 -Levi Chambers took charge of this house, and continued to conduct it -until 1842. He was called "Nullifier" Chambers, because of his adherence -to the nullification doctrine, announced and advocated by John C. -Calhoun. He, however, knew how to keep a tavern, and was a sober and -intelligent man. On the first of January, 1841, John Crampton and -William Orr, old wagoners before mentioned, drove out from Baltimore -with full loads, and put up at the "Brown Stand." During the night a box -of silk goods was stolen from Orr's wagon. The loss was discovered early -in the morning, and Orr and Chambers each mounted a horse and pushed out -in the direction of Baltimore, in search of the stolen goods and the -thief. There was a light snow on the road, and tracks were visible, -indicative of rapid steps toward the east. Reaching Baltimore, Messrs. -Orr and Chambers entered the bar room of the May Pole tavern, in which a -number of persons were drinking, and among them one, who, from his -actions, was suspected as the thief. He was arrested, tried, convicted, -and sent to the penitentiary. - -Four miles west of the "Nullifier's," John Whalen kept a wagon stand, -and one of the best on the road. Old wagoners entertain pleasant -recollections of John Whalen, and delight in recounting the good cheer -that abounded and abided in his old tavern. He kept the tavern at this -point up to the year 1842. - -One Warfield kept a tavern a short distance west of Whalen's as early as -1835, and had a good wagon custom. Old wagoners had a rough distich on -this section of the road, running something like this: - - "Old Wheeler's sunfish, - Bob Fowler's roast goose, - Warfield's ham, - Ain't that jam!" - -New Lisbon was an aspiring village, twenty-six miles west of Baltimore, -and the first point of note west of Whalen's. Stages stopped and teams -were changed at New Lisbon, but it had no wagon stand. - -At Poplar Springs, one mile west of New Lisbon, there was a wagon stand -kept by Allen Dorsie. Near the old tavern is a large, gushing spring, in -the midst of tall poplar trees, and hence the name "Poplar Springs." -Such was the situation at this point fifty years ago, but alas, fifty -years is a long time, and the "Poplar Springs" may present a different -appearance now. Allen Dorsie, the old proprietor of the tavern here, was -likewise and for many years superintendent of the Maryland division of -the road. He was a very large man, six feet in height, and rounded out -in proportion. He was besides a man of admitted integrity and good -intellect. He ceased keeping tavern at Poplar Springs in 1842. - -Seven miles west of Poplar Springs Van McPherson kept a tavern, which -did an extensive business. The proprietor was half Dutch and half Irish, -as his name imports, and he had the faculty of pleasing everybody. His -house was a brick structure on the north side of the road, and is -probably still standing. Van McPherson kept this house from 1836 to -1842, and made money in it. - -New Market is a village west of McPherson's old tavern, and in Frederic -county, Maryland. Here the stages stopped and changed teams, and an old -wagon stand was kept by one Shell. It is said of Shell that his name -differed from his table, in that the latter contained no shells, but the -best of savory viands. - -Three miles west of New Market, Frank Wharton kept a tavern, and a good -one. He was rough in manner, and could swear longer and louder than -Wilse Clement, but he kept his house in good shape and did an extensive -business. - -One mile west of Wharton's the widow Dean kept a tavern. Her house was a -brick structure on the south side of the road, and she owned it and the -ground whereon it stood, in fee simple. She was largely patronized by -wagoners. - -Next after passing Mrs. Deans old stand, the city of Frederic is -reached, which fifty years ago was the largest town on the road between -Wheeling and Baltimore. James Dehoof and John Lambert kept old wagon -stands in Frederic City. Lambert died about 1840, and was succeeded by -John Miller, who kept the house down to the year 1853. - -Four miles west of Frederic City the old wagoners encountered Cotockton -mountain, and here was a fine old tavern kept by Getzendanner, a German. -His house was a stone building, on the south side of the road, -presumably standing to this day. Getzendanner, true to his native -traits, was the owner of the property. Old wagoners unite in saying that -the old German kept a good house, barring a little too much garlic in -his sausages. - -Peter Hagan played the part of host at an old tavern, one mile west of -Getzendanner's. His house was a log building, and stood on the south -side of the road. As before stated, the outward appearance of an old -tavern on the National Road was no index to affairs within; and though -Peter Hagan's house was small and made with logs, the cheer within was -exhilarating. His meals were simple and but little varied, yet so -manipulated in the kitchen, and spread upon the table so tastefully, and -withal so clean, that they were tempting even to an epicure. Peter -Hagan's patrons were for the most part wagoners, and the old wagoners of -the National Road knew what good living was, and "put up" only where the -fare was inviting. Peter Hagan was an uncle of Robert Hagan, a local -politician of South Union township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. - -Proceeding westward from Hagan's old tavern, the next point is the -village of Middletown, which hoped to become a city, and might have -succeeded, had not the steam railway eclipsed the glory of the old pike. -At Middletown the stages had relays of horses. One of the stage houses -at this point was kept by ---- Titlow, a relative of F. B. Titlow, of -Uniontown. Here also there was a wagon stand, kept by Samuel -Riddlemoser. This was in 1840. In the spring of 1841 Riddlemoser moved -to the Widow McGruder house, one mile west of Middletown. The McGruder -house was well conducted, and enjoyed a large patronage. - -South Mountain comes next, and here a tavern was kept by one Miller. It -was a wagon stand, a stone building, on the north side of the road. The -battle of South Mountain was fought here, but the roar of the cannon -failed to awaken the departed glories of the old Miller tavern. - -One mile west of South Mountain, Petter Zettle, a German, kept a tavern. -It was a wagon stand, and a popular one. The house was of brick, and -stood on the south side of the road. The old landlord was accustomed to -join in the merry-making of the old wagoners, and as the jokes went -around in the old bar room, the German spice was plainly discernible as -well as agreeable, in unison with the familiar notes of the native pike -boys. - -One mile west of Zettle's, Robert Fowler kept a wagon stand. Fowler quit -in 1839, and was succeeded by Emanuel Harr, who conducted the house for -many years. Joe Garver, a noted blacksmith, had a shop at this point. -Garver, it is said, could cut and replace as many as a dozen wagon tires -in a single night. It was not an uncommon thing for the old blacksmiths -of the road to work all night at shoeing horses and repairing wagons. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Boonsboro to - Cumberland--Funkstown, Antietam, Hagerstown, Dirty Spigot, Shady - Bower, Clear Spring, North Mountain, Indian Spring, Hancock--The - House of Nicodemus--Accident on Sideling Hill, the Longest Hill on - the Road--Snib Hollow--Town Hill--Green Ridge--Pratt's Hollow--A - Fugitive Slave--Polish Mountain--Flintstone--Martin's Mountain._ - - - "It stands all alone like a goblin in gray, - The old-fashioned inn of a pioneer day, - In a land so forlorn and forgotten, it seems - Like a wraith of the past rising into our dreams; - Its glories have vanished, and only the ghost - Of a sign-board now creaks on its desolate post, - Recalling a time when all hearts were akin - As they rested at night in that welcoming inn." - - JAMES NEWTON MATTHEWS. - -Boonsboro is a small town at the foot of South Mountain in Maryland, and -in the palmy days of the National Road was a lively village. Old -wagoners and stage drivers spread its fame, but railroad conductors are -silent as to its memory. The Slifer Brothers kept tavern in Boonsboro in -the olden time. Their house was not a wagon stand. One of the Slifer -brothers, as before stated, claimed to be the inventor of the "rubber," -brake, as it is commonly called. At the west end of Boonsboro the widow -Galwix kept a wagon stand and did a large business. She was the widow of -John Galwix, hereinbefore mentioned as a fancy wagoner. Robert Fowler -kept a tavern in Boonsboro as early as 1835 and a wagon stand on the -north side of the road. - -Three and a half miles west of Boonsboro Henry and Jacob Fosnock, -Germans, kept a wagon stand, which was well patronized. The property was -owned by the Fosnocks, and they made money with their tavern. They were -bachelors, but had an unmarried sister, Susan, who acted in the capacity -of hostess. She subsequently became the wife of the old wagoner, Joseph -Crampton. The Fosnocks were at the point mentioned as late as 1842. - -Funkstown appears next in sight. Funkstown, another old village -identified with the by-gone glories of the old pike. The name of this -village brings to mind the once familiar form of John Funk, an old -wagoner. John lived at or near Funkstown, and his family may have given -the name to the village. Funkstown is located on Little Antietam creek, -about seventy miles west of Baltimore. Fifty years ago there was a -paper mill and a grist mill at Funkstown, and they may be there yet, and -others in addition. At the east end of Funkstown, Joseph Watts kept a -wagon stand, and competed for the custom of the wagoners with William -Ashton, who kept a similar tavern at the west end of the town. Each did -a good business. Ashton will be remembered as the athletic wagoner, who -leaped over the top of a road wagon at Petersburg. He knew the wants of -wagoners and served them well at his old tavern. He was the owner of two -fine six-horse teams, and kept them constantly on the road. - -After Funkstown, come the classic shades and handsome streets of -Hagerstown. Hagerstown was always a prominent point on the road. It -ranked with Wheeling, Washington, Brownsville, Uniontown, Cumberland, -and Frederic. Hagerstown was a station for the stage lines. It outlived -the road, and flourishes as one of the best towns of Maryland. The only -old wagon stand in Hagerstown was that of John B. Wrench. But Hagerstown -was rather too stylish a place for old wagoners, and Wrench gave up his -house there in 1842, and removed to Piney Grove, where he found a more -congenial atmosphere. He subsequently kept one of the old taverns at -Grantsville, from which point he emigrated to Iowa, and died there. - -Four and a half miles west of Hagerstown, an old wagon stand was kept by -David Newcomer. It was a stone house, on the north side of the road. -Newcomer furnished good entertainment, and was well favored with -customers, mostly wagoners. He was a Quaker, and a money maker. He dealt -in horses, in addition to tavern keeping. When offering a horse for -sale, his wife was accustomed to say in the hearing of the person -proposing to buy: "Now, David, thee must not sell that favorite horse." -This, old wagoners say, was a "set-up job" between David and his spouse -to gain a good price. Newcomer was the owner of the property, and as the -house was of stone, is probably standing yet; but the ring of the old -pike has gone from it long since. - -Three miles westward from Newcomer's was the imposing and -well-remembered tavern kept by John Miller. It was of brick, a large and -commodious building, situate on the north side of the road. Miller owned -the property, and it may be in the possession of his descendants to this -day. There were large rooms in this house, adapted to dancing purposes, -and young men and maidens of the vicinity frequently tripped to the -notes of the old time music in its spacious halls. The waltz was -unknown, and the figures varied from the "hoe down" to the cotillion, -closing always with the "Virginia Reel." The old wagoners were -invariably invited to participate in these festivities, and engaged in -them with a gusto not excelled by the lads and lasses of the surrounding -neighborhood. Alfred Bailes, the old pike boy of Dunbar, drove a line -team from John S. Miller's to the Nicodemus House, two miles west of -Hancock, as early as the year 1836, and is probably the only survivor of -the young folks who participated in the gayeties of Miller's old -tavern. - -One mile west of Miller's is "Shady Bower." There a tavern was kept by -Conrod Wolsey. His house was well favored by wagoners, who sought his -generous board in goodly numbers, and while well liked by his customers, -he got the name of "Dirty Spigot," because the spigot of a whisky barrel -in his house was once besmeared with filth. There was a large distillery -near Wolsey's tavern, operated by Barnes Mason. Mason had two teams on -the road, driven by William Keefer and Joseph Myers. - -Clear Spring comes next, and derives its name from the existence of a -large, gushing spring of clear water, in volume sufficient to propel a -mill. An old wagon stand was kept at Clear Spring by Andrew Kershaw, who -died the proprietor of the house, and was succeeded by his son Jonathan. -The house was a large brick building, on the south side of the road. -Stages stopped and exchanged teams at Clear Spring, but not at -Kershaw's. His house, as stated, was a wagon stand. Gusty Mitchell is a -well-remembered character of Clear Spring. He used to steal and drink -the wagoners' whisky, and "bum" around their teams in all sorts of ways. -One night the wagoners poured turpentine over Gusty and set fire to him, -which so frightened him that he never afterward had anything to do with -wagoners. - -The next old tavern was on the top of North Mountain, two miles west of -Clear Spring, kept by Joseph Kensel. It was a log house, and on the -north side of the road. Kensel owned the property. While this old tavern -was humble in outward appearance, the fires burned brightly within, and -its patrons, who were numerous, highly extolled the quality of the -viands it spread before them. - -Indian Spring comes next, four and a half miles west from Clear Spring. -Here a wagon stand was kept by David Miller. The house is a stone -structure, on the north side of the road, and Miller owned it in fee -simple. This old house was a favorite resort of wagoners, and night -after night echoed the once familiar notes of the great highway, in the -days of its glory. - -Three miles west from David Miller's, Anthony Snider, a distant relative -of John Snider of happy memory, kept a wagon stand. It was a frame -building on the north side of the road. Peter Hawes once lived at this -house, and hauled stone for an aqueduct on the adjacent canal. - -Four miles west of Snider's, on the north side of the road, stood the -old frame tavern of Widow Bevans. She owned the property, and her house -was a popular stopping place. It will be noted that in many instances -widows kept the best taverns along the road. There is no record of a -widow making a failure as a tavern keeper. - -Two miles further on to the westward, and before the once familiar -tavern of Widow Bevans entirely recedes from view, the old wagon stand -of David Barnett is reached. His house was a large log building, on the -north side of the road. Here the first transportation line of six-horse -teams, John Bradfield agent, had relays, its next relay eastward being -the house of John Miller, before mentioned. Barnett was a jolly old -landlord, fond of exchanging jokes with old wagoners and other patrons. -He had a manner and a method of pleasing his guests, and did a large and -profitable business. - -Westward, two miles from Barnett's, is the historic town of Hancock, -named in honor of the man who wrote his name in letters so large and -legible, that they were read all round the world. There was no old wagon -stand tavern in Hancock, except for a short time about the year 1838. -John Shane established it, but was not successful, and removed to -Cumberland, where he set up a confectionery shop. Wagoners preferred -country before town taverns, as a rule. Stages stopped and exchanged -horses in Hancock. - -Two miles west of Hancock, one Nicodemus kept an old wagon stand. His -first name has not been preserved, owing probably to the sublimity of -his surname. He was known all along the road, but mentioned only as -Nicodemus. His house was a frame building on the north side of the road, -and he owned it, and died in it. He kept a good tavern, and was well -patronized. Widow Downer kept this house before the time of Nicodemus. - -Two miles west of the house of Nicodemus is Sideling Hill, so called -from the sloping character of the ground upon which the road is laid. At -the eastern foot of this hill Jacob Brosius kept an old wagon stand, and -had a good share of custom. His house was a frame building and stood on -the south side of the road. The distance from the foot to the summit of -Sideling Hill is four miles, and it is the longest hill on the road. In -1837 Jacob Anderson, an old wagoner, was killed on Sideling Hill. His -team became frightened on the summit and ran down the western slope, -coming in contact with a large tree on the roadside with such force as -to break it down, and falling on Anderson, he was instantly killed. -Isaac Browning, Caleb Langley and Black Westley, with their teams and -wagons, were on the road with Anderson at the time of this accident. -Anderson was a citizen of Loudon county, Virginia. Langley, Browning and -Westley belonged to Fayette county, Pennsylvania. The road crosses a -stream at Sideling Hill, called Sideling Hill creek. There was a covered -bridge over this creek. In 1841 John Moss and Billy George, old -wagoners, drove their teams on this bridge, and stopping a while to rest -under the shade afforded by the roof, the bridge broke down, -precipitating horses, wagons and drivers a distance of fourteen feet to -the water, causing considerable damage to the wagons and the goods -therein, but strange to say inflicting but slight injuries upon the -drivers and teams. The teams and wagons belonged to Robert Newlove, of -Wheeling. - -Two miles from the foot of Sideling Hill, and on the north side of the -road, John H. Mann kept a wagon stand. His house was a frame building. -Mann was a citizen of some prominence, and at one time represented his -county (Washington) in the Maryland Legislature. It is not known that -his proclivities in the line of statesmanship impaired in any wise his -talent for tavern keeping. - -On the western slope of Sideling Hill, about midway between the summit -and the foot, Thomas Norris kept a tavern, which was a favorite resort -of wagoners. His house was a large stone building, on the north side of -the road. There was a picturesqueness about the location of this old -tavern that imparted a peculiar spice to the ordinary rounds of -entertainment enjoyed by its guests. Samuel Cessna kept this house at -one time. - -One mile west of Sideling Hill creek, a wagon stand was kept by the -widow Ashkettle, another widow, and she no exception to the rule before -stated, that the widows all kept good houses. Her name is not -inappropriate to some of the duties of housekeeping, but Mrs. -Ashkettle's forte was not in making lye, but in setting a good, clean -table. She had a son, David, who managed the business of the house for -her. Her house was a frame building, and stood on the north side of the -road. - -Two miles west of Mrs. Ashkettle's the wayfarer struck the point bearing -the homely name of "Snib Hollow." These old names never wear out, no -matter how ugly they are, and it is well they do not. They all have a -significance and an interest, local or otherwise, which would be lost by -a change of name. Quidnuncs in history and literature have exerted their -restless talents in efforts to obliterate these seemingly rude, old -names, and substitute fancy ones in their stead, but they have failed, -and their failure is a pleasant tribute to the supremacy of common -sense. As early as 1825 the widow Turnbull kept a tavern at Snib Hollow. -Later, an old wagon stand was kept there by John Alder, who had a large -run of customers. His house was a log building, on the north side of the -road. - -Town Hill comes next, a half a mile west of Snib Hollow, at the foot of -which Dennis Hoblitzell kept a tavern as early as the year 1830, and -probably earlier. The house was on the east side of the road, and the -locality is often called Piney Plains. Mrs. McClelland, of the -McClelland House, Uniontown, is a daughter of Dennis Hoblitzell. Samuel -Cessna subsequently kept this house, and stage lines and wagon lines all -stopped at it. It was here, and in Cessna's time, that Governor Corwin, -of Ohio, was treated as a negro servant, mention of which is made in -another chapter. In 1836 John Snider stopped over night at this house, -with a load of emigrants, while Cessna was keeping it, and had to clean -the oats he fed to his horses with an ordinary bed sheet, the windmill -not having reached this point at that early day. - -At the foot of Town Hill, on the west side, Henry Bevans kept a tavern. -It was a wagon stand, and likewise a station for one of the stage lines. -The house stood on the north side of the road, and enjoyed a good trade. -Samuel Luman, the old stage driver, kept this house in 1839. - -Two miles west from the Bevans house is Green Ridge, where an old wagon -stand was kept by Elisha Collins. His house was a log building, and -stood on the north side of the road. Although this house was humble in -appearance, old wagoners are unstinted in bestowing praises on its -ancient good cheer. - -Trudging onward, two miles further to the westward, the old wagoner, and -many a weary traveler, found a pleasant resting place at "Pratt's -Hollow," where Samuel Hamilton kept a cozy old tavern. It was a frame -house, on the north side of the road. Hamilton was a planter as well as -tavern keeper, and raised tobacco and owned and worked negro slaves. -Levi McGruder succeeded Hamilton as the keeper of this house. This -locality derived its name from Pratt, who owned the property at an early -day, and, upon authority of the veteran David Mahaney, kept the first -tavern there. An incident occurred at Pratt's Hollow in the year 1842, -which brings to memory the state of public society in _ante bellum_ -times. Among the old wagoners of the road, was Richard Shadburn. He was -a native of Virginia, and born a slave, while his complexion was so -fair, and his hair so straight, that he readily passed for a white man. -When quite young he escaped from his master and struck out for liberty -among the enlivening scenes of the great highway of the Republic. On a -certain evening of the year mentioned, he drove into McGruder's wagon -yard along with a number of other wagoners, to rest for the night. The -sun had not yet disappeared behind the western hills, and a stage coach -pulled up in front of McGruder's tavern, and stopped for water, as was -the custom at that point. Among the passengers in that coach was the -owner of the slave, Shadburn. Looking out through the window of the -coach he observed and recognized Shadburn, and calling to his aid a -fellow passenger, emerged from the coach with a determination to reclaim -his property. Dick was seized, but being a man of great muscular power, -succeeded in releasing himself from the clutches of his assailants and -fled. The disappointed master fired at Dick with a pistol, as he ran, -but he made good his escape. The team driven by Shadburn belonged to -Parson's of Ohio, who shortly after the escapade mentioned, sent another -driver to McGruder's to take charge of it. Shadburn never afterward -reappeared on the road, and it is believed that he found a home and at -last a grave in Canada. - -It was near Pratt's Hollow that the Cotrells, father and two sons, -murdered a peddler in 1822, the perpetrators of which crime were all -hung from the same scaffold in Frederic. The old tavern at Pratt's -Hollow was destroyed by fire many years ago, and was never rebuilt. - -Two miles west from Pratt's Hollow, John S. Miller conducted an old -tavern, and a good one. His house was a frame building, and stood on the -north side of the road. It was a popular stopping place for wagoners. -Miller kept this house as early as 1836, and subsequently became the -proprietor of the old tavern, five miles west of Washington, -Pennsylvania, where he died. - -"Polish Mountain" is reached next, one mile west of the old Miller -stand. On the summit of this little, but picturesque mountain, Philip -Fletcher kept an old tavern, and greeted and treated thousands of old -wagoners and other travelers. His house stood on the north side of the -road, and was made of logs, but the table it furnished was equal to the -best on the road. - -And next comes Flintstone, four miles west of Fletcher's. All old pike -boys remember Flintstone. The name has a familiar ring. The stages -stopped at Flintstone, and Thomas Robinson kept the leading tavern -there, in the olden time. His house was a stage station, and a wagon -stand as well. Robinson, the good old landlord, got into a difficulty, -many years ago, with one Silas Twigg, and was killed outright by his -assailant. As early as 1835 Jonathan Huddleson kept a tavern in -Flintstone, and had the patronage of one of the stage lines. He -subsequently kept the old Tomlinson tavern at the Little Meadows. John -Piper was an old tavern keeper at Flintstone. His house was a favorite -summer resort, and also enjoyed the patronage of old wagoners. The Piper -house is a large brick building, and stands on the north side of the -road. John Piper died about the year 1872. The house is continued as a -tavern under the joint management of John Howard, a son-in-law, and an -unmarried daughter of the old proprietor. Henry B. Elbon also kept a -tavern in Flintstone for many years, but his career began after that of -the old road ended. Elbon died about four or five years ago. Fairweather -and Ladew, of New York, own and operate a large tannery at Flintstone. - -Two miles west of Flintstone, Martin's Mountain is encountered, at the -foot of which, on the east, Thomas Streets presided over an old tavern, -and welcomed and cared for many a guest. His house was a frame -structure, on the south side of the road. - -Two miles further on the westward tramp the widow Osford kept a regular -old wagon stand. She was assisted by her son, Joseph. It is needless to -state that her house was popular. She was a widow. Her house was a log -building, on the south side of the road, with a large wagon yard -attached. Her dining room occupied the greater portion of the ground -floor of her house, and her table was always crowded with hungry guests. -Kitchen and bar room made up the remainder of the first story, and -wagoners' beds covered every inch of the bar room floor at night. Mrs. -Osford retired from this house after a long season of prosperity, and -was succeeded by Peter Hager, an old wagoner, who at one time drove a -team for William Searight. - -Two miles west from widow Osford's, Henry Miller kept an old tavern. It -was a brick house, on the south side of the road. It will be noted that -Miller is the leading name among the old tavern keepers of the road. The -Smiths don't figure much in this line. - -Two miles west of Henry Miller's an old tavern was kept by Slifer, whose -first name is lost to memory. It is probable he was of the family of -Slifers who kept at Boonsboro. It is said of this Slifer that he was a -good, square dealing landlord, kept a good house and enjoyed a fair -share of patronage. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Cumberland to Little - Crossings--The City of Cumberland--Everstine's--The Six Mile House - and Bridge--Clary's--Tragedy in Frostburg--Thomas Beall--Sand - Springs--Big Savage--Little Savage--Thomas Johnson--The Shades of - Death--John Recknor--Piney Grove--Mortimer Cade--Tomlinson's--Widow - Wooding._ - - -The city of Cumberland is the initial point, as before stated, of that -portion of the National Road which was constructed by authority of -Congress, and paid for with funds drawn from the public treasury of the -United States. In 1835 James Black kept the leading tavern in -Cumberland. It was a stage house. In 1836 John and Emory Edwards, of -Boonsboro, leased the Black House, and conducted it as a tavern for many -years thereafter. John Snider, the old pike boy of pleasant memory, -hauled a portion of the household goods of the Edwards' from their old -home in Boonsboro to their new location at Cumberland. At the date last -mentioned there were two wagon stands in Cumberland. One of them was -kept by Thomas Plumer. Plumer had teams on the road. The other was kept -by George Mattingly. Frederic Shipley kept a tavern in Cumberland -previous to the year 1840. It was located on Baltimore street, near the -site of the station first established by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad -Company. This house was subsequently conducted by George W. Gump, and -after him, in 1857, by David Mahaney. One Kaig, of Bedford county, -Pennsylvania, succeeded Mahaney in the control of this house. It was -called "The American," and entertained wagoners and the traveling public -at large. In 1844 and later, the widow Adams kept a wagon stand in -Cumberland, on the site of the present rolling mill. George Elliott was -manager for Mrs. Adams. The house was a large brick structure, and known -in its day as the "Mountain City House." Lewis Smith kept "The Blue -Springs House" on Mechanics street, and was largely patronized by old -wagoners. Frederic Shipley also kept a tavern on Mechanics street, after -he left the American. John Kelso, the old wagoner, kept a tavern for a -short time on Mechanics street, and was well patronized; and Otho -Barcus, another old wagoner, kept the "Pennsylvania House" on Mechanics -street in 1843, and for a period of three years thereafter. The road -when first laid out, as seen in a previous chapter, passed over Wills -Mountain. In 1834 this location was changed for a better grade, up the -valleys of Wills creek and Braddock's run. To make this change it was -necessary to first obtain the consent of the State of Maryland, which -was granted by an act of her Legislature in 1832. The old Plumer tavern -stood at the eastern end of the old location, and the old Mattingly -tavern at the same end of the new location. George Evans kept a tavern, -also, near the eastern end of the original location. - -[Illustration: JOHN KELSO.] - -Five miles west of Cumberland, on the new location, a wagon stand was -kept by Joseph Everstine. This was a frame house, and stood on the north -side of the road. It was well conducted, but owing to its proximity to -Cumberland, did not do as large a business as other taverns of the road, -more advantageously located. - -Six miles west from Cumberland there was an old tavern known as the "Six -Mile House." It belonged to the Bruces, an old and wealthy family of -Alleghany county, Maryland, and many years ago was destroyed by fire. A -new building was erected on the old site, and remains to this day in the -occupancy of a nephew of the old tavern keeper, Aden Clary. This house -is near the junction of the old and new locations above referred to, and -near the stone bridge over Braddock's run. The sixth mile post from -Cumberland stands on the north wall of this bridge, firm and unshaken. -The bridge is well preserved, and a polished stone thereof bears this -inscription: "1835--Built by Thomas Fealy, Lieut. Jno. Pickell, U. S. -Engineer, H. M. Petitt, Ass't Supt'd." - -Eight miles west from Cumberland Aden Clary kept. His house was a large -and commodious brick building on the south side of the road, and is -still standing. There was not a more popular house on the road than Aden -Clary's. - -Frostburg is next reached. This was always a prominent point on the -road. It did not derive its name, as many suppose, from the crisp -atmosphere in which it was located, but from the original owner of the -land on which it stands, whose name was Frost. Frostburg was the first -stage station west of Cumberland. The leading taverns of Frostburg in -the palmy days of the road were the "Franklin House" and the "Highland -Hall House." The Franklin House was kept for many years by Thomas Beall, -the father of the Bealls of Uniontown. It was headquarters of the Good -Intent stage line. The Highland Hall House was conducted at different -times by George W. Claybaugh, George Evans, Samuel Cessna and Thomas -Porter. It was the headquarters of the Stockton line of coaches. During -Cessna's time at this house he was the principal actor in a tragedy -which produced considerable commotion in the vicinity. A negro servant -employed by Cessna addressed some insulting remark to his wife, and -immediately upon being informed thereof, Cessna proceeded to dispatch -the negro without ceremony. He was tried in Cumberland for murder and -acquitted, public sentiment very generally acquiescing in the verdict of -the jury. About the year 1850 the Highland Hall House was purchased by -the authorities of the Catholic church, remodeled, improved and -converted to ecclesiastical uses. - -About one mile west of Frostburg, and at the foot of Big Savage -mountain, is Sand Springs, so called from the gurgling water in the sand -at that point. In 1836 the widow Ward kept a wagon stand tavern at Sand -Springs. Her house was a favorite resort for old wagoners. On the night -of October 3, 1836, snow fell to the depth of a foot at Sand Springs, -breaking down the timber all through the surrounding mountains. Mrs. -Ward's wagon yard was crowded with teams and wagons that night, and the -snow was so deep the next day that the wagoners deemed it inexpedient to -turn out, and remained at Mrs. Ward's until the following morning. John -Snider was among the wagoners at Mrs. Ward's on the occasion mentioned, -and is authority for the occurrence of the October snow storm. The -tavern at Sand Springs was subsequently kept by John Welsh, an old stage -driver, Hiram Sutton and Jacob Conrod, in the order named. Hiram Sutton -was a son-in-law of Jared Clary. He kept the Sand Springs tavern down to -the year 1852, when he moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, and may be -living there yet. Philip Spiker, the old blacksmith at Sand Springs, it -is said could shoe more horses in a given time than any other blacksmith -on the road. He had a rival, however, in A. Brice Devan, now of Dunbar, -who, in the palmy days of the road, carried on a shop in Hopwood, and -shod horses for old wagoners all night long on many occasions. Devan's -backers will not concede that Spiker was a speedier shoer than he. - -A short distance west of Sand Springs, on the side of Big Savage -mountain, an old wagon stand was kept by one Cheney, afterward by Jacob -Conrod. It is a stone house, on the south side of the road. In Cheney's -time at this house, Henry Clay Bush, who was an old wagoner, says that -metallic mugs were used for drinking purposes, instead of glasses. He -further states that the mugs were clean, and probably used through -deference to the pure whisky of that day. Big Savage mountain is two -thousand five hundred and eighty feet above the Atlantic. - -Two miles west from Cheney's, and at the foot of Little Savage mountain, -Thomas Beall kept a tavern as early as 1830. William E. Beall, -superintendent of the Uniontown rolling mill, was born at this old -tavern. Thomas Beall removed from this place to Missouri, but after a -short absence, returned to Western Maryland, and took charge of the -Franklin House in Frostburg. Thomas Johnson succeeded Thomas Beall in -the management of this house. It was a noted place, and Johnson was a -noted character. He was a good fiddler and a good dancer. He owned a -negro named Dennis, who was also a good dancer, and night after night in -the cheerful bar room of the old tavern, Dennis performed the "double -shuffle," responsive to lively music furnished by his old master. -Johnson was small in stature, weighing but little over a hundred pounds. -Although he participated freely in the fun of the old road, he was not -unmindful or neglectful of his business. He owned the old tavern-stand -mentioned and the lands adjacent, and dying, left a comfortable -inheritance to his descendants. Little Savage mountain has an elevation -of two thousand four hundred and eighty feet above the Atlantic, being -one hundred feet lower than Big Savage. - -Three miles further westward, and at the eastern approach to the Shades -of Death, John Recknor kept an old wagon stand, well known, and in its -day well patronized. Recknor kept this house as early as 1830, and ended -his days in it. It was a log and frame structure on the north side of -the road, with a commodious wagon yard attached. The thick branches of -the pine trees growing on Shade Hill, hung over this old house, -imparting to it a romantic, as well as an attractive perspective. The -fame of Mrs. Recknor as a purveyor of hot biscuits was co-extensive with -the line of the road. Now, - - "The kitchen is cold and the hall is as still, - As the heart of the hostess out there on the hill." - -Piney Grove comes next, two miles from Recknor's, so called from the -numerous pine trees growing in the locality in the olden time. At an -early day Joshua Johnson, a wealthy man of Frederic City, owned fifteen -thousand acres of land, embracing Piney Grove and the Shades of Death, -which he held for many years for speculative purposes. Portions of this -large area, it is said, continue in the possession of Johnson's -descendants to this day. The pine trees were cut down many years ago, -sawed up and shipped to market. William Frost, of Frostburg, erected the -first extensive saw mill in the vicinity. At Piney Grove there was an -old tavern, kept at different times by Truman Fairall, Mortimer Cade, -Lemuel Cross, John Wrench and David Mahaney. All the stage lines of the -road stopped at this old tavern, and wagoners in goodly numbers also -congregated there. It was a large frame building on the north side of -the road, and on the opposite side large stables and sheds were erected -for sheltering horses and vehicles. - -West of Piney Grove about one-fourth of a mile, an old wagon stand was -kept by a man whose name was Wagoner, and subsequently by Isaac Bell, -and later by Mortimer Cade. Cade kept this house in 1840, and died in -it. His widow continued to keep it as a tavern for a number of years, -and until she became the wife of William Fear, who kept a tavern on -Keyser's Ridge. A daughter of Mrs. Cade is living in Uniontown at this -time. - -Two miles west of Piney Grove the celebrated old Tomlinson tavern at -Little Meadows is reached. This is an old stand; as old as the National -Road. Here the lines of the National and the old Braddock roads -coincide. Jesse Tomlinson owned the land at this point, and kept a -tavern on the old Braddock road, before the National Road was made. Upon -the opening of the latter he abandoned his old house and erected a new -one on the new road, which he conducted as a tavern for many years. -After his death the property passed to the hands of Jacob Sides. W. M. -F. Magraw, as before stated, married a daughter of Jacob Sides. This -place is referred to as the Little Meadows in the official record of -Braddock's unfortunate march through the mountains in 1755. The region -at and about Mt. Washington, further westward on the line of the road, -where the conflict between Washington and the French and Indians -occurred, in 1754, is designated by Washington, in his official report -of that engagement, as the Great Meadows. Tomlinson's tavern is a large -stone house, on the north side of the road. After Tomlinson, it was kept -by Thomas Endsley, who was succeeded by Thomas Thistle, Thomas Thistle -by James Stoddard, and he, in turn, by Jesse Huddleson, Truman Fairall, -Lemuel Cross and David Mahaney, all before the railroad was continued -west of Cumberland. It was kept by George Layman after the railroad -absorbed the trade. Layman was afterward sheriff of Alleghany county, -Maryland. In the year 1862, while the property was under the control of -Mr. Magraw, the old Tomlinson tavern was remodeled and much improved. -The contract for the improvements was undertaken by George W. Wyning, a -well known carpenter of Uniontown, who superintended the work in person, -and during its progress he and Magraw together, spent many a pleasant -hour amid the exhilarating atmosphere of the mountains, in the society -of the old pike boys. James K. Polk dined at the Tomlinson house in the -spring of 1845, on his way to Washington to be inaugurated President. -Huddleson was keeping the house at that time. The occasion brought -together a large concourse of mountain people, who were addressed by the -President-elect. - -One mile west from Tomlinson's the widow Wooding kept a tavern as early -as 1842, and for some time thereafter. Her house was a frame building, -on the north side of the road, and was largely patronized by old -wagoners. Mrs. Wooding growing old, and wearied by the onerous duties of -tavern keeping, gave up the business, and turned her house over to her -son-in-law. Peter Yeast, who conducted it for a season, and in turn -surrendered it to John Wright. - -One mile west of Mrs. Wooding's old stand the traveler reaches the -Little Crossings, a name given to the locality from the circumstance -that here the road crosses the Castleman river; and the prefix "little" -is used because the Castleman is a smaller stream than the Youghiogheny, -which is crossed a few miles further westward, and called the Big -Crossings. There was no tavern at the Little Crossings previous to the -year 1836. Subsequent to that date a tavern was established there by -Alexander Carlisle, who entertained the traveling public in a -satisfactory manner. His house was a large frame structure, on the south -side of the road, subsequently kept by John and Samuel McCurdy, and -later, at different times, by David Johnson, William Dawson, Elisha -Brown, Jacob Conrod and David Mahaney. Although nearly twenty years -elapsed from the building of the road before any old landlord at Little -Crossings beckoned the weary traveler to rest and refreshment, -nevertheless, thereafter, and until business ceased on the line, that -locality presented many and rare attractions, as all old pike boys are -ready to verify. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Little Crossings to Winding - Ridge--Grantsville--The Old Shultz, Steiner and Fuller Houses--The - Veteran, David Mahaney--Thomas Thistle, Widow Haldeman, Death of - Mrs. Recknor, Negro Mountain, Keyser's Ridge, Log Cabin Boys of - 1840, James Stoddard, Dennis Hoblitzell, The Fears, The McCurdys, - Adam Yeast, David Johnson, Perry Shultz, Truman Fairall, John - Woods, The Bane House, Wooing and Wedding of an Old Tavern Keeper, - James Reynolds, Henry Walters._ - - -Next after leaving the Little Crossings on the westward march, comes -Grantsville, a romantic little mountain village in Garrett, formerly -Alleghany, county, Maryland, named long before the hero of Appomattox -was known to fame, and therefore not in his honor. In 1833 Samuel Gillis -kept a tavern in the east end of Grantsville, on the south side of the -road, the same house that in later years was kept by John Slicer. It was -a wagon stand in the time of Gillis, and Slicer did not take charge of -it until business had ceased on the road. John Lehman kept a tavern in -Grantsville in 1836. He was a son-in-law, as was Peter Yeast, of the -good old widow Wooding, before mentioned. - -The Lehman House was subsequently kept by Henry Fuller, and after him by -George Smouse. It was a frame building near the center of the village, -on the south side of the street and road. In 1843 Henry Fuller -demolished this old house, and erected a new one in its place. Adam -Shultz kept a tavern at the east end of Grantsville back in the forties, -and dying in charge, was succeeded by his son Perry, who continued it -down to the year 1852, when the ancient glories of the old pike began to -weaken and wane. The Shultz House was an imposing brick structure, on -the south side of the road, and was kept for a while by the veteran -David Mahaney, and at one time by Jesse King. Perry Shultz was -subsequently elected sheriff of Alleghany county, Maryland. Solomon -Steiner also kept a tavern in Grantsville during a portion of the -prosperous era of the road. Grantsville seems to have been a favorite -locality for tavern keepers of German names and antecedents. Steiner's -tavern was a brick building, and stood on the opposite side of the road -from the old Shultz House. Steiner built it, owned it, and died in it, -and his son, Archibald, conducted it for a number of years after his -father's death. It was a wagon stand. The Fuller House was kept at -different times by John D. Wrench, Bazil Garletts, Barney Brown, John -Slicer, William Slicer, William Beffler, John Millinger, and Nathaniel -Slicer. Christian M. Livengood is the present proprietor. Archibald -Steiner was succeeded in his father's old house, first, by William Shaw, -and thereafter in turn by John Millinger and Jonas E. Canagy, the -present proprietor, and it is now called the Farmer's House. - -David Mahaney, whose name frequently appears in these pages, is a -remarkable man. A boy when the National Road was made, he has lived on -and near it all his life. His present residence is Dunbar, Fayette -county, Pa., but he is a familiar figure on the streets of Uniontown. He -is the father of Lloyd Mahaney, the well known enterprising owner and -manager of the handsome new Mahaney house in Uniontown, and of George -Mahaney, also a popular hotel man, who at one time kept the Dixon house -in Greensburg, afterward a hotel in Pittsburg, and at the present time -is conducting a house in Latrobe. David Mahaney was born in Washington -county, Md., near Hagerstown, in 1807, and is therefore in his -eighty-sixth year, while he has the appearance of a man not over sixty. -His complexion is swarthy, step elastic, and his memory but slightly -impaired by the inroads of time. His father was a native of Culpeper -county, Va., who met with a melancholy death by drowning in the Potomac -river, on the night of the presidential election of 1856. His polling -place was eight miles from his residence, in Maryland, and to reach it -and vote involved the crossing of the Potomac. It was late in the -evening when he left the polls to return home, and upon reaching the -river, by some untoward accident fell into the water and perished. David -Mahaney's first venture in tavern keeping on his own account was at the -old Shultz house in Grantsville. He was personally acquainted with Henry -Clay, Thomas H. Benton, Lewis Cass, and others of the old time -statesmen, and frequently entertained them. - -As early as 1836 Thomas Thistle kept a tavern at the foot of Negro -Mountain, two miles west of Grantsville. With a name somewhat rasping in -its import, Thistle had a smooth tongue, a mild manner, and furnished -excellent entertainment for the traveling public. He was one of the -oldest and best known tavern keepers on the road. His house was a long, -frame wooden building, on the south side of the road, at times a stage -station, and throughout its entire existence a wagon stand. Here the -National Road crosses the line of the old Braddock road. In 1844 William -Dehaven kept the old Thistle tavern, and later it was kept by Levi Dean. - -One and a half miles west from the old Thistle house, and on the eastern -slope of Negro Mountain, the widow Haldeman kept a tavern as early as -1840, and like all the widows, had a large patronage. While conducting -this house, Mrs. Haldeman became the wife of Daniel Smouse, who -thereafter took charge of it. The house was a log building, on the south -side of the road, and the spacious grounds surrounding it were crowded, -night after night, with six-horse teams and big, broad wheeled wagons, -covered with canvass, presenting the appearance of a military -encampment. This old house was subsequently kept by George Smouse, and -later by John Wright. The widow Recknor, of savory memory, before -mentioned, died a boarder in this old tavern, much lamented. - -[Illustration: DAVID MAHANY.] - -Onward, westward and upward, the crest of Negro Mountain is reached. -There are several versions of the origin of the name of this mountain. -Probably the one most worthy of acceptance is that in the early -collisions between the whites and the Indians, a negro appeared as an -ally of the Indians in a conflict on this mountain, and was among the -slain. Negro Mountain is two thousand eight hundred and twenty-five feet -above the level of the Atlantic ocean, and the second highest elevation -on the line of the road. The old commissioners give the height of the -mountain as two thousand three hundred and twenty-eight and twelve -one-hundredths feet, from their base of measurement in the Potomac, near -Cumberland, and as before stated, make no mention of Keyser's Ridge. In -the year 1836 Dennis Hoblitzell kept a tavern near the summit of Negro -Mountain, on the eastern slope. He was the father of Mrs. McClelland, of -the McClelland house in Uniontown. This old tavern is a stone building, -on the north side of the road, and the same that in after years became -celebrated as a resort for hog drovers, under the management of William -Sheets. It was kept as a tavern after Hoblitzell left it, and before the -time of Sheets, by Thomas Beall. - -Two miles west from Negro Mountain Keyser's Ridge looms up in view. This -was a famous locality in the prosperous days of the road. It is a bald, -bleak range, not inaptly described as the back-bone of the mountains. It -is two thousand eight hundred and forty-three feet above sea level, and -the highest point on the road. In the olden time snow drifts often -accumulated to the depth of twenty feet on Keyser's Ridge, and stages -and wagons were compelled to take to the skirting glades to avoid them. -Francis McCambridge kept a tavern here as early as 1820, and was -succeeded by Robert Hunter, and he by James Stoddard, some time previous -to 1840. Hunter went from this house to Petersburg. James Stoddard was -the grandfather of Mrs. McClelland, of the McClelland house, Uniontown. -Stages stopped at Stoddard's, as well as wagoners and travelers of every -description. The log cabin boys of Uniontown stopped at Stoddard's the -first night out on their memorable trip to Baltimore, in 1840, to attend -the great Whig mass meeting of that year in that city. They had with -them, on wheels, a regular log cabin, well stored with refreshments of -every kind, and the very best; and every mile of their long journey -resounded with lusty shouts for "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too." E. B. -Dawson, esq., and Lucien B. Bowie, of Uniontown, are the only survivors -of that unique pilgrimage, so far as can be ascertained. The party -consisted of such distinguished and well remembered Whigs, of Uniontown, -as James Veech, Alfred Patterson, Rice G. Hopwood, Thomas R. Davidson, -Lee Haymaker, John Harvey, William McDonald, Robert L. Barry, James -Endsley, William E. Austin, E. B. Dawson and Lucien B. Bowie. There -were doubtless others, but owing to the long lapse of time their names -are not recalled. Redding Bunting drove the team that hauled the cabin, -and Thomas A. Wiley was with the party as an employe of the Stockton -stage line, which furnished four coaches for the transportation of the -political pilgrims. James Endsley was of the Somerfield family of -Endsleys, and died in that place in July, 1893. At Middletown, a short -distance east of South Mountain, in Maryland, the log cabin boys were -confronted with a petticoat suspended from a pole, which excited them to -rage. A collision and a fight ensued. John Harvey, the muscular man of -the log cabin boys, engaged a like representative of the other side, and -it is claimed, by the friends of Harvey, that he vanquished his -antagonist. It is not improbable that both sides claimed a victory. The -party reached Baltimore safely and on time, and were received in that -city with great enthusiasm. They were tendered a reception speech, which -was delivered by "The Milford Bard," a celebrated Baltimore poet and -orator of that day, and the speech responsive was made by William E. -Austin, who was a graceful orator, and his effort on this occasion was -one of his best. The Stoddard House, at Keyser's Ridge, was subsequently -and successively kept by Dennis Hoblitzell, William Fear, one of the -McCurdys, Adam Yeast and David Johnson, the latter the stepfather of -Mrs. McClelland, of the McClelland House, Uniontown, before mentioned, -who was born in this house when it was kept by her father, Dennis -Hoblitzell. William Fear owned the old Stoddard House, and sold it to -Perry Shultz, who conducted it as a tavern for a number of years, in -addition to the parties above named. William and Daniel Fear were -brothers. William, upon quitting the road, removed to Virginia, where he -lived to an old age and died. Daniel exchanged the mountains for the -rich valley of the Monongahela, and ended his days in Brownsville. In -1840 Truman Fairall built a house on Keyser's Ridge, and conducted it as -a tavern down to the year 1853, and a short time thereafter moved to the -State of Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his life. The Stockton -line of coaches stopped at Fairall's. Fairall was a native of Old -Virginia. Samuel Fairall, a son of Truman, the old tavern keeper, at one -time a student in the Dunlap's Creek Academy, near Merrittstown, Fayette -county, Pennsylvania, is a law judge in one of the courts of Iowa. - -About half a mile west of Keyser's Ridge, and in the year 1850, John -Woods built a house and conducted it as a tavern until the close of -business on the road. He was an uncle of Henry, Thomas and Alexander -Woods, of Uniontown, and an old wagoner. Sandy Connor, the old -blacksmith of Keyser's Ridge, and occasionally a stage driver, retired -to an humble dwelling on the road side, opposite the Woods House, and -there in the depths of the mountains took final leave of the old road -and all its endearing memories. - -Two miles west of Keyser's Ridge an old wagon stand tavern was kept by -Daniel Fear, before mentioned, who was the father of John G. Fear, who -kept the old Workman House, in Brownsville, a few years ago, George W. -Fear, formerly a wholesale liquor merchant in the same place, and Frank -Fear, who once kept the Yough House in Connellsville. The old Fear -tavern referred to was also at one time kept by Harvey Bane and by -William Carlisle, and later by David Johnson. It was a frame house on -the north side of the road. Within the venerable walls of this old -tavern, and amid the romantic walks about it, when it was kept by David -Johnson, Alfred McClelland, the renowned old tavern keeper of Uniontown, -wooed and won his bride, and here in 1856 was happily married to Miss -Sarah E. Hoblitzell, now, and for many years, a widow, and reigning -mistress of the old McClelland House, in Uniontown, one of the most -famous of all the far famed hostelries of the road. - -About three-fourths of a mile west from the old Fear House, in later -years better known as the Bane House, James Reynolds established a -tavern as early as the year 1818, and continued to preside over it and -entertain the traveling public until the year 1843. It was a popular -wagon stand in its day. James Reynolds, its old proprietor, was the -father of William Reynolds, elsewhere mentioned as an old wagoner, -tavern keeper and express agent. Daniel Fear succeeded James Reynolds in -the old house mentioned, and conducted it for a term of four years. He -next moved to a wooden house about three hundred yards to the westward, -and kept it as a tavern for two years. This old house was built by Jacob -Frederic Augustine, and known as the Augustine House. From this old -house Daniel Fear moved to Sand Springs, and kept the old Hiram Sutton -house at that point for a term of two years, at the end of which he -moved to Brownsville, and died suddenly in Uniontown on July 7, 1854, -while on a business errand to that place. John Woods succeeded Fear in -the Augustine House. - -Within a distance of one hundred yards westward from the old Reynolds -House, and in the year 1845, Henry Walters erected a wooden building and -embarked in the business of tavern keeping. After a brief experience in -this line, he removed to Hopwood, where he operated a blacksmith shop. -While in Hopwood, and from the savings of tavern keeping and -blacksmithing, he purchased the land on Dunbar's Camp, occupied it a -number of years, sold it at an advance to Dr. Waters, of the Soldiers' -Orphans' School, and with his added accumulations, bought the old -Grier-Brown farm on Redstone creek, in Franklin township, Fayette -county, Pennsylvania, founded the village of Waltersburg, and about two -years ago died, leaving his family a comfortable inheritance. He is well -remembered as an amiable, industrious and money accumulating citizen of -German origin. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Winding Ridge to the Big - Crossings--The State Line--How it is Noted--The Old Stone Tavern on - Winding Ridge, John Welsh, Major Paul, The Wables, Edward C. Jones, - The Augustines, Daniel Blucher, Petersburg, Gen. Ross, William - Roddy, Gabriel Abrams, The Risler Family, Col. Samuel Elder, Robert - Hunter, John McMullin, Alfred Newlon, Lott Watson, John Mitchell, - John Bradfield, The Temple of Juno, The Big Crossings, Endsley's - Old Tavern, John Campbell, William Imhoff--An Old Time Fourth of - July Celebration._ - - -From Baltimore to the point last mentioned in the preceding chapter, all -the old taverns on the road are in the State of Maryland. The road -crosses the dividing line between the States of Maryland and -Pennsylvania, near the eastern foot of Winding Ridge. The crossing point -is marked by a metal slab shaped like the ordinary mile post, and bears -this inscription on one side: "State Line, Md. 96-3/4 to Wheeling, to -Petersburg, 2-3/4." On the other side: "State Line, Penna. 34-1/4 to -Cumberland, to Frostburg, 23-1/4." - -Near the top of Winding Ridge, and in Somerset county, Pa., there is an -old stone tavern which was built as early as the year 1819, and by John -Welsh, who occupied it and conducted it down to the year 1821, when it -passed to the management of Samuel Dennison, who was succeeded in turn -by M. J. Clark, Isaac Ochletree, Peter Yeast, Maj. William Paul, Michael -Cresap, Robert Boice and William Lenhart. John Welsh, who built this -house and first occupied it, was the father-in-law of Aden Clary, well -known in the early history of the road. Major Paul kept this house in -1836, and for some time thereafter. He subsequently kept a tavern in -Washington, Pa., on Maiden street, opposite the female seminary, and -later in West Brownsville, where he died more than forty years ago. He -was familiarly known from one end of the road to the other. Voluble in -speech, rotund in form, and ruddy in complexion, Major Paul was a fine -type of the jolly landlord of the old road. He had a daughter, the wife -of Aaron Wyatt, an old tavern keeper of the road, who always enjoyed the -reputation of keeping a good house, owing in all probability to the -early and practical training of his wife. Mrs. Patrick at one time owned -and occupied the old stone house on top of Winding Ridge. She was the -mother of W. W. Patrick, now, and for many years, the intelligent head -of the old reputable and successful banking house of R. Patrick & Co., -of Pittsburg. About the year 1850 the stables, appurtenant to the old -stone tavern, above mentioned, and when it was kept by William Lenhart, -were destroyed by fire, supposed to have been the incendiary work of a -disreputable woman. The loss was serious, and included two fine horses, -the property of William Hall, the typical old regular wagoner, -hereinbefore mentioned. Winding Ridge derives its name from the tortuous -course of the old Braddock road up the mountain, at that point. - -[Illustration: JOHN RISLER.] - -At the foot of Winding Ridge, on the north side of the road, an old -wagon and drove stand was kept as early as the year 1820, by John Wable. -This old tavern keeper was probably well advanced in years when he first -put out his sign, and from this old house he was summoned to his last -account. He had two sons, John and Jacob, who succeeded him in the -management of the old tavern, as tenants in common. The sons applied -themselves assiduously to the business of entertaining the public, and -after a brief experience, concluded that their father's old house was -too small to meet the demands of the increasing trade and travel of the -road, and accordingly tore it down and erected a new and larger one in -its place. The new house attracted a paying business, and remains a well -known landmark of the road. In course of time the Wables left this -house, and their successor was Edward C. Jones, the grandfather, on the -maternal line, of Caleb and Noble McCormick, of Uniontown. This was more -than fifty years ago. Mr. Jones moved from this old house to Searights, -where he resided for a time, and subsequently located in New Salem, -where he died. The old Wable house next passed to the hands of Jonas -Augustine, who became its owner and conducted it as a tavern for many -years, doing a good business. While in charge of this old tavern he was -elected a member of the legislature of Pennsylvania for Somerset county, -and represented his constituents with recognized fidelity. He died soon -after his legislative career ended, and the old tavern was purchased by -his brother, Daniel Augustine, who kept it for many years, and until -tavern keeping on the road ceased to be profitable. Previous to the -occupancy of Daniel Augustine, this house was kept for brief periods -between 1840 and 1845, first by Michael Cresap, and after him by Joseph -Whetstone. Cresap went from this house to the stone house on Winding -Ridge. The widow of Jonas Augustine, well advanced in years, occupies -this old house at the present time, as a private residence, and Daniel -Augustine is a resident of Petersburg, and regarded as the richest man -in that town. - -One mile west of Augustine's, Daniel Blucher kept a tavern as early as -1828. He was a German, and his custom consisted mainly of the patronage -of old wagoners. This house dropped from the roll of taverns long before -the great travel on the road ceased. - -The ancient and picturesque village of Petersburg is the next point -reached on the westward march. Petersburg is noted for its healthful -location and the beauty of the surrounding scenery. It has always been a -popular resort for summer tourists seeking exemption from the stifling -heat of crowded cities. Here lives [G]Gen. Moses A. Ross, a retired -merchant, who did business in the village for fifty years, and gained -the confidence and enjoys the esteem of all his neighbors. A number of -years ago his fellow citizens elected him to the legislature, and he -served them intelligently, faithfully and honestly. He is a christian -gentleman, and his long and honest business career on the road entitles -him to be classed as a pike boy, well worthy of honorable mention. -General Ross was born in Masontown, Fayette Co., Pa., in the year 1810. -Here also lived for many years, and died, William Roddy, who was at one -time a superintendent of the road, and a gentleman of unquestioned -integrity. The first tavern ever kept in Petersburg was by Gabriel -Abrams, father of the late Judge Abrams, of Brownsville. It was a frame -house, on the south side of the road, and built by Gabriel Abrams, -aforesaid. This house did a large business throughout the entire career -of the road, as a national highway. Subsequent to the time of Abrams it -was conducted successively and successfully by John Skinner, Daniel -Clary (in 1830), William Reynolds, Thomas Brownfield, James Marlow, -Michael Cresap, Peter Turney, Joseph Hendrickson and Henry Magee. A -frame house on the north side, erected by Henry Wentling, was conducted -by him as a tavern from 1820 to 1829, when he leased it to John Risler, -a celebrated old tavern keeper, who kept at various points on the road -in the days of its glory. Mr. Risler was the father-in-law of the -venerable Harrison Wiggins, Brown Hadden, and the late Stephen W. -Snyder, and it is the tradition of the road that wherever a kitchen and -a dining room were controlled by a female member of the Risler family, -there a well cooked and relishable meal was sure to be obtained. Mr. -Risler was succeeded in the old Wentling house by James Connelly, and -he, in 1835, by the stalwart and popular old wagoner, Matthias Fry. Fry -remained in charge until the spring of 1838, when he turned it over to -John Bell, who was succeeded by his son-in-law, Col. Samuel Elder, who -remained in charge until some time late in the forties, when he moved to -Uniontown and took the management of the National house in that place. -In the year 1832 Robert Hunter opened a tavern in a brick house, on the -south side of the road and street, in Petersburg, and conducted it for -many years with marked success. Mrs. Hunter, the old and amiable hostess -of this house, is remembered as well for her good qualities as a -housekeeper as for her immense size. She weighed two hundred and fifty -pounds. This old house was subsequently kept by John A. Walker, John -McMullin, Alfred Newlon and Lott Watson, in the order given, and was -always well kept. The stage coaches of one of the early lines stopped at -this house, and it has been extensively patronized by summer visitors -and pleasure seekers. It was one of the very best eating houses on the -road, and is continued as a tavern to this day by Mr. Mitchell, who -holds a license and keeps a good house. John E. Reeside married a -step-daughter of John McMullin. - -[Footnote G: Died December 12, 1893.] - -[Illustration: THE TEMPLE OF JUNO.] - -At a very early period in the road's history, John Mitchell kept a -tavern one mile west of Petersburg, on the north side. Besides doing a -general business, this old house was a station for the first line of -stages on the road. It was destroyed by fire on the 31st day of October, -1828, and supplied by a new log structure, which was kept as a tavern -for many years by John Mitchell, jr., who erected near the old site the -present large and substantial brick building in which he is now living, -one of the oldest men on the road. On the opposite side of the road from -this house immense stabling was erected, in after years supplemented by -cattle and hay scales, all of which are still standing, tending slightly -towards dilapidation and decay, but in a much better state of -preservation than most of the old stables of the road. There is a large -and fertile farm connected with this old tavern stand, well managed, -under the direction of its venerable owner, [H]John Mitchell. - -[Footnote H: Died in 1892.] - -A short distance west from Mitchell's, a large brick house on the north -side of the road, was kept as a tavern by John Bradfield in 1840, and -later. The locality was known as Newbury. John Bradfield was the general -agent of the first heavy freight line put on the road, moved by six -horse teams, stationed at intervals of fifteen miles. He was an old -wagoner, and a good business man, and before going to Newbury kept a -tavern in Wheeling and in Washington, Pennsylvania. After Bradfield's -retirement the Newbury house was continued as a tavern by Moses -Jennings. - -Less than a mile west of Newbury, on the north side of the road, an old -building once used as a tavern, attracts special attention by reason of -the singular style of its architecture. It is a wooden structure, -commonly called a frame, with an unusually high portico in front, -supported by four round and tall wooden columns, tapering upward and -downward from the centers. It reminds one of the old pictures of the -temple of Juno, and possibly the designer had that ancient temple in -view when he planned this old tavern. He is said to have been a native -of the vicinity, not likely versed in the classic orders of -architecture, but the style he adopted in this instance might reasonably -be regarded as the Monogynous. Two immense stables appurtenant to this -old tavern, one log, the other frame, both still standing, weather -beaten, empty, and useless, bear silent, but impressive testimony to the -thrift of other days, and impart a tinge of melancholy to the memories -of the old pike. Daniel Show was the original owner of the quaint old -building above described, and its first occupant. He sold it to Samuel -Easter, who conducted it for a brief period, and was succeeded by Peter -Lenhart, mentioned hereinafter as "Shellbark." Samuel Thompson succeeded -Lenhart, and he in 1846 was succeeded by Mrs. Metzgar, who subsequently -became the wife of John Olwine. - -[Illustration: THE ENDSLEY HOUSE.] - -And now the hills that skirt the Youghiogheny river rise to view, and -Somerfield is reached, an ancient little town, which the old metal mile -posts on the road persist in calling Smithfield. That this town was once -called Smithfield there can be no doubt, and that it now is Somerfield -is equally clear. It was originally called Smithfield, because its -founder's name was Smith, but the postoffice department changed it to -Somerfield on account of the great multitude of Smiths and Smithfields -in all portions of the universe. Somerfield has been the scene of many a -lively incident of the old road. Here light feet, impelled by lighter -hearts, tripped to the notes of merry music, and the ringing laugh and -sprightly jokes of the old stage driver and wagoner, enlivened the now -dull halls of the old taverns. The most noted old tavern keeper of -Somerfield was Capt. Thomas Endsley. Somerfield was always a stage -station, the second relay east of Uniontown. The Endsley House was the -headquarters of Stockton's line. It is a stone building, and stands near -the bank of the river at the western end of the town, and was erected in -the year 1818 by Kinkead, Beck & Evans, the old bridge builders, and -occupied and conducted as a tavern by James Kinkead, the senior member -of the firm, from the date of its completion to the year 1822. John -Campbell was its next occupant, who kept it for a term of two years, and -until 1824. Capt. Endsley then took charge of it, and conducted it down -to the year 1829. John Shaffer kept it from 1829 to 1831, when Capt. -Endsley again took charge and continued down to 1834, when Redding -Bunting was installed, and conducted it down to the year 1837. He was -succeeded by John Richards, who remained in charge until 1840. Squire -Hagan conducted it from 1840 to 1842, and Aaron Wyatt from 1842 to 1847, -when Capt. Endsley, the third time, re-entered, and remained in charge -until 1852, when he gave place to his son William, the present -incumbent. This old house is as solid as when first constructed. Its -foundation walls are not the least impaired, and its mortar pointings -are as hard as the stones, while the wood work, and notably the doors, -casings and mantel pieces, are in a perfect state of preservation, -attesting the skill of the mechanics at the early period in which the -house was built. Near the center of the town, on the south side of the -street, an old log tavern was kept by John Campbell, as early as the -year 1824, and immediately after his retirement from the Endsley House. -He was succeeded in turn at this house by L. C. Dunn, Samuel Frazee, -Moses Jennings, and John Bradfield. The June Bug line of stages stopped -at this house, and for a while the Good Intent line. It went out of -business in 1853, was remodeled and improved, and is now the private -residence of James Watson. Prior to 1837 and down to 1849 a tavern was -kept on the north side of the street in Somerfield, by Daniel Blucher, -J. Tantlinger, Capt. Morrow, Aaron Wyatt, Andrew Craig, Samuel Thompson -and P. R. Sides, in the order given. This house ceased to do business in -1849, and was pulled down in 1883, and never rebuilt. In 1823 James -Kinkead, the old bridge builder, kept a tavern in a brick house on the -south side of the street in Somerfield. This house was afterward and -successively kept by William Imhoff, James Watson, Lot Watson, John -Irvin and Ephraim Vansickle. Vansickle was a blind man and engaged in -tavern keeping when the glory of the road was fading away. He had many -of the elements of a successful tavern keeper, and furnished -satisfactory entertainment to the few travelers and strangers who sought -shelter and refreshment under his kindly roof; but he was too late. -Tavern keeping on the National Road was but a legend when he embarked in -the business, and he was constrained to listen day after day, and night -after night to the glowing recitals of the good times in bygone years, -and reconcile himself as best he could to the existing situation. At -Somerfield the road crosses the Youghiogheny river over a large, -handsome and substantial stone bridge, three hundred and seventy-five -feet in length, with three symmetrical arches, and appropriately named -by old pike boys the Big Crossings. A large dressed stone in the wall of -this bridge above the surface of the road, and near the eastern end, -bears the inscription; "Kinkead, Beck & Evans, builders, July 4th, -1818." The day of the month, the anniversary of Independence, is given -because on that day the bridge was finished, and the occasion was -celebrated with great eclat. The inhabitants of the mountains for miles -around, male and female, old and young, with old fashioned banners and -old fashioned music, turned out in great numbers, inspired by that -genuine patriotism which characterized the early period of our country's -independence, while yet many of the soldiers of the revolution were -living, and were addressed in eloquent terms by the Hon. Andrew Stewart, -Col. Samuel Evans, Hon. John Dawson and John M. Austin, of Uniontown. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Big Crossings to Mt. - Washington--Old Shellbark, Jacob Probasco, Jockey Hollow, Old Tom - Brown, Mt. Augusta, Marlow's, the Three Cabins, McCollough's--A - Fugitive Slave Tragedy--A Sermon cut short by the Baying of - Hounds--Charley Rush--The Sheep's Ear--the Bull's Head, the Old - Inks House, Nick McCartney, Boss Rush, Samuel Frazer, John Rush._ - - -The first old tavern west of the "Big Crossings," and the first in -Fayette county, Pa. (for the river here is the boundary line between the -counties of Fayette and Somerset), is that which for many years was kept -by Peter Lenhart, commonly known as "Shellbark." This is a two-story -house, originally built with logs, but subsequently weather-boarded and -painted red. The red, however, has long since disappeared, and it now -wears the dingy, dark colored hue that settles upon all ancient -buildings. A man named Ebert built this house and occupied it as a -private residence. He was a tanner by trade, and a justice of the peace. -He sold out to Peter Lenhart's father, who occupied the house also as a -private residence until his death, when his son Peter succeeded him and -opened up the house as a tavern, and soon after added a distillery. The -house had a good custom and "Shellbark" was prosperous. He was an -eccentric man, and like Orator Puff, had two tones to his voice. He had -a habit, upon rising every morning, of cutting a large slice from a loaf -of bread, spreading it with butter, and eating it in connection with a -glass of whiskey. He enjoyed this matutinal habit for many years, and -rarely omitted it. Why he was called "Shellbark" is not accurately -known. He was in early life an old-line Democrat, but in later years got -"mixed up," and seemed to have lost his political moorings. He died a -few years ago, and his widow and daughter remain in the old house, -occasionally entertaining strangers and travelers in very satisfactory -style. - -[Illustration: THE BIG CROSSINGS.] - -The next old tavern stand is about half a mile from Lenhart's, on the -south side of the road. The line of the National Road here is the same -as that of the old Braddock road, and this house was kept as a tavern by -Andrew Flenniken, before the National Road was constructed. Jacob -Probasco succeeded Flenniken in this house. Besides keeping a tavern, -Probasco had teams on the road, was a contractor for repairs, operated a -store, put up and operated a grist and saw mill, and engaged in many -other enterprises. One of his contracts was for taking up a portion of -the old road bed. At first, as elsewhere noted, the road was paved with -large boulders, which were subsequently taken up and their places -supplied by stones broken into small pieces. There are points along -the road where the old bed remains, and here the road is in better -condition than elsewhere, which has started the belief that it was a -mistake to take up the original bed; but this is a disputed and -unsettled question. Prominent among those who thought it was a mistake -to take up the original road bed was Capt. Thomas Endsley, the old -tavern keeper of Somerfield. He argued the question on many occasions -with the engineers, and after the work was done adhered to his opinion, -and characterized the plan as a foolish notion of inexperienced young -cadets. Probasco got into trouble in attempting to collect a claim by -attachment, was indicted for perjury, and soon after left the State, -settling in Ohio, and there became prominent and wealthy. It was a -relative, probably a son of Jacob Probasco, who donated the money for -the erection of the celebrated fountains in the city of Cincinnati. -Probasco sold out to Peter Baker, who kept the house a number of years, -and he was succeeded in turn by John Irvin, Jacob Richards, Charles -Kemp, Aaron Wyatt, Morris Mauler, Aden Clary and Alexander Speers. It -was a stage house, and passengers by one of the coach lines took meals -there. John Conway now occupies the property, and it is owned by Aden -Clary, of Frostburg, Maryland. The house is long and narrow, made up of -different structures erected at different times, one part stone, another -log, and a third frame, all now, and for a long time heretofore, joined -together and enclosed by weather-boarding. The intervening space between -this and the Youghiogheny river is called "Jockey Hollow," a level piece -of road upon which horses were run and cock-fighting practiced. Hence -the name Jockey Hollow. Ephraim Vansickle, "Blind Eph," as he was -called, kept a tavern many years in an old log house in Jockey Hollow, -and did a good business. This house was never kept as a tavern by any -other person than Vansickle. He subsequently kept a tavern in -Somerfield. Nicholas Bradley, who died a few years ago, was an old -denizen of Jockey Hollow. He was a contractor on the original -construction of the road, and as his name implies, an Irishman. His son, -Daniel, still lives here, an active business man and an influential -Democratic politician. [I]Jeremiah Easter, esq., Democratic Jury -Commissioner, also lives here. John Conway once kept a tavern in the -"bend of the road" near the foot of the hill, about half a mile west of -Jockey Hollow. This house was a log structure, long since demolished, -and a small frame now stands on the old site. John Conway was Daniel -Bradley's grandfather, long since dead, and therefore not the man at -present occupying the old Probasco tavern. - -[Footnote I: Now deceased.] - -Next is the old tavern of Thomas Brown. This is a large stone house, -built by Mr. Brown about the time the road was made. It stands on the -south side of the road. Brown kept it as a tavern from the time it was -built until the time of his death. Col. Ben Brownfield and Gen. Henry W. -Beeson were wont to come here on their sleighing excursions in the olden -time, often remaining many nights and days enjoying themselves in -dancing and feasting. Brown was a good fiddler, and furnished his guests -with music, as well as other means of entertainment. He was a large man -with a shrill voice, and considered a popular landlord. The property -remained in the Brown family a few years after the death of the old -proprietor, and ultimately fell into the hands of Jacob Umberson, the -present occupant. The elections of Henry Clay township were formerly -held at this house, and many exciting scenes have been witnessed here on -election day. - -The next old tavern site is Mt. Augusta. (Site is used because the old -brick tavern house that stood here for so many years was burned down -some time ago, and has not been rebuilt.) It was one of the largest and -most commodious houses on the road, with two large water troughs and -extensive stabling among the appurtenances. In the palmy days of the -road it did a large business. John Collier was the original owner and -occupant of this property. At his death it fell into the hands of his -son, Daniel, who kept it for a number of years and sold out to Thomas -Brownfield. Brownfield kept tavern here for thirty years, and sold out -to John O'Hegarty, the present owner and occupant. Daniel Collier moved -from here to Georges township, where he died a few years ago, the owner -of a large estate. Brownfield became successively commissioner and -sheriff of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and at the close of his term as -sheriff removed to the State of Missouri, where he died. The sale of -this property by Brownfield to O'Hegarty, was effected through the -agency of the celebrated Henry Clay Dean. O'Hegarty lived in Lebanon -county, Pennsylvania, when he became the purchaser. The old tavern house -was burnt during the occupancy of Mr. O'Hegarty. After the fire he moved -into a frame tenant house, on the opposite side of the road, a little to -the east, where he lives now. He is an acting justice of the peace, -esteemed for his honesty and probity, and wields great influence among -his neighbors. - -Next is a stone house on the south side of the road, first kept as a -tavern by William Shaw, and afterward by William Griffin, Charles Kemp, -Isaac Denny and William A. Stone, in the order given. It did a good -business, and was regarded as a good house. - -[Illustration: DANIEL COLLIER.] - -Next comes the old Marlow House. This is a large two-story brick -building, near the summit of a long hill. On the opposite side of the -road a large stable was erected, capable of sheltering a hundred horses, -and now in a decaying condition. The indispensable water-trough was here -also. This house was built and kept as a tavern by Benjamin Miller, the -grandfather of Ben, Jeff and Sam Miller, of Uniontown. Miller sold the -property to James Marlow. Marlow kept it a long time, and died in it. At -the time of his death he was superintendent of the road. He was a short, -heavy set, quiet man, and came from Maryland. He had several sons, all -of whom went west many years ago, and one of them is now the proprietor -of the "American hotel," in the city of Denver. Benjamin Miller was -once a candidate for the Legislature, and pending his canvass declared, -"By the Eternal, if the people did not elect him he would go up on the -hill overlooking Harrisburg, and look down with contempt upon the -Capitol." He was not elected. - -At the foot of the hill, below the Marlow House, stood, in the olden -time, a cluster of small log cabins, three in number, which constituted -a tavern stand known as the "Bush House," or "Three Cabins." This quaint -old tavern was kept by one Leonard Clark, who entertained a great many -strangers and travelers, especially such as were in quest of something -to slake their thirst. Its best business days were during the time the -road was undergoing construction, and upon its completion the "Three -Cabins" succumbed to more pretentious inns. These cabins were covered -with clap-boards; the chimneys built of rough stones, and "topped out" -with mud and sticks. Clark, the old proprietor, retired from public life -soon after the completion of the road, went west, left his cabins to the -tender mercies of the elements, and scarcely a trace of them can be seen -at this day. That jolly times occurred at this old tavern, among the -early pike boys, there can be no question. - -The next house is a two-story stone building with portico in front, -known in recent years as the "Old McCollough Stand." It was built and -first kept as a tavern by a man named Bryant. James Sampey, Isaac Nixon, -Morris Mauler and Nicholas McCartney, each kept this house for shorter -or longer terms before McCollough went into it. Col. John W. McCollough, -who became the owner of the property, kept tavern here for many years, -and died the proprietor. He was a man of stalwart size, a talking man -and a politician. He was likewise a contractor, and did much work on the -road. He left a widow and several children. [J]Jim and Nick, two of his -sons, are well known pike boys. His [K]widow married 'Squire Burke, who -now occupies the house, and there is no place on the road where a better -meal can be obtained. A tragedy was enacted at this house which forms a -memorable event in the history of the old pike, and served as a good -text for the old anti-slavery agitators. It was on the 4th of July, -1845. Early in the morning of that day, while a number of wagoners were -engaged in feeding and cleaning their teams, as they stood in the wagon -yard, a negro passed along the road, and William King, one of the -wagoners aforesaid, cried out in a loud voice to Nicholas McCartney, who -was then keeping the house, "There goes a runaway nigger." "Are you sure -of that?" inquired McCartney. "I am," replied King, whereupon McCartney -darted after the negro and captured him a short distance south of the -house, the rocks and brush in that locality having impeded the progress -of the fugitive. McCartney led him into the house, and informed him that -he was going to take him back to his master in Maryland. The negro -seemed submissive, and McCartney placed him in charge of one Atwell -Holland, his brother-in-law, while he went for a horse to carry out his -purpose of taking him back to Maryland. During McCartney's absence the -negro ran out of the house, and Atwell and others pursued him. Atwell -being more fleet than any of the other pursuers, soon overtook the -negro, whereupon he wheeled upon Holland, drew a dirk knife from his -pocket, struck it into his pursuer's heart, and made good his escape. -Holland immediately fell to the ground, and expired while being borne to -the house by his companions. Among the persons present on this tragic -occasion, was one Lewis Mitchell, who was a great hunter and an -occasional preacher. While Holland was lying on the ground dying, -Mitchell placed wild grape leaves on his wound, and prayed for him. -Mitchell was preaching once in this neighborhood, and in one of his most -earnest passages, heard the yelping of hounds. He immediately ceased -preaching, and exclaimed, "There are the hounds, and d--d if Lead ain't -ahead," and straightway dashed out of the meeting house to join the -sportsmen. - -[Footnote J: Both now dead.] - -[Footnote K: Now dead.] - -The next old tavern is about four hundred yards from the last one, and -was also built by Bryant, above mentioned, but not for a tavern. This -house was kept successively by John McCollough, Morris Mauler and Adam -Yeast, and is now kept by [L]Nick McCollough. There were times when it -had a "good run" of patronage. Adam Yeast, one of its old occupants, was -an eccentric character, and ultimately became a lunatic. - -[Footnote L: Since deceased.] - -Next we come to Charley Rush's old stand. This was a famous stopping -place. Charles Rush settled here in the woods in 1838, built the house, -which he occupied as a tavern until he died in 1846, in the prime of -life. He always kept a big team on the road, under the management of a -hired driver. He was a brother of Boss Rush, and the father of Henry -Clay Rush, a prominent and influential citizen of Uniontown. He was fond -of horse racing, and always kept fast horses. His son Henry Clay was his -favorite rider, who, when a small boy, appeared on the race course -arrayed in the jockey outfit, and exactly filling the regulation weight. -He would cut a sorry figure now, on the back of a race horse. Charles -Rush was kind and charitable in disposition, but when exigencies -required, would not decline a fisticuff. Many an overbearing bully has -felt the damaging effects of his well-aimed blows. He entertained -strangers and travelers at his hospitable board, whether they had the -means of paying their bills or not, but always preferred that -impecunious guests should inform him of their condition before engaging -accommodations. On one occasion an Irishman tarried with him over night, -and in the morning, after breakfast, informed him that he had no money -to pay his bill. "Why didn't you tell me that last night?" sharply -inquired Mr. Rush. "And faith, sir," replied the Irishman, "I'm very -sorry to tell you of it this morning." Rush, pleased with his wit, -absolved him from his bill, gave him a parting drink, and allowed him to -go "Scot free." [M]William L. Smith, esq., ex-county commissioner, -married the widow Rush, and occupies the old stand as a private -residence. Samuel Rush, a farmer, and brother of Charles, lived about -three miles from here, back in the country. He was a contractor on the -road, and an energetic, honest and highly respected citizen. He was the -father of [N]Marker Rush, the proprietor of the well known "Rush House," -near the Union Depot, in Pittsburg. Marker must have inherited his -fondness for the sports of the day through his uncle Charles, as his -father was not given to worldly indulgences. - -[Footnote M: Now dead.] - -[Footnote N: Since deceased.] - -[Illustration: SEBASTIAN RUSH.] - -There was a little log house a short distance west of Charley Rush's old -stand, which was kept as a tavern for a few years by Edward Dean. It was -not one of the original taverns, and not considered "regular." The pike -boys of the neighborhood called it the "Sheep's Ear." Its chief business -consisted in selling whisky at three cents a drink, which was the price -of whisky all along the road. F. H. Oliphant, the well known iron -manufacturer, probably the oldest in the State, once put a line of -wagons on the road to carry goods and merchandise from Brownsville to -Cumberland. The wagons were drawn by mules, and the teams changed at -fixed points along the road. This old Dean House was one of the stopping -places of this line. One night some mischievous person, or persons, cut -the harness of one of the teams into shreds, so that Oliphant's line did -not move out the next morning from the "Sheep's Ear." Another house of -similar proportions and character near by, was kept by Thomas Dean. It -was known in the neighborhood as the "Bull's Head." It was the custom of -the pike boys of the neighborhood to collect together in these old -houses, when they were kept as taverns, now at one and then at the -other, to "while away" the long winter evenings, and enjoy themselves in -dancing and revelry. Nicholas McCartney often attended these festive -gatherings when a young man, and could relate many interesting incidents -and anecdotes connected with the "Sheep's Ear" and "Bull's Head" inns. - -We next come to the old Inks House, now owned and occupied by Nicholas -McCartney. This is a large frame, weather-boarded house, with a spacious -wagon yard attached, a large stable and a number of sheds and other -outbuildings. The house was built by George Inks, and kept by him as a -tavern for many years. A man named Heckrote kept here once, and so also -did John Risler, and Samuel M. Clement, for many years a prosperous -farmer on Redstone creek, near Uniontown, entertained the traveling -public for a brief period, in his early manhood, and proved himself a -competent landlord. The house enjoyed a large share of patronage during -the prosperous times on the road. [O]Mr. McCartney, present occupant and -owner, has been in feeble health for many months. Previous to his -present illness he was a man of robust health and great energy. He is a -son-in-law of Thomas Brownfield, the old proprietor of the Mt. Augusta -House. He is universally esteemed among his neighbors, and general -sympathy is manifested on account of his illness. - -[Footnote O: Now dead.] - -We next reach the celebrated house of [P]Sebastian Rush, invariably -called "Boss." It is not a wagon stand, but an old stage house. Here -stage passengers took meals, which were invariably gotten up in the best -style. The house was built in 1837 by Hon. Nathaniel Ewing, who then -owned it. Rush moved into it soon after it was finished, as lessee of -Judge Ewing, and not long after purchased it, and occupied it -uninterruptedly to the present time. Here, also, is a store, postoffice -and other improvements, constituting a little village called Farmington, -and considered the grand commercial and business center of the -mountains. Sebastian Rush is widely known as an influential Republican -politician, has been superintendent of the road by appointment of the -Governor, and nominated by his party for Associate Judge, but defeated -by reason of the decided and long existing preponderance of the -Democracy in the county. When a young man, and living in a small log -house near the tavern stand of his brother, Charles, he was elected -constable of his township, and, being too poor to own a horse, performed -the functions of his office on foot. Since then he has made constables -and other officers, and owned horses without number. Previous to 1837 -the widow Tantlinger kept tavern in an old wooden house, on the ground -now covered by the Rush house. The store here, before Rush came to the -property, was conducted by Peter T. Laishley, an old and well known -Methodist preacher, still living. He was then a Free Will Baptist. -Morgan Jones also once kept store at this point. He is now a real estate -broker in Philadelphia, and said to be wealthy. He had several brothers, -among them David, John and Samuel E., who were well known. David settled -in Wisconsin, and became Lieutenant Governor. John went to Kentucky, and -became a prominent iron manufacturer. Samuel E. is a Probate Judge in -southern Colorado. Allen Crane also once kept store here.[Q] - -[Footnote P: Deceased.] - -[Footnote Q: Deceased.] - -The house now owned and occupied by Washington Hensel, was once kept as -a tavern by Samuel Frazer. Its public career terminated about the time -Sebastian Rush located at Farmington. A short distance over the hill, -west, there is a frame house, built by John Rush, and by him kept as a -tavern for a number of years. Henry Clay Rush also kept this house for a -short time. It is not classed among the old taverns, but during its -short public career enjoyed a high degree of popularity. Boss Rush, jr., -lives here now in the capacity of a private citizen. John Rush was one -of the most popular landlords along the road. He is a brother of Boss, -and is still living, somewhere in the west. This old house was destroyed -by fire a few years ago, and nothing remains of it but two tall -chimneys, standing erect at this day. - -[Illustration: RUINS OF THE OLD JOHN RUSH HOUSE.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Fort Necessity, - Washington's First Battle Field, Monroe Springs, Reception to - President Monroe, Gate Bob McDowell, Braddock's Run and Grave, - Fayette Springs, A Trio of Old Fiddlers, Chalk Hill, Snyders, Old - Squire Price, The Summit of Laurel Hill, Molly Calhoun, Ephraim - McLean, The Big Water Trough on Laurel Hill, The Goat Pen, The - Turkey's Nest, Monroe, known now mostly as Hopwood, Matthias Fry, - German D. Hair, The Old Morris House, Widow Sands, Harry Gilbert._ - - -Mt. Washington is a point replete with historic interest. Here -Washington first measured swords with an enemy, and fought his first -battle. It is the site of Fort Necessity, and known in colonial times as -the Great Meadows. Gen. Washington subsequently became the owner of this -property, and held it until his death. It was no doubt owing to the fact -that his first engagement with an armed foe took place on this ground he -resolved to buy it. In his last will he directed it to be sold by his -executors, together with other real estate he held, and the proceeds -divided among parties he named. The tract, when owned by Washington, -contained two hundred and thirty-four acres, and he valued it at six -dollars an acre. He thus refers to it in a note appended to his will: - -"This land is valuable on account of its local situation. It affords an -exceeding good stand on Braddock's road, from Ft. Cumberland to -Pittsburg, and besides a fertile soil, possesses a large quantity of -natural meadow, fit for the scythe. It is distinguished by the -appellation of the Great Meadows, where the first action with the -French, in 1754, was fought." - -Previous to 1835, and by divers good conveyances and assurances, down -from Washington, this estate passed into the hands of the late Hon. -Nathaniel Ewing, who caused to be erected on the property the large -brick house, still standing, and one of the most noted old taverns on -the road. Judge Ewing subsequently sold and conveyed the property to -James Sampey, who went into possession and kept the tavern for many -years, and until his death. The first year after Mr. Sampey's death the -management of the tavern and farm was placed in charge of Robert -Hogsett, who turned over to the representative of the estate the sum of -four thousand dollars, as the profits of one year. The Good Intent line -of stages stopped at Sampey's, and as showing the extent of the business -of the house, Mr. Hogsett mentions that on one morning seventy-two -stage passengers took breakfast there. John Foster and James Moore -subsequently kept this house. They were sons-in-law of James Sampey, and -Moore was an old stage driver. At the close of business on the road. -Ellis Y. Beggs purchased the property and the tavern was closed. William -D. Beggs, the father of Ellis, died in this house. He had collected the -tolls for many years at the gate near Searights, was likewise a school -teacher, and a good one, and was, for a number of years, Steward of the -County Home. His eldest daughter, Jane, was the second wife of Dr. Smith -Fuller, the eminent Uniontown physician. Godfrey Fazenbaker succeeded -Beggs in the ownership, and engaged extensively in farming and stock -raising. Mr. Fazenbaker died in possession, and the property descended -to his heirs, who are the present occupants. The big water-trough still -remains on the opposite side of the road from this old tavern, but all -else has changed since the days when the proud stage driver cracked his -long silken-ended whip over the backs of his four spanking steeds. - -The next old tavern was at Monroe Springs, on the hillside, a short -distance west of one of the old round toll houses. This house was built -by Charles McKinney, and opened up by him as a tavern. It was a log -house, weather-boarded, of small dimensions, now entirely obliterated. -Boss Rush commenced his career as a tavern keeper in the old house at -this point, and it was kept at various times by such well known men as -Wm. S. Gaither, German D. Hair, Wm. Dillon, Morris Mauler, John Rush, -John Foster and David Ogg. It was essentially a wagon stand, and night -after night, in the prosperous era of the road, the ground all around it -was crowded with big wagons and teams, and the old bar room rang out -with the songs and jokes of the jolly wagoner. Opposite the house a -large water-trough was erected, kept full and overflowing from a spring -near by, called "The Monroe Spring," in honor of President Monroe. When -McKinney kept this house President Monroe passed along the road, and a -public dinner was given him here. John Hagan, then a contractor on the -original construction of the road, was prominently connected with the -bestowal of this compliment upon the old-time President. The few old -folks who have personal recollections of this event, speak of it as a -memorable and exciting occasion. The dinner was substantial and superb, -and highly enjoyed by all participating, including the illustrious -guest. John Hagan was the father of Robert Hagan, esq., ex-commissioner -of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. - -[Illustration: HON. SAMUEL SHIPLEY.] - -One of the old stone toll houses stood a short distance east of the -Monroe Springs, and remained until 1893, when it was torn down. Hiram -Seaton was one of the early collectors at this point. He was the father -of [R]C. S. Seaton, the well known banker of Uniontown. He subsequently -served two terms as County Treasurer. He had a wooden leg, and was -esteemed as an honest man. He went west, settled in Missouri, and died -there. He was succeeded as toll collector by Robert McDowell, always -thereafter called "Gate Bob," to distinguish him from a number of other -well known citizens bearing the same name. Robert McDowell was also an -honest man, a popular man and a fighting man. He was tall, thin and -muscular. His fingers were distorted by rheumatism, but he could use -them in a fight with terrible effect. He was the Democratic candidate -for county commissioner of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, but -beaten by the Know Nothings. He died a few years ago at Dunbar, very -greatly lamented. The memory of "Gate Bob" will long remain fresh in the -recollection of the pike boys, old and young. - -[Footnote R: Now dead.] - -The next old tavern stand is the "Braddock's Run House." Gen. Braddock -was buried near this house, a day or two after his disastrous defeat by -the French and Indians, at Braddock's Field, near Pittsburg. The exact -spot where he was buried is still pointed out, and can be seen from the -road. This circumstance gave name to the brook here, and the tavern. The -house was built by Charles McKinney, the same person who built the -"Monroe Springs House." He kept tavern here for many years. The house is -a large two-story stone structure. It was subsequently and successively -kept by Robert Shaw, Noble McCormick and William Shaw. This property is -now owned by the heirs of James Dixon, and is not a public house. - -Next we come to the "Fayette Springs Hotel," a large stone house built -at an early day by the Hon. Andrew Stewart, who owned the property, and -remained its owner until the day of his death. It was recently sold by -his heirs to Capt. John Messmore, of Uniontown. This house was a -favorite resort for visitors to the Fayette Springs, situate about -three-quarters of a mile distant. In its halcyon days it had its ten-pin -alley, billiard tables, swing, and other appliances of pleasure and -comfort, but they have all passed away, and probably by reason of hard -times, and the abatement of interest in the Springs may never again be -brought into requisition. Here merry parties of young folks from -Uniontown and elsewhere were accustomed to assemble and enjoy a hearty -supper, engage in the dizzy mazes of the dance, and when it was all over -"go home with the girls in the morning." Mahlon Fell and Tom Collins -were the old-time fiddlers, and furnished the music, which in its line -was of superior excellence. They were occasionally reinforced by Jacob -B. Miller, esq., who tendered his services without pecuniary reward, and -in the language of the day, "could make a fiddle talk." Collins is dead. -[S]Fell and Miller are both living. The former has joined the church and -abandoned the fiddle, while the latter still retains his taste and -talent for music, and often entertains his friends in a private manner, -with many of the popular tunes of the olden time. The "Fayette Springs -House" has been kept in turn by Cuthbert Wiggins, John Risler, B. W. -Earl, Samuel Lewis, William Snyder, William Darlington, John Rush, Major -Swearingen, Redding Bunting, Cuthbert Downer, and perhaps others. - -[Footnote S: All now dead.] - -We next reach "Chalk Hill," so called from the circumstance of white -clay adhering to the shovels of the workmen engaged in digging the -foundation of the road. The tavern house was built here in 1823 by -Jonathan Downer, who was its first host. He was succeeded by Boss Rush, -and he in turn by Springer Downer, Samuel Shipley, William Shipley and -Milford Shipley. [T]John Olwine now owns the property, and keeps tavern -here. It is a two-story frame, with commodious stabling attached. Boss -Rush went from this house to Farmington. Samuel Shipley bought this -property at an Orphans' Court sale, in 1846, for $1,405, and paid for it -in gold. Westley Frost was the sheriff and trustee to sell. Shipley -subsequently became an associate judge. He was more fortunate than his -neighbor and fellow inn keeper, Boss Rush, in belonging to the strong -side. Rush was one of his competitors on the Republican side. - -[Footnote T: Now dead.] - -Next comes the old tavern stand of James Snyder. Snyder seems to have -been here always, and is here yet. He did vacate a short time for -William Shaw, but not long enough to change the tradition that this is, -and always was, Snyder's. The house looks old and dingy, and no wonder, -for it has withstood the wild dashes of numberless mountain storms. It -is situate at the foot of the eastern slope of Laurel Hill, and on the -head waters of Sandy Creek. The old stable is decaying, and will soon be -gone. The old host, too, is showing the marks of time and age. He has -already passed beyond the age defined by the Psalmist. His three score -and ten are supplemented by well nigh half a score.[U] He is the only -old landmark left along the road, that has not shifted from original -ground, except Natty Brownfield. A few years ago he was elected county -commissioner on the Democratic ticket, but practically without -opposition. He is universally esteemed for his honesty. As a tavern -keeper he enjoyed an excellent reputation, and many a weary traveler has -found consolation and comfort under his hospitable roof. The best wishes -of all his neighbors attend the old gentleman in his declining years, -and heaven's choicest blessings are invoked upon his venerable head. - -[Footnote U: Now deceased.] - -Near the top of Laurel Hill on the eastern slope, once lived a noted -character named Benjamin Price. His house, a log structure, was built -near the roadside, but below its surface, so that the upper story was -about on a level with the road. He kept a cake shop, was an acting -justice of the peace, and a strict Methodist, and was in the habit of -annoying wagoners and hog drovers by fining them for swearing, and they -in turn annoyed him by throwing billets of wood and disabled hogs down -his chimney. Price is long since dead, and the last vestige of his old -house has disappeared. The stable nearby it remained longer, but it has -gone, too. A few apple trees planted by the hands of the 'Squire, now -encroached upon by the mountain undergrowth, are all that remain to -indicate the spot where the old house stood. - -[Illustration: STONE HOUSE, DARLINGTON'S.] - -We next reach the "Summit House." This is not a wagon stand, nor -strictly an old tavern, but rather a fashionable and popular summer -resort. It is on the apex of Laurel Hill, and has the advantage of pure -air, and an extensive and charming view of the surrounding and -underlying country. At this point large finger boards were erected, -indicating distances and routes to the Washington Springs, Dulaney's -Cave and Jumonville's Grave, which are landmarks indelibly impressed -upon the memories of surviving wagoners and stage drivers. The property -here belongs to [V]Col. Samuel Evans, a wealthy and well known citizen -of Fayette county. [W]Ephraim McClean kept the house here for many -years, and made it famous by the excellence and style of his -entertainment. His flannel cakes and spring chickens have passed into -history, as unrivalled productions of culinary art and tempters of the -appetite. There is a large spring and bath house here. This has ever -been a favorite resort of parties in pursuit of pleasure. Here the -youth, beauty and fashion of Uniontown were wont to come to while away -an evening in eating, dancing and other diversions. The rooms were -small, but the pleasure was unbounded. Here also the yeomanry of the -county came to make a harvest home, or celebrate an anniversary. The -drive, up and down the mountain, is delightful, and formed no small -share of the pleasure incident to the old time parties at this popular -place of resort. - -[Footnote V: Deceased.] - -[Footnote W: Deceased.] - -Ephraim McClean left this house many years ago and settled in Illinois. -He was succeeded by Henry Clay Rush, who maintained the reputation of -the house during his occupancy, but left it in 1856 to go to Searights. -Brown Hadden came in after Rush, and after Hadden the house was -successively kept by Stephen W. Snyder, John Snyder, William Boyd and -Webb Barnet, the present occupant. Anterior to the erection of the -present buildings, and many years ago, one Molly Calhoun kept a small -cake shop at this point, and displayed upon her sign-board the following -quaint legend: - - "Out of this rock, runs water clear, - 'Tis soon changed into good beer, - Stop, traveler, stop, if you see fit, - And quench your thirst for a fippennybit." - -About a mile down the western slope of Laurel Hill we come to the famous -watering trough. Here William Downard lived for many years in a stone -house built against the hillside. He did not keep a tavern, for he had -no ground for teams to stand upon, and no stabling that was accessible, -but he always maintained the big water-trough in good condition _pro -bono publico_, and it would be almost impossible for big teams to make -the ascent of Laurel Hill, in hot weather without water. Downard was -eccentric and cross, and begrudged the use of his water to persons he -did not like, although the supply was inexhaustible. He was born near -Uniontown of English parentage, a Federalist in politics, and a skeptic -in religion. He was endowed with strong sense, and could argue with -considerable force. He has been dead many years. - -A little over a mile below the big water trough the romantic spot known -as the "Turkey's Nest" is reached. The road crosses a small stream here, -which, owing to the peculiar formation of the ground, required the -erection of a bridge, supported on the south side by an immense stone -wall. This is one of the largest stone structures on the road, and is in -a good state of preservation. It is a fine specimen of workmanship, and -a grand monument to the skill of the old time stonemasons. This locality -has always been invested with much interest, and admired by the lovers -of picturesque beauty. Until recently it wore its primitive colorings. -Now it is changed. Its primitive appearance has disappeared before the -advancing forces of progress and improvement. The native trees have been -cut down and a little hamlet occupies their places with attendant -stables, cribs, coops and other out-houses. The old massive curved stone -wall remains, but all about it so changed in appearance that the spot is -scarcely recognized as the "Turkey's Nest." It is the popular belief -that this locality derived its name from the discovery here of a wild -turkey's nest, by workmen engaged on the original construction of the -road. - -An old long log house, near the foot of the hill, was called the "Goat -Pen," and why is not accurately known, but this name it bore from one -end of the road to the other. - -We now reach the ancient and celebrated village of Monroe, a name it -took in honor of the President hereinbefore mentioned. Approached from -the east, the first old tavern and the first house in the place is the -"Deford House," in the olden time and by old people called the General -Wayne House. It appears that at an early day General Wayne had occasion -to pass this way, and tarried over night with John Deford, who kept -tavern in a small log house a short distance in the rear of the present -building. Deford at this time was contemplating the erection of a new -and more imposing edifice, and applied to his distinguished guest for a -plan. It was furnished, and the present stone structure is the outcome -of it, which shows plainly enough that General Wayne was a much better -soldier than architect. Deford kept tavern here for a long time, and was -succeeded first by Henry Fisher and next by Matthias Fry. Samuel Magie -is now the owner of the property, and its career as a tavern is ended. - -A frame house a short distance below and on the opposite side of the -street from the Deford House was once kept by James Dennison, who had a -considerable trade. It was afterward kept by Matthias Fry, but business -then had greatly decreased. Fry, in his prime, was one of the best men -on the road, and a great favorite among the wagoners. He had been a -wagoner himself for many years, and was at one time general agent for a -transportation line from Baltimore to Wheeling, which made him the -disburser of large sums of money, and he discharged his office with -scrupulous fidelity. He was a large, fine looking man, stoutly built, -and possessing great physical power. Although amiable and good natured, -he was occasionally drawn into a fight, and on one occasion, at -Petersburg, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, whipped three reputed -bullies, one after another, who entered his house when he lived there, -and proposed to "clean him out," as evidence of their prowess. He died a -few years ago in Monroe, where his widow is still living.[X] - -[Footnote X: Now dead.] - -[Illustration: JAMES SNYDER.] - -The next old tavern in Monroe is the stone house built by Andrew -McMasters, and subsequently owned and kept for many years by German D. -Hair. He was the only man that ever kept this house, and he died in it a -few years ago, aged about eighty years. He was a native of Chester -county, Pennsylvania, and came to the vicinity of Uniontown about the -time the road was made. He was a stonemason by trade, and worked on many -of the bridges of the road, including the eastern and western bridges at -Uniontown. - -Next we come to the "Shipley House." Like all the tavern houses in -Monroe, and nearly all the private houses, this is a stone building, and -is two stories high. It was erected by E. W. Clement, and good -workmanship displayed in its construction. It was kept awhile by -Clement, and after him at different times by John Wallace, Archibald -Skiles, Samuel Shipley, Redding Bunting, and Lindsey Messmore. - -Next is the "Monroe House," one of the oldest in the place. It was built -by Andrew McMasters, and subsequently and successively kept by E.W. -Clement, Thomas Acklin, James Shafer, A. Skiles, John Worthington, M. -Fry, and Calvin Springer. This was a popular house in the golden era of -the road, and did an extensive business. Monroe was a thriving village -when the pike flourished, and the center of fun and frolic. It began to -decline when the trade left the road, but is now reviving and wearing an -air of prosperity by reason of the coal developments in the vicinity. - -On the hill above Monroe stands an old two-story brick house, fast -sinking into decay, which was once a well known and popular tavern -stand. It was owned and kept by William Morris. He put up an imposing -sign, inscribed on the west side with the words, "Welcome from the -West," and on the east side the words, "Welcome from the East." This was -no false lure, and travelers from the east and west crowded into the old -house to enjoy its good cheer. Alonzo L. Little, for many years editor -and proprietor of the _Genius of Liberty_, was a son-in-law of William -Morris, and he had a son (Luther) who settled in Iowa and was elected -State Treasurer there. - -Harry Gilbert once kept a tavern in the house where Charles Livingston -now has a grocery, at the east end of Uniontown, and in later years it -was kept by M. Fry and J. Allen Messmore. - -Many years ago the Widow Sands kept tavern in the frame house at the -point where the Connellsville and Cool Spring Furnace roads lead off -from the pike. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Uniontown--The Town as it - Appeared to Gen. Douglass in 1784--Its Subsequent Growth and - Improvement--The First Tavern--Other Early Taverns--An Old Chief - Justice and an Old Landlady wrangle over a Roasted Pig--Anecdote of - George Manypenny and President Jefferson--The Swan, The McClelland, - The Seaton, The National, The Clinton, The Moran, The Mahaney._ - - -[Illustration: GEN. EPHRAIM DOUGLASS.] - -At the east end of Uniontown the road crosses Redstone creek, over a -massive and extensive stone bridge, one of the best and most expensive -samples of masonry on the whole line, built by Kinkead, Beck and Evans -in 1818. Gen. Ephraim Douglass, the first prothonotary of Fayette -county, Pennsylvania, in a letter to Gen. James Irvine, in 1784, -describes Uniontown in the following vigorous and graphic style: - - "_My Dear General_--If my promise were not engaged to write to you, - my inclinations are sufficiently so to embrace with alacrity any - opportunity of expressing the gratitude so justly due to your - valuable friendship, of declaring the friendship of mine. This - Uniontown is the most obscure spot on the face of the globe. I have - been here seven or eight weeks, without one opportunity of writing - to the land of the living, and though considerably south of you, so - cold that a person not knowing the latitude, would conclude we were - placed near one of the poles. Pray have you had a severe winter - below? We have been frozen up here for more than a month past, but - a great many of us having been bred in another State, the eating of - hominy is as natural to us as the drinking of whisky in the - morning. The town and its appurtenances consist of our president - and a lovely little family, a court house and school house in one, - a mill and consequently a miller, four taverns, three smith shops, - five retail shops, two tan yards, one of them only occupied, one - saddler's shop, two hatter's shops, one mason, one cake woman (we - had two, but one of them having committed a petit larceny is upon - banishment), two widows and some reputed maids, to which may be - added a distillery. The upper part of this edifice is the - habitation at will of your humble servant, who, beside the smoke of - his own chimney, which is intolerable enough, is fumigated by that - of two stills below, exclusive of the other effluvia that arises - from the dirty vessels in which they prepare the materials for the - stills. The upper floor of my parlor, which is also my chamber - and office, is laid with loose clap-boards, or puncheons, and the - gable ends entirely open; and yet this is the best place in my - power to procure, till the weather will permit me to build, and - even this I am subject to be turned out of the moment the owner, - who is at Kentuck, and hourly expected, returns. I can say little - of the country in general, but that it is very poor in everything - but its soil, which is excellent, and that part contiguous to the - town is really beautiful, being level and prettily situate, - accommodated with good water, and excellent meadow ground. But - money we have not, nor any practicable way of making it. How taxes - are collected, debts paid, or fees discharged, I know not; and yet - the good people appear willing enough to run in debt and go to law. - I shall be able to give you a better account of this hereafter. - Col. McClean received me with a degree of generous friendship, that - does honor to the goodness of his heart, and continues to show - every mark of satisfaction at my appointment. He is determined to - act under the commission sent him by council, and though the fees - would, had he declined it, have been a considerable addition to my - profits, I cannot say that I regret his keeping them. He has a - numerous small family, and though of an ample fortune in lands, has - no cash at command. The general curse of the country, disunion, - rages in this little mud hole with as much fury, as if they had - each pursuits of the utmost importance, and the most opposed to - each other, when in truth, they have no pursuits at all that - deserve the name, except that of obtaining food and whisky, for - raiment they scarcely use any. The commissioners--trustees, I - should say--having fixed on a spot in one end of the town for the - public buildings, which was by far the most proper, in every point - of view, exclusive of the saving of expense, the other end took the - alarm and charged them with partiality, and have been ever since - uttering their complaints. And at the late election for justices, - two having been carried in this end of the town, and none in the - other, has made them quite outrageous. This trash is not worth - troubling you with, therefore I beg your pardon, and am with - unfeigned esteem, dear general, your very humble servant. - - "EPHRAIM DOUGLASS." - -That was a long time ago, and a great change has come over the face of -things. Gen. Douglass lived to see Uniontown arise from the mud hole and -become a flourishing county seat. His mortal remains lie buried within -the sound of the court house bell, and could he come forth now, and see -Uniontown, he would be startled. Instead of a mud hole, he would see -finely paved streets, studded with handsome buildings, lighted by -electricity, enlivened by electric cars, telegraphs, telephones and -railroads, and where the old distilleries stood, beautiful and staunch -church edifices with spires pointing to the skies, and in fact he would -behold all the evidences of a flourishing city, inhabited by active, -intelligent and Christian people. - -The first tavern in Uniontown was kept by John Collins in 1781. It was a -log house on the north side of the main street, the site of which is now -covered by "Commercial Row." This old house remained standing until -1839, when it was torn down by its owner of that date. Isaac Beeson, who -erected the buildings thereafter known as "Commercial Row." John Collins -kept this old tavern down to the year 1799. It was subsequently kept at -different times by Samuel Salter, Cuthbert Wiggins, William Salter, John -Hoge and Andrew Byers. William Salter was an old sheriff. Byers went -from this house to the old Walker House, now the "Central," and -afterward to the "Clinton House." - -Jonathan Rowland, Daniel Culp and Matthew Campbell each kept a tavern in -Uniontown as early as 1783. The location of Rowland's tavern is not -accurately known, but the best evidence available, points to the lot now -owned by Daniel Downer, esq., and occupied by law offices, near the -court house, as the site. Jonathan Rowland subsequently became a justice -of the peace, and a leader in public affairs. Culp's old tavern was a -log house on the lot now owned and occupied by Justice Willson, corner -of Main street and Gallatin avenue. Matthew Campbell's old tavern, stood -on the western side of the lot now covered by the Moran House, formerly -and for many years known as the "Fulton." - -Colin Campbell as early as 1785 kept a tavern in a house that stood on -the lot now covered by the Bryan building, on Main street, near the -center of the town. This old tavern was subsequently owned and presided -over by Samuel Salter, father of William Salter, the old sheriff. - -Margaret Allen kept a tavern in the east end of town, a little above and -opposite the Madison College buildings, in the year 1788, and for some -time thereafter. She died in 1810, at the age of ninety-one years. - -Dr. Robert McClure opened a tavern in December, 1792, a short distance -west of the court house, on the south side of the street, and kept it -down to the year 1813. It does not appear that any other person kept -this house. It was in close proximity to the "Jolly Irishman," hereafter -mentioned. - -Thomas Collins, son of John Collins, before mentioned, kept a tavern as -early as 1794 in an old house on the lot, corner of Morgantown and Main -streets, now occupied by the Tremont buildings. Thomas Collins was -sheriff of Fayette county from 1796 to 1799, and commanded a company of -soldiers from Uniontown and vicinity in the war of 1812, locally called -the "Madison Rowdies." A number of his descendants are still living in -the neighborhood of Uniontown. - -Previous to the opening of the present century the veteran of Laurel -Hill, John Slack, before mentioned, kept a tavern in the old Shelcut -house, on the south side of Main street, opposite the old Gregg house, -and afterward kept the "Spread Eagle," the exact location of which is -involved in doubt, but the best information available assigns it to the -Weniger corner, opposite the old Walker house, hereinafter mentioned. - -William Downard, subsequently proprietor of the big water-trough house -on Laurel Hill, kept tavern in the Shelcut house from 1801 until -probably 1808, when he retired to the pine covered slope of Laurel Hill, -where he spent the remainder of his life. He served as County -Commissioner from 1802 to 1805. - -The Gregg house, situate on the north side of Main street, on the lot -now covered by the residence of Dr. J. B. Ewing, was in existence as a -tavern as early as 1798, and continued as late as 1865. It was a small -house of brick and frame united, but had a large patronage. In early -times travelers and other guests at taverns did not desire or expect -separate rooms, and hence a small tavern like the Gregg house could -accommodate as many persons as the more pretentious hotel of the present -day; and at wagon stands the bar room, as before stated, was the only -bed chamber for wagoners. James Gregg was the first proprietor of the -Gregg house, and was succeeded by his widow, Nancy Gregg, in 1810. After -her time it was kept in turn by William Medkirk, Matthew Allen, Simeon -Houser, Amos Howell, Philip D. Stentz, and Thomas Moxley. James Gregg, -the old proprietor of this house, was the father-in-law of the late Hon. -Daniel Sturgeon, who was a United States Senator in the days of Clay, -Webster and Calhoun. - -In 1779, and for a number of years thereafter, Pierson Sayers kept a -tavern in the house now occupied by Mrs. Ruby, on the north side of Main -street, a short distance west of the court house. While keeping this -house Sayers was elected Sheriff, and turned over his tavern to Jacob -Harbaugh, who conducted it for three years, when, singularly enough, he -was elected to succeed Sayers as Sheriff. Ellis Baily, the grandfather -of Mrs. Ruby, bought this property from Pierson Sayers, and -subsequently, and for many years, it was the private residence of the -late Hon. John Dawson. - -James Piper kept the "Jolly Irishman" as early as 1801. This bustling -old tavern was located on Main street, opposite the residence of the -late Hon. Daniel Kaine. James Piper, a son of the old proprietor, was a -prominent and influential citizen of the town and county for many years. -He was a member of the bar, a Justice of the Peace, Register of Wills, -and Recorder of Deeds. He left Uniontown about 1850, went west, and died -soon after. - -William Merriman kept a tavern near Margaret Allen's old stand as early -as 1802. But little is known at this date of Merriman or his old tavern. -Its existence was brief and its patronage limited. - -At and before the beginning of the present century Samuel Salter kept a -tavern in an old log and frame house that stood on the lot now occupied -by the handsome residence of the Hon. John K. Ewing. Chief Justice -Thomas McKean "put up" at this old tavern on his visits to Uniontown to -hold the courts of Fayette county, and was frequently regaled with roast -pig. The pig was well prepared, cooked and dressed, and in all respects -savory, but its frequent appearance on the table moved the old Chief -Justice to believe that he was getting "too much of a good thing," and -accordingly one day, in peremptory terms, he commanded the dining room -girl to remove the offensive dish, which she did with trembling hands. -This of course raised a storm in the old hostelry. Mrs. Salter became -indignant, and, bringing back the pig, replaced it on the table, at the -same time addressing the Judge thus: "You are Chief Justice and run the -court; I am chief cook and run this dining room. That pig must stay," -and it did. Upon the withdrawal of Salter, in the year 1811, this old -tavern came under the management and control of Jacob Harbaugh, the old -Sheriff before mentioned. After Harbaugh's time it was kept by George -Ewing down to a period as late probably as 1830. Hugh Espey, a well -remembered old County Treasurer, and straightgoing Presbyterian elder, -married a daughter of George Ewing. - -Opposite the old Gregg house, and adjoining the Shelcut house, George -Manypenny kept a tavern as early as the year 1814, and probably before -that date. This was a leading tavern of the town, subsequently conducted -by Benjamin Miller, and after him by Harry Gilbert. One of the old stage -lines stopped at this house. George Manypenny, the old proprietor, was -the father of the late Hon. George W. Manypenny, who was for many years -a prominent and popular political leader and officeholder of the State -of Ohio. He was born in Uniontown, and most likely in his father's old -tavern. George Manypenny, sr., is described by those who remember him as -a vigorous, pushing and witty Irishman. He called once to see President -Jefferson, and was invited by His Excellency to take a glass of wine -with him, which he did without hesitancy, and to obtain a second glass, -this story is told of him: As he was about to withdraw from the -executive mansion he remarked to Mr. Jefferson that he was going home, -and would tell his friends that he had the honor of taking two glasses -with the President of the United States, and hoped His Excellency would -not let him go home with a lie in his mouth. As the story goes, the old -President saw the point of the ingenious suggestion, and again brought -forward the wine. - -The Walker house, corner of Broadway and Main streets, was kept as a -tavern as early as 1816 by Zadoc Walker, who owned the property. General -LaFayette was entertained at this house in 1825, and Santa Anna, the -renowned Mexican warrior, stopped over night in it on his way to -Washington City, about sixty years ago. This house has been kept at -different times since by Andrew Byers, William Byers, Redding Bunting, -and others. When Bunting kept it, it was called the "United States." It -has recently been enlarged and improved, and its name changed to the -"Central." Its first host under the new name was James I. Feather, who -subsequently became associated with William A. McHugh. Its present -lessees and managers are Messrs. Frock and Mitchell. The Spottsylvania -house, for many years conducted prosperously by John Manaway, and -afterward, until it closed, by Lloyd Mahaney, adjoined the Walker house -on the west, and used a number of rooms belonging to that old hostelry. - -[Illustration: AARON WYATT.] - -The McCleary house ranked high as an old-time inn or tavern. It is -situate on the corner of Main and Arch streets, a substantial brick -building, recently enlarged, embellished and improved, and at present -catering to the public under the historic name of "Brunswick," and -conducted by Russell W. Beall, a gentleman admirably equipped for the -business. Ewing McCleary owned and kept this old tavern as early as the -year 1819, and many years thereafter. Upon his death, which occurred in -this house, it was continued as a tavern under the management of his -widow, until she became the wife of William Hart, when he took charge of -it and kept it down to the year 1840, or thereabout, when he fell into -disgrace and retired under a storm of popular reprobation. This house -was a favorite stopping place of General Jackson. On an occasion a -committee of citizens met Jackson on the road near town and tendered him -the freedom of the municipality. Among other things made known to him by -the committee, he was informed that quarters had been provided for his -accommodation at the Walker House. He replied that he "always stopped at -Hart's." "But," rejoined the chairman of the committee, "Hart is a Whig, -and his tavern a Whig house." The old warrior answered back by saying -that "Hart always treated him well, and he would go to his house," and -to Hart's he went, reluctantly escorted by the Democratic committee. -After Hart's precipitate withdrawal from this old house, it was leased -by S. B. Hays, subsequently of the Mansion and other old taverns in -Washington, Pennsylvania. Hays conducted it for a brief period when it -went into the possession of Joshua Marsh, who remained in charge not -longer than a year or two, and left it to take charge of the National -House. Its next occupant was the veteran Redding Bunting. After Bunting -came Aaron Stone, then William Beatty, and after him William Gans. After -Gans, Peter Uriah Hook was installed as landlord, who named the house -"The Eagle," and remained in charge a number of years. Hook was an -eccentric man, given to redundancy of speech, a merchant, auctioneer, -and for two years a member of the lower branch of the State legislature. -He died in Uniontown, a number of years ago, but will not soon be -forgotten. Aaron Wyatt succeeded Hook, and kept the house until his -death. His widow and son James succeeded to the management, and James -dying in the house, it passed to the hands of his widow, Mrs. Kate -Wyatt, and from her to Russell W. Beall, the present occupant. - -The before-mentioned old taverns were of the town, rather than of the -road. Most of them were in existence and doing business before the road -was made. The remaining old taverns of Uniontown, hereafter mentioned, -were essentially taverns of the National Road, and derived their -principal patronage from it. - -The Swan, Nathaniel Brownfield proprietor, is an old, long frame -building, at the west end of town, supplemented some years after it -commenced business, by a brick addition to the eastern end. Thomas -Brownfield, father of Nathaniel, the present proprietor, and grandfather -on the maternal side, of the author of this volume, kept this old tavern -as early as 1805, and down to the year 1829. When the National Road was -opened for business, this house became a wagon stand, and continued such -until the last crack of a Battelly White whip was heard on the road. It -was provided with two commodious wagon yards, one at the front, on the -roadside opposite the house, and the other between the house and the -large stable in the rear. With the exception of one year that this old -tavern was kept by William Cox, Nathaniel Brownfield, who was born under -its roof, has kept it, uninterruptedly, from the date of his father's -death, and "holds the fort" to this day, "with none to molest or make -him afraid." Upwards of eighty, and in vigorous health, he has witnessed -and participated in the exciting scenes of the road from the beginning -to the end thereof. At an early period he became the owner of a farm -consisting of one hundred acres adjacent to town, which he managed -advantageously in connection with his tavern, and within the past year -sold for the sum of one thousand and five dollars per acre, retaining -his old tavern stand, to which he is attached by so many memories. His -wife and good helpmate survives with him, and together they occupy the -old tavern and recount with varied emotions the stirring scenes of the -eventful past. - -The McClelland House, as has been elsewhere stated, is one of the best -known old taverns on the National Road. It is located on the north side -of the Main street, and in the western end of town. As early as 1795, -Richard Weaver kept a tavern in a wooden building on the lot now covered -by the McClelland House, and was succeeded by William McClelland. -William McClelland was keeping this old tavern in 1802, and owned the -lot on which it stood at that date in fee simple. After the death of -William McClelland his son, Alfred, came into possession, tore down the -old building, and erected in its stead the present brick building, known -always thereafter as the McClelland House. This house was the -headquarters of the Good Intent line of stages, from the time it was put -on the road until it was withdrawn at the end of the road's career as a -national highway. Alfred McClelland presided over this house and -controlled it from the date of its erection until he died, with the -exception of brief intervals mentioned below. He was a large, raw-boned -man, of agreeable, though somewhat awkward manners, and had complete -knowledge of the mysterious art of keeping a tavern. He had for his main -clerk and bar-keeper, Macon W. Rine, a confidential and loyal friend, -well remembered by the older citizens of Uniontown, as a thoroughly -competent man for his employment. Alfred McClelland died on the 8th of -September, 1862. In the intervals before mentioned, the McClelland House -was kept for a short time previous to 1840 by S. B. Hays, before he -took control of the old McCleary House. Thereafter, at different times, -the house was kept by Jerry Colflesh, Lewis D. Beall, William and Thomas -Swan, J. W. Kissinger, Calvin Springer, William Wyatt, Kim Frey, Russell -Frey, Frey and Swan, Joseph C. Stacy and Charles H. Rush, in the order -named. It is at present conducted, as elsewhere stated, by Mrs. Sarah E. -McClelland, widow of the old proprietor, and retains all its ancient -prestige, under her admirable management. - -[Illustration: THE BROWNFIELD HOUSE.] - -The Seaton House was a familiar hostelry in the olden time. It was -founded by James C. Seaton in the year 1820, or thereabout. It is -located on the northeast corner of Main and Arch streets, diagonally -opposite the old McCleary House, and is now known as the West End Hotel. -Mr. Seaton, the old proprietor, came to Uniontown from Virginia, and -died in this old house many years ago. The house was built in sections -at different times until it reached its present large proportions. -During its occupancy by Mr. Seaton it was a wagon stand of the National -Road, and extensively patronized. It was provided with ample grounds for -wagons and teams to stand on, which are now covered by the Lingo block -and other buildings in the vicinity. Mr. Seaton had three sons: Hiram, -James, and John. Hiram was the old toll collector before mentioned, and -James was a pike boy in a general way. He drove stage occasionally, and -also the express; led horses from station to station on the road, and -made himself useful in many other ways. He died at his father's old -tavern in the meridian of the bright era of the road, and before he had -reached middle age. John Seaton, the other son, went west, and died -recently in Nebraska. Daniel Collier, before mentioned as keeper of the -old tavern at Mount Augusta, was a son-in-law of James C. Seaton; and -Charles H. Seaton, the well known insurance agent of Uniontown, is a -great-grandson of the old proprietor, and others of his descendants are -still living in Uniontown and vicinity. After Mr. Seaton's death this -old tavern was continued a number of years by his widow, and growing old -she leased it to James Swan, who conducted it for a brief period, Mrs. -Seaton boarding with him in the house. Mr. Swan was succeeded by Philip -D. Stentz, and he in turn by J. W. Kissinger, Kim Frey, David G. Sperry, -John Messmore and Henry Jennings. The late James T. Redburn bought the -property from the Seaton heirs and sold it to John Messmore, who in turn -sold it to Henry Jennings. It is now owned and kept by George Titlow, -under the name of the West End Hotel, as before stated, well conducted -and well patronized. - -The old National House is located on the northwest corner of Morgantown -and Fayette streets. It was built for a private residence by the late -Hon. Thomas Irwin, and occupied by him as such until he was appointed -Judge of the United States District Court for the Western district of -Pennsylvania, when he moved to Pittsburg. Judge Irwin sold the property -to the celebrated Dr. John F. Braddee, of mail robbing notoriety, and he -occupied it during the period covered by his depredations upon the mail -bags. Its situation for such operations was convenient, as it adjoined -the old Stockton stage yard hereinbefore described. After Braddee's -conviction L. W. Stockton acquired title to the property, and -subsequently sold and conveyed it to Joshua Marsh, who opened it as a -tavern. It was the headquarters of the Stockton line of stages from the -time it was opened until all stage lines were withdrawn from the road. -James K. Polk, with his family and traveling companions, stopped over -night at The National when on his way to the capital to be inaugurated -President, in the spring of 1845. A large number of citizens assembled -on the occasion to meet the coming President, and were addressed by him -from the high steps in front of the house. The National was a well kept -house. Situate a distance from the main street, it was comparatively -exempt from the ordinary street noises, and conducted in a quiet manner, -disturbed only by the arrival and departure of the stage coaches. Mr. -Marsh, its old proprietor, was a man of retiring disposition, gentle -manners, and feeble health. He visited Washington when Mr. Buchanan was -inaugurated President, and was one of the unfortunates who were poisoned -on that occasion at the National Hotel of that place. He returned home, -but never fully recovered from the effects of the poison, and died in -Uniontown. Among others who kept the National were George Evans and Col. -Samuel Elder. The latter is still living, a hale octogenarian, at -Ligonier Westmoreland county, Pa. - -The Clinton House, which stood on a lot adjoining the old Court House, -was a popular house throughout its whole career. It was demolished in -1890 by condemnation proceedings, and the lot on which it stood taken by -the county for the use of the new Court House. It was erected in 1835 by -the late Hon. Andrew Stewart, who occupied it as a private residence and -kept his law office in it for a number of years. It was first kept as a -tavern by Andrew Byers, and after him, from time to time, until its -demolition, by Stephen W. Snyder, whose wife was a Risler, Zadoc -Cracraft, Isaac Kerr, Jesse B. Gardner, John Bierer, Calvin Springer, -Springer & Renshaw, Bernard Winslow, William Springer, Joseph Wright, J. -R. Thornton, and James I. Feather. General Taylor stopped over night at -the Clinton House in 1849, _en route_ to Washington to assume the office -of President of the United States. It was kept at that time by Andrew -Byers. - -[Illustration: COL. SAMUEL ELDER.] - -The Moran House is the old Fulton House, opposite the Court House, on -Elbow or Main street. Like the old Seaton House, the Fulton was built in -sections, some of them by Seth Howell and others by his predecessors. -Seth Howell kept this house a long time. He was called "Flinger," -because he had a habit of flinging disorderly persons out of the house, -as he termed the process of ejecting. Howell was succeeded by Calvin -Springer, and he by William Thorndell, who became the owner of the -property. David Mahaney came in after Thorndell, Michael Carter after -Mahaney, and it next passed to the hands of James Moran, its present -occupant and owner, who gave it the name of the Moran House. This old -tavern was always well patronized, and continues to be under its present -proprietor, who has added many improvements, and the house is in better -shape now than at any time heretofore. - -The name Mahaney has long been identified with the National Road. The -Mahaney House was built and is conducted by Lloyd Mahaney, a son of -David, elsewhere mentioned. It is the newest hotel in Uniontown, and the -finest in architectural display. It is a hotel, having come into -existence after the old inns and taverns had been relegated to the dead -past. It is located on a lot formerly owned and occupied by George -Ebbert, adjoining the present National Bank of Fayette County on the -east, and is on the south side of Main street. It is well managed and -does a large business, and is likewise one of the best of the many -recent improvements in Uniontown, and reflects credit on its -proprietor. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Uniontown to - Searights--Anecdote of John Slack--Slack at Night and Tight in the - Morning--Old Roads--Parting Tribute to the Old Taverns of the - Mountains--Henry Clay Extols the Virtue of Buckwheat Cakes--Boss - Rush and his Poker--Moxleys--The Old Hunter House--Searights--The - Grays and the Gray Meeting--Jackson Men and Adams Men Meet and - Count Noses--Old Political Leaders--Barnacles of the Road._ - - -The tavern keepers on the "old road," as it is called, were as earnestly -opposed to the building of the National Road, as those on the latter -were to the building of the railroad, and for like reasons. The -following anecdote serves as an illustration: John Slack kept a tavern -for many years at the summit of Laurel Hill on the old road, in a house -near the Washington Springs. Before the National Road was opened said -Slack, in a complaining manner, "Wagons coming up Laurel Hill would -stick in the mud a mile or so below my house, when the drivers would -unhitch, leave their wagons in the mud, and bring their teams to my -house and stay with me all night. In the morning they would return to -their stranded wagons, dig and haul them out, and get back to my house -and stay with me another night. Thus counting the wagons going east and -west, I got four night's bills from the same set of wagoners." "Now," -concluded Slack (since the completion of the National Road), with -indignation, "the wagoners whiff by without stopping." Old wagoners were -accustomed to say of Slack that he was "Slack at night and tight in the -morning," meaning that he was clever and cheerful when they "put up" -with him in the evening, and close and exacting in the morning when -bills were payable. - -The old road referred to was the Braddock road, which from the summit of -Laurel Hill, turned northwardly, as before stated, to Gists (Mt. -Braddock), Stewart's Crossing (Connellsville), Braddock's Field and Fort -Pitt (Pittsburg). - -[Illustration: THE SEARIGHT HOUSE.] - -An old road between Uniontown and Brownsville was laid out in 1774 by -viewers appointed by the court of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, -before Fayette county was established, upon a petition signed mainly by -inhabitants of Brownsville and vicinity, who complained that "they had -to carry their corn twenty miles to the mill of Henry Beeson at -Uniontown." The distance of twenty miles complained of was by way of the -old road known as "Burd's," from the mouth of Redstone creek to -Gists, where it intersected Braddock's road. The road between Uniontown -and Brownsville, above mentioned, was carried east of Uniontown, to -intersect the Braddock road, which it did, near Slack's tavern. The line -of the National Road closely follows that of the old road between -Uniontown and Brownsville. Marks of the old road are plainly visible to -this day, and some of the old buildings, which were erected along its -line, are still standing, notably the dwelling of Thomas B. Graham, -esq., three miles west of Uniontown, which was an old tavern. This old -house was the first residence of the Hon. Andrew Stewart after his -marriage, and his oldest son, David Shriver, was born in it. - -John Slack, the old tavern keeper before mentioned, was the father of -Mrs. McClean, wife of Ephraim McClean, who for many years kept the -Cottage tavern on the summit of Laurel Hill, and no doubt the fame of -this house under the management of the McCleans is attributable in great -measure to the early training of Mrs. McClean in her father's old -tavern, where she was reared. - -Heretofore in these pages the reader has been introduced to old taverns -and old tavern keepers on the mountain division of the road, a long -division covering two hundred miles, including the intervening glades -and valleys. Surprise is often expressed that there were so many good -taverns in the mountains, remote from fertile fields and needed markets. -That they were equal to the best on the road is conceded; and that the -old taverns of the National Road have never been surpassed for bounteous -entertainment and good cheer, is likewise conceded; in fact, has never -been disputed. It may seem a trifling thing to be written down in -serious history, that the old taverns of the mountains excelled all -others in the matter of serving buckwheat cakes; but it is germane and -true. To relieve this statement from the imputation of being a trifling -one, it may be added that there are men and women still living on the -line of the National Road who often heard the great statesman, orator -and patriot, Henry Clay, praising the good qualities of the buckwheat -cakes furnished by the old mountain taverns with as much fervor and more -enthusiasm than he ever exhibited in commending his favorite measure, -the Protective Tariff. And, as a matter of fact, it might be stated in -this connection, that the making of buckwheat cakes is essentially a -home industry, not, however, of the infantile order, and while it may -not need protection, is certainly deserving of encouragement. Another -memorable feature of the mountain taverns was the immense fires kept -constantly burning in the old bar rooms during the old-time winters. In -many instances the grates were seven feet in length, with corresponding -width and depth, and would contain an ordinary wagon load of coal; and -when the fires were stirred up in these immense grates, and set to -roaring, the jolly old wagoners occupying the bar rooms paid little heed -to the eagerness of the howling mountain weather. The old landlord of -the mountains took special pride in keeping up his bar room fire. He -kept a poker from six to eight feet long, and would not allow it to be -used by any one but himself. Boss Rush, not inaptly termed "the prince -of landlords," was so careful and punctilious about the management of -his bar room fire that he kept his big poker under lock and key, so that -no one could use it but himself, always using it at the right time, and -keeping up a uniform and proper temperature for the comfort of his -guests. With this parting tribute to the memory of the old taverns and -tavern keepers of the mountains, the attention of the reader is now -invited to those on the line of the road through the rich valleys of the -tributaries of the Ohio. Monroe and Uniontown, and the intervening space -of two miles between these points, are covered in a previous chapter. - -Three miles west of Uniontown is an old tavern stand known in late years -as the Moxley House. It is a long log and frame building, situate on the -south side of the road, with a porch extending along its entire -frontage. This house was first kept as a tavern by Bazil Wiggins, an -uncle of Harrison Wiggins, the old fox hunter before mentioned, next by -John Gray, grandfather of the old and popular conductor from Uniontown -to Pittsburg on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, now and for many years -deceased. Its next occupant, and from 1836 to 1838, was William Cox, a -brother-in-law of E. W. Clement, the famous swearer. In 1838 the -property was purchased by Thomas Moxley, who went into possession and -continued it as a tavern stand down to the year 1863, when Henry Clay -Rush bought it and occupied it until the year 1865, when he sold it to -Edmund Leonard, its present occupant. When Moxley took charge of this -old tavern he gave it the name of "The Half-way House," for the reason -that its location is about midway between Cumberland and Wheeling. It -was always a well conducted tavern, and did a large business, mainly in -the line of wagon custom. - -Less than a mile west of the old Moxley House, on the south side, and -back a few yards from the road, is a fine brick building, which, during -a portion of the prosperous era of the road, was a well known and -popular tavern stand. The house was built by Robert Hunter, who occupied -it for several years, but did not seem inclined to court patronage, and, -as a consequence, did not do much business. He leased the house to -William Darlington, and moved to Ohio. Darlington, as before stated, had -been an old wagoner, was a man of amiable temper, and did a large -business at this house. He remained in it until the year 1848, when he -moved to the mountain and took charge of the Stone House, then known as -the Fayette Springs House, now Dean's. There he remained until he became -the occupant of the Mansion House on the estate of the late Col. Samuel -Evans, near Uniontown, where he died. When Darlington vacated the old -Hunter House it was turned over to Peter Colley, whose father, Abel -Colley, had previously bought it from Hunter. Peter Colley kept the -house a number of years, and died in possession. He was a man of quiet -deportment, attentive to strangers and travelers, and enjoyed an -extensive line of custom, until the termination of the road's high -career. The old tavern is now the private residence of A. A. Taggart, -son-in-law of Peter Colley, proprietor of one of the planing mills of -Uniontown, and a successful contractor and builder. - -[Illustration: JOSEPH GRAY.] - -Next, two miles further west, is Searights. Here is the old half-way -house between Uniontown and Brownsville, a large stone building on the -north side of the road, at the crossing of the great drovers' road of -other days leading from the Flats of Grave Creek, Virginia, to Bedford, -Pennsylvania. The large stables connected with this house, on the -opposite side of the road, are still standing, and in a good state of -preservation. In the olden time, in addition to the ordinary travel on -the road, sleighing and other parties from Uniontown and Brownsville -were accustomed to go to this old tavern for a night's dancing, and the -attending festivities. This is also the battleground of the memorable -"Gray Meeting" in 1828, where the opposing hosts between Jackson and -Adams went into an open field and measured strength by "counting off," -the Jacksonians outnumbering their adversaries by a decided -preponderance, greatly to the mortification of the weaker column. This -meeting was called the "Gray meeting," because the tavern there was then -kept by John Gray, formerly of the Moxley House, before mentioned. The -leaders on the occasion of this trial of strength were as follows: On -the Jackson side, Gen. Henry W. Beeson, Col. Ben Brownfield, John -Fuller, David Gilmore, Larkin S. Dearth. Alexander Johnson, Provance -McCormick, William F. Coplan, Henry J. Rigdon, William Hatfield and -William Searight. On the Adams side: Andrew Stewart, John Dawson, John -M. Austin, Israel Miller, E. P. Oliphant, Chads Chalfant, Stokely -Conwell, Levi Springer, Dennis Springer, and William Colvin. Prior to -1840 many of the Democratic county meetings and conventions were held at -Searights. Before the era of railroads it was a central point for -Uniontown, Connellsville and Brownsville. A large water-trough was -always maintained at this old tavern, where teams attached to all kinds -of wagons, coaches and other vehicles, as well as horses and mules led -in droves, were halted for refreshment. At times relays of stage horses -for extra occasions were stationed here, and it was always a relay for -the line teams moving merchandise. An old sign-board was displayed at -the front of the house for many years, bearing in large gilt letters the -legend SEARIGHTS. The old tavern at Searights was built by Josiah Frost, -about the time the National Road was constructed, and in the year 1821 -William Searight acquired it by purchase from Frost. Joseph T. Noble as -lessee of William Searight kept the tavern first after it was vacated by -Frost. It was kept for a brief period at intervals by William Searight, -but owing to his absence from home, being a contractor on public works, -he did not give the management his personal attention, but placed it in -the hands of James Allison, a well remembered and highly esteemed -citizen, subsequently and for many years postmaster at Searights. John -Gray, as has been stated, kept this house in 1828. He was succeeded by -John Risler, the noted old tavern keeper, before mentioned. Mrs. -Risler's mother died at this house. Her name was Marsh. After Mr. Risler -left, and about 1840, Matthias Fry went into possession, and conducted -the house for a number of years. He had been a popular old wagoner, and -drew a large wagon trade. He was succeeded by Joseph Gray, son of John, -before mentioned, and father of John Gray, the old railroad conductor. -Joseph Gray died in this house in January, 1851. He was a worthy -citizen, well deserving of honorable mention. After the death of Joseph -Gray the house was kept first by William Shaw, known as "Tavern Keeper -Billy," and after him by William Shaw, known as "Wagoner Billy." These -two Shaws were not of kin. In 1856 Henry Clay Rush took charge of the -house and remained in it until 1863, when he purchased the Moxley -property and removed to that point, as before stated. Rush was a popular -man, and was liberally patronized by the traveling public. In the fall -of 1862, or winter of 1863, the mansion house of Ewing Searight was -destroyed by fire, and he moved to the old tavern when Rush vacated it, -remained for a while, and subsequently from time to time leased it to -James Frost, Alfred McCormick, Thomas Allen, C. W. Downer, Robert -Moxley, Lewis Fry and James W. Claybaugh. During the terms of the last -mentioned persons the patronage of the house was mostly local. The house -is now the private residence of William Searight, a son of Ewing -Searight, owner of the property, and late superintendent of the road. -William Searight, the old proprietor, was superintendent of the road for -many years, during its flourishing era. - -The National Road had its contingent of quaint characters, eccentric -men, philosophers in one sense, and loafers in another. They were -indigenous to the road, could not live away from it, and enjoyed the -precarious subsistence they obtained on it. The load-stone that -attracted them and attached them to the road, probably above all other -influences, was the pure whisky, before mentioned. It was plentiful and -cheap, and could be obtained almost for the mere asking. It did not -contain the elements of modern whisky, which excites men to revolution, -insurrection, violence and insanity. Of the characters alluded to, whose -haunts were at the old taverns along the road between Searights and -Brownsville, the reader familiar with that portion of the line will -readily recall Marion Smith, (Logan) George Ducket, Jonathan Crawford, -John W. Dougherty, Gideon Lehman and Billy Bluebaker. Logan's forte was -imitating the crowing of a rooster. Ducket had no pronounced trait, but -under a patriotic impulse volunteered as a soldier in the Mexican war, -and marched with Major Gardner, Daniel Hazard and the other heroes to -the halls of the Montezumas. Crawford was a tailor, and worked at his -trade as little as possible, but quietly enjoyed his potations. He had -nothing to say. Dougherty was a walking arsenal, savage in appearance -and gesticulation. He carried knives, pistols and a general assortment -of deadly weapons, but was never known to use them on an adversary. -Lehman was also a tailor and bass drummer. He had a bronzed complexion, -and a stolid temperament. Billy Bluebaker was elastic in motion, but -lacking in brain. He wore the smallest hat of any individual on the -road, and was happy in doing little jobs for old wagoners at his uncle's -tavern. These odd characters have all gone with the majority of the men -of the road. They witnessed and in their way participated in the -enlivening scenes of the great highway, and are entitled to a place in -its history. - -[Illustration: WILLIAM SHAW. - "WAGONER BILLY."] - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers, continued--Searights to - Brownsville--Able Colley's, Johnson's, known later as - Hatfield's--William Hatfield, his Good Name and Melancholy - Death--An old and odd Indenture--The old Peter Colley House--A - Tavern with a Brief Career, the Red Tavern, Wilkes Brown, - Brubaker's--Brownsville--Anecdotes of Jackson and Clay--James - Workman and Doctor Stoy--Ham and Eggs--Bazil Brashear, James C. - Beckley, William Reynolds, the Monongahela House, the Clark House, - the Iron Bridge, Bridgeport, John Riley, the Monongahela Bridge._ - - -Over the hill from Searights is the old Abel Colley stand. The old -tavern here, in the flourishing era of the road, did a large business, -mainly in the line of entertaining wagoners. While all the taverns of -the road were more or less patronized by wagoners, excepting a few which -were exclusively stage houses, they had favorite stopping places, and -the Abel Colley tavern was one of these. The old proprietor and his -family had methods and manners which were agreeable to wagoners, and -they made it a point to stop at this house in great numbers. The bills -were moderate, yet the patronage was so extensive and continued so long -that Abel Colley accumulated a considerable fortune at this old tavern, -and when trade and travel ceased built a fine brick residence on the -roadside opposite, where he retired with his family to private life, and -in a few years thereafter died. Nancy, the wife of the old tavern -keeper, is well remembered as a large, amiable woman, who habitually -wore an expansive cap of the Queen Anne style. She long since passed to -the life beyond. W. Searight Colley, a son of Abel, now occupies and -owns the brick dwelling mentioned, with a fine farm adjacent. Peter -Colley, of the old Hunter tavern before mentioned, was likewise a son of -Abel, and he had a son, Levi, a farmer and freeholder, who died a number -of years ago on the old Covert farm, near Moxley's, now in the occupancy -of one of his sons. The Abel Colley tavern is still standing, a -monument, like many others, of the faded glories of the old pike. This -old house was kept as early as the year 1825 by Darius Grimes, and after -him by Thomas Moxley. In Moxley's time it was called the "Green Tree," -and the writer remembers the picture of the green tree which appeared on -the sign board that hung and swung for many years in front of this old -tavern. Abel Colley took charge after Moxley left. According to the -recollection of Ebenezer Finley, as appears by his letter in the -Appendix to this volume, the Abel Colley tavern, was kept by Samuel -Wolverton and by Hugh Thompson, and this must have been previous to the -time of Darius Grimes. It was certainly before Moxley's time. - -[Illustration: ABEL COLLEY.] - -About one mile west of the Abel Colley house there is an old stone -tavern on the north side of the road, known in early days as Johnson's, -later as Hatfield's. This house was built in 1817 by Randolph Dearth for -Robert Johnson, who kept it as a tavern down to the year 1841, when he -retired to a farm in Franklin township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, -where he died, leaving behind him a good name, which is better than -great riches, of which latter he had a goodly share. He was the -father-in-law of Thomas Brownfield, who, in 1862, was Sheriff of Fayette -county, Pennsylvania, and previously a tavern keeper on the road. Henry -L. Murphy, a well known and thrifty farmer of Jefferson township, -Fayette county, Pennsylvania, likewise married a daughter of Robert -Johnson. This tavern, under the guidance of Robert Johnson, did a large -business, and the old proprietor made money by conducting it. The -successor of Robert Johnson in the management of this house was Arthur -Wallace, who remained in it for a single year. He was a brother of John -Wallace, who once kept the Wilse Clement house in Hopwood, and -subsequently removed to Morgantown, Virginia, and an uncle of James -Wallace, present proprietor of the Wallace House in Morgantown. Peter -Frasher, the old wagoner and tavern keeper before mentioned, married a -daughter of Arthur Wallace. Charles Guttery succeeded Arthur Wallace in -the Johnson House. [Y]Guttery was an old wagoner, and is now keeping a -tavern in Beallsville, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and probably the -oldest man in the business. He was at the Johnson House in 1844, and a -wagoner many years before that date. From 1849 to 1851 John Foster kept -the Johnson House. He was a brother of the first wife of Robert Hogsett. -Foster was succeeded by Hiram Holmes, who kept the house one year. In -1852 William Hatfield, who had previously bought the property, went into -the house and kept it as a tavern until the year 1855, when he closed it -as a public house, but continued to occupy it as a private residence -until his melancholy death. Before engaging in tavern keeping, William -Hatfield served many years as a Justice of the Peace, and subsequent to -1855 served a term as Associate Judge. He was a blacksmith by trade, and -made the old iron gates of the road. He was industrious and honest, and -likewise noted for his kindness to his fellow men. It was while engaged -in doing a favor for an old neighbor, in the year 1871, that he lost his -life. His neighbor, John C. Craft, had purchased a patent pump, and -called on Judge Hatfield to assist him in placing it in his well. The -Judge, as was his habit, promptly responded, and, going down to the -bottom of the well, called to his neighbor, who stood at the surface, to -send him down a saw or an ax. The needed tool was placed in a heavy -iron-bound tub and started down, but, through neglect, the cable -slipped, and the tub was precipitated a great depth upon Judge -Hatfield's head, fatally injuring him. He was extricated from his -perilous position in an unconscious state, carried home, and lingering -only a few hours, died. His remains were interred in the beautiful -cemetery near Brownsville, attended by a large concourse of sorrowing -citizens, including the Judges of the Courts and the members of the bar -of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. - -[Footnote Y: Deceased.] - -Following is an exact copy of the indenture which bound William Hatfield -to learn the trade of a blacksmith: - - _This Indenture Witnesseth_: That William Hatfield, of the township - of Union, in the county of Fayette, State of Pennsylvania, hath put - himself by the approbation of his guardian, JOHN WITHROW, and by - these presents doth voluntarily put himself an apprentice to GEORGE - WINTERMUTE, of the township of Redstone, county and State - aforesaid, blacksmith, to learn his art, trade or mystery he now - occupieth or followeth, and after the manner of an apprentice to - serve him from the day of the date hereof, for and during the full - end and term of five years next ensuing, during all which time he, - the said apprentice, his said master shall faithfully serve, his - secrets keep, his lawful commands every where gladly obey; he shall - do no damage to his said master, nor suffer it to be done without - giving notice to his said master; he shall not waste his master's - goods, nor lend them unlawfully to others; he shall not absent - himself day or night from his master's service without his leave; - he shall not commit any unlawful deed, whereby his said master - shall sustain damage, nor contract matrimony within the said term; - he shall not buy nor sell, nor make any contract whatsomever, - whereby his master receive damage, but in all things behave himself - as a faithful apprentice ought to do during the said term. And the - said George Wintermute shall use the utmost of his endeavors to - teach, or cause to be taught and instructed, the said apprentice - the trade or mystery he now occupieth or followeth, and procure and - provide for him, the said apprentice, sufficient meat, drink, - common working apparel, washing, and lodging, fitting for an - apprentice during the said term; and further, he the said master, - doth agree to give unto the said apprentice, ten month's schooling - within the said term, and also the said master doth agree to give - unto the said apprentice two weeks in harvest in each and every - year that he, the said apprentice, shall stay with his said master; - also the said George Wintermute, doth agree to give unto the said - apprentice one good freedom suit of clothes. And for the true - performance of all and every the said covenants and agreements, - either of the said parties binds themselves to each other by these - presents. - - In witness thereof, they have interchangeably put their hands and - seals, this first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and - sixteen. - - GEORGE WINTERMUTE. [Seal.] - Witness present, WILLIAM HATFIELD. [Seal.] - BENJAMIN ROBERTS. JOHN WITHROW. [Seal.] - -[Illustration: HON. WILLIAM HATFIELD.] - -_Fayette County, ss._: - - May the 29th, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, before me the - subscriber, one of the justices of peace in and for the said county, - came the parties to the within indenture and severally acknowledged - it as their act and deed. Given under my hand and seal the day and - year above mentioned. - - BENJAMIN ROBERTS. [Seal.] - -All the covenants and agreements of this quaint document were faithfully -kept on the part of William Hatfield. Benjamin Roberts, the Justice of -the Peace, before whom the instrument was acknowledged, was the father -of William B. Roberts, who led the company from Uniontown to engage in -the Mexican war, and upon the organization of the second regiment of -Pennsylvania volunteers was elected colonel, and served as such until -his death, which occurred in the city of Mexico. The old justice lived -on a small farm in Menallen township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, -north of and adjoining the Searight farm, and Col. Roberts, his -distinguished son, was born there. - -One mile west of Hatfield's is the old Peter Colley stand. It is a stone -house on the south side of the road. Peter Colley was the father of Abel -Colley, and an early settler. He kept a tavern on the old road before -the National Road was made. He was a money maker, and owned the land on -which his tavern was erected, in fee. He was probably the first man on -the National Road who acquired the fame of having a barrel of money. Old -pike boys said he kept his money in a barrel. Peter Colley was well -advanced in years when the National Road was made, and did not long -enjoy the profits of the new highway. At his death his tavern passed to -the hands of his son George, who kept it for many years, and until he -followed his father to the unknown world. George Colley lived to see and -lament the decline of business on the road, and after his death his -house was discontinued as a tavern. The hills on either side of this old -house are among the highest on the road, the summit of the western range -being twelve hundred and seventy-four feet above the level of the sea. -In the olden time, as before stated, extra horses, called "the -postilion," were required to aid the stage coaches in ascending these -hills. - -A little over a mile further west a plastered stone house, on the north -side of the road, was kept as a tavern at intervals, during the -prosperous era of the road. It is not, however, to be classed among the -old taverns of the road. It was first kept as a tavern previous to 1840 -by Arthur Wallace. Isaac Baily subsequently kept it for a brief period, -and enjoyed a good measure of patronage. Baily afterward became -postmaster at Brownsville, and finally a member of the Fayette county, -Pennsylvania, bar. He was a shrewd Yankee, and an active local -politician. His wife was a daughter of Solomon Colley, of the large -family of Colleys of the vicinity. George Craft once lived in this -house, and occasionally entertained strangers and travelers, but was not -a regular tavern keeper. This was also the residence at one time of -"Jackey Craft," known as an eccentric character, who was in the habit of -starting out over the road in a sleigh with bells, when there was no -snow on the ground. Before his mind became unbalanced, "Jackey" was a -pushing, money making citizen, but his life went out under a cloud of -mental derangement, causing deep regret among his many friends. - -A few hundred yards further west on the south side of the road, is the -red tavern, so called, because in early days it was painted red. It is a -wooden building, weather-boarded. This house had a large wagon custom, -and, what may be considered strange without explanation, was more -largely patronized by wagoners going west than east. This was owing to -the means of ingress to and egress from the house. It is located near -the summit of a hill, a short distance from the road, and immediately in -front of it, adjoining the road, is a steep embankment. To drive to the -house going west, a way leads off from the summit of the hill, which is -level, but to drive out to the road the descent is steep, and wagoners -coming east could not reach the wagon yard without driving up this steep -grade, and, in many instances, preferred driving on to Colley's rather -than pressing their teams against such an obstacle. Despite the -disadvantage mentioned, this tavern, as before stated, was a popular -resort for wagoners. It was first kept by Cuthbert Wiggins, father of -Harrison Wiggins, and at this house Harrison Wiggins was born. It was -next kept by George Richards, whose widow became the wife of John Gadd. -Cuthbert Wiggins was at this house as early as 1812. John Gribble -succeeded Richards as early as 1836, and continued to keep this house -for many years, making money in the business, and ultimately buying a -farm in the neighborhood, ceased tavern keeping and became a successful -farmer. He has been dead many years, but is well remembered as a worthy -citizen. Upon the retirement of Gribble, this house passed to the -management of Fielding Frasher, a steady-going man, who had been a -wagoner on the road, and knew how to keep a tavern. He was an uncle of -Capt. L. H. Frasher, of Uniontown, ex-District Attorney of Fayette -county. Fielding Frasher had a good custom while keeping this house, but -did not continue long in the business, and was succeeded by Huston Todd, -a well known citizen in his day. He was a brother-in-law of Judge -Hatfield, father of Ewing Todd, for many years a leading citizen of -Brownsville, now deceased, and grandfather of William Hatfield Todd, a -popular and efficient postal clerk on the route between Pittsburg and -New York. Peter Williams, oldest son of the late Gen. William W. -Williams, married a daughter of Huston Todd. The reputation of this old -house was fully maintained while under the control of Huston Todd. Peter -Frasher next took charge of this house. He was a brother of Fielding -Frasher, and a typical pike boy, bright, active, and popular. He had -been a wagoner, and knew the road from Baltimore to Wheeling. The house, -while he kept it, was crowded with guests, but his generous nature -prevented him from exacting full payment of bills at all times, and -as a consequence his coffers were not as much swollen as those of many -of the tavern keepers, more mindful of the chief end of tavern keeping. -George Friend succeeded Peter Frasher, but remained only a short time, -when he gave way to Parker McDonald. McDonald was the last man who -conducted this house as a tavern. He was active, attentive, and popular, -but the glory of the road had departed, and the business of tavern -keeping was a thing of the past. The old red tavern and the farm -adjacent belong to the old and wealthy Bowman family, of Brownsville. - -[Illustration: JOHNSON-HATFIELD HOUSE.] - -A short distance west of the red tavern a stone house was kept by Wilkes -Brown, before the National Road was made, and derived its trade for the -most part from the old road. It is still standing, but not immediately -on the National Road. Wilkes Brown was of the family of Thomas Brown, -the founder of Brownsville. - -The next old tavern stand on the westward tramp is Brubaker's, a fine -brick building on the north side near Brownsville. Daniel Brubaker -purchased this property from David Auld, and went into possession in the -year 1826, and from that date until his death was its constant occupant, -with the exception of a very brief period that it was occupied and kept -as a tavern by Alexander R. Watson. Mr. Brubaker survived the business -era of the road, and died in his old tavern. He was a Pennsylvania -Dutchman, born in Somerset county, and possessed the thrift -characteristic of his race. Although economical and saving, he was not -stinted in providing for the comfortable entertainment of his guests, -and enjoyed a large patronage, especially in the line of wagon custom. -After ascending the long hill out from Brownsville, going east, old -wagoners found a pleasant resting place at Brubaker's. Alex. R. Watson -will be remembered by the old folks of the road as a man of small -stature, but considerable energy, who, about forty-five years ago, ran -an omnibus line between Brownsville and Uniontown for the conveyance of -passengers. - -The next point is Brownsville, for many years the head of steamboat -navigation on the Monongahela river. Here many passengers were -transferred from the stage lines to the steamboats plying between this -point and Pittsburg. It is shown by official figures that from 1844, the -date at which the slack water improvement was completed to Brownsville, -to 1852, when through business ceased on the National Road, covering a -period of eight years, more than two hundred thousand passengers left -the stage lines at Brownsville and took passage on the Monongahela -steamers. West-going passengers were "ticketed through" from Cumberland, -Baltimore and other points east, to Pittsburg and other points west, -_via_ the National Road, and the Monongahela river route. A movement was -set on foot as early as the year 1814, looking to the improvement of the -navigation of the Monongahela river, by means of locks and dams, -followed by later spasmodic efforts, but nothing of a practical nature -was accomplished in this direction until 1836, when a company was -incorporated to carry forward and complete the work. The act of -incorporation designated a number of prominent citizens to solicit and -receive subscriptions of stock, among whom were Ephraim L. Blaine, -father of James G. Blaine, of Washington county; William Hopkins, of the -same county, and Andrew Stewart and Samuel Evans, of Fayette county. Of -all the gentlemen designated for this purpose, and there was quite a -large number, not one is living at this day. There were no wagon stand -taverns in Brownsville. Wagoners "put up" at the old Riley and Bar -houses in Bridgeport, and at Brubaker's, east of town. The old Workman -House, at the upper end of Market street, was a famous stage house. It -had the patronage of the Stockton line. This house is a stone structure, -on the north side of the street, with a spacious porch in front. James -Workman, the old proprietor, will be remembered as a gentleman of ruddy -complexion, gray hair, slim, but erect stature, elastic step and curt -speech. He presided at this house for many years, and had a wide -reputation for serving good meals. This old house was built by John -McClure Hezlop in 1797, who first kept it as a tavern. James Beckley -afterwards kept it, and after his decease, it was continued as a tavern -by his widow. James Workman took charge of it in 1843. After Workman, -and since the decline of travel on the road, it has been kept at -different times by William Garrett, Aaron Wyatt, William Wyatt, Jacob -Marks, John G. Fear, and probably others. It is continued as a tavern, -and kept at the present time by Fred Chalfant. - -The late George E. Hogg, for many years a leading and wealthy citizen of -Brownsville, is authority for the following amusing story concerning -James Workman, the old tavern keeper, and General Jackson. On an -occasion of one of General Jackson's frequent trips over the National -Road, the citizens of Brownsville resolved to give him a public -reception. All the usual arrangements for such an event were made, -including a dinner at Workman's tavern. The hero, upon reaching town, -was taken to the Presbyterian church to listen to a reception speech and -receive the greetings of the people. Soon after the audience had settled -down Mr. Workman entered the building, and forcing himself down the main -aisle, and to a front pew occupied by General Jackson, accosted him -thus: "General Jackson, I have been commissioned by the committee of -arrangements to provide your dinner, and have come to inquire if there -is any particular article of diet you prefer above another, that I may -have the pleasure of gratifying your taste." The old General gravely -responded, "Ham and eggs." This seemed rather confusing to the old -landlord, who, supposing the General was joking, repeated his inquiry, -when the same response came a second time and in an emphatic tone, "Ham -and eggs." The old landlord then hastily withdrew, hurried home, and -commanded his cook to prepare ham and eggs for General Jackson's dinner. -The ham of that day was a different thing from the flabby, flavorless -so-called "sugar cured" counterfeit of the present day, and thousands of -other well meaning citizens besides General Jackson were fond of the ham -of the olden time. Eggs, of course, are the same now as of yore, but -simply and solely because modern food corrupters have not discovered any -method of debauching them. - -[Illustration: WORKMAN HOUSE.] - -Mr. Hogg, above quoted, is responsible also for the following story: An -Old Line coach in which Henry Clay was a passenger was upset on the iron -bridge, and he was slightly injured and conveyed to the Workman house. -Dr. Stoy, an old practitioner of the place, was summoned, and hastened -to the relief of the distinguished sufferer. The old physician was given -to loquacity, and not a little elated by being called to see so -distinguished a patient. He prescribed brandy, and to vary the -prescription and assuage the patient's apprehension, began the recital -of an old joke, meanwhile holding in his hand a glass of brandy. Mr. -Clay, perceiving that the story was going to be a long one, interrupted -the doctor by suggesting that he be permitted to drink the brandy -without further delay, and rub the glass over his wounds. - -A few steps below the Workman House an old tavern was kept by Bazil -Brashear, and subsequently by James Searight, who left it in 1836, to -take charge of the "National House" in Washington, Pennsylvania. The -Brashear House was a station for many years of one or more of the early -stage lines, and in 1825 Gen. Lafayette dined at this house while on his -way from Washington, Pennsylvania, to Uniontown. This old house, built -of stone, is still standing, owned and occupied as a private residence -by the widow of the late Westley Frost. Bazil Brashear was a -brother-in-law of Thomas Brown, the founder of Brownsville, and the -grandfather of Prof. Brashear, the distinguished astronomer of -Pittsburg. - -James C. Beckley kept a tavern in a frame house at the head of old Front -street, for a number of years. He was a local politician of much -shrewdness, commanding a considerable following, a close friend of the -late Hon. John L. Dawson, and served that old-time, able and -distinguished statesman in many trying contests. - -Further down the main street and on the south side near the present -location of the old Monongahela Bank, was the Marshall House. This house -was first kept as a tavern by William Reynolds, who was an agent of the -Adams Express Company. Mr. Reynolds previously kept the old Abrams House -in Petersburg. He did a good business at the Marshall House, which was -headquarters for the Express Company. This house was subsequently kept -at different times by Hiram Holmes, Isaac Vance, Harvey Schroyer, J.W. -Kisinger and William Garrett. After Reynolds left it the name was -changed, and it was known as the Petroleum House. It has not been used -as a tavern for a number of years. - -William Reynolds was a native of Brownsville, born in 1804, and drove -his father's team between Baltimore and Wheeling, before reaching his -majority. He kept tavern in Petersburg five years, and moved from that -place to Brandonville, Virginia, where he engaged in a mercantile -venture, as a partner of his uncle, Zalmon Ludington, esq. After a brief -experience as a merchant, he returned to his father's old tavern west -of Keyser's Ridge, and afterward resumed tavern keeping in Petersburg. -From Petersburg he went to Brownsville. He was killed in a railroad -accident near Pittsburg in 1856, while in the service of the Adams -Express Company. His son John is postmaster at Confluence, Somerset -county, Pennsylvania, and William Hartman, the unfortunate brakeman who -was shot and killed on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, near Dunbar, in -August, 1893, was a grandson of William Reynolds. - -The old Clark mansion, located at the east end of "the neck" in -Brownsville, was converted to a tavern about forty-five years ago, and -became the headquarters of the Good Intent stage line. It was first -opened up as a tavern by Andrew Byers, who had previously kept the -Clinton House in Uniontown. When Byers left it Daniel Brown, the old -stage agent, took charge of it and conducted it for a brief period. -Daniel Brown's reputation as a model tavern keeper has been adverted -to in another chapter. After Brown's time the patronage of this house -was mostly of a local character. The Clark House was kept for a while -after Brown left it by Capt. Morgan Mason, who subsequently located in -St. Louis, where he still resides, a leading citizen, and an ex-sheriff -of that city. The widow Schroyer also kept this house, and Matthew -Story, and it is at present kept by the Theakston Brothers. - -The Monongahela House, a short distance west of the Clark House, on the -south side, was originally and for many years the private residence of -Samuel J. Krepps. It has been probably fifty years since this house was -thrown open to the public as a tavern. One of the McCurdy's was first -installed as landlord of this house. He was succeeded by Jesse Hardin, -an old stage driver, and Isaac Bailey, William Gans, Ephraim H. Bar, -Cyrus L. Conner and John B. Krepps, son of the owner, kept this house -nearly, if not exactly, in the order given. It was a stage house, and -had a large run of general custom. It continues to be one of the leading -hotels of Brownsville, under the management of David Provins. - -Thomas Brown, James Auld, Amos Wilson and James C. Beckley were tavern -keepers in Brownsville prior to the construction of the National Road. -Auld preceded Beckley in the old house at the head of Front street, -above mentioned. Amos Wilson kept the old "Black Horse" tavern on Front -street. - -A few yards westward from the Monongahela House the road crosses -Dunlap's creek over a handsome and expensive iron bridge, erected in -1835, and the first of the kind west of the Allegheny mountains. The -vicissitudes attending the construction of this bridge have been alluded -to in a previous chapter. The stone work of this bridge, which is a fine -specimen of heavy masonry, was let by contract to William Searight, who -pushed it forward and completed it with his characteristic energy. David -Chipps, a well remembered old citizen of the vicinity of Uniontown, and -an expert stone mason, was a boss workman on this bridge, and the late -Gen. William W. Williams, who in the prime of his life was an -excellent mason, also worked on its walls and abutments. The work was -done under authority of the War Department of the general government. - -[Illustration: BRIDGE OVER THE MONONGAHELA.] - -After crossing the iron bridge the traveler is in the ancient borough of -Bridgeport. Here Jack Arnold kept a tavern at a very early period. He -was succeeded by John Riley, who for many years kept a wagon stand. -Riley was a staunch citizen, and participated in the public affairs of -his town. His tavern was near the market house, and was a popular resort -in the olden time. Isaac Kimber, Robert Patterson and John Neelan kept -taverns in Bridgeport before the National Road was made. The present Bar -House is on the site of the old Kimber House. The Bar House is owned by -Ephraim H. Bar, who conducted it as a tavern for many years. It was a -wagon stand, and had a good trade. Robert Carter, old wagoner before -mentioned, was one of the men who for a time successfully conducted the -Bar House. Thornton Young, George Garrard, Matthew Story and Eli Bar -kept this house in recent years at different times, and it is now -conducted by W. F. Higinbotham. - -It is but a short distance from the iron bridge before mentioned to the -long wooden bridge over the Monongahela river. This bridge, although a -link of the National Road, was not built by the government. It is a -private enterprise, and was erected in 1833. In 1810 an act was passed -by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, authorizing the Governor to -incorporate a company to build and operate a bridge at this point; but -for some cause the company was not organized, and in 1830 a company was -incorporated by the Legislature. Ephraim L. Blaine, father of the -brilliant and popular statesman, was an incorporator under the -provisions of the act of 1830, and the company authorized by that act -promptly organized, and completed the bridge at the date above -mentioned. Neil Gillespie, the grandfather of James G. Blaine, was named -in the act of 1810, above mentioned, as one of the commissioners to -solicit and receive subscriptions of stock for the bridge. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Brownsville to - Beallsville--West Brownsville, the Birthplace of James G. - Blaine--Indian Hill, later known as Krepps' Knob--Indian Peter and - Neil Gillespie--The Adams House, John Cummins, Vincent Owens--An - Old and Mysterious Murder--Malden, Bry Taylor--Tragic Death of a - Beautiful Girl--Centreville, John Rogers, Zeph Riggle, Battelly - White, the whip-maker, Mrs. Dutton, Eli Railley, The Old - Constitution, Beallsville, David Mitchell, Andrew and Thomas Keys, - Robert Cluggage, William Greenfield, Mrs. Chambers, Charles - Guttery._ - - -[Illustration: OLD TAVERN AT MALDEN.] - -From the Big Crossings to the Monongahela river at Brownsville the road -passes through Fayette county, Pennsylvania. After crossing the river -bridge at Brownsville, going west, the traveler reaches the soil of -Washington county, and plants his feet in the ancient village of West -Brownsville. From the hill tops on the road, as far west as Hillsboro, -glimpses are had of the receding mountains. West Brownsville has the -great distinction of being the birth place of James G. Blaine, the -foremost and most popular of all American statesmen of the present day. -It is related in Crumrine's valuable and well written history of -Washington county, that the land upon which West Brownsville stands was -originally owned by Indian Peter. This Indian Peter, at a very early -day, lived on lands in the vicinity of Uniontown, and gave name to -Peter's street, the oldest street of that town. He had a neighbor whose -name was Philip Shute, with whom he was not on friendly terms. Prior to -1769 Indian Peter wrote to the authorities of the proprietary -government, that "he could not get along with the damned Dutchman, and -wished to give up his land for another tract." His request was promptly -complied with, and he was given a tract of three hundred and thirty-nine -acres, situate on the west side of the Monongahela river, which was -surveyed and called "Indian Hill," and upon this tract stands the town -of West Brownsville. It embraces Krepps' Knob, which together with the -character of the old owner, accounts for the name given the tract. -Krepps' Knob is ten hundred and forty feet above the level of the -Atlantic ocean. Indian Peter, it seems, died in possession of the Indian -Hill tract, and it passed to his widow Mary, a white woman, and his -oldest son William. In 1784 the widow and son aforesaid, sold the tract -to Neil Gillespie, the great-grandfather of James G. Blaine. The price -agreed upon between the parties was forty shillings per acre, payable in -instalments of money, iron and one negro. This tract of land remained -in the Gillespie family for many years. Philip Shute, the old German -neighbor of Indian Peter, lived in Union township, Fayette county, now -North Union, near the late residence of Colonel Evans, and gave name to -the gushing mountain stream which flows through the lands of that -vicinity. The bridge over the Monongahela river stands on an almost -direct north and south line, and a short distance from its northern end -the road makes a sharp angle to the westward. On the south side of this -angle a tavern was kept by Samuel Adams, as early as the year 1820. -Samuel Adams was the father of Estep Adams, the present polite and -popular postmaster at West Brownsville. John Huston succeeded Samuel -Adams in this old house. In the early days of the road this house was -constantly crowded with guests. At the close of Huston's term, the old -house, which was a wooden structure, was torn down, and the present -brick building was erected on its site, and continued as a tavern -throughout the whole period of the road's prosperous era, and for many -years thereafter. Joshua Armstrong was the first occupant of the new -building. His term was prior to the year 1840. Morris Purcell came in, -after Armstrong. Dr. Adams, the postmaster before mentioned, when a boy, -counted fifty road wagons standing around this old tavern, in one night, -when it was kept by Morris Purcell. The wagon yard, which was large and -commodious, was located on the west side, and in the rear of the house. -Major William Paul, hereinbefore mentioned, succeeded Purcell in this -house, about the year 1842, and retained the extensive line of wagon -custom with which his predecessor was favored. James Watkins, an old -stage driver of Washington, Pennsylvania, was Maj. Paul's bar keeper at -this house, and his son-in-law, Thomas Hamen Hopkins, was the successor -of Maj. Paul in this house. His widow is still keeping a tavern in West -Brownsville. She is well up in years, but her memory is clear and well -stored with interesting reminiscences of the road. Greenberry Millburn -next had charge of this house, and kept it for a brief period, when he -retired, and his name does not subsequently appear on the roll of old -tavern keepers. John Cummins was the next occupant of this house. He -purchased the property, and held it until his death, which occurred near -the close of the prosperous era of the road. He was an Irishman, thrifty -and energetic, and besides tavern keeping, took contracts on public -works. About the year 1859 this house passed to the control of Moses -Bennington, who conducted it during the era of the civil war. He was -succeeded by William Dawson, whose successor was James B. Dorsie. Doc -Bar kept the house for a brief period, and one of its occupants was -Robert Miller. Upon the expiration of Miller's term Thomas H. Hopkins -again took charge, and it was subsequently kept for short periods, at -different times, by Solomon Watkins, James Nichols and John Taylor. The -house is at present owned by the Pittsburg, Virginia and Charleston -railroad company, and used as a passenger and freight station. - -A few hundred yards west of the old Adams stand, and near the foot of -the river hill, on the river side, an old stone house was kept as a -tavern when the road was first opened, and for a number of years -thereafter. The first man who catered to the wants of the traveling -public at this old tavern was Vincent Owens, who had been a faithful -soldier in Washington's army in the war of the Revolution. The property -belonged to the old Krepps family of the vicinity, and the old tavern -stood at the northwest landing of the old Krepps ferry. Owens was -succeeded at this old tavern by Samuel Acklin, and Acklin by John -Krepps, a brother of Samuel J. Krepps. Morris Purcell succeeded Krepps, -and went from here to the old Adams House, before mentioned. The Krepps -ferry was operated in connection with the management of this old tavern, -and the ferry was continued down to the year 1845. The tavern was closed -here long before the decline of travel on the road. The father of -Vincent Owens was murdered in this old tavern while his son was -conducting it. The crime was an atrocious one, causing great excitement -and indignation in the neighborhood at the time, and the manner and -motives of the act seem to be shrouded in mystery. Two persons who -lodged in the house over night were suspected of the crime, but they -fled before the light of the morning and were never apprehended. - -About two and one-half miles west of Krepps' Ferry an ancient hamlet -called by old pike boys Malden is reached. Here on the north side of the -road stands an old stone tavern, which in the palmy days of the road was -a popular stopping point. It belonged originally to the old Krepps -family, of Brownsville, and was designed and erected for a tavern. It -was evidently the belief of the old owners that a town would grow up on -this site, as they caused a stone in the front wall of the old tavern, -near the top, to be dressed and inscribed in cut letters with the name -Kreppsville. This name, however, was not adopted by the public, but the -place was, and continues to be known as Malden. The origin of this name -is not positively known, but tradition has it that a party of emigrants -encamping on the ground one night, fancying that it resembled the place -of their nativity, Malden, probably in the State of Massachusetts, gave -it that name. Be this as it may, Malden is the popular name of the -locality. The old tavern here was built in two sections and at different -dates. The original, which is now the western section, was built in -1822, and a dressed stone in its front wall bears that date. The second, -or eastern section, was built in 1830. It is the second section that -bears the name Kreppsville, above mentioned; and, in addition, the stone -slab disclosing this name shows the date 1830, also the word "Liberty," -and the figure of a plow and sheaf of wheat. Bry Taylor was the first -person who kept the old tavern at Malden, and he was constantly busy -while there in attending to the wants of the traveling public. He had an -amiable and beautiful daughter, Kizzie, who was accidentally killed in -this house, causing great sorrow in the neighborhood. Her brother, -James, had been out hunting one day, and returning, placed his gun -negligently on a table. His sister, Miss Kizzie, besought him to -put the gun in a safe place, which he declined to do, remarking that "it -wouldn't hurt anybody where it was." Miss Kizzie did not share his -confidence in regard to the absence of danger, and proceeded to remove -the gun herself. Her brother interfered to prevent the gun's removal, -when a scuffle ensued between the parties, during which the gun was -discharged, and Miss Kizzie was fatally shot. The room in which this sad -affair occurred is still pointed out to visitors. As if by the law of -compensation, James Taylor, the brother, many years afterward was -himself shot. He became a river man, and gradually made his way to -points down the Ohio and Mississippi, and was finally shot and killed by -a United States Marshal near Memphis. Samuel Acklin followed Taylor in -the old tavern at Malden, and was favored with a large patronage, -consisting mainly of wagoners and drovers. Acklin was at this house as -early as 1836. Samuel Bailey succeeded Acklin, and Bailey was succeeded -in turn by William Pepper and William Garrett. James Britton, now and -for thirty years past, has owned this property. He occupies the old -tavern as a private residence, and operates the fertile farm attached to -it. - -[Illustration: WILLIAM GREENFIELD.] - -The next point west, distant about three miles, is Centreville. Moving -onward towards Centreville the traveler passes the old farms and -residences of Jonathan Knight, the famous civil engineer of other days, -and Nathan Pusey, father of Hon. W. H. M. Pusey, a leading banker, -Democratic politician and ex-member of Congress, of Council Bluffs, -Iowa. Another point of interest on this part of the line, is the old -historic Taylor church, which stands on the north side of the road, a -monument of the religious tendencies of the good old inhabitants of the -vicinity. Centreville was laid out in 1821, soon after the road was -completed, and with special reference to its completion, and the -anticipated prosperity to ensue by reason thereof. It is equi-distant -between Uniontown and Washington. The first old tavern kept in -Centreville was by John Rogers, father of the venerable Joseph T. -Rogers, of Bridgeport. It is a brick house, on the north side of the -road, still standing. Robert Rogers succeeded his father in this house -and kept it for many years, and died in possession. At brief intervals -in the lifetime of Robert Rogers this house was conducted by Solomon -Bracken, son-in-law of Mr. Rogers, and a Mr. Wilson, the latter -occupying it but for one year. The Rogers House was known and noted -throughout the entire period of the road's prosperous era as a quiet, -orderly, well kept tavern. The leading wagon stand in Centreville was on -the hill at the west end of town, a brick house, on the south side of -the road. The wagon yard was in the rear. Zephania Riggle kept this -house at an early day, and was succeeded in 1845 by Peter Colley, a -nephew of Abel Colley, before mentioned. Henry Whitsett came in after -Colley, and next Jacob Marks, who was followed by William Garrett, and -Jesse Quail succeeded Garrett. The property is now owned by Joseph B. -Jeffreys who keeps the old tavern open for the accommodation of -strangers and travelers. The house kept by Zeph Riggle on this site was -destroyed by fire during his incumbency, and promptly rebuilt. Battley -White, the celebrated manufacturer of the wagoner's black snake whip, -before mentioned, lived in Centreville. The house now occupied by Morris -Cleaver, on the hill west of Centreville, was at one time a tavern. It -was first kept by Charley Miller, then by Zeph Riggle, and next, in -1836, by Mrs. Dutton, mother of John R. Dutton, the well known, -reputable and prosperous merchant of Brownsville. Mrs. Dutton owned the -property, and moved from here to Brownsville, after which this old -tavern closed. Its career was somewhat brief, but it was a well kept -tavern, and had a good line of custom in its day. - -About half a mile west from Mrs. Dutton's an old frame tavern, on the -north side of the road, as early as 1824, displayed the sign of the -CONSTITUTION, and entertained primitive travelers of the road. This old -house was kept for a while by one Johnson, but it long since disappeared -from view. - -Eli Railley kept a tavern as early as 1830 in a brick house on the north -side of the road, about one and a half miles west of Centreville, and -was succeeded by the widow Welsh, who conducted it as a tavern as late -as 1850. This house is still standing, owned by Amos Cleaver, and -occupied by his son as a private residence. - -Beallsville, distant one and a half miles from the old Railley tavern, -is next reached. In proceeding to Beallsville the traveler passes one of -the old toll houses, all of which, as before stated, are still standing, -and in good condition, except the one near Mt. Washington and the one on -Big Savage mountain. David Mitchell, the old collector at the gate near -Beallsville, is well remembered as a straightforward, honest and -intelligent citizen. Beallsville, like Centreville as a town, was the -outgrowth of the National Road. It was laid out in 1821, and -incorporated as a borough in 1852. Jonathan Knight, the old engineer -before mentioned, surveyed the site of the town and made the plat. The -National Road forms the main street of this town, as it does that of -Centreville. The first old tavern reached in Beallsville, going west, -was on the north side, at the east end of the town. This house was first -kept by Andrew Keys, and after him by Thomas Keys. This was previous to -1840. It was next kept by Robert Cluggage, and after Cluggage, James -Dennison kept it. Dennison was succeeded by Moses Bennington, who -afterwards kept the old Adams House at West Brownsville. Charles Guttery -also kept this house in 1854. Dennison was a Claysville man, and after -keeping tavern for short terms, at different points on the road, -returned to Claysville, where he died. He was an old wagoner, as well as -a tavern keeper, and well and favorably known on the road. He had an -interest by marriage, or birth-right, in some real estate at or near -Claysville, and this is doubtless the chord that drew him at last back -to that point. The old Keys tavern had a commodious wagon yard attached, -and entertained many old wagoners. - -[Illustration: CHARLES GUTTERY.] - -About the center of the town of Beallsville, and on the south or west -side, Wm. Greenfield kept a famous old tavern, and he was in many other -respects a famous old man. He was tall and spare, with a brown -complexion, a defective eye, and a philosophic turn of mind. It was his -fortune to have a good wife, and to her, in great measure, was -attributed the high grade of this old tavern. The traveler could always -get a good cup of coffee at Greenfield's, a rare thing in a tavern and -utterly unknown in a hotel. In addition to keeping tavern, William -Greenfield was a banker, and established the "Beallsville Savings Bank." -His bank was in his tavern, and his safe was his pocket. He issued notes -of small denominations, which were handsomely printed and engraved, and -they acquired some credit, and a limited circulation. The pressure of -redemption, however, was more than the old banker-tavern keeper could -withstand, and he was forced to close business as a banker, but -continued his tavern successfully. It is due to the memory of the old -gentleman to state, that no serious losses were sustained by the note -holders of his bank. He continued to keep tavern at the old stand until -his death, which occurred many years ago, and all the old pike boys, -from one end of the road to the other, have a kind word for the memory -of William Greenfield. - -Charley Miller kept a tavern as early as 1830, and probably before that -date, in the brick house on the corner opposite Greenfield's, and this -house was subsequently, and for many years kept by Mrs. Chambers. It was -a quiet, orderly, and aristocratic old tavern, especially when under the -management of Mrs. Chambers, and enjoyed a good reputation as an eating -house. Benjamin Demon took charge of this house after the retirement of -Mrs. Chambers, and kept it for a while. Moses Bennington succeeded -Demon, and Charles Guttery succeeded Bennington. Guttery was the last of -the old line of tavern keepers, at this house. Beallsville was a station -for the line wagons, and John Cook, an old wagoner whose home was there, -drove a line team for many years. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Beallsville to - Washington--Hillsboro--The Old Hill House--Samuel Youman, next to - Old Mount the biggest man of the Road--George Ringland, John Noble, - Billy Robinson, Charley Miller's, The Gals House, Daniel Ward, Egg - Nog Hill, The Long Stretch, Thomas Hastings, The Upland House, - Joseph Doak, The Mount Vernon House, Maj. Dunlap, Charles Rettig, - Pancake, Jonathan Martin, The Sample House._ - - -Three miles west from Beallsville the traveler reaches the village of -Hillsboro. This little town is another outgrowth of the National Road, -and as at Beallsville and Centreville, the road forms its main street. -The grade from Beallsville to Hillsboro is for the most part ascending, -the hill going out west from Beallsville being one of the longest on the -road, and Hillsboro is situate on a lofty eminence overlooking a wide -range of hills, and many fertile slopes and valleys. On the summit above -Hillsboro, the traveler coming east, gets the first glimpses of Laurel -Hill, thirty miles distant in the mountains. Crumrine's history of -Washington county, before quoted, informs us that Hillsboro was laid out -in the year 1819, a date coincident with the completion of the road. The -proprietors of the town were Stephen Hill and Thomas McGiffin, and -Crumrine's history contains the following notice of the first public -sale of lots: - - "The public are informed that a town has been laid off, to be - called Hillsboro, adjoining Hill's stone tavern, about equal - distance from Washington to Brownsville, and that lots will be sold - on the premises on Monday, the 19th day of August, at public - auction. Sale to commence at 10 o'clock A. M. - - July 19, 1819. STEPHEN HILL, - THOMAS MCGIFFIN, - Proprietors." - -[Illustration: BILLY ROBINSON.] - -Accompanying the plat of the town as recorded, says Crumrine, were these -remarks: "The above is a plan of the town of Hillsboro, nearly -equi-distant between Brownsville and Washington, Pennsylvania, on the -United States road." Signed by the proprietors. Stephen Hill belonged to -an old family of that name, which was among the early settlers of the -region, and Thomas McGiffin was an old and prominent lawyer of -Washington, and a contractor on the original construction of the road, -father of Col. Norton McGiffin, a soldier of two wars, and Sheriff and -member of the Legislature for Washington county. Hill's stone tavern -was in existence as early as 1794. In the early history of the National -Road, and for a number of years, it was the leading tavern of Hillsboro, -kept by Thomas Hill, who was not a son, but a near relative, probably a -nephew, of Stephen Hill, the old proprietor. Samuel Youman kept this -house fifty years ago, after the retirement of Hill. Youman was a stage -driver as well as a tavern keeper, and next to "Old Mount," as before -stated, the biggest man on the road. One of the stage lines, that on -which Youman was a driver, stopped at this house, and it was the only -stage house on the road that was largely patronized by old wagoners, and -their favor was obtained probably by reason of the spacious and -commodious wagon yard in front of the house. John Hampson, John Gibson, -William Dawson and Oliver Lacock each in turn kept this house since -Youman's time, and it is at present continued as a tavern by Mr. -Lacock's son. - -In the year 1827 James Beck kept a tavern in Hillsboro. He was a member -of the old bridge builders firm of Kinkead, Beck & Evans, and moved from -the "Vance farm," near Uniontown, which he once owned, to Hillsboro, at -the date named. He remained in Hillsboro but one year, and his successor -in the tavern there was George Ringland. Ringland was a citizen of some -prominence in his day, a brother of Col. Thomas Ringland, an old -soldier, and a leading man in the public affairs of Washington county -more than half a century ago. David Railly succeeded Ringland in this -house about the year 1840. It was a stage house, but did a general -business. After Railly this house was kept at different times by John -Noble, who married Railly's widow, John Taylor, Henry Taylor, Jesse Core -and William Robinson. Noble and Robinson were both old stage drivers, -Noble before, as well as after his experience as a tavern keeper. -Robinson died a tavern keeper, and in the house last mentioned. "Billy" -Robinson was one of the best known and most popular men of the road. He -was short in stature, with reddish complexion, dark hair, and an amiable -disposition. He hauled many an old-time statesman safely in his nimble -coach, and afterward dined him sumptuously in his bountiful tavern. -There was an old tavern in Hillsboro, near the centre of the town, on -the south side of the road, kept first by John Wilson, and after his -time by Stephen Phelps, and next and last by David Powell. Its career -was not as long as many other old taverns of the road, but in its time -it was a lively house and had a large run of custom. Zeph Riggle kept a -tavern in what is known as the Dr. Clark house, on the south side, in -Hillsboro, at an early day, and as at other points on the road where he -catered to the wants of the traveling public, drew a good trade. He was -the only person that ever kept this house as a tavern. - -About two miles west of Hillsboro the famous old tavern of Charley -Miller is reached. It is a large and handsome brick building on the -south side of the road, and was kept before Miller's time by Henry -Taylor. Miller did a large business, and had all sorts of customers, -with a capacity to adapt himself to the wants and whims of every -variety. He was accustomed to say, in commendation of his whisky, that -it was a hundred years old; that he could vouch for its age, for he -helped to make it. Parties of young folks were accustomed to drive out -from Washington, a distance of ten miles, to take a meal and have a -dance at Charley Miller's. His meals were sumptuous and savory, and gave -his house a reputation from which he did not fail to profit. One of his -specialties was fine peach brandy, which is graciously remembered and -frequently spoken of by the survivors of the old pike boys with a glow -of enthusiasm. Miller died in this house, and it passed to the hands of -David Ullery. - - "No longer the host hobbles down from his rest - In the porch's cool shadow, to welcome his guest - With a smile of delight and a grasp of the hand, - And a glance of the eye that no heart could withstand." - -One and a half miles west of Charley Miller's, on the south side of the -road, a tavern was kept in a wooden building many years ago by William -Plymire. This old tavern furnished good entertainment, and its old host -was attentive and polite to his patrons. Plymire was succeeded in this -house by Henry Yorty, who kept it going as a tavern until his death, and -for some time thereafter it was kept by his widow, but was never kept as -a tavern after Mrs. Yorty's time. - -The next old wagon stand on the westward tramp is the "Gals House." This -house is situate on the north side of the road, about two miles west of -Charley Miller's. It is a frame building, and once was painted red, but -the red all wore off many years ago, and was not replaced. It was called -the "Gals House," because it was owned and conducted by three maiden -women of the family name of Dague. The grounds around this old house, -night after night, throughout the entire period of the road's -prosperity, were crowded with teams and wagons, and the reputation of -the place was excellent in every particular. The Dague girls were the -owners of the house, and of about eighty acres of rich land surrounding -it, and after business closed on the road, they sold and conveyed the -property to Joseph Henderson, a well remembered and worthy old stage -driver, who went into possession and made this place his home for many -years. - -[Illustration: DANIEL WARD.] - -One mile further west is Ward's. Here a well known tavern was kept by -Daniel Ward, all through the flourishing era of the road, and it was -well kept and well patronized. Ward was rich, the owner of his tavern -stand, and a fine farm in addition, and therefore unlike many other old -tavern keepers of the road who leased their houses from year to year, -and changed from point to point at different times. Ward's tavern is a -large frame house, on the north side of the road, with a spacious porch -in front, and a large wagon yard conveniently attached, and was a -favorite stopping place for old wagoners. The old house is still -standing, unused, because not needed as a tavern, but it remains a -prominent landmark of the road, carrying the mind back to the period -of its enlivening scenes and moving pageants. Daniel Ward was a -pronounced type of the old tavern keeper. He was rather a large man, not -fleshy, but broad shouldered, with a slight stoop. His complexion was -reddish, and he always had a pleasant smile wherewith to greet a guest. -He wore a broad-rimmed, high-crowned, brown-colored fur hat, with long, -soft nap, the style of hat worn by all old tavern keepers and wagoners -when dressed for special occasions. Mrs. Ward was an admirable help-mate -for her husband. She was a large woman, of florid complexion, and full -of energy and zeal in her occupation. The meals she spread before her -numerous guests in all seasons were bountiful and relishable, and gave -her husband's old tavern a wide reputation. What a change? Once all was -life and animation at this old tavern, now - - "The wind whistles shrill, through the wide open doors, - And lizards keep house, on the mouldering floors." - -Four miles west from Ward's the old and popular wagon stand of Thomas -Hastings is reached. In proceeding onward toward the Hastings House a -celebrated point is passed, known in the peculiar vocabulary of the road -as "Egg Nog Hill." On this hill for many years lived in retirement -Samuel Flowers, one of the oldest, steadiest and best known wagoners of -the road. William D. Evans, residing in Malvern, Iowa, a son of Gabriel -Evans, of the old firm of Kinkead, Beck & Evans, contractors and bridge -builders, before mentioned, furnishes the following story as to the -origin of the name of this hill: The engineers in locating the line of -the road were much exercised in fixing the grade at this point, and -before arriving at conclusions the sun went down, and with a view -probably of stimulating their minds to clearer conceptions, they ordered -a bucket of egg-nog to be served in their shanty. Partaking freely of -this ancient, agreeable and strong beverage during the night, they -proceeded next morning with the work in hand, and established the grade -without further embarrassment. The chain carriers and other employees -were called in to the rough, roadside banquet, and the region all around -echoed the notes of that night's revelry, and ever thereafter the -locality has been known as "Egg Nog Hill." If this is a true account of -the origin of the name, and the authority quoted is respectable and -credible, there are many persons willing to aver that the influence of -the egg nog was anything but propitious, since the grade of the road at -this point is nothing to boast of. At the foot of Egg Nog Hill a valley -is reached over which the road passes for a distance of two miles on a -level grade, varied by slight undulations, terminating at or near the -old Buchanan postoffice. This portion of the road was called by old -stage drivers "The Long Stretch," and over its favorable grade stage -teams sped with more than ordinary rapidity. It is considered germaine -to state in this connection, that the general grade of the road has been -much and sharply criticised, and by many condemned outright. The main -point of objection urged against the grade is, that it involves many -long and steep hills, which could have been avoided by making side cuts -and occupying the valleys, and this is true, but any other location -would have lengthened the line and increased the cost of construction -and maintenance. David Shriver, of Cumberland, was the chief engineer in -charge of the location, and instructed by the Government to make the -line as straight as practicable, within the limit of a five degree -elevation. Besides, there was a popular theory when the line was -located, that a road over hills was not as fatiguing to horses as a road -with a uniform grade. It was argued that a horse is provided with two -sets of muscles, one of which is used in going up and the other in going -down a hill, and the conclusion was that horses were relieved and rested -by a change from an up to a down grade. After this digression, the -reader's attention is invited back to the old tavern of Thomas Hastings. -It is situate on the summit of a hill of average length and grade on the -south side, and a short distance back from the road. The location of -this house, with reference to the road, is similar to that of the old -red tavern, two miles east of Brownsville. The Hastings House was a -leading tavern of the road, all through its prosperous era. The large -patronage it enjoyed is the best evidence that it was well kept. - -John W. McDowell, of Uniontown, an ex-County Commissioner of Fayette -county, Pennsylvania, was working on the road in 1844 under the -superintendency of William Searight, and boarding at the Hastings House. -On the morning of the election of that year he rose "bright and early," -took his breakfast "before the break of day," mounted a horse, and rode -to Mt. Washington, the polling place for Wharton township, which was his -home, in time to vote for Polk and Dallas. McDowell frequently relates -this incident of his life, when recounting his party services, and lays -particular stress on the circumstance that the dining room girls gladly -furnished him his breakfast and cheered him on his mission. The distance -from the old Hastings tavern to Mt. Washington is forty-two miles. - -While the road was undergoing construction, there was a tavern about -midway of the "Long Stretch," and on the south side of the road. It was -kept by one Smith, of the extensive American family of that name. At -times there was great disorder and much tumult, amounting almost to -riot, at this old tavern, and on one of these occasions the old militia -of Washington county was ordered to the scene to enforce the keeping of -the peace. These disorders, like similar outbreaks of the present day, -were no doubt attributable to the immoderate use of intoxicants. - -[Illustration: JOHN W. McDOWELL.] - -Within a few hundred feet, and west of the old Hastings house, Samuel -Hughes kept a tavern in 1844 and before, and probably a short time after -that date. His house was a large and imposing frame building on the -north side of the road, and known in its day as the "Upland House." This -name appeared on the sign board. The surroundings of this house were -attractive. It had an aristocratic air about it, and enjoyed an -aristocratic patronage. While old wagoners crowded the Hastings -House, travelers in chaises and fine carriages stopped at the Upland. By -some means, and many years ago, this old house was demolished, and a -fine brick building erected on its site, owned and occupied by Joseph -Doak, who was at one time a superintendent of the road. - -About one and a half miles west of the Upland House, Major James Dunlap, -at a very early period of the road's history, kept a tavern on the south -side, on an elevation and a little distance back from the roadside. It -was called the "Mt. Vernon House," and was doing business as early as -the year 1816, two years before the road was completed as far west as -Washington. Major Dunlap was a prominent man of his day, and brigade -inspector of the Washington county (Pennsylvania) militia, an office of -no little consequence in the early history of Pennsylvania. Major Dunlap -subsequently kept the Jackson House in Washington, Pennsylvania. Before -reaching the Mt. Vernon House, an old round toll house is passed, where -William Hill collected tolls for many years from the throngs of -travelers on the road. The old Mt. Vernon House was supplanted by a new -one, under the direction of Charles Rettig, who became the owner of the -property. The new house is a brick structure, and was a wagon stand. -There was an abundant water supply at this house, and old stage drivers -and wagoners halted upon reaching it to refresh their teams. Charles -Rettig died about the year 1860. He was a staunch and sturdy citizen, -and possessed the confidence and enjoyed the respect of all his -neighbors. - -The next point west, but a short distance, is invested with more than -ordinary interest. It is Pancake, sometimes called Martinsburg, and in -later years, to a limited extent, known as Laboratory. But Pancake was -the original, and remains the popular name. It is almost within eyesight -of Washington. The first tavern here was kept by George Pancake, and -hence the name given the place. His house was a small log building, -erected near the beginning of the present century, and probably the -first house in the village. Pancake did well with the means at his -command, but his old house was not equal to the growing wants of the -road, and after it was removed, and the old proprietor called to his -final reckoning, Jonathan Martin appeared on the scene. Martin was a -discerning man, and foreseeing the future of the National Road as a -great highway, built a large brick house for use as a tavern. It is -situate on the north side of the road, two stories, twelve large and -comfortable rooms, and was erected in the year 1825. A spacious porch -runs the entire length of the house and approaches the edge of the road. -Jonathan Martin kept this tavern from the date of its erection until -business closed on the road, with the exception of one year that it was -in charge of J. W. Holland, back in the forties. Since the close of its -career as a tavern it has been occupied as a quiet farm house. Martin -was a genial landlord, and made money at tavern keeping. A short -distance back from the tavern he had a horse-power grist mill and a -carding machine which he operated for a number of years, thus -supplementing his gains as a tavern keeper. General Jackson was on one -occasion a guest of Martin's tavern, and the celebrated theologian, -Alexander Campbell, frequently lodged within its venerable walls and sat -at its bounteous table. - -As early as 1824 George Ringland kept a wagon stand tavern within a -short distance of the borough limits of Washington. His old house, a -commodious brick building, is still standing, situate on the north, or -at this point rather, east side of the road, with sufficient ground -intervening to form a good wagon yard. John Sample succeeded Ringland at -this old stand, and became the owner of the property. It is now the -private residence of William Workman, esq., and has not been kept as a -tavern since 1844. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVIII. - - _Old Tavern and Tavern Keepers continued--Washington--Washington and - Jefferson College--The Female Seminary--James Wilson, first Tavern - Keeper in Washington--The two Dodds--Major McCormick's--The White - Goose and the Golden Swan--Hallam's Old Wagon Stand--The - Valentine--The Buck--The Gen. Andrew Jackson--The Globe--The Cross - Keys--The Indian Queen--The Mermaid--The Rising Sun--The Gen. - Brown--The Fountain--Billy Brown and Jimmy Brown--The Mansion--John - N. Dagg--A Giant Boot Jack--The American--The Fulton--The - National--Surratt's--The Greene House._ - - -Washington became a point on the National Road by force of a provision -in the act of Assembly of Pennsylvania, approved April 9th, 1807, before -recited. In a retrospective view that seems to have been a wise -provision. Washington, it is true, is older than the road, but without -the road it would be difficult to conjecture what the history of the -town would have been from 1818 down to 1852. That the road had much to -do in promoting the growth and prosperity of the town, there can be no -question, and it must also be conceded that the town contributed in good -round measure to the life and prosperity of the road. Washington is one -of the largest and prettiest towns on the road, not as well favored by -location as Uniontown. While Washington possesses many very important -advantages, it has at the same time, like other towns, its -disadvantages. For example, it is a dry town. It was not dry in the -palmy days of the old pike. No liquor can at this time be lawfully sold -in Washington as a beverage, and the town is not over abundantly -supplied with good water. On the other hand, the town is justly -distinguished for the superiority of its educational institutions. -Washington and Jefferson college is one of the best in the land. Its -graduates include many of the ablest men of the country, both of the -present and the past. Everywhere, at every loading point in our widely -extended Republic, the graduates of Washington and Jefferson College are -pushing ahead at the front, in all the learned professions, in the -judiciary, and in every line of honorable industry. It is not a dude -college, as many more pretentious colleges are, but a working college, -sending out workers, equipped like men, to run the race set before them. -The Female Seminary is another institution of which the citizens of -Washington are justly proud. It stands in the front rank of similar -institutions, and for more than half a century, year after year, has -sent out its graduates to cheer and brighten the world. - -The writer of these lines confesses to an affection for Washington, -which no vicissitude of life or time can alienate. He was educated at -her college, and if he failed in obtaining a thorough education, it was -not the fault of his venerable _alma mater_. Dr. David McConoughy, who -presided over the college, when the writer was a student within its -halls, deserves to be classed among the Saints. A purer man never lived. -He was a Christian, who never entertained a doubt, and a scholar in the -broadest sense; and it is most gratifying to the thousands of graduates -and friends of the college scattered broadcast throughout the land, to -know that Dr. Moffatt, the present head of the institution, is a worthy -successor of that venerated president. The writer also retains the -sweetest recollections of the old citizens of Washington, and cherishes -with deepest feeling his associations at college with James G. Blaine, -who subsequently became the most illustrious statesman of his -generation, and many others who have written their names high on the -scroll of fame. - -There may be some readers inclined to think that the blending of stage -drivers and wagoners with doctors, teachers and statesmen, is a strange -commingling; but it is not. History is literature, and stage drivers and -wagoners, like other classes, and occupations of men, enter into the web -and woof of history. - -James Wilson hung out the first tavern sign in Washington. His house was -a log structure, and stood at the northwest corner of Main and Beau -streets, now covered by Smith's store. He opened up business in 1781, -and was licensed by the court to dispense the ardent at "Catfish Camp." -He continued business in this house down to the year 1792. The old -Supreme Judges stopped at Wilson's tavern when they went to Washington -to hold the courts of Oyer and Terminer. Whether they were fed on roast -pig, as Chief Justice McKean at Salter's old tavern in Uniontown, does -not appear of record. After Wilson's time this house was enlarged and -otherwise improved, and continued as a tavern by Michael Ocheltree, who -remained in charge down to the year 1812, when a man of the name of -Rotroff was installed as host. Rotroff gave way to John Kline, who came -up from the Cross Roads, nine miles west of Brownsville, and took charge -of the house, under the sign of "Gen. Wayne." Capt. John McCluney -followed Kline, and he in turn was followed by Joseph Teeters and Joseph -Hallam. Hallam kept the house until probably 1840, when he went down -town to take charge of the old wagon stand on the site of the present -Valentine House. When Hallam left it the old Wilson House ceased to be a -tavern. - -As early as 1782 John Dodd kept tavern in a log house on the east side -of Main street, nearly opposite the court house, and remained its host -until his death in 1795. He died while returning home from a trading -trip to New Orleans. John Wilson next took charge, and conducted its -affairs for many years, associated with stirring events, down to a -period as late probably as 1835, when the house disappeared as a tavern. -John Dodd was an ancestor of the numerous Dodds now of Washington and -vicinity, most of whom have taken to the ministry and other learned -professions. - -Charles Dodd, a brother of John, above mentioned, kept a tavern on Main -street in 1782, in a log house, recently occupied by Robert Strean's -hardware store. The first courts of Washington county were held in this -old tavern, and the county jail was a log stable in the rear of the lot -on which it stood. Charles Dodd kept this tavern for ten years, and sold -out to Daniel Kehr, who continued it a short time, but finding it -unprofitable, took down his sign and went to shoemaking. - -John Adams kept a tavern from 1783 to 1789. Its location is not -accurately known, and so in the case of John Colwell, a tavern keeper of -1784. In 1785 Hugh Means, Samuel Acklin and William Falconer, were -tavern keepers in Washington. Acklin continued in the business until -1788, and Falconer until 1791. William Meetkirk, who was subsequently a -justice of the peace for many years, kept a tavern on Main street from -1786 to 1793, in the house until recently occupied by Mrs. McFarland, -and it is not unlikely that this is the house kept by Colwell and Means. - -Maj. George McCormick kept a tavern in 1788, and Col. John May's journal -compliments it by this entry: "Thursday, Aug. 7, 1788, set out from the -hotel at four o'clock, and at half-past eight arrived at Maj. George -McCormick's in Washington, where we breakfasted. This is an excellent -house, where New England men put up." The writer regrets his failure to -ascertain the exact location of this old tavern. - -Hugh Wilson (son of James) kept a tavern in Washington in 1789, and John -McMichael in 1790, the locations of which are not now ascertainable. - -Charles Valentine kept the "White Goose" in 1791. This house stood on -the lot now covered by the Valentine House. The name Valentine is -prominently identified with the National Road from the date of its -construction to the present time. The "White Goose" was the symbol under -which this old tavern sailed until the year 1806, when it assumed the -more poetic name of "Golden Swan," under the management of John Rettigg. -Rettigg was relieved from its cares and responsibilities in 1810 by -Juliana Valentine, who presided over its destinies down to the year -1819. It next passed to the control and management of James Sargeant, -who kept it for a brief period, and turned it over to John Valentine and -Lewis Valentine, who continued it down to 1825. It was next kept for two -years by John Hays. In 1827 it was kept by Isaac Sumny, under the sign -of the "Washington Hall." It was kept by Samuel Donley and various other -persons, down to about the year 1840, when as before stated, it passed -to the control of Joseph Hallam. In Hallam's time it was a popular wagon -stand, and did a large business. Hallam was a man below the medium -size, a little stooped, and of quiet demeanor. He had a good wagon yard, -and catered to the tastes of old wagoners in an agreeable manner. The -happiest moments of Amos Waltz were those in which he inserted the gear -pole between the spokes of the hind wheel of a road wagon, as it stood -on Hallam's yard, and afterward took a drink with the jolly wagoners in -Hallam's old bar-room. In 1847 or 1848 the present Valentine House was -built, and kept for many years thereafter by Maj. Geo. T. Hammond. It -was also kept a while by ex-Sheriff Andrew Bruce, afterward by -ex-Sheriff Hugh Keys, and later and until a recent date by William F. -Dickey, and is now called the "Allison House." - -In 1791 Michael Kuntz kept a tavern where Vowell's drug store stands. -This house was kept in 1797 by John Scott, under the sign of the "Spread -Eagle." I. Neilson, John Fisher, Samuel McMillen, and John Ferguson, -were all old tavern keepers of Washington. - -Joseph Huston kept the "Buck Tavern" as early as 1796. This is a stone -house on the east side of Main street, below Maiden. Huston kept this -house until 1812, and died in it. His widow succeeded him for a brief -period, and leased the house to James Sargeant, who kept it until 1815, -when Mrs. Huston again went in, and kept it until 1820. She afterward -re-married, lost her second husband, and was keeping this house in 1838 -as Elizabeth Fleming, and it was continued after that date by her son, -William B. Huston. The old Buck is still standing, one of the landmarks -of the town. - -In 1797 James Workman kept a tavern, the site of which is not known. He -continued until 1813, when he went to farming. After three years' -experience in farming he returned to town, and opened a tavern under the -sign of "Gen. Andrew Jackson." This old tavern stood on the west side of -Main street, below the "Globe Inn." It was subsequently kept by Maj. -James Dunlap of the old Mt. Vernon House, east of Pancake. - -From 1798 to 1806 Dr. John J. Lemoyne kept a tavern on the south side of -Main street, where an old road came down over Gallows Hill. This house -was afterward kept by Jacob Good, and continued for a number of years by -his widow. - -The "Globe Inn" was one of the most famous old taverns in Washington. It -was located on the west side of Main street, at the corner of Strawberry -alley. This house was opened as a tavern in 1797, and in the next year -passed to the hands of David Morris, and was kept by him, continuously, -until his death in 1834. General LaFayette was entertained at this house -in 1825, and it was a favorite stopping place of Henry Clay, and many -other statesmen and heroes of the olden time. This old tavern was a -frame building, and remained standing until 1891. Rev. William P. -Alrich, an old and popular professor of mathematics in Washington -college, married a daughter of David Morris. - -One Fox kept a tavern, at an early period, in a house that stood on the -east side of Main street, where the Morgan Block now stands. - -The "Cross Keys" was a popular tavern of the olden time. It stood on the -southeast corner of Main and Wheeling streets, opposite the Valentine -House. It was opened in 1801 by James McCamant, who kept it until his -death, which occurred in 1813. Tradition has it that he died from the -effects of a bite by a mad wolf. His widow continued it for about two -years, when she quit it to take charge of the "General Washington -House," nearly opposite the court house. She returned, however, after a -time to the "Cross Keys," and was keeping that house as late as 1831. In -the year last named she caused to be inserted in a town paper a notice -that she furnished dinner and horse feed for twenty-five cents, and -boarding and lodging for jurors and others attending court for two -dollars a week. The "Cross Keys" was kept afterward at different dates -by James Sargeant, Charles Rettig, John Bradfield, William Blakely and -Otho Hartzell. It closed as a tavern previous to 1844. James McCamant, -the first proprietor of the "Cross Keys" tavern, was the father-in-law -of Joseph Henderson, esq., a prominent and popular old lawyer of -Washington. - -Christian Keiffer kept a tavern in 1805 at the sign of "Washington." -Keiffer's career as a tavern keeper must have been a brief and an -uninteresting one, since old inhabitants are unable to locate his house, -although it bore a name that should and does survive, in every other -form except in its application to Keiffer's old tavern. - -John Kirk kept a tavern about the beginning of the present century in a -house that stood on Wheeling street, west of Main. This house was -painted red and penciled to imitate brick. After Kirk left it William -Wilson became its proprietor. He was known as "Center Billy." He did not -find tavern keeping sufficiently profitable, and quitting the business, -turned his attention to blacksmithing and wagon making. The old name of -Wheeling street was "Belle," and the present name was given it by the -old stage drivers and wagoners, because it intersected the old road -leading to Wheeling. - -The "Indian Queen" was an old and well remembered tavern on Main street, -opposite the court house. It was opened in 1808 by John McCluny. In 1815 -it changed its location and solicited public patronage on Main street, -above Chestnut, where Justice Donehoe's residence now is, under the -auspices of its old founder, John McCluny aforesaid. In its new location -it became the headquarters of the Jackson Democracy. This house was kept -by Thomas Officer, and was known as the "Green Tree," before McCluny -placed it under the shield of the "Indian Queen." It was afterward -occupied by John Johnson, who kept it for a number of years, and it -ceased to do business as a tavern during his occupancy. - -About the year 1820 John Manuel kept a tavern in a white frame house on -the west side of Main street, immediately below the present depot of the -Baltimore & Ohio railroad. - -There was an old tavern in Washington at an early day kept by Jacob -Moler, and known as "The Mermaid." It was located on the south side of -West Wheeling street, and on the lot now owned by Charles Driehorst. It -was the headquarters of the Hibernians, and while it did not aspire to -rival the "Globe" or the "Rising Sun," it was not lacking in patronage. -It does not appear to have been continued as a tavern after the time of -Moler. - -The "Rising Sun," a leading tavern in its day, occupied a lot near the -corner of Main and Chestnut streets, almost directly opposite the house -subsequently known as "The Mansion." The first proprietor of the "Rising -Sun" was James Garrett, and he remained in charge until 1822. He was -active in his business, and accustomed to say, "Walk in, walk in, -gentlemen; I keep a decent house, and provide sweetened bitters." James -Briceland kept this house for one year, after which he turned it back to -Garrett, who continued to keep it until it passed to the hands of John -N. Dagg, who kept it until he purchased the "Mansion House," on the -opposite corner. It is said that one hundred teams have been seen -standing around the "Rising Sun" in a single night. Briceland went down -to the lower end of town and took charge of the house subsequently known -as "The National." In 1823 while Dagg was keeping the "Rising Sun," a -townsman and an old wagoner had an altercation in the bar-room, and Dagg -pitched them both out into the street. In the descent the wagoner's head -struck the curb-stone, fatally injuring him. Mr. Dagg was prosecuted and -arraigned for murder in consequence, but acquitted by the jury on the -ground that the homicide was more the result of accident, than any -intention to kill. During the brief term of Mr. Briceland at the "Rising -Sun" he had as guests on one occasion, Gen. Andrew Jackson, family and -suite. The distinguished party were _en route_ to Washington City, and -upon departing from the "Rising Sun" were honored by an escort of -citizens of Washington as far east as Hillsboro. - -In 1821 Enoch Miller opened a tavern in a large brick house at the west -end of town, nearly opposite the old Methodist church, which stood on -Chestnut street, a little below Franklin. He called his house the -"General Brown," and it was well patronized. Richard Donaldson kept this -house after Miller's time. Upon quitting the "General Brown" Enoch -Miller opened the "Fountain Inn," a brick building nearly opposite and a -few doors east of the "General Brown," on Chestnut street, and he was -succeeded in this house in 1825 by George Ringland. William P. Byles was -an old proprietor of this house also. - -William J. Brown, called "Old Billy," kept a tavern as early as 1832, -and for many years thereafter, on the east side of Main street near the -center of town. It was a frame building and had a fair paying custom. It -was known for a time as the "Farmers' Inn," and later as the "Black -Bear." The old proprietor was a quaint character, and much pestered by -the boys of the town. With all his troubles and tribulations he managed -to lay aside a sufficiency of worldly goods to protect himself against -the requirements of a rainy day. - -[Illustration: S. B. HAYS.] - -And there was old "Jimmy Brown," another odd character, not a relation -of "Billy." Jimmy was an Irishman, and knew how to make and keep money. -He kept a tavern for many years in a white frame house opposite the -court house, and near the "Fulton." He called his house "The Franklin." -His savings were sufficient to warrant him in tearing down his old house -and erecting in its stead a fine new brick structure, which he did. -After building his new house he married a wife, and was warmly -congratulated by his numerous friends. With the assistance of his wife -he continued to entertain the public until his death, leaving the cares -and anxieties of his business to his bereaved widow, who soon after -remarried and retired to private life. The house is now used for -mercantile purposes, one of the best locations in town. Jimmy Brown, -when occupying his old house, was accustomed to say to his friends: "I -have some nice _fesh_, come away to the cellar with me, and see my -_fesh_." He had no license then. - -The Mansion House was a leading tavern in Washington from the time it -commenced business until it was destroyed by fire, which occurred after -the National Road ceased to be a great thoroughfare. It was located on -the northeast corner of Main and Chestnut streets. Before the "Mansion -House" was built an old red frame house stood on this corner, which was -kept as a tavern by a man whose surname was Scott. John N. Dagg bought -this property prior to his withdrawal from the "Rising Sun," on the -opposite corner, and commenced to improve it. The outcome of his -enterprise was the erection of a large brick building, known as the -Mansion House, with extensive sheds and stables in the rear. About the -year 1834 Mr. Dagg leased the premises to John Irons, who conducted the -house for a period of two years, after which Mr. Dagg returned as -landlord, and continued to keep it down to the year 1844, or thereabout, -when he leased it to S. B. and C. Hayes, who conducted it for a brief -period, and were succeeded by Bryson and Shirls, subsequently of the St. -Charles Hotel, Pittsburgh. The Good Intent line of stages gave its -patronage to the "American," when that house was kept by the Messrs. -Hayes, and to the "Greene House," when it was kept by Daniel Brown. -Thereafter the headquarters of that line were at the Mansion House, and -it was headquarters for the Pilot line when the Good Intent stopped at -the "American." The Mansion House had a large country trade, as well as -that derived from the National Road. The old bar room was of immense -size, and the old proprietor, John N. Dagg, was one of the largest men -on the road. He was not fat, but tall, and widely proportioned. He -provided for his country guests a large upright boot jack, with side -bars, which acted as levers, designed to steady the toe in the operation -of drawing off a boot. Half cut, cheap leather slippers were also -provided, and upon pulling their boots, guests put on these slippers, -and in the mornings, piles of boots, nicely polished, were placed in a -corner of the bar room, to await the return of their owners from the -slumbers of the night. It was not an uncommon thing to see scores of -country people sitting about in the big bar room after supper, talking -over the events of the day, all wearing the slippers referred to, -preparatory to going to rest for the night, at the early bed time of -that happy period. James K. Polk, wife and suite, stopped at the Mansion -House on the inaugural trip in 1845. The "Examiner," under date of -February 15, 1845, gave the following account of the reception of the -distinguished party: "President Polk arrived in our borough on Monday -evening last, about 5 o'clock, escorted by quite a respectable number of -our citizens. The President was accompanied by his lady, J. Knox Walker, -his private secretary, and Master Marshall Polk, comprising the -President's family; also Colonel Butler, of Kentucky, Judge Hubbard, of -Alabama, and Messrs. T. K. Stevenson, J. G. Harris and J. N. Esselman. -The arrival of the President having been sooner than was anticipated, -and intelligence of the same having reached us on Sabbath last, the -arrangements on the part of our citizens were not so complete or -extensive as they would have been under other and more favorable -circumstances. Upon the arrival of the President at the Mansion House he -was addressed by Dr. Wishart, as chairman of the committee of reception, -in a spirited and appropriate manner, to which the President responded, -to the evident gratification of the large assembly of persons who were -present. In the course of his remarks Colonel Polk alluded to the -unbounded feeling of gratitude which filled his bosom for the -distinguished partiality which had been extended toward him by his -fellow citizens; to the great responsibility which that partiality had -devolved upon him; to his implicit confidence in that power which -controls the destinies of individuals as well as nations; to his -determination to act for the best interests of our beloved country, and -the vital importance of freedom of opinion and contrariety of sentiment -among a Republican people. In concluding his remarks, the President -expressed a strong desire to interchange congratulations with as many of -our citizens, of all parties, as time and circumstances would permit. -After the formal reception was completed the President was conducted -into the Mansion House, and during the evening was waited upon by many -hundreds of our citizens, from town and country, without party -distinction. Many of the ladies of our borough, with the Principal, -assistant teachers and young ladies of our Female Seminary, also, called -upon Mrs. Polk, whose plain, dignified and fascinating deportment and -intelligent conversation rendered her company exceedingly pleasant. Mrs. -Polk has certainly not been too highly complimented, by the many notices -which have been bestowed upon her, as a lady most admirably suited to -the discharge of the peculiar duties which await her as the wife of the -President-elect. On Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock the President and suite -left our borough, in good health and spirits, for Uniontown, at which -place they remained over night." - -[Illustration: GEORGE T. HAMMOND.] - -The Fulton House was a prominent house of entertainment in Washington -for many years. It is located on the corner of Main and Beau streets, -nearly opposite the court house. John Purviance kept a tavern on the -Fulton House site from 1790 to 1805, and three years thereafter went to -Claysville, as stated elsewhere in these pages. Richard Donaldson -succeeded Purviance in this old house. John Fleming kept a tavern on -this corner in 1820, called "The Philadelphia and Kentucky Inn." In -January, 1821, a fire occurred in this house, on occasion of the -marriage of a daughter of Mr. Fleming, which partially destroyed the -building, and saddest of all, burnt to death one of the old proprietor's -daughters. After the present large brick building was erected on this -corner, it was called "The American House," and was kept by S. B. and C. -Hayes previous to 1840, and after them by John Huey. In 1846 or 1847 it -was leased by Henry Fulton, who came from Westmoreland county, -Pennsylvania, and under his management it took the name of the "Fulton -House," which it retained, and under which it became widely and -favorably known, until it was given the absurd name of "Hotel Maine." -The Fulton House was admirably conducted and extensively patronized. - -The National House was the headquarters of the Stockton line of stages. -It is located on the northwest corner of Main and Maiden streets. The -firm name of the Stockton line of stages was "The National Road Stage -Company," and it has been seen that this line bestowed its favor upon -public houses bearing the name "National." In 1821 Samuel Dennison, who -came from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, kept an old tavern that stood on the -site of the "National House." It was then known as "The Travelers' Inn -and Stage Office." It was subsequently enlarged and improved, and in -1823 passed to the control of James Briceland, under the name of the -"National House." Its next occupant was John Irons, who was succeeded by -James Searight, in 1836, and he in turn by Daniel Valentine, George T. -Hammond, Edward Lane, Adam C. Morrow and Elliot Seaburn. It was an -elegant eating house in the days of staging, and at its best under the -management of Hammond and Lane, respectively. It is now called the "Auld -House," and, as in many other instances, its old prestige departed with -its old name. James Searight went from the "National House" to -Zanesville, Ohio, and kept a tavern there for a short time, and -returning to Washington, leased the "Greene House," which was managed by -his son, William. These Searights were of a Cumberland, Maryland, -family. - -As early as 1815 Richard Donaldson kept a tavern on Maiden street, -opposite the Female Seminary. This old house was surrounded by spacious -grounds, and there was a ball alley in the rear of it, which afforded -means of exercise and amusement for the town boys of the olden time. -James Workman succeeded Donaldson in this old tavern, and he, in 1830, -was succeeded by Samuel Surratt, father of James F. Surratt, the popular -postmaster of Steubenville, Ohio. Major William Paull kept this house -previous to 1840, and for a time thereafter, and at the close of his -term it was purchased by the trustees of the Female Seminary, since -which time it has formed a portion of the real estate belonging to that -institution. Major Paull came to this house from the old stone house on -Winding Ridge, and kept it as a wagon stand. It had good facilities for -the accommodation of wagoners, by reason of the spacious grounds before -mentioned, and these, in connection with the fact that Major Paull was -an experienced tavern keeper of the road, attracted a large and -profitable patronage. - -The "Greene House," a popular tavern, was located on the east side of -Main street, south of the Mansion House, and on a lot formerly owned by -John L. Gow, esq. It was kept in 1842 by William Searight, before -mentioned, who was succeeded by S. B. and C. Hayes, whose occupancy was -brief, and about 1846 it came under the control of Daniel Brown, one of -the most competent landlords of his day and generation. During Brown's -incumbency it had the patronage of the Good Intent Stage company. -Brown's bar-keeper was Benjamin White, who wore his hair long and had a -scar on his face. His employer always addressed him as "Benny," and -confided in his integrity to the fullest extent, and in very truth -"Benny" was entirely worthy of his employer's confidence. Whither this -quaint old bar-keeper drifted, when the eclipse came over the sunshine -of the road, is not known, but his name deserves to be perpetuated in -history. - -Most of the facts contained in this chapter rest on authority of -Crumrine's history of Washington county, Pennsylvania. - -[Illustration: THE RANKIN HOUSE.] - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIX. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Washington to West - Alexander--Rankintown--John Rankin--Andrew McDonald--Freaks of an - Old Wagon-maker--Robert Smith--John Coulson--Millers--Bedillions-- - The S Bridge--Caldwells--Mrs. Brownlee--Another Widow McClelland-- - Claysville--John Sargent--An event in the Life of Dan Rice--Basil - Brown--Dennisons--The Walker House--Jonathan D. Leet--Coon Island-- - John Canode--Rogers and the Doughertys--John Valentine._ - - -After passing Washington the ancient little village of Rankintown is -reached. It is situated a short distance over the top of the hill -leading up from Catfish, and a little over a mile from Washington. Here -a tavern was kept in early times by one Spalding, who seems to have -failed in impressing his name on the locality. His successor was John -Rankin, who dying, left his name behind him. His house was a large frame -building on the south side of the road, with the customary wagon yard -attached. While this old tavern did a large wagoner's trade, its -agreeable old host ministered largely to the wants of the traveling -public without distinction. As before intimated wagoners as a rule -preferred country taverns, and this is probably the reason so many of -them halted at Rankin's rather than proceeding on to Washington, going -east, where a number of good taverns were located, but being in a large -town, more or less under the ban of "tony places." John Rankin owned the -old tavern stand at Rankintown, and after conducting it for many years -during the flourishing era of the road, to use a common phrase of the -road, "died with the harness on." His widow continued to keep tavern at -the old stand until about the year 1847, when growing old and tired of -the cares and responsibilities of tavern keeping, concluded to retire to -private life, and leased the premises to a Mr. Johnson, who conducted -the house down to the fifties, when he was succeeded by Andrew McDonald, -who remained in charge until the activities of the road ceased. The -private residence of the late Hon. William Montgomery was for a number -of years on the roadside near the old Rankin tavern. He was an -illustrious old pike boy and championed the glories of the road on many -an occasion. Rankintown is now an incorporated borough, under the name -and style of West Washington, but the glories of the old pike all rest -and abide behind the present municipality. - -In 1844 and subsequent to that date, Alpheus Murphy, a wagon-maker, -lived and operated a shop near the old Rankin tavern. He gained a local -notoriety for proclaiming in a loud voice in season and out of season, -his sentiments on current topics, and especially political issues. He -was a man of great physical strength, and a skillful workman. He had no -scruples against taking an occasional glass of the pure whisky that -abounded on the road in his day, and was a frequent visitor to -Washington. Prompted possibly by the influence of the active element -mentioned, he was accustomed to ascend the cupola of the Washington -court house and from the balustrade near its summit give vent to his -feelings, mainly of a Democratic tendency, in stentorian tones that -startled the whole community. Notwithstanding the boisterous fits that -marked and may have marred his life, he passed quietly away from the -scenes of earth, and will be long and kindly remembered by those who -knew him. - -Two miles west of Rankintown Robert Smith kept a tavern as early as the -year 1818. At this point the National Road crossed an ancient roadway -leading from Washington to Wheeling, and Robert Smith kept a tavern here -on the old road. It was a frame house on the south side of the road, and -in after years became the homestead and private residence of Jacob -Weirich, who died its possessor. - -Less than a mile west of Smith's John Coulson kept a tavern as early as -1820, and probably before that date. His house was a frame building, on -the south side of the road. The old building was torn down many years -ago, and a brick structure erected in its place. Coulson, the old -proprietor, has been dead fifty years, and at his death his tavern was -closed, and not again re-opened as a public house. The old wagoners and -stage drivers who were familiar with Coulson's tavern long since passed -to other scenes, along with its old proprietor. - -About one mile west of the old Coulson House the well remembered and -popular wagon stand of John Miller is reached. Miller moved to this -point in 1836 from a stand two miles west of Pratt's Hollow, and east of -Cumberland, as before stated. The Miller house here is a large brick -building, with all the necessary outbuildings for a tavern, and a good -wagon yard. It is situate on the north side of the road. To gain the -wagon yard going west, old wagoners ascended a steep grade, but on the -other side the way was level. Miller had a good custom at his tavern -east of Cumberland, and his old friends followed him to his new -location. He had long experience as a tavern keeper, and furnished -satisfactory entertainment to the traveling public. Previous to 1836 -Levi Wilson kept this house, and entertained the first crop of wagoners -on the road, and tradition attributes to him a good fame as a tavern -keeper. Miller died in this house. A son of Levi Wilson married a -daughter of John Miller, and since the death of the latter has been -occupying this old tavern-stand as a private residence. - -[Illustration: THE JOHN MILLER HOUSE.] - -At the foot of the hill west of Miller's, and on the north side of the -road, is the old Bedillion tavern. This house was kept as early as -1830 by one Scott, and as late as 1848 by Christly Wolf, and later by -George Boyd, but owing to a usage, in some instances difficult to -account for, it is better known as Bedillion's, especially among old -wagoners, than by any other name. Bedillion was a German, and his first -name was Abraham, and he probably possessed German traits and practices -which made an impression on old wagoners not to be forgotten. He kept -this house in 1836. Wolf also was of German origin, but his manners and -methods were of the American type. He was a man of prominence in his -neighborhood, and wielded considerable local influence, and was likewise -a member of the firm of Buck, Lyon and Wolf, contractors, before -mentioned. The old Bedillion tavern is a large frame building, with a -high porch in front. George Boyd took charge of this house in the early -fifties. He exchanged the shoe business in Washington for what he no -doubt considered the more profitable pursuit of tavern keeping on the -old pike. In this he seems to have been disappointed. His career as a -tavern keeper was not successful, and there were two reasons for it. -First, he began too late, and second, he was not a pike boy, and -therefore not familiar with the wants and ways of the road. - -On the north side of the road, about one mile wrest of the S Bridge, and -as far back in the past as seventy years, one Andrew Caldwell (not a -relative of James, hereinafter mentioned), kept a small wooden tavern -and entertained primitive travelers and neighborhood callers in -primitive style. An old blacksmith, bearing the surname McSwiggin, was -found dead near this old tavern, and there was an undercurrent of -suspicion in the neighborhood that Andrew Caldwell, aforesaid, had, in -some manner and for some purpose, taken the old blacksmith's life. -However, no prosecution was instituted, and, in fact, no legal -investigation made as to the cause of the mysterious death; and it is to -be hoped, for the reputation of the early pike boys, that the suspicions -whispered against the old tavern keeper were groundless. - -The next noted old tavern on the westward march is Mrs. Caldwell's, -seven miles from Washington. Before reaching Mrs. Caldwell's, the -celebrated S Bridge is passed. This bridge takes its name from its -shape, which resembles the letter S. It is a large stone bridge over a -branch of Buffalo creek. Near this bridge a county road leads to -Taylorstown, celebrated in recent years for its oil developments, and in -this vicinity reside James Noble and John Thompson, two old wagoners of -the road, mentioned in a previous chapter. There is a postoffice here -called "S Bridge," which affords postal facilities for a rich and -populous neighborhood. In early times there was a tavern at the eastern -end of the S Bridge, and one at its western end. These old taverns -accommodated the public in their day, but their facilities were limited, -and they ceased to entertain strangers and travelers previous to 1840. -Caldwell's is the tavern mentioned by Mr. Blaine, in the opening chapter -of this volume on old taverns. James Caldwell owned and conducted this -old tavern from the time the road was opened up for travel, or very soon -thereafter, until the year 1838, when he died, and his widow, Hester -Caldwell, kept it going as a tavern from that date until 1873, so that -she was one of the oldest tavern keepers of the road. The house is a -large and handsome structure, near the summit of a long hill, and on the -south side of the road. It is, at the present time, occupied by J. A. -Gordon, who entertains the public, and as of old, the house is a -favorite resort of pleasure seeking parties. - -A half a mile west from Caldwell's, the widow Brownlee kept a tavern in -the early history of the road. Her house was a frame building on the -south side of the road. Robert Hall afterwards kept this house, and upon -his retirement it ceased to do business as a tavern. - -On the top of the hill west of Mrs. Brownlee's the widow McClelland kept -a tavern sixty years ago. She was not of the famous tavern keeping -family of McClelland, of Uniontown. This widow McClelland was keeping -tavern at the point mentioned before the widow McClelland of the -McClelland House in Uniontown was born. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad at -this day passes through a tunnel near the old tavern of widow -McClelland. - -Claysville is next reached. It is stated in Crumrine's history of -Washington county, that John Purviance was the first tavern keeper in -Claysville, and that he was the founder of the town. "When it became -certain," says Crumrine, "that the National Road would pass through the -place, Purviance caused the following notice to be inserted in the -Washington _Reporter_: - - "The subscriber having laid off a number of building lots in the - new town of Claysville, will offer the same at public sale on the - premises, on Thursday, the 8th day of March, next. Claysville is - distant ten miles from Washington, westward, and about eighteen - east of Wheeling, and six from Alexandria. The great National Road - from Cumberland to Wheeling as located by Col. Williams and - confirmed by the President, and now rapidly progressing towards its - completion, passes directly through the town. - - Washington, April 21, 1817. - JOHN PURVIANCE." - -[Illustration: THE "S" BRIDGE.] - -It goes without saying that this town was named in honor of Henry Clay, -the unrivaled champion of the road. As at other towns mentioned, the -road forms the main street of Claysville. In 1821 James Sargent kept a -tavern in Claysville, at the sign of the Black Horse. He moved to -Claysville from Washington, and the house he kept in Claysville was a -brick building, occupied formerly by John Porter. Claysville was a stage -station, as before stated. Bazil Brown kept a tavern in Claysville as -early as 1836, and probably before that date. He kept a wagon stand and -had a large patronage. Some time during the forties, Dan Rice, after his -circus stranded, was exhibiting a "learned pig" to the people of -Claysville, and in Bazil Brown's tavern. On the night of the -entertainment Brown lost an overcoat, and charged Dan Rice with stealing -it, and had him sent up to Washington jail to await trial. Dan -employed Seth T. Hurd to defend him, and was acquitted. Soon after Dan -appeared in Claysville with a new circus, and sang an original song in -the ring intended to embody his recollections of the overcoat escapade, -and to lampoon Brown for prosecuting him. The song was smooth, as all -Dan's were, and the thrusts at Brown sarcastic and severe, and much -enjoyed by the local hearers. Despite this unfortunate occurrence Bazil -Brown was a popular landlord, and kept a good house. The old circus man -is still living, and has probably forgotten and forgiven the old tavern -keeper for accusing him of felony, but the old tavern keeper long since -passed beyond the dark waters, and entered upon the realities of another -and unknown realm. James Dennison kept a tavern in Claysville as early -as 1840. He subsequently kept at Beallsville and at Hopwood as before -stated. He was an old wagoner and kept a wagon stand, but had the -patronage of one of the stage lines in Claysville, as well as a wagon -custom. Old wagoners felt themselves entirely at home at Dennison's -tavern, and thoroughly enjoyed his agreeable entertainment. David Bell, -John Walker, James Kelley, Stephen Conkling and John McIlree were all -old tavern keepers at Claysville, and kept stage houses. - -There was also a Watkins who kept tavern in Claysville. The house he -kept was destroyed by fire previous to 1850. It had the patronage of the -Good Intent stage line. David Bell was an old stage driver. His house in -Claysville was a brick building on the south side, diagonally opposite -the old Walker House. He subsequently kept the Fulton House in -Washington in 1862 and 1863. The Walker House was a frame building, on -the north side. Walker subsequently located at Wheeling and kept a -tavern there. Conkling kept the Walker House. McIlree kept the Brown -House. Kelley also kept the Walker House, and it was in this house, and -in Kelley's time, that Jim Burr, the noted stage driver, "knocked out" -the Cincinnati buffer, before mentioned. The Stockton line of coaches -stopped at the old Brown House, and the Good Intent line at the Walker -and Watkins Houses. - -The widow Calahan kept a tavern in Claysville prior to 1840. Jonathan D. -Leet married her daughter. Leet was a pike boy of no little distinction -in his day. His discernment and good taste in wedding the fair daughter -of an old tavern keeper were not the only proofs of his wit and worth. -He was a lawyer of ability, a major of militia, postmaster of Washington -during the presidency of President Polk, and member of the Legislature -for Washington county. A large man with prominent features, and somewhat -awkward in manner, he was the personification of Mars, when arrayed in -the elaborate uniform of the old militia system. The great gilt rolls of -the ponderous epaulette, and the immense three cornered and sharp -pointed chapeau produced a feeling of awe among all beholders, and -struck terror to the hearts of young folks. Major Leet being a lawyer -was Judge Advocate at all courts martial during the time he was in -commission. Those courts were frequently held in Washington, and their -members were required to sit, hear and determine in full uniform. On -such occasions Major Leet was "the observed of all observers," and -elicited the admiration of his many friends. There was an old -silversmith in Washington by the name of Galt, a man of acute -intelligence, given to the amusing side of life, and a close friend of -the philosopher Dr. Creigh, of the same place. These old worthies were -warm friends of Major Leet, and their enthusiasm knew no bounds in -expressing delight over the triumphs of the Major, in conducting these -courts martial. In 1848, when Major Leet was postmaster, he was an -ardent advocate of the election of General Cass to the presidency, and -accustomed to allude with emphasis to the fact that his favorite was "a -brave old volunteer." His candidate, however, was defeated, and under -the rule of partisanship, he was superseded in the postoffice by a -friend of the victorious columns. Subsequently he was elected to the -Legislature, and after serving his term did not return to live among his -constituents. He was essentially a pike boy, devoted to the memories of -the road, and fond of its associations, yet he died in a strange land, -and his is not the only instance wherein a seat in the Legislature has -led a man from the gentle paths and innocent pastimes of his early days. - -Three miles west from Claysville, at the foot of a long hill, the -romantic, not to say classic spot of Coon Island is reached. Here was an -old tavern stand, for many years kept by John Canode previous to 1840. -It was on the north side of the road, and a wagon stand. The stages -stopped here also at times, and it was a regular relay for the express -wagons. After Canode's time the tavern here was kept by John Brotherton -and sons. It was a prominent point during the flourishing era of the -road. As late as 1853 a Mr. Reed kept the old tavern at Coon Island. The -old stage and wagon lines, however, were withdrawn previous to that -date, and some small local lines substituted, as if to prevent an abrupt -termination to the high prosperity which the road enjoyed for so long a -period. The origin of the name Coon Island is presumably -unascertainable, else Crumrine in his history of Washington county would -have given it, as the locality is within the limits of that county. That -coons existed and flourished in the neighborhood from time immemorial, -there is scarcely a doubt, but an island has never been witnessed there -since the subsidence of the great flood in Noah's time. The point is now -a station on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and the name is changed to -Vienna. The old name is more appropriate, albeit the island is absent. -It is more appropriate, because it is familiar to the people, but it -seems to be the inevitable doom of many old familiar names to fall -before the advance of modern fancies. Think of an old wagoner going back -to Coon Island after an absence of half a century, to find himself "a -mere looker on in Vienna!" Shades of the old pike, hide this ruthless -and senseless innovation from the eyes of mankind. - -[Illustration: DAVID BELL.] - -Two miles west from Coon Island and a short distance beyond the site of -the old Catholic church, an old tavern was kept in early days by one -Rogers, and subsequently by Jacob and Michael Dougherty. It was a frame -house, on the north side of the road. A good water trough was maintained -at this old stand, and travelers halted here for water. In 1830 this old -tavern was kept by Jacob Jones, the father of the distinguished iron -manufacturer and politician, B. F. Jones, of Pittsburg. The old church -mentioned, which will be remembered by all who are familiar with this -section of the road, was taken down a few years ago, and rebuilt at -Claysville, a more central point for the parishioners. Before reaching -Dougherty's another old round toll house is passed, the last one on the -road in Pennsylvania. Here William McCleary collected the tolls for many -years. - -A few hundred yards further west the old and popular tavern of John -Valentine is reached. It is a frame house, on the north side of the -road, large and commodious, and was a favorite resort of wagoners. -Valentine kept this tavern a great many years. If he had a predecessor -or a successor in this house, his name is totally eclipsed by that of -John Valentine. He possessed the talent for tavern keeping in a rare -degree, and was a brother of Daniel Valentine, the old and popular -tavern keeper of Washington, and of Charles Valentine, an old wagoner of -that place. - - - - -CHAPTER XL. - - _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--West Alexander to - Wheeling--A Modern Gretna Green--Dr. McCluskey--Crossing Another - State Line--Abram Carr--The Widow Beck, with whom Abram Lincoln - boarded, and at whose house Robert T. Lincoln was born--The Widow - Rhodes and Abram Beagle--John White, Isaac Jones, Roney's Point, - Ninian Bell, John Bentley, James Kimberly, Triadelphia, John D. - Foster, Col. Thompson, the Widow Gooding--The Clay Monument--Col. - Moses Shepherd and his wife, Lydia--Samuel Carter--Michael - Blackburn--Steenrods--Wheeling--John McCortney, and others._ - - -Crumrine's history of Washington county states that West Alexander was -first laid out in 1796 by Robert Humphreys, that most of the lots were -subsequently acquired by Charles D. Hass, who in the year 1817 sold them -by public outcry; that the National Road at the last mentioned date was -in process of construction, and had been actually opened for travel from -Cumberland to the Big Crossings, and it was believed that all the towns -upon its route would become places of prosperity and importance; that -the town of West Alexander was destroyed by fire on May 4, 1831, but -slowly recovered from the disaster, and in the succeeding twenty years -became a thriving village, by reason of the prosperity of the great -thoroughfare on which it was located. A house called the "American -Eagle" was the first tavern in West Alexander, established by Duncan -Morrison in 1796, and kept by him for a number of years. Subsequent -tavern keepers in West Alexander were Charles Mayes, Zebulon Warner, -John Gooding, John Woodburn, William McCall, Solomon Cook, James -Sargent, Charles Hallam, Mary Warner, James Bell, Silver Gilfillan, -Samuel Beamer, James Matthers, John Irons, Moses Thornburg, Samuel Doak, -Joseph Lawson, Joseph Dowdal, William F. Gordon, William McCutcheon, and -perhaps others. Joseph Lawson was probably the best known of all these -old tavern keepers. He kept a wagon stand for a long time during the -prosperous era of the road, and was extensively patronized. He had been -an old wagoner himself, and knew the secret of agreeably entertaining -old wagoners. He is mentioned in a previous chapter as a "fancy wagoner" -of the road. His tavern in West Alexander was a large and commodious -frame building at the western end of the town, on the south side of the -road, with a large and well arranged wagon yard attached. He owned the -property, and died in possession. Beside being a successful wagoner and -tavern keeper, Joseph Lawson was a staunch citizen, a man of influence -and highly esteemed. He was at one time, for a brief period, -Superintendent of the road from Brownsville to the Virginia line. - -[Illustration: JOSEPH F. MAYES. (OLD JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.)] - -There was, during the prosperous era of the road, an academy at West -Alexander under the management of the Rev. Dr. John McCluskey, where -many boys were trained for entrance to Washington college. Dr. McCluskey -was an eminent scholar, an able preacher, a successful educator and a -worthy man in all the walks of life. He devoted a long and laborious -life here, to gain a better one hereafter, and let us hope he is now -realizing its enjoyment. West Alexander is also noted as a rival of the -celebrated Gretna Green, of Scotland, by reason of the many clandestine -marriages which have taken place there. Joseph F. Mayes, an old justice -of the peace of the place, married nineteen hundred and eighteen couples -from 1862 to 1881, more than nine-tenths of whom were elopers. It is -estimated that from 1835 to 1885, the date of the enactment of the -Pennsylvania marriage license law, over five thousand eloping couples -were married in West Alexander. - -One mile distant from West Alexander on the north side of the road, -Abram Carr kept a tavern as early as 1836. It was a frame building, and -a wagon stand. After Carr this old tavern was kept by Silver Gilfillan, -before mentioned in the list of tavern keepers at West Alexander. Carr -and Gilfillan well knew the ways of the road, and were competent men in -their line. Old wagoners were accustomed to lay aside their coin, to pay -bills at Gilfillan's tavern, under a belief that he coveted silver -because of his Christian name. This was the first tavern located in Old -Virginia on the westward march, being less than a mile from the -Pennsylvania State line. - -Two miles further west a large frame tavern on the north side of the -road, was kept by Mrs. Sarah Beck as early as 1832. It was a station for -the Stockton line of coaches. Mrs. Beck was succeeded in this house by -Samuel Node, who retained the good will and patronage extended to his -predecessor. Mrs. Beck was the widow of James Beck, of the old bridge -building firm of Kinkead, Beck & Evans, frequently mentioned in these -pages. Her son, William G. Beck, still living in Fairfield, Iowa, was -the hero of the exciting race between two coaches from Cumberland to -Piney Grove, mentioned in a previous chapter. James Beck, the husband of -Sarah Beck, died in Wheeling in 1829, while keeping a tavern in that -place. His widow was of a heroic mold, and resolved to carry on the -battle of life on her own account, and continued in the business of -tavern keeping. She kept tavern at various points, and finally about the -year 1847 bade a last adieu to the scenes of the road, amid which she -had been reared, and emigrated to the then far west. Leasing a house in -Springfield, Illinois, she resumed the business of tavern keeping. While -a member of the Illinois Legislature, Abraham Lincoln was a boarder in -Mrs. Beck's house, and Robert T. Lincoln, the late United States -minister at London, was born under her roof. Thus an old tavern keeper -of the National Road was closely associated with, and enjoyed the -confidence of, one of the most illustrious personages of his time or of -any time. - -A short distance, less than a mile further west, the widow Rhodes kept a -popular wagon stand as early as 1830. Another widow, and no exception to -the rule, before stated. Her house was a frame building, on the south -side of the road, and a busy, bustling hostelry. Abram Beagle, an old -wagoner, became the husband of the widow Rhodes, as elsewhere in these -pages stated, and relieved her of many of the active cares of tavern -keeping, until his death, which occurred in this house, leaving his wife -a second time a widow, and she continued the business of tavern keeping -as the widow Beagle, with her usual success. Abram Beagle was likewise, -and before he married Mrs. Rhodes, a contractor on the road. His work -was near the Little Crossings. - -The next old tavern on the west, and a short distance from the widow -Rhodes' house, was kept as early as 1830 by John White. It was a frame -house on the north side of the road. Mrs. Beck, before mentioned, -subsequently bought this property, improved it in many details, and -especially by the erection of a substantial new stable, with a capacity -for sheltering one hundred horses. She conducted this tavern in 1833, -and kept the stock and boarded the drivers and other employees of the -Stockton line of coaches. She was a favorite of that line, and -patronized by it at all points of the road where she kept a tavern, -except at the Greene House in Washington, where she had the favor and -patronage of the Good Intent line. The old White stand was kept by the -widow Miller and her son, after Mrs. Beck left it, and they were -succeeded by Peter Perkins, and he in turn by John Brotherton. - -One mile further west Isaac Jones kept a tavern as early as 1835, and -probably before that date. His house was a frame building on the north -side of the road. He was not active in soliciting patronage, and after a -brief and not very successful career as a tavern keeper, closed his -house to the public and continued to occupy it as a private residence, -and it was never thereafter opened as a tavern. - -Rooney's Point is next reached, a stage station ten miles from Wheeling. -The original owner of the land here was Roney, and its peculiar -conformation, a high ridge ending in a point on the south side of the -road, gave it the name of Roney's Point. It is a familiar name, and was -a lively place during the palmy days of the road. On the north side of -the road, at Roney's Point, a large stone tavern was kept by one Ninian -Bell, prior to the year 1828. He was succeeded by James Beck, Mrs. Sarah -Beck, Moses Thornburg, and Jacob Beck, in the order named. James and -Jacob Beck were not relatives. The old Simms line of stages stopped at -this house when it was kept by James Beck, and it was the stopping place -of the Good Intent line, when kept by Jacob Beck. - -[Illustration: MRS. SARAH BECK.] - -One mile west of Roney's Point, on the south side, stood an old frame -tavern, which, in the eventful days of the road gathered in its share -of glory. It was kept first by John Bentley, and after him by James -Kimberly. In addition to the custom it gained from the road, this house -was a favorite resort of the young rural residents, male and female, of -that portion of Old Virginia, and here they were accustomed to go for a -night's festivity, always confining themselves within the bounds of -propriety, but within those bounds enjoying themselves in a high degree. -There is many a gray-haired veteran living in the vicinity now, of both -sexes, whose memories revert with pleasure to the exciting and -exhilarating scenes they witnessed and participated in, at John -Bentley's old tavern. - -One mile further west, Triadelphia is reached, a small village, and like -many others, the outgrowth of the National Road. Here John D. Foster -kept a tavern at an early day, and very old pike boys say it was a good -one. It was a frame building on the north side of the road. The old -landlord is said to have been courteous in deportment, given to -hospitality, and scrupulously observant of the proprieties of life. His -daughter, Mary, became the wife of C. S. Malt by, the celebrated oyster -dealer of Baltimore. The first parties who shipped oysters over the road -by express were Nicholas Roe, Edward Wright, and Holt and Malt by. The -latter firm soon obtained entire control of the business, and made a -fortune in it. Malt by died within the past two years in Connecticut, -and Holt was killed in a railroad accident in Virginia in 1852. Colonel -Thompson also kept a tavern in Triadelphia in an early day. His house -was a frame building, on the north side. Colonel Thompson was a -gentleman of the old Virginia school, and a fine type of the genial -landlord. He ceased keeping this house previous to 1840, and was -succeeded by William Barnes, who in turn was succeeded by Edward Lane, -and Lane by Frank Lawson. This house was largely patronized by pleasure -seekers from Wheeling and other places, beside doing an extensive road -business, and enjoyed an excellent reputation as a hostelry. - -Three miles further west the old tavern of Mrs. Gooding, another widow, -is reached. The site of this old tavern is now covered by the -flourishing village of Elm Grove. Mrs. Gooding had a wide fame as a -hostess, and her house was crowded by patrons. It is a stone building, -still standing, situate on the south side of the road. Old wagoners to -this day, enthuse over the sumptuousness of the widow Coding's table. -Sleighing parties from Wheeling frequented this old tavern in the -halcyon days of the road, and were handsomely entertained. - - "Oh, the songs they would sing, and the tales they would spin, - As they lounged in the light of the old country inn. - But a day came at last when the stage brought no load - To the gate, as it rolled up the long, dusty road. - And lo! at the sunrise a shrill whistle blew - O'er the hills--and the old yielded place to the new-- - And a merciless age with its discord and din - Made wreck, as it passed, of the pioneer inn." - -Before reaching Mrs. Coding's the Clay Monument is passed. This monument -was erected by Moses Shepherd and Lydia, his wife, under an inspiration -of personal admiration of the great statesman, and with a further view -of commemorating his distinguished public services in behalf of the -road. It is of free stone, located upon a level piece of ground about -fifty feet south of the east end of a stone bridge of three arches, over -Wheeling creek. At its base its circumference is twenty-four feet, -towering to a height of twenty feet, and surmounted by a chiselled -figure of the Goddess of Liberty, at this date bearing plain evidences -of the ravages of time and storm. Originally each of the four sides of -the base column revealed an elaborate inscription, but all are totally -effaced now, except the one on the east side, which is as follows: "TIME -will bring every amelioration and refinement, most gratifying to -rational man, and the humblest flower freely plucked under the shelter -of the Tree of Liberty, is more to be desired than all the trappings of -royalty; 44th year of American Independence, Anni Domini, 1820." The -word TIME stands out in bold relief over the other words quoted. John -Awry, of Claysville, and Alexander Ramsey, of Washington, two old and -well remembered stone-cutters, worked on this monument. The former did -most of the carving, in which he was an expert, and the latter much of -the fine chiselling. Ramsey was the father-in-law of William G. Beck, -the old stage driver previously mentioned. - -On a picturesque eminence, near the monument, overlooking Big Wheeling -creek, stands the ancient and historic Shepherd mansion, a stone -building erected in 1798, and now known as "Monument Place," the -delightful and hospitable home of Maj. Alonzo Louring. In the olden -time, when the National Road was the bustling highway of the Republic, -the handsome and luxurious stage coaches of the period, frequently bore -Henry Clay and other eminent men of his day to the Shepherd mansion, -where they revealed in Old Virginia hospitality. - -Near the old Shepherd mansion stands an antiquated sun dial, covered -with the marks of time, and bearing on its south face this inscription: - - "The noiseless foot of TIME steals softly by, - And ere we think of MANHOOD age draws nigh." - -[Illustration: COL. MOSES SHEPHERD.] - -[Illustration: MRS. LYDIA SHEPHERD.] - -On the north face of this dial appear the names and the figures: "Moses -and Lydia Shepherd, 1820." Col. Moses Shepherd died in 1832, and his -widow subsequently married Gen. Daniel Kruger, whom she also survived -many years. They are all now dead, and their mortal remains mingle with -their native dust, in the cemetery attached to the "Stone Church," near -Elm Grove. A handsome monument stands at their graves bearing the -following inscriptions: On one side, "_Sic Transit Gloria Mandi_: Sacred -to the memory of Col. Moses Shepherd, who departed this life April 29th, -1832, in the 69th year of his age." "To him the country owes a large -debt of gratitude, as well for his defense of it, when a frontier -settlement, as for his recent public services in aiding the -extension and construction of the CUMBERLAND ROAD through Virginia." The -obverse side tells the story of the second husband, as follows: "_Sic -Transit Gloria Mandi_: Sacred to the memory of Gen. Daniel Kruger, who -died July 12th, 1843, in the 64th year of his age." A third side -perpetuates the memory of the twice bereaved widow as follows: "_Sic -Transit Gloria Mandi_: Lydia S. Kruger, wife of Gen. Daniel Kruger, -formerly Lydia S. Bogs, first married Col. Moses Shepherd: Born Feb. -26th, 1766: Died Sept. 26th, 1867, in the 102d year of her age." High up -on the granite shaft is chiselled on two sides the picture of a log -cabin, and at the door appears a female figure in sitting posture, with -a dog in repose at the feet, while in the back ground is seen the -representation of a martial group, with branches of a palm tree -overhanging the whole design. - -A short distance west from widow Goodings, Samuel Carter kept a tavern -as early as 1830. It was a brick house on the south side of the road, a -resort for pleasure seekers from Wheeling, and a well kept house. This -house was subsequently kept by William Strawn. - -About one mile west of Carter's, Michael Blackburn kept a tavern in the -olden time, and was well favored with custom. It was a stone house on -the north side of the road. - -Next comes Steenrod's, two miles out from Wheeling, a brick and stone -building on the south side of the road, and a widely known old tavern. -Daniel Steenrod, the old landlord, owned the property, and was a man of -intelligence and much influence. His son, Lewis, represented the -Wheeling district in Congress during the prosperous era of the road, -and, as before stated, was one of its most zealous champions. Lewis -Steenrod, a grandson of the old landlord, is at this time (1892), High -Sheriff of Ohio county, West Virginia, and on November 18th of this -year, executed Maier, the murderer. Daniel Steenrod kept the old tavern -last mentioned as early as 1825, and probably before that date, and -continued throughout the whole period of the road's great career as a -national highway. He died April 27th, 1864, aged eighty years. The -property still remains in the Steenrod family. - -A short distance from Steenrod's, on the north side, was "Good's -Bottom," now called Pleasant Valley, doubtless by reason of the frantic -iconoclasm, which has lain its ruthless hands on so many old and -familiar names. At Good's Bottom there was a race course in early times, -and it was here, and previous to 1840, that the celebrated horse -"Tariff" lost his laurels. "Tariff" was owned by Thomas Porter, a farmer -and stock man of Claysville. Joseph White, the well known marble dealer -of Uniontown, a native of the vicinity of Claysville, was a witness of -the discomfiture of "Tariff" on the old race course at Good's Bottom. - -And now, after a long journey of two hundred and sixty miles, the city -of Wheeling is reached. Wheeling was the western terminus of the road, -in contemplation of the Act of Congress of March 29th, 1806, given in a -previous chapter. John McCortney kept the most noted wagon stand in -Wheeling. He was likewise a commission merchant, which further -identified him with old wagoners, enabling him to furnish them with back -loads. His tavern was located on Main street, running back east on -Fourteenth to alley B, parallel with, and between Main and Market, with -ample grounds surrounding it for wagons and teams to stand on. These -grounds were so extensive that they accommodated the old time circus, in -addition to wagons and teams of the road, and two distinct circuses have -been known to exhibit on them at the same time. They were not of the -modern "triple ring" order, but of the Dan Rice design. McCortney was a -man of agreeable manners, and managed his extensive business with marked -success. He died in Wheeling on December 10th, 1872, aged seventy-nine -years. He was three times married. His last wife was the widow of -William H. Stelle, one of the proprietors of the Good Intent stage line. -Martin Bugger was McCartney's bar-keeper for many years, and is -remembered by old wagoners as a rival of Wilse Clement in hard swearing. -On lower Water street, Robert Newlove kept a wagon stand, and was well -liked by old wagoners, and well patronized by them. He was the owner of -wagons and teams, which he kept on the road, in charge of hired drivers. -In 1829 Richard Simms, the old stage proprietor, kept the United States -hotel, and was its owner. James Beck kept this house after Simms, and -James Dennison after Beck. James McCray kept it next after Dennison, and -Mordecai Yarnell next after McCray. The Monroe House, on Monroe, now -Tenth street, was kept in 1830 by John McClure, and subsequently by -James Matthers. The Virginia House was kept in 1830 by John Graham, and -afterward by one Beltsville, and later by Jacob Kline. Beltsville and -Kline came out from Baltimore. The United States, the Monroe and the -Virginia, were stage stations. On upper Main street, in 1830, Moses -Mossier kept a tavern, and on the same street, and at the same time, a -tavern was kept by Mrs. Beamer, widow of Captain Frederic Beamer, -assisted by her son, Samuel, who was a soldier of 1812. Capt. Frederic -Beamer kept a tavern in Wheeling as early as the year 1802, at the sign -of the Wagon, and took boarders at two piastres a week. The town council -of Wheeling met in Capt. Beamers tavern in 1806. The house that Widow -Beamer presided over as hostess, is a brick building, on the southwest -corner of Main and Ninth streets, on a lot bordering the river. This -house is still standing, but has not been used as a tavern for many -years. Beamers old Landing was at the foot of Ninth street, where the -National Road approached the Ohio river. In 1830 Joseph Teeters kept a -wagon stand in Wheeling, below McCartney's, and John Bradfield kept a -similar stand on Water street in 1837-8. The mysterious disappearance of -a man by the name of Cooper from the Mossier House about 1840, produced -a local sensation, followed by an accusation of foul play and a charge -of murder. Cooper, in company with a friend and neighbor by the name of -Long, put up together one evening at the Mossier House, and on the next -morning Cooper was missing. The two had come in from Ohio, and were -going to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where they were born and -raised, to visit relatives and old friends. It appears that Cooper rose -early and took an outgoing coach back to Ohio without notifying his -traveling companion or any one else. A dead body was found in the river -and identified as that of Cooper; and Long, after reaching his -destination, was arrested for murder and lodged in the Washington jail. -The Virginia authorities made no requisition for him, and he was finally -discharged, and settled in Michigan. A few years afterward, Cooper was -discovered in Indianapolis, sound and well. - -[Illustration: JOHN McCORTNEY.] - -The Forsyth's of Wheeling, James H. and his son Leonard, were -prominently identified with the destinies of the National Road. The -commission house of James H. Forsythe & Co. was a leading establishment -of its kind. James H. Forsythe, the senior member of this old firm, was -noted for his energy and clear-hoodedness. He could converse with any -number of persons, and indite a letter at the same time, without being -in any wise confused. His son, Leonard, was also well known on the road. -He conducted commission houses at Brownsville and Cumberland, and very -often passed over the road, in the management of his business. He is now -living in Texas near Austin, and feels a deep interest in the history of -the road. - -W. L. McNeil, of Wheeling, when a young man, had a brief experience as a -wagoner. He drove several trips for Thomas Darkly, who was a merchant -with stores in Baltimore and Wheeling, and is well remembered by old -pike boys. McNeil "put up" at Natty Brownfield's, in Uniontown, when -driving Drake's team, a half a century and longer ago, and has never -forgotten the good entertainment he enjoyed at that old tavern. - -The old tavern keepers of the National Road were a remarkable body of -men. In many instances they were free holders, men well posted in -current affairs, and influential in their respective neighbourhoods. -They were honorable in their dealings, and believed that every man's -word should be as good as his bond. As caterers they made no display. -They had no bills of fare, printed on gilt edged paper, or fine linen, -and it is doubtful if any one of them ever heard the modern word _Menu_, -yet the spreads of their generous boards would almost kindle -exhilaration in the heart of a misanthrope. The thought may be -attributable to change of time or circumstance, or taste, or all -together, but there is an immovable conviction in the mind of the writer -of these pages, that the viands of modern hotels, lack the savouriness -of those of the old taverns of the National Road. - - - - -CHAPTER XLI. - - _West of Wheeling--Old Stage Lines Beyond the Ohio River--William - Neil--Gen. N. P. Flamage--Stage Stations--Old Taverns and Tavern - Keepers--Rev. Doctor Cinnabar and "Sunset" Cox were old Pike - Boys--Lively Times in Guernsey--Crossing another State - line--Sycamore Valley--Old Taverns in Richmond--A link - out--Centerville--Dublin--Through Indiana--The Road Disappears - among the Prairies of Illinois._ - - -It is estimated that two-fifths of the trade and travel of the road were -diverted at Brownsville, and fell into the channel furnished at that -point by the slack water improvement of the Monongahela river, and a -like proportion descended the Ohio from Wheeling, and the remaining -fifth continued on the road to Columbus, Ohio, and points further west. -The travel west of Wheeling was chiefly local, and the road presented -scarcely a tithe of the thrift, push, whirl and excitement which -characterized it, east of that point; and there was a corresponding lack -of incident, accident and anecdote on the extreme western division. The -distance from Wheeling to Columbus is one hundred and twenty-nine miles, -and the road enters the capital of Ohio by way of High street. Before -the era of railroads Columbus derived its chief business from the -National Road. - -Neil, Moore & Co. operated a line of stage coaches between Wheeling and -Columbus prior to, and for some time after, the year 1840, and their -line extended west as far as Springfield. Daniel Moore, of Washington, -Pennsylvania, and his son Henry, composed the Moore end of this old Ohio -Stage Company. Henry Moore subsequently located in Baltimore, and died -there. His father died in Washington, Pennsylvania, more than half a -century ago. John Scott, of Washington, Pennsylvania, antedates Daniel -Moore as a stage proprietor. He ran a line of coaches between Washington -and Wheeling as early as the year 1810, on an old road between those -points, which was used previous to the construction of the National -Road, and had the contract for carrying the United States mails. - -William Neil, the old stage proprietor, was the projector and owner of -the Neil House, the leading hotel of Columbus. He was the possessor of -large means, enhanced by holdings of large tracts of fertile land near -Columbus, which he acquired at low figures in an early day. It is said -his manners were not of the _suave_ order, but he was noted for energy -and shrewdness. One who knew him says of him, that "he was honest in his -dealings, somewhat rough in his ways, but an energetic, pushing man, -who made things move." This description fits many of the old pike boys. - -Gen. N. P. Flamage, of whom further mention is made hereafter, owned and -operated a line of coaches also between Wheeling and Columbus, and made -things lively along the road. He called his line the "Good Intent." - -John Weaver, as before stated, transferred his old line of coaches -called the "Peoples," from the eastern to the Ohio portion of the road. -There was considerable competition between these old lines, but not -comparable to that of the old lines east of Wheeling. The stage stations -between Wheeling and Columbus were: St. Gainesville, Morristown, -Fairview, Washington, Cambridge, Concord, Zanesville, Gratiot, named in -honor of Brig. Gen. Gratiot, before mentioned; Jackson, Etna and -Reynolds burg. - -Among the old tavern keepers west of Wheeling, the following were -prominent and well known in the olden time: Moses Rhodes kept at -Bridgeport, and hailed the west-bound traveler on his entrance to the -borders of the State of Ohio. A short distance further west, one Cusic, -and after him Nicol's, in the same old tavern, ministered to the wants -of the traveler on the nation's old highway. A short drive from Nicols' -brought the wayfarer to the house of Chambers, ever ready to wait upon -the public, and a little beyond was the Woodman's house, kept by Isaac -Cleaves, who afterward hung up his sign at a house further west. Passing -Woodman's, the next old tavern was McMahon's, a veritable son of Erin, -overflowing with native generosity. This part of the road seems to have -been an Irish row, since the next old tavern, after passing McMahon's, -was kept by one McCray. A short distance west of McCray's the town of -St. Gainesville comes in view, one of the oldest towns of Ohio, the seat -of justice for Belmont county, and named in honor of the illustrious old -Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, soldier and patriot, Gen. Arthur St. -Clair. - -In St. Gainesville, James Smith kept the stage office, and bowed in -genuine old pike style to the coming and going passengers. One mile west -of St. Gainesville, an old German, or Swede, bearing the non-musical -name of Swanker, or something like it, kept a tavern, and, according to -tradition, a good one. His house was a fine brick building, on the north -side of the road. One mile further west, one Hoover entertained the -traveling public, and beyond him, one Chamberlain presided over a good -old tavern. - -The village of Louisville is next reached, which, of course, had its -tavern, as all villages have, and probably more than one; but the old -wagoner who furnished most of the data for this chapter could not recall -the names of the old proprietors thereof. It was a long time ago that he -drove a team on the road, and he is verging upon his ninetieth year, and -therefore not to be censured for forgetfulness. - -The writer found more difficulty in obtaining information concerning -this portion of the road than any other. In fact, he admits his failure -to obtain the necessary data for producing an accurate history of it. He -wrote to all the postmasters on the Ohio line east of Columbus, for -information concerning the road, and no response came, except in one -instance, and that was to a letter which reached a wrong destination. It -was addressed to the postmaster at Jackson, a village on the road, -called "Jacktown" by the old pike boys, and found its way to the -postmaster of Jackson, Jackson county, a considerable distance south of -the National Road. It happened that the postmaster who received this -letter was a native of Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a -member of the old Sloan family of that place, but he was so far away -from the road that he could furnish no information concerning it. He, at -least, was courteous, a trait for which he is indebted, probably, to the -circumstance of his nativity. A self-important postmaster, especially of -a little town, like the political carpet-bagger, has no respect for -ancient landmarks. - -Moving on westwardly, the next point reached is Morristown, the second -stage station west of Wheeling. This town was at its best when the -National Road was the leading avenue of trade and travel. John Barnum -and John Lipping were the old tavern keepers of Morristown, and took -pride in scanning the old way bills, and catering to the wants of hungry -stage passengers. - -One mile west of Morristown Christopher Hoover hung out his old sign -board in front of a substantial brick house, on the south side of the -road, and a short distance beyond, Noble Taylor, a combination of -familiar old pike names, entertained the traveling public. - -The village of Hindenburg is next reached. This place is on the dividing -line between Belmont and Guernsey counties. It is not and never was a -pretentious town, but its old inhabitants derived much comfort, and not -a little pleasure, from advantages afforded by the National Road. - -Passing one or more old taverns whose occupants and owners cannot be -recalled, the traveler comes upon the town of Fairview, a stirring place -in the palmy days of the road. There William Bradshaw was a popular -tavern keeper. He and Isaac Cleaves, formerly of the Woodman's House, -near Wheeling, were the leading tavern keepers in Fairview fifty years -ago. - -West of Fairview the old tavern keepers were: William Armstrong, Joseph -Ferrell and Alexander Taylor. - -Middletown is next reached, and here Thomas Hays and one Thompson each -kept a tavern in the olden time, and gladdened the heart of many a weary -traveler. - -West of Middletown the roll bears the names of Alter Briggs and -Alexander Speers. - -Samuel Smith kept the old tavern at Elizabeth town. West of Elizabeth -town, one Cray ton kept a tavern, and beyond him Widow Drake. The widows -never surrender. - -The village of Washington is next reached. Here Simon Beamer kept at -the sign of the "Black Bear," and Peter Colley, formerly of Centreville, -kept a tavern in Washington as late as 1854. - -West of Washington the old traveler on the road found rest and -refreshment first at the tavern of Widow Slams, and before reaching -Cambridge, excellent entertainment was furnished by Joseph Griffith, -James Smith, John Shaw, Mr. Slater, Mr. McCain, John Nice, Robert Curry, -Mr. Waterhouse, and Joshua Davis. - -Cambridge comes next on the line. This is the capital of Guernsey -county, one of the liveliest towns on the road, and surviving its -decline, remains prosperous. The old tavern keepers in Cambridge were -William Ferguson, Wyatt Hutchinson, Bazil Brown, Mr. Nee dam, Mr. -Pollard, Joseph Bute, Elijah Grimes, John Cook, James B. Moore, Captain -Hearsing, John Tingle and George Met calf. The latter kept one of the -stage houses. - -Three miles west of Cambridge, Thomas Curran kept an old tavern. Further -west, taverns were kept by Jacob Frank, Mr. Laird, Alex. Leper, Ichabod -Grumman, Mr. Sutton, Frank Dixon, William McDonald and Lewis McDonald. -Lewis McDonald's old tavern was near the dividing line between Guernsey -and Muskingum counties. - -After entering the county of Muskingum the first old tavern reached was -kept by William McKinney, and next in line comes the old tavern of -William Wilson, still doing business under the management of Edward -McLeod. - -At Norwich Mr. Cinnabar kept a tavern. He was the father of Rev. Hiram -Cinnabar, D. D., for many years a leading member of the Pittsburg -Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, a man of much learning and -genuine piety, pure in thought, and upright in conduct. The author of -these pages knew him well, and in the whole range of his acquaintance -never met a sincerer friend, or a more just man. He died in Los Angeles, -California, a few years ago. Lightly rest the sod that covers his grave. -He is numbered among the pike boys, as in early life he led horses from -his father's house in Ohio to eastern markets. - -Further westward on the road Jacob Probasco hung up his sign in front of -an old tavern, he of Jockey Hollow fame before mentioned. His tavern at -this point was known as the "Ten Mile House," being distant ten miles -from Zanesville. - -One mile west of Proboscis's one McNutt, of Irish extraction, and good -fame as a landlord, kept a tavern, and next beyond, on the westward -trend, John Livengood, whose name imports old Pennsylvania Dutch stock, -ministered to the wants of strangers and travelers. - -Zanesville is next reached. Zanesville is the county seat of Muskingum -county. It is situate on the Muskingum river, fifty-nine miles east from -Columbus. Mr. Leslie kept a tavern in Zanesville in the olden time, and -entertained the public in a highly satisfactory manner. His house was a -brick building on the north side of the street and road, and at the west -end of the town. When Leslie kept tavern in Zanesville, the town -contained a population of about 7,000. Its population at this date -exceeds 25,000. It survived the decline of the road, and grew rapidly in -population and wealth, but it may be doubted whether its present money -making inhabitants experience as much of the real pleasures and -enjoyments of life as their predecessors of fifty years ago, when the -dashing stage coach woke up the echoes of the dull town, and the heavy -tread of the ponderous broad wheeled wagon told the whole story of -commerce and trade. The illustrious Samuel S. Cox was born and reared in -Zanesville, and therefore, under a definition given in a previous -chapter, a pike boy. He was called "Sunset," by reason of a gushing -description he wrote of the Setting Sun, when a young man, and there is -no doubt that the views which so deeply impressed his youthful mind were -had from points on the National Road, in the vicinity of his native -town. He was one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of American -statesmen. - -A writer in a Guernsey county paper gives the following lively -description of scenes on the road in that locality: - -"Isaac Cleaves was one of the old tavern keepers in Fairview. His house -was the stage office, where a halt was made for exchange of horses, and -to discharge and take on passengers. The stage offices were places of -public resort, and around the bar-rooms gathered the toper's and -loafers, by day and by night. The old stage drivers were full of fun and -frolic, and could entertain the curious with - - 'Tales fearful and awful, - E'en to name would be unlawful. - Fast by an Angle blinking Bonni, - W'ie recanning swats that drank divinely, - These sorters told their queerest stories, - And the landlord's laugh was ready chorus.' - -"There was Nat Smith, Sam Smith, Jim Smith, Bate Smith, Jo Smith, Quill -Smith, Bill Smith, and more of the Smith family, and Sam Carouse, Jake -Carouse, Sylvester Root, Sam Kirk, Tom Kirk, Tom Bryan, Andy Caster, Tom -Carter, Jim Bryan, Bony Sheldon, Wash Cranford, Jim Bay less, Mart Huck, -Henry Hight, Tom Crawford, John Silvain, Ross Briggs, and a host of -others of the 'knights of the whip and reins,' of those old coaching -days, - - 'When hand to hand they cut and strive, - Devil take the hindmost of the drive.' - -"Near by stood the old 'smithy' of Capt. John G. Bell's father, whose -bellows flapped, and red sparks flew, and anvil rang, night and day, to -keep the horses feet in trim, so that down the slope to Honduras, and on -to Borden's hill and Taylor's hill, and o'er Salt Fork's long stretch, -through ice and sleet, these Jehu's could safely, and on time, move on -their load of living freight and the mails sent out by 'Uncle Sam.' John -Skimmings, one of the early settlers at the mouth of Wills Creek, was -the general agent from Columbus to Wheeling, of the great Neil, Moore & -Co., whose lines cobwebbed the State of Ohio. Otho Hinton was the -United States mail agent to look after the mail robbers. He turned out -to be one himself, and was placed under arrest for opening the mails -between Cambridge and Washington. He was indicted and arraigned before -the United States court at Columbus, released on bail, and fled to -Honolulu, where he died in 1856. - -"Gen. N. P. Flamage placed on the road what was called the opposition, -or Good Intent, line of stages. This was just after the Washingtonian -temperance movement. He made temperance speeches along the line, and -required his drivers to take the pledge. He stopped at Cambridge and -made a speech in the old Presbyterian church, and sang a song, his -drivers taking up the chorus. We give in substance, if not in word, a -verse: - - 'Our horses are true and coaches fine, - No upsets or runaways; - Nor drunken drivers to swear and curse, - For its cold water all the days. - - CHORUS. - - For our agents and drivers - Are all fully bent, - To go for cold water, - On line Good Intent, - Sing, go it, my hearties, - Cold water for me.' - -"Isaac Cleaves was not behind as a caterer to the inner man, and a -dinner or supper by the stage passengers, after being rocked and tossed -at a six miles per hour rate, was relished even by Tippecanoe and -Corwin, too, and Democrats did not starve nor turn up their noses -because old Isaac was a Whig. He had a famous recipe for the cure of the -ague, which for its queer compound he was often required to give, not so -much for the ingredients; they were very simple; but for the first -preparation for the compound. This was to boil down a quart of water to -a pint. And to the inquiry, 'What is the water boiled down for, Uncle -Isaac?' he would reply, 'to make it stronger.' - -"A little further, and last, was Major William Bradshaw, just over in -Belmont county. He was the soul of wit and humour, and gave out many -expressions that have become noted. To all that he did not feel disposed -to entertain, he gave the answer, 'Take the Janesville road.' His toast -drank in honor of the Fairview guards, a military company that had been -parading 'with plumes and banners gay,' just after the close of the -Mexican war, will live in the military history of Guernsey -county--'Soldiers in peace, civilians in war.'" - -The Smiths above mentioned all drove stages on the road east of -Wheeling, before going to Ohio, and lived in Brownsville. All the male -members of the family were drivers, including Samuel, the father. His -sons were, Samuel, jr., Gilbert, Quill, Bate and Nat, familiar names in -the early history of the road. - -The largest town on the line of the road west of Columbus, in the State -of Ohio, is Springfield, the capital of Clark county. The distance -between Columbus and Springfield is forty-five miles. Springfield -enjoyed for a number of years the advantages of the road, and felt a -pride in being on its line, but its growth and development, the result -of other agencies, have thrown a mantle of oblivion over the time when -the rattle of the stage coach and the rumble of road wagons furnished -the chief excitement of her streets. - -The road penetrated Indiana at the boundary line of Wayne county, in -that State. The length of the line through Indiana is one hundred and -forty-nine and one-fourth miles, and the sum of $513,099 was expended on -it for bridges and masonry. Work was begun at Indianapolis and -prosecuted east and west from that point, in obedience to an act of -Congress given in the chapter on Appropriations. The road was completed -through Wayne county in 1827. It was not macadamized or graveled, and in -the year 1850 was absorbed by the Wayne County Turnpike Company, under a -charter granted by State authority. The length of this pike is -twenty-two miles. - -The second section of the act incorporating the Wayne County Turnpike -Company reads as follows: - - "The capital stock of said company shall be one hundred thousand - dollars, divided into shares of fifty dollars each, and shall be - applied to the construction of a turnpike road in Wayne county, - commencing at the western terminus of the Richmond turnpike, about - three miles east of Richmond, and to be continued westward on the - line of the National Road to the county line between the counties - of Henry and Wayne; and the State of Indiana hereby relinquishes to - said Wayne County Turnpike Company all the rights, interests, and - claims in and to the line of said National Road in said county of - Wayne; the grade, materials, bridges, constructions of all kinds - she now has, or may hereafter acquire from the General Government, - in and to the said National Road: _Provided_, That in case the - Federal Government should, at any time hereafter, determine to - resume the ownership and control of said road, said company shall - relinquish the same to the General Government, on receiving from it - the full cost of construction as expended by said company." - -The section quoted discloses a point which the court of Somerset county, -Pennsylvania, seems to have overlooked when it condemned that portion of -the road lying within the borders of that county, took possession of its -property, and decreed it free from tolls. The several acts of Congress -ceding the road to Pennsylvania and the other States through which it -passed, reserved the right of Congress at any subsequent time to resume -ownership and control, and in case of the exercise of this reserved -right, the question arises, what would become of the decree of the -Somerset county court? - -Prior to the construction of the National Road in Indiana, Robert -Morrisson, the founder of the Morrisson Library, of Richmond, and one -of the leading citizens of that place, was mainly instrumental in -causing a gravel road to be made from Richmond to Dayton, Ohio, which -was known as the "Richmond and Short Line Pike." The engineers of the -National Road adopted the line of Morrison's road in Indiana, with the -exception of one mile from a point near Clawson's tavern to the Ohio -State line. The Government survey carried the line east from Clawson's -tavern, and north of Sycamore Valley, over two long and steep hills, -separated by a deep valley. To avoid these hills on the Ohio side, -travel dropped down over a good country road to the Richmond and Short -Line Pike at the State line. This country road was afterwards -macadamized, but the distance between the State line and Clawson's -tavern has remained a gravel road until the present time, kept up and -used as a portion of the National road, instead of the line over the -hills north of Sycamore Valley. - -Morrisson's company was merged in the Wayne County Turnpike Company in -1850. This company issued seven hundred and eighty shares of stock of -the par value of fifty dollars each, and operated its road until the -year 1890, when Jackson township, by virtue of a popular vote, purchased -that portion of it lying within her boundaries for the sum of $4,500, -and made it free of tolls. In 1893, Wayne township bought the road -within her boundaries for $11,000, and made it free. The preliminary -steps are now being taken by the citizens of Center township to take a -vote on a proposition to purchase the road within her borders. If this -measure carries the road will be free throughout its entire length in -Wayne county. - -The Presidents of the Wayne County Turnpike Company have been Robert -Morrisson, Jacob Brooks, Edmund Laurence, William Parry, and Joseph C. -Ratliff, the last named having served continuously from 1871 to the -present time, a pleasant gentleman of fine executive abilities. - -This company has always paid dividends of seven per cent. on its capital -stock of $39,000, and for the last ten years a majority of its -stockholders have been women. - -The rate of toll was two cents a mile for horse and buggy and one-half -cent per mile for each additional horse, one cent for a horse and rider -per mile, and one-half cent for a led horse. - -The toll houses were small frame structures and the gates simply heavy -poles to raise and let down after the manner of the beam that lowered -and lifted up "the old oaken bucket that hung in the well." - -Going westwardly from the Ohio State line, in Indiana, the first tavern -was that of James Neal, at Sycamore Valley. Of Neal but little can be -gleaned beyond the fact that he kept tavern at this point for several -years. - -The next tavern was Clawson's, a brick building, erected about the year -1818 by Robert Hill. It stood a little distance north of the road, and -near the western end of the line before mentioned, as having been -located but not used, and was subsequently torn down and rebuilt on the -traveled line. It is said that Robert Hill's daughters hauled the brick -for their father's house in an ox cart. Clawson was a tall, muscular -man, and beyond these facts concerning him, he is lost to the memory of -the oldest inhabitant of Indiana. West of Clawson's the first toll gate -in Indiana was encountered. It stood near Glen Miller Park and almost -within the suburbs of Richmond. This gate was moved several times, but -never over a mile from Richmond. - -The city of Richmond is the first large town on the line of the road -within the borders of the State of Indiana, and the road forms its Main -street. It is four miles from the Ohio line, and the county seat of -Wayne county. Its present population is 25,000. - -The first tavern of the road in Richmond was kept by Charles W. Starr. -It was a regular old pike tavern, with extensive stabling and drove -yards attached, occupying one-fourth of a square on the northeast corner -of Eighth, formerly Fifth street. The building was of brick, known in -later years as the Tremont Hotel. It is still standing, but not used as -a hotel or tavern. Charles W. Starr was a man of medium size and of -Quaker faith. He wore the Quaker garb, had Quaker habits, and was -esteemed a good citizen. Some of his descendants are still living at -Richmond, and three of his sons are prominent and active business men of -that place. - -A short distance below Starr's, and between Sixth and Seventh streets, -stood Sloan's brick stage house, and its proprietor, Daniel D. Sloan, -was at one time postmaster of Richmond. This tavern was headquarters for -two stage lines, one running to Indianapolis and the other to -Cincinnati. The Cincinnati line had opposition, and by cutting rates the -fare was reduced by the competition and during its continuance, from -five dollars to fifty cents for the round trip, distance seventy miles -direct. A portion of Sloan's old tavern still remains, and adjoins -Roling's hardware store. Sloan was heavy set, fleshy, and well poised -for a tavern keeper. - -On the south side of the road, between Seventh and Eighth streets, -William Nixon kept a tavern on the site of the present Huntington House. -He was a spare, sinewy man, of the Quaker faith. He kept the tavern at -the point named from 1840 to about 1843. - -A noted tavern was Gilbert's, on the northeast corner of Sixth and Main -streets. Joseph W. Gilbert kept this house for many years. It was a -two-story frame building, pebble coated. Gilbert was tall and slim, -polite and affable, and had many friends. He suffered the misfortune of -going blind, and died at Richmond in 1890, in the ninety-second year of -his age. When barely able to distinguish large objects he walked much up -and down the streets, asking persons he met to tell him the time of day, -always pulling out his watch and holding it up for inspection. At one -time when Gilbert was moving a part of his tavern building, Charles -Newman, on passing along, inquired of the old landlord, whose house was -noted for its cleanliness, how many bed bugs he found. Gilbert replied -with indignation, "Not a single one." "I believe you, Joseph," said -Newman, "for they are married and have large families." Most of the -early taverns of Richmond were in the western part of the town. - -It is related in the latest history of Indiana, that Jeremiah Cox, one -of the earliest settlers in Richmond, regarded with disfavor the scheme -of building up the town; and is said to have remarked, that he would -rather see a buck's tail than a tavern sign, and his sincerity was made -evident by the fact, that he did not make his addition to the town plat -until two years after the date of Smith's survey, or two years after -Philip Harter had a tavern sign swinging near a log building on lot 6, -South Fifth (Pearl) street. - -Another early tavern of Richmond was kept at the northwest corner of -Main and Fifth (Pearl), sign of the green tree, by Jonathan Bayles, and -another, of later date, on Fourth (Front) street, near the southwest -corner of Main, by Ephraim Lacey. Harter soon afterward kept a tavern at -the corner of North Fifth (Pearl) and Main, where the Citizen's bank -afterward stood, then called Harter's corner. - -Another tavern was kept on Gilbert's corner, northwest corner of Main -and Sixth (Marion), first, it is believed, by Abraham Jeffries, and -continued afterward by several other persons at different times. - -Richard Cheesman, an early settler, lived on South Fourth (Front) -street, kept a tavern several years, and subsequently removed to Center -township, where he died. William, a nephew, remained in Richmond, and -married a Miss Moffitt. He died some years ago, but his widow is still -living. - -John Baldwin, an original Carolinian, kept a tavern and store at the -Citizen's bank corner. He went west, and became a trader with the -Indians. Their savage nature having at one time been excited by liquor -which he had sold them, they scalped, or partially scalped him, but he -survived the operation and returned to Wayne county, where he died, six -miles north of Richmond, in 1869. After Baldwin, William H. Vaughan kept -this tavern for several years, and until it ceased to entertain the -public. Vaughan had previously kept the Lacey tavern on Fourth (Front) -street. - -Patrick Justice, at an early period, kept a tavern on North Fourth -(Front) street, near Main. He afterward kept a public house which he -built in 1827, near the extreme limits of the town, now the southeast -corner of Main and Fifth streets. - -Benjamin Paige, a New Englander, father of Ralph Paige, once a merchant -on Main street, kept a tavern previous to 1830, at the corner originally -owned by John C. Kibbey, an early inn-keeper, and known as Meek's -corner, northeast of Main and Sixth (Marion). - -Abraham Jeffries had a tavern on Gilbert's corner, which he kept a -number of years, and was succeeded by Joseph Andrews, his -brother-in-law, who died soon after taking charge. - -The last westward tavern in Richmond was kept by Christian Buhl, who -came from Germany, and his house was a three story stone structure where -Minck's brewery now is. - -At the west end of Richmond the road crosses Whitewater river over a -handsome and expensive bridge. This bridge has seven arches, and is a -combination truss and arch design, capable of sustaining an immense -weight. On the west side timbers and wool sacks were sunk into a -quicksand upon which to rest the foundations of the abutment. - -Toll-gate No. 7 was erected at the fifth mile post west of Richmond and -afterwards moved to a point near Earlham college. This gate was kept by -William Fagan for twenty-three years, and afterwards by Mr. Gardener for -nearly ten years. Mr. Gardener is a New York man and was one of the best -gate-keepers on the road. His wife is a cousin of the late Hon. William -B. Windom, who was Secretary of the Treasury in President Harrison's -administration. - -There was a tavern between gate No. 7 and gate No. 8, which was near the -Center township line and East Clear creek. West of this point there is a -curve in the road caused by the refusal of Thomas Croft to remove his -house, which was on the surveyed line. He was offered $500 to remove his -house and declined to take it. The road was then of necessity made -around his house, and so near it as to loosen its foundations, and it -toppled and fell down, causing him to lose his house, and the sum -offered him as damages besides. - -At the seventh mile stone, a little beyond West Clear Creek bridge, -stood the shop of Jeremy Mansur, who manufactured the first axes made in -the county of Wayne. When Martin Van Buren made his trip through -Indiana, many persons denounced him as an enemy of the road, and some -one in Richmond, to inflict chastisement upon the distinguished -statesman for his supposed unfriendliness, sawed a double-tree of the -coach in which he was traveling nearly through, and it broke near -Mansur's ax-shop, causing Mr. Van Buren to walk to the top of a hill -through thick mud. The author of this mishap to Mr. Van Buren -subsequently boasted that he had put a mud polish on Gentleman Martin's -boots to give him a realizing sense of the importance of good roads. - -Near the ninth mile stone from Richmond were two celebrated taverns, -Eliason's and Estepp's. Both were brick houses and well kept. Joshua -Eliason was a man of medium size, jovial disposition, remarkably -industrious, and a zealous member of the Christian church. His tavern -was on the north side of the road, and, in connection with it, he -maintained two one-story emigrant houses to accommodate families moving -west. The emigrants carried and cooked their own provisions, and paid -Eliason a certain sum for the use of his buildings. Drove yards were -also a profitable feature of Eliason's tavern. He sold grain to the -drovers, and after the cattle were turned out, put his own hogs in the -vacated field to eat up the remnants and refuse. - -[Illustration: BRIDGE OVER WHITEWATER, RICHMOND, IND.] - -John Estepp's tavern was on the south side of the road, nearly opposite -Eliason's. He had one emigrant house, and did an extensive business. -He was a man of the lean order, but always on the alert to turn an -honest penny. - -A short distance beyond Estepp's, Centerville comes in view, near where -Daniel L. Lashley kept the principal tavern. He was a large man, and had -a large patronage. - -Centerville boasts of having been a nursery of great men. Here Oliver P. -Morton, when a young man, worked as a hatter, and Gen. A. E. Burnside -pursued the humble trade of a tailor. Gen. Lew Wallace and Gen. Noble -went to school in Centerville, and possibly the germs of Ben Hur had -their origin in this rural village. Hon. George W. Julian, of free soil -notoriety, was at one time a resident of Centerville, and Judge Nimrod -Johnson, of the State Supreme Court, and John S. Newman, ex-president of -the Indiana Central Railroad Company, were among the noted personages -who lived there. Centerville was for many years the county seat of Wayne -county, and the removal of the offices and archives to Richmond produced -a feeling of jealousy between the inhabitants of the places which -lingers in a measure to this day, although Richmond has far outstripped -her ancient rival in growth and improvements. - -West of Centerville the road crosses Nolan's Fork, a small Indiana -stream, and a short distance beyond, and near the Poor Farm, a toll-gate -was established, and there was also a tavern at this point. One mile -west of the Poor Farm, Crum Fork is crossed by means of a bridge, and -between this stream and Germantown there was another toll-gate and also -a tavern. There is a bridge over the stream between Germantown and -Cambridge city. West of Cambridge City, and near Dublin, there was a -toll-gate, and a short distance west of Dublin, the road passes out of -Wayne county. - -The road forms the main street of Dublin and is called Cumberland -street, by reason of this fact. The first tavern established in Dublin -was by Samuel Schoolfield, an old Virginian, pleasantly remembered on -account of his staunch patriotism. He displayed on his sign-board the -motto: "Our country, right or wrong." - -The railroad absorbed all passenger and freight traffic in the year -1852, after which date and to the close of the civil war, outside of -home travel, the main vehicles on the Indiana division were "Prairie -Schooners," or semi-circular bedded, white-covered emigrant wagons, used -by parties moving from Virginia and the Carolinas to Illinois. - -Indianapolis as before stated is on the line of the road, but her -proportions as a city are the outgrowth of other agencies. In the early -days of Indiana's capital the National Road was her only commercial -artery, and her pioneer citizens regarded it as a great advantage to -their aspiring town. The railway era dawned so soon after the road was -located through Indianapolis that but few memories cluster about its -history in that locality like those east of the Ohio river. - -The last and only remaining large town of Indiana on the road is Terre -Haute, a city like Indianapolis that has outgrown the memories of the -road, and is probably little mindful of the time when her early -inhabitants deemed it a matter of high importance to be located on its -line. Though remote from the active centres of the historic road, Terre -Haute is more or less associated with its stirring scenes and former -prestige. - -There was a striking similarity in the habits, manners and pursuits of -the old inhabitants of the towns along the National Road, notably -between Baltimore and Wheeling. The road was a bond that drew them -together and united them as neighbors. There are many persons still -living who remember when Frederic, Hagerstown, Cumberland, Uniontown, -Brownsville, Washington and Wheeling derived their main support from the -road, and their chief distinction from their location on its line. This -feature was also true of the towns on the Appian Way, on authority of -the classic author, Anthon. - -Any one familiar with the National Road in its prosperous era, whose -business or other engagements required a divergence from it, invariably -returned to it with a sense of security and a feeling of rest and -relief. This feeling was universal and profound. An illustration is -furnished by Hon. William H. Playford, of Uniontown, who was born and -reared on the road. After his college graduation he went South to teach, -as did many other graduates of northern colleges. When his term as a -teacher ended his heart of course yearned for home, and homeward he set -his sails. He struck the National Road at Terre Haute, and the moment -his eyes flashed upon its familiar surface he felt that he was among old -friends and nearly home. It was the first object he had witnessed since -his departure from the paternal roof that brought him in touch again -with home. - -Before the road was completed beyond the western boundary of the State -of Indiana, the steam railway had become the chief agency of -transportation and travel, and our grand old national highway was -practically lost amid the primitive prairies of Illinois, so that -whereas its splendor was favored by the rising, it was dispelled beneath -the Setting Sun. - -[Illustration: GEN. GEORGE W. CASS.] - - - - -CHAPTER XLII. - - _Superintendents under National Control--Gen. Gratiot, Captains - Delafield, McKee, Bliss, Hartzell, Williams, Colquit and Cass, and - Lieuts. Mansfield, Vance and Pickell--The Old Mile - Posts--Commissioners and Superintendents under State - Control--William Searight, William Hopkins, and Earlier and Later - Commissioners and Superintendents--A Pennsylvania Court Wipes Out a - Section of the Road._ - - -Down to the year 1834, as has been seen, the road was under the control -and supervision of the War Department of the General Government. -Brig.-Gen. Gratiot was the chief officer in immediate charge. The town -of Gratiot on the line of the road in Muskingum county, Ohio, was named -in his honor. Captains Delafield, McKee, Bliss, Bartlett, Hartzell, -Williams, Colquit and Cass, and Lieuts. Mansfield, Vance and Pickell, -all graduates of West Point, were more or less identified with the -construction, management and repairs of the road. These army officers -were all well known to the people along the road sixty years ago. Gen. -Gratiot was probably dead before the beginning of the civil war, or too -old for active service. Mansfield fell at Antietam, a major general of -the Union forces. Williams was killed at the storming of Monterey in the -Mexican war. McKee fell while gallantly leading a regiment in the hot -fight at Buena Vista. Hartzell, promoted to the rank of major, fought -through the Mexican war, and died soon after returning to his home in -Lexington, Kentucky. Bliss and Delafield both died within the current -decade. Colquit, a near relative of the Georgia Senator of that name, -died in the Confederate service. Capt. Geo. W. Cass, while on the road -as an engineer in charge of repairs, married a daughter of the late -George Dawson, of Brownsville, located at that place, and transacted -business there for a number of years. He subsequently went to Pittsburg -as president of the Adams Express Company, and later became president of -the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railway Company. He was prominent and -influential in the politics of Pennsylvania, and on several occasions -stood second in the ballotings for the Democratic nomination for -Governor. He died in the city of New York. He was twice married. His -widow surviving him, is a sister of his first wife. - -The iron mile posts, so familiar to the traveler on the road, were -turned out in foundries of Connellsville and Brownsville. Major James -Francis had the contract for making and delivering those between -Cumberland and Brownsville. His foundry was at Connellsville, -Pennsylvania. Col. Alex. J. Hill, a well known and popular coke -operator, and Democratic politician of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, is -a son-in-law of Major Francis, the old foundryman. Those between -Brownsville and Wheeling were made at Snowden's old foundry, in -Brownsville, John Snowden, contractor. They were hauled along the road -for distribution in wagons drawn by six horse teams. Within the last two -years they were re-set and re-painted, between Brownsville and the -Maryland State line, under the direction of Commissioner Ewing Searight, -and stand erect in their original sites, silent witnesses of the great -procession that passed in front of them for so many years, and if they -possessed the attributes of speech and memory, could narrate the story -of a great highway, which in incident and interest is without a rival. - -WILLIAM SEARIGHT was a commissioner of the road for a number of years in -its prosperous era. His jurisdiction extended over the line within the -limits of Pennsylvania. He was of Irish lineage, and Presbyterian faith. -His parents located in Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland county, -Pennsylvania, about the year 1780. Upon reaching his majority he came to -Fayette county to work out his destiny. He learned the trade of fulling -and dyeing, and started in business on his own account at Hammond's old -mill on Dunlap's creek, long since demolished and forgotten. He -subsequently pursued the same business at Cook's mill, on Redstone -creek. His education was such only as could be procured in his boyhood -by persons of slender means, but his natural endowments were of the -highest and best order. He was honest and industrious. On March 26th, -1826, he married Rachel, a daughter of Thomas Brownfield, proprietor of -the old Swan tavern in Uniontown. At Searights, on the National Road, he -laid the foundation of a considerable fortune, and died in the -sixty-first year of his age. He was a leading Democratic politician of -his day in Fayette county, and in 1827 rode on horseback from Searights -to Harrisburg, to aid in nominating General Jackson for the presidency. -He was a trusted friend of the late Gen. Simon Cameron, when that -unrivalled politician was a leader of the Democratic party in -Pennsylvania. At the date of his death he was the nominee of his party -for the important State office of Canal Commissioner, and would have -been elected, had not death interposed and called him from the active -duties of this life to the realities of another. William Hopkins, -another old commissioner of the road, was nominated to the vacancy thus -made, and elected by a large majority. The death of William Searight -occurred at his home, near Searights, on August 12, 1852. He was a man -of generous impulses and charitable disposition, ever ready to lend his -counsel, his sympathies and his purse, to ameliorate the sufferings of -his fellow men. Although death plucked him from the very threshold of -earthly honors, it caused him no regret. His work was well done, and he -was ready to go. The kingdom he was about to enter presented higher -honors and purer enjoyments. In looking forward and upward he saw-- - -[Illustration: Wm Searight] - - "No midnight shade, no clouded sun, - But sacred, high, eternal noon." - -A more emphatic eulogy than pen could write, or tongue express, was -furnished by the immense concourse that attended his funeral. The -patriarchs and the youth of the country came to testify their -appreciation of his worth. A few days after his death, a large meeting -of citizens, irrespective of party, convened in the court house at -Uniontown, to give expression to their sorrow for his death. Hon. -Nathaniel Ewing presided. Hon. Daniel Sturgeon, then a United States -Senator, and Zalmon Ludington, esq., were the vice presidents, and Hon. -R. P. Flenniken and John B. Krepps, esq., secretaries. On motion of Hon. -James Veech, a committee was appointed to formulate the feeling of the -meeting, which reported through its distinguished chairman (Mr. Veech) -the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: - - "When a valuable citizen dies, it is meet that the community of - which he was a member, mourn his loss. A public expression of their - sorrow at such an event, is due as some solace to the grief of the - bereaved family and friends, and as an incentive to others to earn - for their death the same distinction. In the death of William - Searight, this community has lost such a citizen. Such an event has - called this public meeting, into which enter no schemes of - political promotion, no partisan purposes of empty eulogy. Against - all this, death has shut the door. While yet the tear hangs on the - cheek of his stricken family, and the tidings of death are unread - by many of his friends, we, his fellow citizens, neighbors, - friends, of all parties, have assembled to speak to those who knew - and loved him best, and to those who knew him not, the words of - sorrow and truth, in sincerity and soberness. Therefore, as the - sense of this meeting: - - _Resolved_, That in the death of William Searight, Fayette county - and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have lost one of their best - and most useful citizens. The people at large may not realize their - loss, but the community in which he lived, over whose comforts and - interests were diffused the influence of his liberality and - enterprise, feel it, while his friends of all classes, parties and - professions, to whom he clung, and who clung to him, mourn it. - - _Resolved_, While we would withhold our steps from the sanctuary of - domestic grief, we may be allowed to express to the afflicted widow - and children of the deceased, our unfeigned sorrow and sympathy in - their great bereavement, and to tender them our assurance that - while to their hearts the memory of the husband and father will - ever be cherished, in ours will be kept the liveliest recollections - of his virtues as a citizen and a friend. - - _Resolved_, That among the elements that must enter into every - truthful estimate of the character of William Searight, are a warm - amenity of manner, combined with great dignity of deportment, which - were not the less attractive by their plainness and lack of - ostentation, elevated feelings more pure than passionless, high - purposes with untiring energy in their accomplishment, an ennobling - sense of honor and individual independence, which kept him always - true to himself and to his engagements, unfaltering fidelity to his - friends, a liberality which heeded no restraint, but means and - merit; great promptness and fearlessness in the discharge of what - he believed to be a duty, private or public, guided by a rigid - integrity which stood all tests and scouted all temptations; - honesty and truthfulness in word and deed, which no seductions - could weaken, nor assaults overthrow, in all respects the architect - of his own fortune and fame. These with the minor virtues in full - proportion, are some of the outlines of character which stamped the - man whose death we mourn, as one much above the ordinary level of - his race. - - _Resolved_, That while we have here nothing to do or say as to the - loss sustained by the political party to which he belonged, and - whose candidate he was for an office of great honor and - responsibility, we may be allowed to say that had he lived and been - successful, with a heart so rigidly set as was his, with feelings - so high and integrity so firm, and withal an amount of practical - intelligence so ample as he possessed, his election could have been - regretted by no citizen who knew him and who placed the public - interests beyond selfish ends and party success. As a politician we - knew him to hold to his principles and party predilections with a - tenacious grasp, yet he was ever courteous and liberal in his - intercourse with political opponents. - - _Resolved_, That in the life and character of William Searight we - see a most instructive and encouraging example. Starting the - struggle of life with an humble business, poor and unbefriended, - with an honest aim and a true heart, with high purposes and - unflagging industry, he gained friends and means, which never - forsook him. He thus won for himself and family ample wealth and - attained a position among his fellow men which those who have had - the best advantages our country affords might well envy. That - wealth and that position he used with a just liberality and - influence for the benefit of all around and dependent upon him. - Though dead he yet speaketh to every man in humble business: "Go - thou and do likewise, and such shall be thy reward in life and in - death." - -[Illustration: COL. WILLIAM HOPKINS.] - -WILLIAM HOPKINS was one of the best known of the old commissioners. He -was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 17th, 1804. He -was of Scotch origin, on the paternal line, and his mother was a native -of Ireland, so that he was a genuine Scotch-Irishman. He figured -conspicuously in the public affairs of Pennsylvania, for many years. At -the age of twenty-three he was a justice of the peace, holding a -commission signed by Governor Shultze, one of the early German governors -of the State. In 1831 he was a county auditor. In 1834 he was elected to -the State Legislature, and re-elected four times, consecutively. He was -speaker of the House in 1838, 1839 and 1840. In 1842 he was secretary of -the land office of Pennsylvania. During his first term as speaker, the -public commotion occurred, known as the "Buckshot War." Troops -surrounded the State house, and a bloody collision seemed inevitable. -Speaker Hopkins, on this trying occasion, behaved with distinguished -wisdom and firmness, and he is credited with having averted the horrors -of civil war. In 1852 Colonel Hopkins, as he was invariably called, was -nominated and elected Canal Commissioner, as before stated. In this -important office he fully sustained his high reputation for honesty and -ability. In 1861 he was again elected to the State House of -Representatives, and re-elected in 1862. In 1863 he was elected a State -Senator. The experience of his previous legislative career gave him a -great advantage over others less favored in this regard, and he became, -by common consent, "the Nestor of the Senate." In 1872 he was elected a -member of the convention to revise the Constitution of the State. He was -chairman of the committee to devise and report amendments to the bill of -rights, and author of the preamble that reads thus: "We, the people of -the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, recognizing the sovereignty of God, -and humbly invoking His guidance in our future destiny, ordain and -establish this Constitution for its government." If there was nothing -else to his credit, this alone would immortalize him. While a member of -the Constitutional Convention, he made a visit to his home, and on the -cars contracted a cold which developed into pneumonia, and terminated -fatally, March 5th, 1873. His funeral was one of the largest and most -impressive ever witnessed in Washington. - -Rev. Doctor Brownson, the distinguished Presbyterian minister of -Washington, grouped together the leading traits of Colonel Hopkins in -the following terms: "Such a man could not but be extensively known and -respected. In fact, his mental force, discriminating judgment, urbanity, -integrity and kindness, joined with his facility as a writer and -speaker, rising above the defects of early education, were a continual -pledge of public favor and success. He was very firm in adhering to his -own views, but considerate also of the feelings and opinions of others. -In co-operation or in opposition, he commanded respect. In private life, -also, it was impossible not to realize the power of his politeness, and -his delicate regard to the sensibilities of all about him. His fondness -for children seemed to increase with his years, showing itself both in a -desire for their enjoyment and their good. His fine business capacity -was often taxed for the benefit of others, especially widows and -orphans. In the hallowed circle of home, he was the central object of -uncommon reverence and affection, answering to his own peculiar love and -tenderness within his domestic relations. But, better than all, is the -witness he leaves behind him, in his confession and life as a disciple -of Christ, and in the repose of his heart upon the divine promise, when -called down into the valley and shadow of death." - -The late Judge Black, one of the most eminent men of his day, spoke of -Colonel Hopkins as follows: "I do not underestimate the very high -qualities of my associates in this body (the Constitutional -Convention). I do not think, indeed, that any man here appreciates -their various abilities and virtues more than I do; but I devoutly -believe that there is no man in this Convention, that we could not have -spared better than him who has gone. I do not propose to give an -analysis of his character, and it is not necessary to repeat his -history. I may say, for I know it, that he was in all respects the best -balanced man that it was ever my good fortune to know. His moral and -personal courage were often tested; he was one of the most fearless men -that ever lived, yet all his measures were in favor of peace, and every -one who knew him testifies to the gentleness and kindness of his -manner." - -Mr. Biddle, a Philadelphia member of the Convention, said: "I well -recollect being struck with the commanding figure and strongly marked -countenance, in the lineaments of which were unmistakably written -simplicity and directness of purpose, integrity and unswerving firmness. -He has rounded off a life of great moral beauty, of great usefulness, of -great dignity, by a fitting end, and he has fallen before decay had -begun to impair his faculties." - -One who stood very close and was very much endeared to Col. Hopkins, -brings out his great character in form of metaphor, as follows: "There -was a remark in your paper which has given me a great deal of mental -exercise of a reminiscent character. The wheel of time turns only one -way. At the moment I read this, and in the multitude of times it has -since come into my head, my mind ran at once to a point in the -revolution of that wheel which you never could guess. That point is -marked with the year 1838. I had been turned up far enough out of the -darkness of the wheel pit to get a view of the top of the wheel, where -stood a group of men who have over since been 'the heroes I loved and -the chiefs I admired.' In the center of this group, and the most heroic -figure in it, stood WILLIAM HOPKINS. The various members of that group -have gone down beyond sight, as the wheel of time kept turning steadily, -but their virtues and their public services remain fresh in my memory. -They rendered Pennsylvania as great a service as Washington and his -compeers rendered the United Colonies." - -Such a man was William Hopkins, once a commissioner of the National -Road, familiar with every mile along its line, and in daily touch with -its moving masses. The writer of these pages had the honor of knowing -Col. Hopkins personally and well, and can and does testify that no word -of eulogy herein quoted concerning him is in the least overwrought. - -An act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, approved April 4, 1831, named -William F. Coplan and David Downer of Fayette county, Stephen Hill and -Benjamin Anderson of Washington county, and Thomas Endsley of Somerset -county, to be Commissioners of the Cumberland Road for the term of three -years from the passage of the said act, after which time the right to -appoint said Commissioners shall vest in the Governor of the -Commonwealth. In 1834 the Governor appointed these same gentlemen -Commissioners for another term of three years. In 1835 an act was passed -reducing the number of Commissioners to two, and under this act Stephen -Hill of Washington, and Hugh Keys of Fayette county, were appointed on -May 7th, 1835, until their appointments were suspended or annulled. On -the 9th of January, 1836, the Governor appointed George Craft of Fayette -county, and Benjamin Leonard of Washington county, to act in conjunction -with the other Commissioners appointed in pursuance of an act approved -April 1, 1835. Thompson McKean of Fayette county, and Robert Quail of -Washington county, were appointed Commissioners by the Governor on the -29th day of January, 1839, until appointments were suspended or -annulled. Robert Quail's appointment was suspended by an act of 1840. An -act was approved March 28th, 1840, reducing the number of Commissioners -to one, and William Hopkins was appointed for a term of three years, but -served less than two years, and resigned, to take the position of -secretary of the land office. William Searight was appointed by the -Governor on May 3, 1842, for a term of three years, and on April 19th, -1845, William Hopkins was again appointed. On the 8th of April, 1848, an -act was approved authorizing the courts of Somerset, Fayette and -Washington counties to appoint trustees for the road, with power to -appoint Commissioners. Under this act William Searight was again -appointed, with jurisdiction limited to the line through the counties of -Fayette and Somerset, and served until 1851, when David Hartzell of -Somerset county was appointed. William Roddy of the same county -succeeded Hartzell in 1852. James Marlow succeeded Roddy and died in -commission. Robert McDowell was appointed in 1856. Under the act of -1848, above quoted, Joseph Lawson was appointed for Washington county, -and was succeeded in 1852 by Mark Mitchell, in 1856 by Alexander -Frasher, and in 1858 by John Long. In 1861 the act of 1848 was repealed -in so far as it related to the appointment of Commissioners in Fayette -and Somerset counties, but continued in force as to Washington county, -stripped of the intervention of trustees. In 1862 John Long was -appointed Commissioner for Washington county by the court. In 1864 G. W. -Botkins was appointed; in 1866 John Long was restored, and continued -until 1871, when T. W. Beatty was appointed. In 1872 Joseph Doak was -appointed, and was succeeded in 1876 by George W. Smith. In 1877 the -appointing power, as to Washington county, was restored to the Governor, -and Samuel Kelley was appointed. In 1881 Peter Hickman was appointed, in -1887 James W. Hendrix, in 1890 Marshall Cox, in 1891 John McDowell, -present incumbent. In 1862 the Governor of the State appointed Redding -Bunting Commissioner for the counties of Fayette and Somerset. Bunting -was the famous old stage driver and stage agent, mentioned in previous -chapters. He served as Commissioner until 1864, when the Governor -appointed Sebastian Rush, the old tavern keeper before referred to. Rush -served until 1870, when Solomon Crumrine was appointed, and served -until 1872, when Rush was restored. In 1875 Charles H. Rush, a son of -Sebastian, was appointed, and served until 1881, when William Endsley -was appointed. In 1883 George W. Daniels was appointed. In 1887 David -Johnson was appointed, and in 1891 Ewing Searight was appointed. - -As before stated the road east of Cumberland was owned by associations -or companies. Allen Darsie was one of the leading stockholders and -general superintendent as early as 1835. He lived at Poplar Springs, -twenty-six miles west of Baltimore, was the proprietor of a large and -fertile tract of land, and a slave owner. Allen Darsie, jr., succeeded -his father in the superintendency of the road, and remained in charge -down to the date of the civil war. Thomas Bevins of Hancock succeeded -the younger Darsie, and Denton Oliver succeeded Bevins. West of -Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, the superintendents were: Thomas -Thistle, the old tavern keeper near Grantsville; Jonathan Huddleson, -another old tavern keeper, Nathan Dudley, John Swan, Benjamin B. -Edwards, George Cady, Henry Atkinson, Robert Welsh, Edward Doneho and -William Hall. William Otterson was an old Commissioner in charge of the -road through Virginia, and among his successors appear the familiar -names of Moses Thornburg, Lewis Lunsford and Abram Bedillion. - -In the year 1888 the court of quarter sessions of Somerset county, -Pennsylvania, condemned that portion of the road lying within the -borders of said county, decreed it exempt from tolls, confiscated all -its belongings, and turned it over to the tender care of the township -supervisors, under authority supposed to be conferred by an act of -assembly, approved June 2d, 1887. - - - - -CHAPTER XLIII. - - _Old Contractors--Cost of the Road--Contractors for Repairs--Stone - Breakers--An Old Stone Breaker Convicted of Murder--The Measuring - Ring--The Napping Hammer--An Old Stone Breaking Machine--A Second - Table Showing Heights of Mountains and Hills._ - - -The first contracts in sections for the first ten miles of the road west -of Cumberland were signed April 16th and May 8th, 1811, and were -finished in the fall of 1812. The next letting was in August, 1812, of -eleven miles, extending west as far as Tomlinson's, and these contracts -were completed early in 1815. The work was let from Tomlinson's to -Smithfield, eighteen miles, in August, 1813, and completed in 1817. The -delay was caused by the scarcity of laborers during the war, war prices, -and apprehension of failure of some of the contractors. The next letting -was in September, 1815, embracing the work six miles and a half westward -from Smithfield. This was awarded in sections to John Hagen, Doherty, -McLaughlin and Bradley, and Charles McKinney. In May, 1817, the work was -let to Uniontown, the successful bidders being Hagan and McCann, -Mordecai and James Cochran, Thompson McKean, and Thomas and Matthew -Blakely. From Uniontown to Brownsville, portions were let in September, -1815, to Kinkead, Beck & Evans, who soon thereafter undertook the -residue to Brubaker's. This firm sub-let many sections of the work. Bond -and Gormley had the contract from Brubaker's to Brownsville, and their -work was completed in 1818. George Dawson had the contract for the heavy -stone walls in Brownsville. John Miller and John Kennedy, of Uniontown, -took contracts in the mountains. Miller was a son-in-law of Jacob -Beeson, one of the founders of Uniontown. Mr. Kennedy was the -grandfather of Hon. John K. Ewing, of Uniontown, and after his -experience as a contractor, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of -Pennsylvania. The whole line of the road, for purposes of construction, -was laid off in two divisions, called Eastern and Western. David Shriver -was superintendent of the eastern, and Josias Thompson of the western -division. The dividing line between the two divisions was Brubaker's, -near, and east of, Brownsville. Mr. Shriver lived in Cumberland, and was -the father-in-law of Hon. Andrew Stewart. Mr. Thompson was a Virginian. - -In March, 1817, the greater part of the work, from a point two miles -east of Washington to the Virginia line, was let to Thomas McGiffin, -Thomas H. Baird and Parker Campbell, the latter one of the foremost -lawyers of his time. In 1819 the same gentlemen contracted to do the -work, from the point first above named, to a point two miles west of -Brownsville. The work east of Hillsboro was turned over by the -contractors above named, to William and John H. Ewing, who were returned -to the authorities at Washington City as original contractors, and they -finished the work for $6,000 per mile. The remainder of the work west of -Hillsboro was sub-let by McGiffin, Baird and Campbell, to a number of -small contractors. - -The road was completed from Cumberland to Uniontown at a cost, including -all expenses of survey and location, salaries, bridges, and some -repairs, of $9,745 per mile. The average cost of the entire road to -Wheeling was nearly $13,000 per mile, showing the Eastern division much -less costly than the Western. This was charged to some prodigality of -work and too liberal contracts, for which Superintendent Thompson was -"investigated" and superseded. - -Daniel Steenrod, the old tavern keeper, and Col. Moses Shepherd, were -extensive contractors for construction on the Virginia line of the road. -Colonel Shepherd built Feay's bridge, near Wheeling, one of the best on -the road, and also the bridge over Wheeling creek, near Mrs. Gooding's -old tavern. Capt. Valentine Giesey, a veteran of Brownsville, who is -well remembered by the old citizens of that place, was a large -contractor on the work of taking up the original road bed. - -The foregoing were all contractors for work on the original construction -of the road. Among the contractors for repairs, after the road was -completed, and during its prosperous era, the following familiar names -are recalled: Abram Beagle, James McIntyre, William Hastings, John -Whitmire, James Dennison, Henry Masterson, Hiram Freeman, Thomas Egan, -John Robinson, William Paull, Charles Stillwagon, Jacob Stillwagon, -Jacob Dougherty, Anthony Rentz, Henry Murray, James Thompson, Thomas D. -Miller, Daniel Canon, Hugh Graham, Morris Whalen, Perry White, Anthony -Yarnell, John Whollery, Thomas McKean, John Risler, Isaac Nixon, Robert -Brown, Thomas McGrath, Matthew McNeil, Edward Kerven, John Bennington, -William H. Graham, Henry Showalter, John Dickey, John McDonough, Morris -Purcell, Daniel Ward, Daniel Valentine, Jacob Probasco, John Bradfield, -William Reynolds, Thomas Brownfield, Peter Lenhart, James Marlow, John -W. McCollough, Nicholas McCartney, John W. McDowell, Robert McDowell, -James Snyder, Lewis M. Snyder, Samuel Shipley, Elias Gilmore, Samuel -Rush, German D. Hair, Jackson Brown, William C. Stevens, John Gadd, -Robert S. Henderson, Joseph Lawson, Michael Thomas, Charles Rush, -Nicholas Bradley, John Bradley, Daniel Bradley, Henry Show, William -Griffin, Robert McDowell, esq., Adam Speers, James Speers, William -Hatfield, Thomas Brown, Thomas Moxley, Hiram Miller, Matthias Fry, John -Wallace, John Hardin, William Hardin, John G. Burnworth, Henry Sampey, -Henry Clay Rush, Alex. McDowell, Benjamin Miller, Jefferson Miller, -John Worthington, E. W. Clement, John Snider, Hiram Mitchell, John -Mitchell, William Endsley, Daniel Augustine, John M. Oliver, and many -others, some of whose names appear in the accounts of the old -Commissioners in the Appendix to this volume. - -[Illustration: DANIEL STEENROD.] - -The average result of a stone breaker in a single day was eight perches, -and the price paid was twelve and a half cents per perch. Tradition has -it that Robert S. McDowell, still living in Dunbar, Fayette county, -Pennsylvania, was the speediest stone breaker on the road. He is the -eldest son of "Gate Bob," elsewhere mentioned. In the year 1848, when -Colonel Hopkins was commissioner, Robert S. McDowell broke in one day -sixteen perches and two feet. This was done on a bet, and in a contest -with Capt. Elias Gilmore. A string of stones one rod in length made two -perches, under the gauge in use, and McDowell's string measured eight -rods and two feet. Captain Gilmore, who was one of the most vigorous men -on the road, gave up the contest about the middle of the afternoon, and -yielded the palm to McDowell. Peter Kelley, who lived at Searights, was -one of the best and speediest stone breakers on the road. His -occupation, for many years, was breaking stone on the pike, and near the -close of his life he became an actor in a tragedy, which lost him his -liberty, as well as his former good name. He was not a vicious man, but -on occasions would indulge in immoderate drinking. On one of these -occasions he killed William Thornton, father of the Hon. J. Russell -Thornton, member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania for the county of -Fayette. Kelley and Thornton were returning from Brownsville after -nightfall, and quarrelled. When near the old Brubaker tavern, Thornton -was struck by Kelley, and killed. Kelley was tried, convicted and sent -to the penitentiary for a long term, and never thereafter returned to -the familiar scenes of the old pike. Alexander Campbell, of Somerfield, -was one of the fastest stone breakers on the road, and Robert Hogsett, -the well known millionaire of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, broke stones -on the road when a boy. - -In the early work on the road, there was a requirement that stone for -the lower stratum or bed should be broken so that the pieces would pass -through a seven-inch ring, and for the upper stratum, which was six -inches in thickness, would pass through a three-inch ring. Old -contractors provided rings of these dimensions, respectively, and -enforced a strict compliance with the regulation mentioned. Subsequently -the rings fell into disuse, and were ultimately abandoned, but the -stones spread over the surface of the road were always broken to small -pieces. The hammer of the stone breaker was a very simple contrivance. -It was of iron, round as an apple, weighing probably one pound, with a -hole through the center for the insertion of a handle. The handle was of -hickory wood, slender in the middle, with a thick end for the grasp of -the hand. There was also a larger hammer, with a longer and stouter -handle, used for breaking stones thrown into holes. In using this hammer -the breaker stood on his feet, and in using the smaller one, sat on the -stone pile, moving his position as his work advanced. In hot weather -the stone breaker, in many instances, used a ready-made, movable bower, -to ward off the scorching rays of the sun. About the year 1848, some -person whose name is forgotten, supposing himself endowed with inventive -genius, constructed a machine for breaking stones. It was operated by -horse power, proved a failure, and was laid aside to rot on the summit -of Laurel Hill. - -The following table showing the heights of mountains and hills on the -road is copied from the sketch by Mr. Veech, accompanying the map of -Fayette county, Pennsylvania, before mentioned. It will be seen that it -differs somewhat from the measurement of the Commissioners who ran the -original lines of the road, but it will be remembered that their -measurement was from a point in the Potomac, near Cumberland, whereas -the table below gives heights above the Atlantic and above Cumberland. -This table also gives heights of hills, west of Uniontown, and the -heights furnished by the old Commissioners, are of mountains and hills -between Cumberland and Uniontown. As to the accuracy of, and authority -for, this table, the author of this volume is not informed, but it seems -to have been sanctioned and adopted by Mr. Veech, whose reputation as a -local historian is unimpeachable. - - - THE TABLE. - - Above the Atlantic. Above Cumberland. - - Cumberland 537 feet - Wills Mountain 1003 " 466 - Frostburg 1792 " 1255 - Big Savage Mountain 2580 " 2043 - Little Savage Mountain 2480 " 1943 - Red Hill 2437 " 1900 - Meadow Mountain 2550 " 2013 - Little Crossings 2000 " 1463 - Negro Mountain 2825 " 2288 - Keyser's Ridge 2843 " 2306 - Winding Ridge 2534 " 1997 - Smithfield 1405 " 868 - Barren Hill 2450 " 1813 - Woodcock Hill 2500 " 1963 - Laurel Hill 2412 " 1875 - Monroe 1065 " 528 - Uniontown Court House 952 " 415 - Colley's Hill 1274 " 737 - Brownsville 833 " 296 - Krepps' Knob 1040 " 503 - Beallsville 1010 " 473 - Hillsboro 1770 " 1233 - Egg Nog Hill 1532 " 995 - Washington 1406 " 869 - West Alexander 1792 " 1255 - Wheeling Hill 850 " 313 - Wheeling City 748 " 211 - - - - -CHAPTER XLIV. - - _Two Noted Old Tavern Keepers--Thomas Endsley and William Sheets--The - Latter the Driver of the First Mail Coach Out from Cumberland--A - Wedding Party Surprised, and a Marriage Prevented--William M. F. - Magraw, a well known Man of the Road._ - - -A prominent and widely known man of the road was Thomas Endsley. He was -born near Richmond, Virginia, in 1787. He was the only child of parents -who came from Switzerland and settled in Virginia at an early day. His -mother was of an old family of Gilberts, who were Quakers, well known -and much respected in their day and generation. His wife was Mary -McCloy, to whom he was wedded in the year 1805. The offspring of his -marriage consisted of eight children, five sons and three daughters. The -sons were John, Thomas, James, William and Andrew Jackson. The three -last named are still living, James and William in Somerfield, and Andrew -Jackson in Somerset. The daughters were Mary Ann, who became the wife of -Redding Bunting, the noted old pike boy heretofore mentioned; Nancy, who -was the wife of J. Squire Hagan, another old pike boy; and Julia, who in -1842, married P. R. Sides, and is now living with a son in New Mexico. -Her husband died in Missouri in 1877, or thereabout. Mrs. Hagan died in -Uniontown in 1849, and Mrs. Bunting died in the same place about five -years ago. Nancy Endsley and Squire Hagan were married in 1834. Mrs. -Endsley, wife of Thomas, the subject of this sketch, died in the stone -tavern at Somerfield in 1832, and her husband died in the same house in -1852. - -Thomas Endsley was an old wagoner before the Cumberland Road was -constructed. In the years 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817 and 1818, -he hauled goods and merchandise from Baltimore to Nashville, Tennesse, -to points in Ohio and to Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He owned two -six-horse teams, one of which he drove himself, and placed the other in -charge of a hired driver. In spring and fall he was frequently compelled -to remain with his teams at the old Smith tavern, near the present town -of Somerfield, for several days awaiting the subsidence of freshets in -the Youghiogheny river, so that he could ford that stream, there being -no other means of crossing at that time. The road was frequently in such -condition by reason of mud, deep cuts, and other obstacles, that a whole -day's progress did not cover a greater distance than three or four -miles. To pass through Jockey Hollow it was often found necessary to -attach twelve horses to one wagon. - -In the year 1819 Thomas Endsley moved from Virginia to Frostburg, -Maryland, and at that place commenced a career of tavern keeping, which -terminated only with his death. He leased the old Frost House in -Frostburg, and conducted it for three years. In 1822 he went to the -Tomlinson House, a prominent old landmark twenty-one miles west of -Cumberland. He occupied the Tomlinson House for two years, and while -there enjoyed the patronage of one of the stage lines. In December, -1823, he bought the old Smith farm at Somerfield, lying on both sides of -the road. On this farm was erected the large stone tavern house, at the -eastern end of the big stone bridge which spans the Youghiogheny river. -For this property he paid $8,000 cash down, which shows the enhanced -value of the property at that day by reason of contiguity with the -National Road. He took possession of this property on the first day of -April, 1824. The land was poor, the fences were dilapidated, and the -general outlook unpromising. But Mr. Endsley was a man of great energy -and good judgment, and going to work with determination, soon changed -the aspect of things, and had flowers blooming and grass and grain -growing, where before the eye had rested on nothing but briars, weeds -and rocks, with here and there a scant appearance of sickly oats and -buckwheat. It is said that he was the first man who ever attempted to -raise corn and wheat in the neighborhood of Somerfield, and old settlers -jeered him for trying it. It was not long under his judicious management -until his farm yielded thirty-five and forty bushels of wheat to the -acre, and crops of corn equal to the best of the adjoining county of -Fayette. This farm continues in the possession of the descendants of -Thomas Endsley. The northern portion of it is owned and occupied by the -heirs of Thomas Endsley, jr., deceased, except the stone tavern, which -with the southern portion of the farm, is owned and occupied by William -Endsley. - -While assiduous in bringing up his farm, Thomas Endsley was by no means -neglectful of his tavern. He was always attentive and courteous to -guests. His table was spread with well cooked victuals, and his rooms -were clean and neat, so that altogether his house was one of the most -inviting on the whole line of the road. The Stockton line of coaches -stopped at the Endsley House during its entire career on the road, with -the exception of a short time, when it was withdrawn by reason of a -temporary estrangement between Mr. Stockton and Mr. Endsley. Stockton -was of a fiery temper, while Mr. Endsley was not slack in resenting a -supposed wrong, and at one time in going over their accounts they -disagreed, and each gave utterance to expressions not taught in the -Sunday schools. As a result, Mr. Stockton removed his stock from -Endsley's tavern and passed and repassed the house thereafter for awhile -without casting a glance of recognition toward it. It was not long, -however, until Mr. Endsley was surprised to see Mr. Stockton enter his -house, extend his hand, and hear him say: "This foolishness has lasted -long enough; my coaches must stop at this house." "When?" calmly -queried Mr. Endsley. "To-morrow," said Mr. Stockton, and the old terms -of friendship between them were restored, and continued as long as Mr. -Stockton lived. As stated in another chapter Mr. Endsley was a slave -owner, and frequently aided in the capture and return of fugitives. Two -of his slaves, Peter and Phebe Butler, after acquiring their freedom, -settled in Brownsville, and died there. They were well known by the old -people of Brownsville, and held in high esteem. Thomas Endsley, in -1834-'35, in connection with James Black, of Somerfield, had contracts -for taking up the original road bed on Winding Ridge and Negro Mountain, -and proved himself as efficient in this line as in every other line of -business he engaged in. He was imposing in personal appearance, well up -to six feet in height, and weighed about two hundred pounds. He was an -habitual reader, and a subscriber for the _Cumberland Civilian_ and the -_National Intelligencer_, from the time he lived in Frostburg to the -date of his death. He carefully and studiously read the long and prosy -editorials of the _Intelligencer_, as well as the speeches it published -of Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, Thomas H. Benton, and -other noted statesmen of that era. - -In 1828 a military company called "The Addison Blues," was organized, -drawing its members from Somerfield, Petersburg and the surrounding -neighborhood, of which Thomas Endsley was elected captain, and ever -thereafter known and hailed as Captain Endsley. At all the old battalion -parades in Somerset, Bedford and Uniontown the "Addison Blues" bore off -the palm for soldierly bearing, and especially for the stalwart size of -its rank and file, all of whom were hardy mountaineers, and known and -honored as "frosty sons of thunder." - -WILLIAM SHEETS was a prominent character of the road, more widely known -as a tavern keeper, than in any other relation. He was a remarkable man -in many respects, and in none more than relates to his extreme -longevity. He was born February 2d, 1798, near Martinsburg, Berkeley -county, Virginia, and died May 4th, 1892, in Jefferson county, Iowa. He -was a wagoner before the Cumberland Road was made, and hauled goods from -Baltimore to points west, over the old Braddock road. He also had some -experience as a stage driver. His first venture as a tavern keeper was -at or near the Little Crossings, where he remained but a short time, and -did not do a paying business. Leaving the Little Crossings, he went to -Negro Mountain and took a house there. His first experience at Negro -Mountain was attended by only limited success, and he abandoned tavern -keeping and moved to a small house on Jennings' run, about two miles -west of Uniontown, and near the old Moxley tavern, then kept by William -Cox. In that vicinity he engaged in various pursuits, mostly of a -precarious nature, with a downward tendency, accelerated by too much -indulgence in drinking. This was between the years 1835 and 1840, and -probably a little earlier. He seemed to realize that his fortune was on -the wane, and resolved to retrieve himself. He accordingly, by some -means not ascertainable, secured a new lease on the Negro Mountain house -which he had left, and returned to it. Beginning life anew, as it were, -he quit drinking and devoted himself energetically to business. It was -not long until he established a good reputation and did a large and -profitable business. His house was a favorite stopping place for hog -drovers, and in the latter part of his career on Negro Mountain, the -number of barrels of corn he bought and sold would count up to hundreds -of thousands. The weary and hungry hog drover (pig pelter the pike boys -termed him), as he trudged along the road in snow and slush, urging -forward the lagging, grunting porkers, apparently reluctant to move on -to the sure slaughter awaiting them, would cry out at intervals, and in -despairing tones: "Suboy, suboy, forty cents a day and no dinner; how -far is it to Sheets'?" For many years William Sheets fed the hungry -hogs, and their no less hungry owners and drivers, and while his profits -were small, his business was so large that his accumulations in a few -years aggregated a sum which made him a comfortable fortune. William G. -Beck, the old stage driver living in Fairfield, Iowa, before referred -to, avers that William Sheets drove the first mail coach out from -Cumberland that ever passed over the National Road west of that place. -This was in the year 1818, and on Kinkead's line of coaches. Kinkead was -an uncle of William G. Beck, and a member of the old bridge building -firm of Kinkead, Beck & Evans, and an owner of the first stage line on -the road, as before stated. The wife of William Sheets was Sarah -Wiggins, a sister of Isaac Wiggins, late of South Union township, -Fayette county, Pennsylvania, deceased, and an aunt of James H. Wiggins, -a prosperous and well known farmer of that township. She was an -attractive girl, and had many suitors. One of her lovers was a man by -the name of Bradley, an employe of Kinkead, before mentioned. She gave -her hand to Bradley, and consented to become his wife, and went so far -as to appear upon the floor with Bradley to have the knot tied by the -Rev. William Brownfield. The relatives and friends of Miss Sarah were -stoutly opposed to her alliance with Bradley, and a moment before the -old and renowned Baptist parson began the ceremony of marriage, Col. -Cuthbert Wiggins, an uncle of the would-be-bride, and father of Harrison -Wiggins, the old fox hunter of the mountains, appeared on the scene and -carried Miss Sarah from the floor, thus abruptly terminating the pending -nuptials, to the great astonishment of those in attendance, and causing -much comment and town gossip. This unusual incident happened in a house -on Morgantown street, in Uniontown, about the year 1821. No subsequent -effort was made by the parties most interested, to consummate the -forbidden marriage, and the fair Sarah, in a short time thereafter, -forgetting her affection for Bradley, became the wife of William Sheets. -The after career of Bradley is unknown. He seems to have passed from the -memory of men without making a sign. In the year 1855 William Sheets -took final leave of Negro Mountain and the scenes of the National Road, -and moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, where he made his last -settlement, and died at the date above given. At his death he was the -possessor of a large estate, chiefly in lands, which descends to his two -surviving sons, Isaac and Joseph, and to the heirs of deceased sons and -a deceased daughter. He had six sons and one daughter. Bazil Sheets, one -of his sons, was an old wagoner, well remembered by the old citizens -along the line of the road. - -[Illustration: W. M. F. MAGRAW] - -One of the smartest, best known and most picturesque men of the road -forty years ago was WILLIAM M. F. MAGRAW. He was probably little known -west of Brownsville, as his business was for the most part on the line -east of that point. He was a native of Maryland, and belonged to an old -and influential family of that State. His brother, Harry, practiced law -for several years in Pittsburg, and served a term as State Treasurer of -Pennsylvania from 1856 to 1859. The Magraws were intimate friends of -James Buchanan, and Harry was a leader in the movements that led up to -the nomination and election of that old time statesman to the -Presidency. W. M. F. Magraw became identified with the National Road as -many others did, through a matrimonial alliance. His wife was a daughter -of Jacob Sides, who owned the Tomlinson tavern. His first business -engagement in the vicinity of Uniontown was with F. H. Oliphant, the old -iron master of Fairchance. Soon after engaging with Mr. Oliphant that -gentleman put on a line of teams and wagons hereinbefore mentioned, to -haul freights between Brownsville and Cumberland, and Magraw was placed -in charge of the line as its general road agent. This put him in -communication with the people along the road, and established him in the -ranks of the pike boys. He was a large, fine looking man, always well -dressed, attracting attention wherever he appeared, and making friends -by reason of his agreeable manners. He was not fleshy, but broad -shouldered, tall and erect, of ruddy complexion, light hair, and -habitually wore gold rimmed spectacles on account of some defect of -vision. He was generous almost to a fault, and lavish in his personal -expenditures. He spent much of his time in Uniontown, making his -headquarters with his friend Joshua Marsh, of the National House. His -habits of living were different from the majority of the old pike boys, -especially in the matter of eating, and he enjoyed a good supper at -midnight, better than any other hour. He brought in game of all kinds -from the mountain and had it served in savory style at the National -House. He kept a carriage, and often had it ordered out as early as -three and four o'clock in the afternoon, to go to the mountain, but -lingered about the town, chatting with friends, until nightfall. He -seemed to delight in driving over the mountain in the night. Leaving -Uniontown about the dusk of the evening, he would reach the Tomlinson -tavern about daybreak the next morning. He called up the old tavern -keepers along the road, all of whom knew him, chatted a while with them, -took a mint julip, or something stiffer, and pushed on, and this was his -habit as long as he remained on the road. He was a southern sympathizer -during the war, and participated as a Confederate partisan, in some of -the irregular skirmishes in Missouri, in the incipient stages of the -long struggle. Notwithstanding his southern sentiments, he was well -liked by his northern acquaintances, and had many warm friends among -them. There was no bitterness in his heart. He was clever and courteous -to all. He had no stauncher friend than Redding Bunting, the good old -stage driver, who was a pronounced Union man. Sometime near the close of -the war, Magraw appeared in Harrisburg. Upon being questioned as to the -object of his mission, he said he had come to see the Governor on behalf -of the appointment of his old friend, Red Bunting, to the office of -Commissioner of the Cumberland Road. He knew the Governor (Curtin) -personally. In fact, he knew nearly all the public men of his time. He -called on the Governor, and was cordially received. "What brought you -here," queried the Governor. "I came," said Magraw, "to solicit the -appointment of Redding Butting as Commissioner of the Cumberland Road." -"How does it come," further queried the Governor, "that all you -copperheads are for Bunting?" "Oh!" said Magraw, "Bunting is a good man, -the right man for the place, and a good Republican." "Well," said the -Governor, "I guess I'll appoint him," and he did. Mr. Bunting was not -aware that Magraw intended to go to Harrisburg in his behalf, which -shows the disposition of the man. During the administration of President -Pierce, Magraw had a contract for carrying the mails from the Missouri -boundary to western points beyond the plains. He suffered much loss by -reason of Indian invasions, and preferred a claim to Congress for a -large sum of money to reimburse him. While his bill was undergoing -consideration by the committee, he appeared before it and emptied upon -the floor a number of bags of mules ears, as evidence of his losses. His -bill was passed. Magraw died suddenly, in Baltimore, a number of years -ago, much lamented. His wife is also dead. He had a daughter, Miss -Sallie, well remembered by the older citizens of Uniontown, who is -living in Kansas City, a widow, in affluent circumstances. - - - - -CHAPTER XLV. - - _Dumb Ike--Reminiscences of Uniontown--Isaac Johnson--Squire Hagan--A - Musician Astride of a Hog--Anecdote of Judges Black and - Williams--Morgan Miller, an Old Tavern Keeper--Philip Krishbaum, an - Old Stone Cutter--Crazy Billy--Highway Robbery--Slaves Struggling - for Liberty--William Willey, an old Friend of the - Slaves--Unsuccessful Attempts at Suicide by an old Postmaster and - an old Drover--Tom Marshall, of Kentucky, appears on the Road and - amuses the boys._ - - -The National Road had its variety, as all the ways of life have, and -this variety added spice to it, and gave it much if not all of its -flavor. There were high types, and low types, and queer types of life on -the road. Every section of the road had its noted character. There was -Marion Smith (Logan), who made his headquarters, for the most part, at -Searights, but a familiar figure all along the line between Uniontown -and Brownsville. He stood ever ready to fetch the gear pole and insert -it between the spokes of the hind wheels of the big wagon, the moment it -was driven upon the yard at the old tavern in the evening, to rest for -the night. He was likewise prompt in carrying the hay and grain to feed -the big six horses that stood with their heads to the long, strong -trough supported by the wagon tongue, and when this little job was done, -his compensation was replete, and his topmost ambition realized in the -big drink he took with the driver at the bar. And Logan was further -noted as an imitator of the rooster, and gave many a long, loud crow -over Democratic victories in the olden time. Bill Hickman will be -readily recalled by the reader who is familiar with the history and -traditions of the road, as an eccentric character. He gravitated between -Chalk Hill and Jockey Hollow, and Billy Brubaker afforded amusement for -the men of the road near Brownsville. It would scarcely be doing justice -to the nomenclature of the old road, without writing this name -"Bluebaker." There were many others of this class, but time and space -will not permit a reference to them, and besides, this sketch is devoted -especially to "Dumb Ike." His name was Isaac Griffin, or Toner, and he -belonged to the queer type in the above enumeration. He was not in fact -dumb, but everybody called him "Dumb Ike." He was opaque and bright by -turns. Dr. Hugh Campbell once asked him why they called him dumb, and he -said "he didn't know, unless because they were dumb themselves." - -Isaac was born and reared in Springhill township, Fayette county, -Pennsylvania. The sound of the glories of the old pike reached his ears -at his rural home, and he resolved to cast his lot upon it. It was -previous to the year 1840 that he made his appearance in Uniontown, and -for the first time beheld the National Road. When he shook the dust of -Springhill from his feet, it was with a high resolve to never engage in -hard labor, a resolution he never thereafter broke. His ambition was to -become a stage driver and it was irrepressible. He reached his goal. He -obtained employment as a driver on one of the stage lines and approved -himself a good one. Not given to absolute steadiness of habit, his -employment was not continuous, but he was held in reserve, as it were, -to take the place of regular drivers in cases of accident or emergency. -He could handle the reins and crack the whip equal to the best of -drivers, and took good care of his team. He not only drove stage but was -a driver on the express line, and perched on the high front seat of an -express wagon, drawing the reins over four stout horses, was the -personification of a proud and happy man. A little incident in the old -National House on Morgantown street, when that popular old hostelry was -kept by the kind-hearted and gentle Joshua Marsh, goes to illustrate the -eccentric ways of Isaac. It was in the bar room. Samuel McDonald, a -prominent citizen of the town, had occasion to call there, and among -those in the room at the time was "Dumb Ike," with whom McDonald was -well acquainted, as was every other citizen. McDonald invited Isaac to -take a drink, a proposition quite agreeable to him, and which he -promptly accepted. Standing at the bar with glass in hand, well filled, -Isaac felt it a duty to compliment his entertainer, and said: "McDonald, -I respect you," and hesitating, continued, "and probably I am the only -man in town that does." Isaac intended to be complimentary, and McDonald -knowing this, joined in the loud laughter of the bystanders over Isaac's -bull. - -During the prevalence of Asiatic cholera in Uniontown in 1850, some one -was speaking to Isaac in reference to the fatality of the epidemic, and -was much astounded to hear Isaac say it was not cholera. "What then is -it?" queried the other party. "It is death," retorted Isaac. When Isaac -wished to express indignation against a person he thought was putting on -airs, he called him "The Great Nates," and of conceited persons he said -they were "great in their own _estimashing_." The writer has in his -possession a boot jack made and given to him by "Dumb Ike" in 1852. It -is a clumsy specimen of mechanism, but prized on account of the maker -and donor. Isaac's patriotism was accelerated by a drink, and often -under its influence he exclaimed with emphasis of voice and violent -gesticulation of his right arm, "I am going to the District of Columbia -to see the Goddess of Liberty." When the war against the South assumed -the shape of open and active hostilities, "Dumb Ike" volunteered as a -soldier, and proudly marched to the front under the flag of the stars -and stripes. He was assigned to duty in the transportation service, for -which his experience eminently fitted him, and he died in the faithful -discharge of duty, and was buried where he died, near the capitol of -the Republic beneath the shadow of the Goddess of Liberty, at whose -shrine he was a devoted worshipper. At his death a small sum of money -was on deposit to his credit in the old bank of Fayette county, which -was absorbed by claims for nursing and other services in his last -illness. He left neither widow or heirs to survive him. His -administrator was Nathaniel Brownfield, his old friend of the Swan -tavern in Uniontown, where he made his headquarters for many years, and -where he was living when he enlisted as a soldier. There were worse men -and better men than "Dumb Ike," but no one who knew him will begrudge a -good, kind word for his memory. - -Isaac Johnson, a former well known and respected citizen, who died at -his residence near Uniontown a number of years since, had occasion to -visit the East in the year 1833, and on his return home walked the -entire distance from Baltimore over the National Road. His mission -carried him as far east as New Castle, Delaware, and from that point to -Frenchtown he rode on the first passenger cars propelled by steam in the -United States. He was a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and the -father of David D. Johnson, of Fayette Springs, who was Commissioner of -the road during the administration of Governor Beaver. - -Squire Hagan, who died in Uniontown a few years ago, much lamented, -father of Miss Maggie, the popular clerk in the Uniontown postoffice, -was a "Green Mountain Boy," born in Vermont, near Montpelier, the -capital of that State. The fame of the old National Road was carried on -the wings of the wind to the snow-capped hills of his native land, and -he yearned for a share of its glories. His first appearance on the road -was at Somerfield, where, in the year 1834, he owned and conducted a -general store. The leading trait in the character of Squire Hagan was -amiability, and the trend of his mind was toward philosophy. He was -widely known along the line of the road, and highly respected. - -William Hunsucker was a hog drover from Greene county, Pennsylvania, and -the boys called him "Suboy Bill." Upon being asked who owned the hogs he -was driving, and where they came from, he replied in words that jingled -thus: - - "Mr. Lindsey is the owner, - They call me Suboy Bill, - The hogs came out from Greene county, - Near the village of Blacksville." - -It is said that Joe Williams, a wit, musician, comedian, lawyer, and in -his riper years Chief Justice of the Territorial Court of Iowa, once -straddled a big black hog in a drove, and rode it through the main -street of Uniontown, playing a clarionet. Judge Williams was born in -Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and was a brother of Mrs. William Murphy, -who lives near Uniontown. Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, of national fame, and -Joe Williams were cronies in their boyhood days. Williams visited New -York after he became Chief Justice, and it happened that Judge Black -was in that city at the same time. A morning paper stated that Judge -Black was a guest at the Astor House, and this falling under the eye of -Williams, he proceeded hastily to the hotel to see his old friend. He -walked into his room, to discover that he was out, and seeing writing -material on the table, indited the following lines, which he left in the -room for Judge Black's perusal, on his return: - - "The salutations of the Chief Justice of Iowa, to the Chief Justice - of Pennsylvania: - - "Oh, Jerry, dear Jerry, I have found you at last! - How memory, burdened with scenes of the past, - Restores me to Somerset's mountains of snow, - When you were but Jerry, and I was but Joe." - -Morgan Miller kept a tavern on Morgantown street, Uniontown, as early as -1830, and probably before that time. His house was a dingy frame -structure, painted red, which time and storm made a dead red. The -location was on the hill near the old Baptist church, in that day called -"Prospect Hill." At this old tavern many persons of the neighborhood -were accustomed to spend their evenings in drinking and gossipping. -Among its patrons were Philip Krishbaum, a stone cutter, and Abram -Brown, a farmer. Krishbaum had some aptitude in making rhymes, a talent -he found useful in his business of chiseling tomb-stones. After spending -an hour or two, one evening, in alternate drinking and gossipping with -his friend Brown, he rose from his chair and remarked that he must take -a drink and go, as he had to finish some lettering on a tomb-stone. -"Stay awhile," said Brown, "and write an epitaph for my tomb-stone, and -I will treat." "Agreed," said Krishbaum, who, taking up a pen, wrote -this: - - "Here lies the body of Abram Brown, - Who lived three miles from Uniontown. - The more he got, the more he craved, - Great God! can such a soul be saved!" - -Brown paid for the drinks. Seeing that Krishbaum had made a success of -the Brown epitaph, Miller, the landlord, requested him to write one for -his tomb-stone, which he did, as follows: - - "Here lies the body of Morgan Miller, - Who has drunk the whisky of many a 'stiller. - He once lived up on Prospect Hill, - And sold his whisky by the gill." - -[Illustration: CRAZY BILLY.] - -The well known character brought to mind by the name of "Crazy Billy," -was at no time in his strange life engaged in any pursuit connected with -the National Road, but his long stay at Uniontown, covering a period of -fifty years and more, entitles him to a place in this history. He was -well known to many of the stage drivers, wagoners and tavern keepers of -the road, and to every man, woman and child in Uniontown. His name -was William Stanford, and he was horn in England. It was evident that he -had been well bred, and had received some education. He was often heard -quoting from the liturgy of the Church of England. He was brought to -Uniontown about the year 1829, and closely confined in the county jail. -His first appearance in Fayette county was in Springhill township, -whither he wandered without any apparent object, and no one knew whence -he came. On a certain day of the year above mentioned, he was discovered -alone in the house of one Crow, in the said township of Springhill. The -Crow family had all been absent during the day, and upon their return in -the evening were surprised to find an occupant within, and the doors and -windows securely fastened. After reconnoitering the premises the family -discovered that it was the manifest intention of the strange intruder to -"hold the fort." In this state of the case Mr. Crow proceeded to a -neighboring justice of the peace, made complaint, and obtained a -warrant, which was placed in the hands of the township constable, who -with the aid of the local _posse comitatus_ hastily summoned, entered -the beleagured dwelling, arrested the intruder, took him to Uniontown, -and lodged him in the county jail, in and around which he remained from -that time until the date of his death, which occurred on the 26th day of -January, 1883. Soon after his incarceration one John Updergraff was -committed to the jail for disorderly conduct on the streets, and after -the keys had been turned, "Billy" fell upon the new prisoner, and killed -him outright. He was indicted and tried for murder, but acquitted on the -plea of insanity, and remanded to jail. Henceforth, and to the time -hereafter mentioned, he was heavily ironed and chained fast to the jail -floor. William Snyder was elected sheriff in 1847, and a few months -after his induction to the office, his wife, who was a good and -discerning woman, observed some redeeming qualities in the nature of the -chained lunatic, and concluded that it would be wise and safe, as well -as humane, to remove his fetters. Accordingly with the aid of her son -James, who was a sort of general deputy about the jail and office, she -released "Billy" from the chains which had so long bound and chafed him, -and permitted him to walk about his dingy cell, untramelled. Gradually -he gained the confidence of the sheriff's family and after a season was -permitted to enter the official mansion, and move about at pleasure. He -showed an inclination to care for the sheriff's horses, and was -permitted to feed and clean them, exhibiting much skill in this line. -About this time, James Snyder having occasion to visit Monroe, told -"Billy" that he might go with him if he chose. Pleased with the -opportunity, "Billy" placed saddles and bridles on two horses, mounted -one himself, and Snyder the other, and off they sped to Monroe. It was -an agreeable trip to "Billy"; the first time in many years, that he had -enjoyed the privilege of seeing the country and snuffing the pure air of -liberty. After this, he rode out frequently with the deputy to various -parts of the county; but his mind was never fully restored. He was -incoherent, and given to unintelligible mutterings. As time wore on, the -people of the town became familiar with "Crazy Billy," and as before -stated everybody knew him. He carried letters, and performed errands for -the county officers, for many years, and up to the date of his last -illness, and his fidelity was proverbial. Nothing could divert him from -the faithful execution of any little mission he undertook. In addition -to his constant mutterings before alluded to, he was a habitual -scribbler. He entered any of the offices in the court house at pleasure, -and invariably sat down and began to scribble. He wrote a fairly good -hand, but there was no intelligence in his writing, or rather no -connected thought. One of his favorite lines was this: "I am a bold boy -in his prime." He would write this as often as a dozen times a day. -Another of his favorite screeds was this: - - "He drew his sword and pistol, - And made them for to rattle, - And the lady held the horse, - While the soldier fought the battle." - -The garb in which "Billy" from day to day appeared, was of the shabby -order, and he paid little heed as a rule to personal cleanliness. His -ablutions were periodical, but when he did indulge in them, they were -thorough. He had a habit of rubbing his head with both hands, and would -sit engaged in this exercise as long as an hour at a time, with great -energy. He never would submit to an interview. He talked much, but -always on the run. If approached by anyone with a purpose of conversing -with him, he invariably walked off muttering in loud tones as he moved -away. He wore a full beard, which in his latter years was quite gray. He -had a small foot and hand, and many marks of intellectuality. After his -death his body lay in state in the court house at Uniontown, and was -viewed by thousands. He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, near -Uniontown, with the rites of the Episcopal Church, under direction of -the late lamented Rev. R. S. Smith. A section of one of the stone -columns of the old Uniontown court house is made to serve as a monument -over his grave. Maj. Jesse B. Gardner of Uniontown, who attended "Billy" -in his last illness, gives the following pathetic narration of his -closing hours. Until the last ebb, he continued to utter the sonorous -and unintelligible mutterings so familiar to those who knew him, but in -the final throe, he turned his eyes upon his attendant and exclaimed: -"Oh, Gardner, if I could only see my mother!" This was not a lucid -interval, in the ordinary meaning of that phrase, but an expiring -thought, a final flash of affection, a wonderful testimonial to the -sweetest of all names, and a most forcible and striking illustration of -the ineffaceable impression made by a mother's care and love, and all -the more, since at no time before, during his long sojourn at Uniontown, -was he ever known to have mentioned his mother, or his father. A poor, -unfortunate lunatic, separated for more than a half century from the -parental roof, a stranger in a strange land, tossed by the billows of a -hard fate, and lying down to die, light flashes upon his long -distempered mind, and his last and only thought is "MOTHER." - -The year 1823 developed one of the most extraordinary examples of grand -larceny that ever occurred on the road, and excited the people all along -the line from Baltimore to the farthest point west. During the early -spring of the year mentioned a merchant whose name was Abraham Boring, -doing business in an Ohio town, took passage in a coach of one of the -regular stage lines for Baltimore to purchase a stock of fresh goods. At -Tomlinson's tavern, west of Cumberland, John Keagy and David Crider, -merchants, of Salisbury, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, took seats in -the same coach that was conveying Boring, destined also for Baltimore, -on a like mission. It required considerable time to reach Baltimore, and -passengers in a stage coach became acquainted, one with another. The -three merchants not only became personally acquainted with each other, -during their long stage ride, but formed strong friendly relations. -Reaching Baltimore they stopped together at the same hotel and talked -over their business, the quality and quantity of goods required by each, -forming the leading topic of their conversation. They went out among the -wholesale stores of the city and bought the goods they desired, the -stock purchased by Mr. Boring being much larger, finer and more varied -than the stock bought by the Somerset county merchants. Upon completing -his purchases, Mr. Boring's first thought was to have his goods safely -shipped upon the best terms obtainable. Messrs. Keagy and Crider kindly -tendered their services to aid him in engaging a trusty wagoner to haul -his goods to Ohio, and introduced one Edward Tissue as the right man for -that purpose. Tissue was engaged, but one wagon bed would not hold all -the goods, and Tissue brought in and introduced another wagoner by the -name of Edward Mitchell, who was engaged to haul the remnant that could -not be handled by Tissue. Mr. Boring having arranged for the -transportation of his goods, said good-bye to his friends Keagy and -Crider, and left for his home in Ohio. His goods, not arriving when due, -he supposed some accident had caused a delay, and that they would be -forthcoming as soon as practicable. But days and weeks passed and Mr. -Boring began to feel uneasy about the long delay, and wrote the -consignors in Baltimore for an explanation. They replied that the goods -had been carefully loaded in the wagons of Tissue and Mitchell, -according to the agreement, and they knew nothing of their destiny -beyond that. Boring then took to the road to find his goods. He went -first to Baltimore and learned that Tissue and Mitchell had left the -city with the goods in their wagons, and proceeded westward. He traced -them as far as Hagerstown, and at that point lost his clue. He proceeded -to Cumberland without tidings of his lost goods. From Cumberland he went -on, making inquiry at every tavern and toll gate, until he reached -Somerfield, but heard nothing of Tissue or his companion, Mitchell. He -put up for the night at a tavern in Somerfield, and while at supper -discovered an important clue. The waiting maid at the table wore a -tortoise shell comb, resembling very much those in a package he had -bought in Baltimore. In polite and delicate terms he inquired of the -girl where she obtained so handsome a comb. She replied, "In a store at -Salisbury." In an instant Mr. Boring recalled his fellow merchants and -recent fellow travelers, Messrs. Keagy and Crider, of Salisbury, but -concluding that they had purchased the same quality of combs in -Baltimore, went to bed, with a purpose of continuing his researches -along the National Road. During the night he changed his purpose, and in -the morning returned to Tomlinson's tavern, and thence directly to -Salisbury. Reaching Salisbury he entered a store, and to his amazement -saw upon the counters and shelves various articles, which he recognized -as belonging to his stock. Investigation disclosed a remarkable example -of criminal conduct. Keagy, Crider, Tissue and Mitchell entered into a -conspiracy to steal Boring's goods. The acquaintance formed in the stage -coach constituted the initial point of the scheme, and Keagy and Crider -found ready confederates in Tissue and Mitchell. There was of course to -be a division of the spoils, but in what proportion never was made -public. The wagoners to avoid identification changed the color of their -wagon beds, and upon reaching Hagerstown diverged from the National Road -and took the country by-ways. The goods were placed at first in a large -barn in the vicinity of Salisbury, and thence carried in small lots to -the store of Keagy & Co. A portion of the goods consisting of fine china -ware, thought to be too expensive for the Salisbury trade, was broken up -and buried under ground. There was a third owner of the Salisbury store -by the name of Markley, who did not accompany his partners on their tour -to raise stock. Boring, after thoroughly satisfying himself that he had -found his goods, proceeded to Somerset and swore out a warrant against -the parties accused. The warrant was placed for execution in the hands -of ---- Philson, the sheriff of Somerset county. Keagy was first -arrested and promptly gave bail for trial, but goaded by the weight of -his offense, soon thereafter committed suicide. Tissue fled the -jurisdiction and was never apprehended. Crider also fled and located in -some of the wilds of that early day in the State of Ohio, where he -married and raised a family, and, it is said, has living descendants to -this day. Markley essayed to flee, but made a failure of it. Giving out -the impression that he had followed in the wake of Tissue and Crider, he -concealed himself in the woods not far from Salisbury, and was supplied -with food by a devoted wife. One Sloan, however, happened to fall upon -his hiding place and he was arrested. Markley owed Sloan a sum of money -and proposed to settle if Sloan would release him from custody. To this -Sloan assented. Markley had no ready money, but owned property and -proffered his note, which Sloan agreed to accept. But no means were at -hand to prepare a note. After canvassing the situation for a while a pen -was made from a stick of wood, ink obtained from stump water, and Sloan -producing a scrap of paper, a note was prepared and duly signed by -Markley for the sum he owed Sloan, and the money subsequently paid by -Markley's wife. Sloan promised Markley that he would not make known his -hiding place, but it leaked out and he was arrested by the sheriff. He -requested permission of the sheriff to go to his house to change his -clothes, which was granted him, and taking advantage of the sheriff's -indulgence, fled to parts unknown. His wife rejoined him in after years -at some point in the West. - -Mention was hereinbefore made of the tragical death of Atwell Holland, -killed by a fugitive slave on the 4th of July, 1845, at an old tavern in -the mountain. In this connection it is proper to state, that fugitive -slaves were frequently captured on the National Road, and returned to -their masters. Capt. Thomas Endsley, an old tavern keeper, mentioned -elsewhere, once had a terrible conflict with three powerful fugitive -slaves, at his barn near Somerfield. Without assistance and against most -determined resistance, he succeeded in capturing two of them and -returning them to their owner or master. The third escaped and became a -free man. Capt. Endsley was himself a slave owner as before stated. He -owned and used slaves when he lived at Frostburg, and also during his -incumbency as landlord at the old Tomlinson tavern, and brought eight -with him when he located at Somerfield in 1824. Like all other old slave -owners, he thought there was no wrong in owning slaves and considered it -a conscientious duty to aid in capturing and returning fugitives. His -sons, however, probably from witnessing the struggles of the slaves to -gain their freedom against the efforts of their father, all grew up to -be abolitionists, and abide in the anti-slavery faith to this day. - -One of the most untiring and devoted friends of escaping slaves, was -William Willey of Somerfield. He was a shoemaker without means, yet it -is said that he secreted, fed and otherwise aided more fugitive slaves -than any other man on the National Road. He is known to have harbored as -many as eight and ten in a single night, in his lowly tenement. He was a -native of Baltimore, and reared a Democrat. Those of his friends who -survive him regard him as a philanthropist, worthy of a granite -monument. The wife of William E. Beall, the well known manager of the -Uniontown steel mill, a most excellent lady, is a daughter of William -Willey, the old friend of the escaping slaves. - -In the year 1829 the postoffice at Somerfield was in the brick house, on -the south side of the street, known as the Irvin house. John Blocher was -postmaster. The old line of coaches, carrying the mail, stopped at the -Endsley House. It was customary for the driver after reaching the tavern -to carry the way mail pouch on his shoulders to the postoffice. One -evening Charley Kemp drove the mail coach in from the west, and upon -going to the office with the mail, found the door locked, and was -unable, after repeated efforts, to gain admittance. Going around to a -window, he looked through the glass into the office, and was horrified -by seeing Blocher, the postmaster, lying on the floor, weltering in -blood, and forcing his way into the room discovered that his throat was -cut. Dr. Frey was summoned, and applied agencies first to arrest the -flow of blood, and then sewed up the gash, and to the surprise of all, -the man recovered and lived for many years thereafter. - -In 1834 John Waters, a cattle drover of Ohio, fell sick at Frazer's -tavern, in Somerfield, and languished for many weeks. His mind becoming -affected by reason of his severe bodily suffering, he rose from his bed -one evening when alone, opened his pocketbook and tore into small -fragments a number of good bank notes of the aggregate value of $800. He -then deliberately cut his throat. When discovered he was lying on his -back on the floor, and small pieces of bank notes were seen floating in -blood all around his body. Dr. Frey was summoned on this occasion also, -and under his treatment the much dejected old drover was restored, and -afterward took many droves of cattle over the road to Baltimore. The -fragments of notes were gathered up, carefully cleaned, dried and fitted -together with mucilage, so that the loss of money was inconsiderable. - -Some time during the year 1840 or '41 a rather tall and cadaverous -looking individual, presenting the appearance of a man on a protracted -spree, was observed coming down the hill into Somerfield from the east, -walking and leading a beautiful bay horse, equipped with a handsome -saddle and bridle. The quaint looking and quaint moving stranger halted -to converse with a cluster of boys, who were sitting on the pavement in -front of Endsley's tavern, near the stone bridge at the Big Crossings. -He told the boys so many amusing stories, that they reckoned him to be -the clown of a coming circus. That man was Tom Marshall, one of the -brightest of Kentucky's many bright sons, a brilliant lawyer, orator and -statesman, who carried off the palm in every intellectual combat he ever -engaged in save one, and that was when he locked horns with Henry Clay. -The horse led by Marshall was a favorite animal which he kept and used -in Washington, while attending the sittings of Congress. He frequently -passed over the road in the manner described, and often tarried several -days and nights in Uniontown. Many of the surviving pike boys remember -Marshall with distinctness. - - - - -CHAPTER XLVI. - - _The Arrest, Trial, Conviction and Sentence of Dr. John F. Braddee, - the Notorious Mail Robber--George Plitt makes the Information--Bill - Corman turns on his Chief--Braddee gives Bail--His - Bondsmen--Strayer and Purnell--The Witnesses--The Indictment--The - Jury--The Verdict--The Defendant Dies in the Penitentiary._ - - -There is no doubt that Dr. John F. Braddee was the most notorious -individual that ever lived in Uniontown. The exact date of his advent to -that place seems to be unascertainable, but it was more than fifty years -ago. The culmination of his remarkable career occurred in 1841. Of his -early life but little is accurately known. It is certain that he came to -Uniontown from Virginia. Tradition has it that he was born in Kentucky. -The story goes that when quite a youth he engaged himself as a stable -boy, in the service of a gentleman who dealt in horses in the town of -Paris, State of Kentucky. His employer was accustomed to drive horses to -the eastern market for sale, and on one of these occasions young Braddee -was taken along as an assistant. The horses were driven over what was -called the "North Western Pike of Virginia." At some point on this old -road Braddee fell sick and was left behind. Alter his recovery he made -his way to Uniontown, stopping for a while in, or about Morgantown. -Notwithstanding his robust appearance, which will be remembered by his -old acquaintances, it is said that when a boy he was delicate and -inclined to consumption. This is the story, whether true or not is -immaterial in view of his subsequent history. When he reached Uniontown, -he was not known to be the owner of a single dollar, that he might call -his own. Without education or professional training, he announced -himself a physician, and commenced the practice of medicine. His success -was remarkable. He had a commanding personal appearance, a good address, -and by these means alone impressed himself upon the confidence of the -common mind. He gathered around himself a large circle of friends and -admirers, some of doubtful, but not a few of unquestioned reputation. -His fame as a doctor extended far and wide, patients flocked to consult -him from all points. Many came hundreds of miles. Fifty horses have been -seen hitched around his office at one time. - -He possessed and cultivated a fondness for fast horses, probably the -result of his early education in the stable at Paris, Kentucky. He -always kept a number of race horses in training for the turf, and often -matched them against others on the race course. In this line his success -was varying, sometimes he won and as often lost, but losses did not -diminish his love for the race course. The accumulations received from -his large practice of medicine, and his winnings on the race course did -not satisfy his greed for gain, and he conceived and carried into -execution an extraordinary scheme for increasing his gains. It was -nothing less than a carefully organized plan to rob the United States -mail. His success as a physician had enabled him to acquire property, -and he had not been living in Uniontown long until he possessed himself -of one of the most handsome and valuable properties in the place, viz: -the property known as the "Old National House," on Morgantown street. He -bought this property from Hon. Thomas Irwin, who afterwards sat as one -of his Judges in the famous trial to be hereafter mentioned. When -Braddee bought this property, it contained only a single building, the -three story brick on the southern side of the lot. He added the wing to -the north, and here he established his headquarters, carrying on his -business, professional and unprofessional, with a high hand. His office -was convenient, in fact immediately adjoining Stockton's stage yard and -coach factory. Into this stage yard, coaches were driven every day. -Stockton had the contract for carrying the mails. The old pike was in -full blast then, and as many as thirty coaches were driven along it both -ways every day. Among the coaches carrying the great and lesser mails, -one William Corman was a driver, and Braddee cultivated his acquaintance -and secured his confidence. He assured him that money could be made -easily by rifling the mail bags, and promised Corman that if he would -hand him the bags, he would "go through them" and divide profits with -him. Corman consented. It was of course soon discovered that the mails -were tampered with, and United States detectives were set upon the -tracks of the offenders. They were not long in ascertaining the guilty -parties. Corman was arrested and told the whole story. Braddee had other -accomplices, viz: P. Mills Strayer, and Dr. Wm. Purnell. Strayer was a -saddler, who carried on a shop in Uniontown, and died only a few years -ago. Purnell was a sort of body servant of Braddee, and for many years -after Braddee's death peddled Braddee's medicine through Fayette and -adjoining counties. Braddee was arrested on information made by Wm. -Corman, and his arrest caused more excitement than any event that ever -transpired in Uniontown. - - - THE INFORMATION. - -_Pennsylvania, Fayette County, ss_: - -George Plitt, agent of the P. O. Department, being duly sworn, says that -the United States mail from Wheeling, Virginia, to New York, traveling -on the National Road, has been stolen, to-wit: The mails made up at -Wheeling on the 13th, 19th, 23d and 29th of November, 1840, and on the -5th, 12th and 18th of December, 1840, and that he has reason to suspect -and does suspect and believe that Wm. Corman, who on those days drove -the mail stage containing said mail from Washington to Uniontown, -Pennsylvania, is guilty, with others of stealing said mails. - - GEO. PLITT, _Agt. P.O. Dept._ - -Sworn and subscribed this 6th day of January, A. D. 1841, before me. - - N. EWING, - _Prest. Judge 14th Judicial District, Pennsylvania_. - -Same day warrant issued, directed to the Sheriff of Washington county, -and to all other Sheriffs and Constables within the Fourteenth Judicial -District. - - * * * * * - -George Plitt, agent of the P. O. Department, being duly sworn, says that -the United States Mails from Wheeling, Virginia, to New York, traveling -on the National Road, has been stolen, to-wit: The mails made up at -Wheeling on the 13th, 19th, 23d and 29th of November, 1840, and on the -5th, 12th, and 18th of December, 1840, and that he has reason to -suspect, and does suspect and believe that John F. Braddee, William -Purnell, and Peter Mills Strayer, with others, are guilty of stealing -the mails. - - GEO. PLITT, _Agt. P.O. Dept._ - -Sworn and subscribed this 7th day of January, A. D. 1841, before - - N. EWING, - _Prest. Judge 14th Judicial District, Pennsylvania_. - -Same day warrant issued to George Meason, Esq., Sheriff of Fayette -county, and to all constables. - - * * * * * - -_The United States of America vs. John F. Braddee, William Purnell, et -al._ - -William Corman, being duly sworn, says that more than one year ago John -F. Braddee repeatedly urged him to let him, the said Braddee, have some -of the mail bags from the mail coach, and that he would divide the money -taken from them with said Corman. Said Braddee said he had frequently -known such things done, and that lots of money had thus been made, and -it had never been detected. While said Corman was driving the mail coach -between Smithfield and Uniontown last winter, the said Braddee sent -Peter Mills Strayer frequently in a sleigh after him to get a mail bag -containing a mail--that at length he, said Strayer, took one from the -coach, which was then on runners, while he, the said Corman, was -watering at Snyder's, east of the Laurel Hill. That Braddee afterwards -told him that there was nothing in it. - -That he knows of no other mail being taken until within about two months -past, when he, the said Corman, was driving between Uniontown and -Washington, and when at the instance and after repeated and urgent -requests of said Braddee he commenced leaving a mail pouch or bag in the -stage coach, when the coaches were changed at Uniontown, and continued -to do so at intervals of (say) a week, ten days or two weeks, until -within a week or ten days before Christmas. That the said mail bags were -taken from the coach by said Braddee or some one under his direction. -That Braddee after the taking of said mails would sometimes say there -was nothing in them, and again that others had but little money in them. -One he said had but fifteen dollars. The last but one gotten, as before -stated, he said had a large amount of money in it, but he was going to -keep it secretly--bury it until the fuss was over. That said Braddee -said he had a secret place out of doors where he could hide the mail -bags so that they could not be found. That said Braddee from time to -time gave him three dollars or five dollars as he asked for it, and once -ten dollars; and loaned him forty dollars when his (Corman's) wife was -going away. That William Purnell several times after a mail bag had been -taken, would take him, said Corman, aside and whisper to him that the -bag had nothing in it. That on the day before yesterday he was several -times at said Braddee's house and Braddee wished him to leave a mail bag -in the coach for him when he, said Corman, should return from Washington -last night. That said Braddee very often wished him to leave a mail bag -when he did not. That he, Braddee, requested him to leave the large mail -bag in the coach for him, but he never did do it. - - WILLIAM CORMAN. - -Sworn and subscribed this 8th day of January, A. D. 1841, before me - - N. EWING, - _Pres. Judge of the 14th Jud. Dist., Pa._ - - -Dr. Howard Kennedy also made a preliminary affidavit, which is given in -a previous chapter. - - WARRANT OF ARREST. - - _The United States of America to George Meason, Esq., High Sheriff of - Fayette County, Pa., and to all Constables of said County_: - -WHEREAS, John F. Braddee, William Purnell and Peter Mills Strayer have -been charged before me, the President Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial -District in the said State, on the oath of George Plitt, an agent of the -Post Office Department, with stealing the United States mails from -Wheeling to New York, these are therefore to command you, and each of -you, to take the said John F. Braddee, William Purnell and Peter Mills -Strayer, and bring them before me, or some other Magistrate having -jurisdiction, to be dealt with according to law. - -Witness the hand and seal of the said N. Ewing, President Judge as -aforesaid, at Uniontown, the 7th day of January, A. D. 1841. - - N. EWING, [SEAL.] - _Pres. Judge of the 14th Jud. Dist., Pa._ - - * * * * * - -_Pennsylvania, Fayette County, ss_: - -The examination of Dr. John F. Braddee, of the borough of Uniontown, -Fayette county, Pa., taken before me, N. Ewing, President Judge of the -Fourteenth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, the 8th day of January, A. -D. 1841. - -The said John F. Braddee being brought before me by virtue of a warrant -issued by me, on suspicion of stealing the United States Mails from -Wheeling, Va., to New York, made up at Wheeling on the 13th, 19th, 23d -and 29th days of November, 1840; and on the 5th, 12th and 18th days of -December, 1840, says: I know nothing about the alleged stealing of the -mails. - - his - JOHN F. x BRADDEE, - mark. - - Taken and subscribed before me, - N. EWING, - January 8, 1841. _Pres. Judge 14th Jud. Dist. of Pa._ - - * * * * * - -_Pennsylvania, Fayette County, ss_: - -The examination of Peter Mills Strayer, of the borough of Uniontown, -Fayette county. Pa., taken before me, N. Ewing, President Judge of the -Fourteenth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, on the 8th day of January, -A. D. 1841. - -The said Peter Mills Strayer being brought before me by virtue of a -warrant issued by me, on suspicion of stealing the United States Mails -from Wheeling, Va., to New York, made up at Wheeling on the 13th, 19th, -23d and 29th days of November, and on the 5th, 12th, and 18th days of -December, 1840, says: I know nothing about the mail bags or the stealing -of the mails. - - P. M. STRAYER. - - Taken and subscribed before me, - N. EWING, - _Pres. Judge 14th Dist. of Pa._ - January 8, 1841. - - * * * * * - -_The United Stales of America, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, ss_: - -The United States of America vs. John F. Braddee. January 8, 1841, -ordered that John F. Braddee enter into security himself in fifty -thousand dollars, and two sufficient sureties in $25,000 each. Prisoner -remanded until Monday, the 11th instant, at 10 o'clock A. M., to afford -time to procure bail. - -The same vs. Peter Mills Strayer, January 8th, 1841, ordered that Peter -Mills Strayer enter into security himself in $15,000, and two sufficient -sureties in $7,500 each. Prisoner remanded until Monday, the 11th -instant, at 10 o'clock, to afford time to procure bail. - -The same vs. William Purnell. January 8th, 1841. Ordered that William -Purnell enter into security himself in $10,000, and two sufficient -sureties in $5,000 each. Prisoner remanded as above, etc. - -January 11, 1841. Monday, 10 o'clock, A.M. Prisoners ordered before the -Judge. Prisoners say they are not provided with bail and ask further -time, until say three o'clock P.M. Three o'clock, P.M., no bail being -offered the defendants are committed to the custody of the Marshal of -the Western District of Pennsylvania. - - N. EWING, - _Pres. Judge, 14th Jud. Dist., Pa_. - - - MITTIMUS. - -_The United States of America, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, ss_: - -The United States of America to the Marshal of the Western District of -Pennsylvania, Greeting: WHEREAS, John F. Braddee, of the borough of -Uniontown, in the County aforesaid, hath been brought before the Hon. -Nathaniel Ewing, President Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District of -Pennsylvania, by virtue of the warrant of the Hon. Nathaniel Ewing, -President Judge as aforesaid, charged upon the solemn oath of George -Plitt, agent of the General Post Office department, with stealing the -United States mails made up at Wheeling, Virginia, for New York, on the -13th, 19th, 23d and 29th days of November, 1840--and on the 5th, 12th -and 18th days of December, 1840. - -These are therefore to command you the said Marshall to receive the said -John P. Braddee, and keep him in safe custody until he be delivered by -due course of law. Hereof fail not. - -Witness the Hon. Nathaniel Ewing, President Judge as aforesaid, at -Uniontown, the eleventh day of January, Anno Domini 1841. - - N. EWING, - _Pres. Judge of the 14th Jud. Dist., Pa_. - - * * * * * - - _The United States of America vs. John F. Braddee, William Purnell, - Peter Mills Strayer and William Corman, charged on oath of several - robberies of the U. S. Mail._ - - -George Meason tent in $1,000; William Crawford tent in $1,000; William -Freeman tent in $1,000; James McCune tent in $1,000. - -On this condition, that the said George Meason, William Crawford, -William Freeman and James McCune shall be and appear at the next Circuit -Court of the United States, to be held for the Western District of -Pennsylvania on the third Monday of May next, and give testimony in ---- -of the said United States against the said John F. Braddee, William -Purnell, Peter Mills Strayer and William Corman, and not depart the -court without leave, otherwise the recognizance to be in full force and -virtue. - - GEO. MEASON, [SEAL.] - WM. CRAWFORD, [SEAL.] - JAS. McCUNE, [SEAL.] - WM. FREEMAN. [SEAL.] - - Taken and acknowledged this 13th day of January, A. D. 1841. _Coram_, - - T. IRWIN, - _Dist. Judge of the U. S., Western Dist. of Pa_. - - - U. S. COMMITMENT. - -_United States of America, Western District of Pennsylvania, ss_: - -The United States of America to the Marshal of the Western District of -Pennsylvania and his deputies, to any constable of the County of -Allegheny, and to the jailer of said County of Allegheny, Greeting: - -WHEREAS, John F. Braddee, William Purnell and Peter Mills Strayer are -now brought before me, the Hon. Thomas Irwin, Esquire, Judge of the -District Court of the United States for the Western District of -Pennsylvania, charged on the oath of George Plitt, William Corman and -others, with stealing the United States mail made up at Wheeling on the -13th, 19th, 23d and 29th days of November, A.D. 1840, and on the 5th, -12th and 18th days of December, 1840. These are therefore to command -you, the said marshal, constable or jailer, or either of you, to convey -the said John F. Braddee, William Purnell and Peter Mills Strayer to the -said jailer of Allegheny county, and you, the said jailer, are hereby -commanded to receive and keep safely the said John F. Braddee, William -Purnell and Peter Mills Strayer in your jail until they thence be -discharged by due course of law. For so doing this shall be your -warrant. - -In testimony whereof the said Hon. Thomas Irwin, Esq., has hereunto set -his hand and seal, this 13th day of January, A. D. 1841. - - (Signed) - TH. IRWIN, [SEAL.] - _District Judge, U. S._ - - * * * * * - - PITTSBURG, PENNA., 25th of Jan'y, 1841. - -Howard Kennedy, special agent of the Post Office Department, in addition -to the testimony given by him before His Honor Judge Ewing, in the case -of the United States against Braddee, Purnell, Strayer and Corman, -relative to the probable loss of money, drafts, &c., in the stolen -mails, further deposes, that since that time he has received reports -from various persons and places in the West of letters mailed at dates -which would have by due course of mail been in the bags stolen, -containing bank notes, scrip, certificates, drafts and checks, amounting -to one hundred and two thousand dollars and upwards; that every mail -brings him additional reports of losses, and that he believes the -amounts reported will not constitute more than one-half of what has been -lost in the mails between the 16th of Nov., and the 18th of Dec., 1840, -on the route from Wheeling to New York. - - HOWARD KENNEDY, - _Special Agent P. O. Dep't._ - - Sworn and subscribed before me the 25th January, 1841. - - T. IRWIN, - _District Judge_. - - - PETITIONS FOR HABEAS CORPUS. - - _To the Hon. Thomas Irwin, Judge of the United States Court of the - Western District of Pennsylvania_: - -The petition of William Purnell respectfully represents that your -petitioner is now confined in the jail of Allegheny county, in obedience -to a warrant of commitment, a true copy of which is prefixed to this -petition. Your petitioner humbly prays your Honor to award a _habeas -corpus_, that he may be bailed by sufficient sureties, according to the -first article and ninth section of the Constitution of the United -States, January 29, 1819. - - WILLIAM PURNELL. - - - _To the Hon. Thomas Irwin, Judge of the Court of the United States for - the Western District of Pennsylvania_: - -The petition of Doctor John F. Braddee respectfully represents that your -petitioner is now confined in the jail of Allegheny county, in obedience -to a warrant of commitment, a true copy of which is prefixed to this -petition. - -Your petitioner humbly prays your Honor to award a _habeas corpus_, that -he may be bailed by sufficient sureties, according to the first article -and ninth section of the Constitution of the United States. - -The United States _vs_. John F. Braddee. - - his - JOHN F. x BRADDEE. - mark. - -Petition for _habeas corpus_ granted, and issued January 28, 1841. - -The same _vs._ Wm. Purnell, _alias_ William Purnell, January 29, 1841. - - * * * * * - -_United States vs. Braddee._ - -Let a _habeas corpus_ issue in this case according to the prayer of the -petitioner, returnable forthwith. - - THOMAS IRWIN, - _District Judge_. - - E. J. ROBERTS, Esq., _Clerk_. - January 26, 1841. - -_United States vs. Purnell._ - -Let a _habeas corpus_ issue in this case according to the prayer of the -petitioner, returnable forthwith. - - THOMAS IRWIN, - _District Judge, Western District of Pennsylvania_. - - E. J. ROBERTS, ESQ., _Cl'k D. Court_. - - - THE WRIT AND JAILER'S RETURN. - -_Western District of Pennsylvania, ss_: - -The President of the United States to the Marshal of said District, and -the jailer of Allegheny county, greeting: - -We command you the body of John F. Braddee in your custody, under safe -and secure conduct before the Hon. Thomas Irwin, Judge of our District -Court, at his chambers in the city of Pittsburgh, together with the day -and cause of his said caption and detention, forthwith then and there to -be subject to whatsoever our said Judge shall consider in that behalf, -and have you then there this writ. - -Witness the Hon. Thomas Irwin, Judge of the United States for said -District, at Pittsburg, the twenty-eighth day of January, A. D. eighteen -hundred and forty-one. - - E. J. ROBERTS, _Clerk_. - -The body of the above named John F. Braddee I have brought before your -Honor, together with day and cause of his being detained, in obedience -to the writ. - -So answers Jas. McCune, jailer of Allegheny county. - -To the Hon. Thomas Irwin. - - - BOND AND BONDSMEN. - - _The U. S. vs. John F. Braddee, Application to be admitted to bail, - Jan. 28, 1841._ - -The following named persons being sworn, depose, That they are worth -severally as follows: Hugh Graham, $20,000; Benjamin Brownfield, -$18,000; Isaac Hague, $5,000; Henry Smith, $5,000; R. Laughlin, $4,000; -Emanuel Brown, $3,500; B. Brown, $3,000; D. S. Diamond, $1,000; Thomas -Moxley, $2,000; Michael Franks, $2,000; Abraham White, $800; Jacob -Humbert, $200; Peter Humbert, $1,000; Andrew McClelland, $3,000. -_Coram_, - - T. IRWIN. - -These amounts were taken from the property lists in the Commissioners -Office of Fayette county, Pa. Abraham Brown, $3,400; Benjamin Brown, -$4,050; Emanuel Brown, $2,925; Benjamin Brownfield, $6,869; Michael -Franks, $1,400; Henry Smith, $2,272; Andrew McClelland, $1,170; Peter -Humbert, $1,200; Isaac Hague, $3,170; Isaac Brown, $3,552; *Hugh Graham, -$3,868; Samuel Hatfield, $4,500; Thomas Moxley, $2,000; *David Chipps, -$200. Names marked with a star, are already security for Hugh Keys, -Canal Commissioner, with Wm. Searight, for $50,000, and also on the bond -of Thompson McKean, late Road Commissioner, for a large amount. - - - POINTS RAISED BEFORE THE COMMITTING MAGISTRATE: - -Quere.--Can bail be given on any other species of property than real -estate? - -Quere.--Are not these persons indemnified? If so, how? Would it be -policy to recognize them as witnesses on the part of the United States? - -Quere.--The order is that two sureties in $25,000 each should be -furnished--will any other members be taken? - - * * * * * - -_The United States vs. John F. Braddee._ - -In the Circuit and District Courts of the United States, for the Western -District of Pennsylvania, charged with the larceny of the U. S. mail or -mails and stealing therefrom. Hugh Graham, Benjamin Brownfield, Isaac -Hague, Henry Smith, Robert Laughlin, Emanuel Brown, Daniel Diamond, -Thomas Moxley, Michael Franks, Abraham White, Jacob Humbert, Peter -Humbert, Andrew McClelland, Lewis Williams, James McLean, David Chipps, -James Douglass, John Hague, Abraham Brown, Daniel Franks, John -McClelland and William Hague acknowledge themselves to be held and -firmly bound unto the United States in the sum of sixty thousand dollars -each, lawful money of the United States, to be levied of your goods and -chattels, lauds and tenements, upon condition that the said John F. -Braddee be and appear at a session of the Circuit Court of the United -States to be held at the city of Pittsburg the third Monday in May next, -to answer the said charges, and such other matters as shall then and -there be preferred against him, and that he shall not depart the court -without leave. Taken and acknowledged. _Coram_. - - T. IRWIN, - _District Judge._ - January 28, 1841. - - - THE INDICTMENT. - -In the Circuit Court of the United States of America, holden in and for -the Western District of Pennsylvania, at May sessions, in the year of -our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one. Western District of -Pennsylvania, to-wit: - -The grand inquest of the United States of America, inquiring for the -Western District of Pennsylvania, upon their oaths and affirmations -respectively do present and say: That John F. Braddee, late of said -Western District of Pennsylvania, a practitioner of medicine, did on the -twenty-fifth day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and forty, at -Uniontown, in the said Western District of Pennsylvania, procure, -advise and assist Peter Mills Strayer to steal, take and carry away the -mail of the United States of America, then in progress of transmission -from the postoffice in Washington City, in the District of Columbia, to -the postoffice at Wheeling, in the Western District of Virginia, -contrary to the form of the act of Congress of the United States, in -such case made and provided, and against the peace, government and -dignity of the United States. - - C. DARRAGH, - _U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania_. - -True bill--JAMES RIDDLE, Foreman. - - * * * * * - -May 24th, 1841.--The Grand Jury came into court and presented a bill of -indictment against Wm. Purnell for stealing a letter from the mail and -other offenses. Same day John F. Braddee by his bail, Hugh Graham, is -surrendered into Court and Hugh Graham discharged from his recognizance. -Same day, on the motion of Mr. Austin, and affidavit of John M. Austin, -filed, habeas corpus ad satisfaciendum, issued to the jailor and Sheriff -of Fayette county for the body of William Collins. United States vs. -John F. Braddee, No. 3 of May Term, 1841. Stealing from the United -States mails. And now, to-wit: May 25th, 1841, a jury being called came, -to-wit: George Fortune, William Plummer, Samuel Cooper, William Raymond, -Edward A. Reynolds, Arnold Eichbaum, James Stewart, John Clemens, Joseph -Alexander, Thomas F. Mitchell, Thomas S. Cunningham and Samuel A. -Roberts, twelve good and lawful men, duly sworn, summoned and balloted -for, and sworn and affirmed, do say on their oaths and affirmations that -the defendant is guilty on the first, second and fourth counts in the -indictment, and not guilty on the third count. Verdict given on the 4th -day of June, 1841. The jury was polled at the instance of defendant's -counsel. - - - EXCEPTIONS. - -The Court referred to the trial of Robinson, which had taken place at -the present term, and in which some of the jurors now empanneled had -rendered a verdict of guilty. It was not pretended that this trial had -the remotest connection with the mail robbery at Uniontown, or that the -case of Robinson involved any principle of evidence, or consideration as -to the credibility of witnesses, analogous to the case under -consideration; yet the Court asked the jury to reflect how it would -look, out of doors, after the conviction of a poor friendless boy like -Robinson, to acquit such a prisoner as was then on trial; that it might -countenance the reproach which had been cast upon the law of permitting -big fish to escape while little ones were caught, and that the Court -would be deeply mortified at such an appearance. These remarks, which -could afford no possible grounds for salutary reflection, were -calculated to make the jury forget their oaths; to lead them away from -a conscientious and fearless examination of the testimony to -calculations upon the probable opinions of others, founded not upon oath -or upon a full hearing of the testimony. This, too, in a case where it -had been made to appear that the most infamous attempts were resorted to -for the purpose of inflaming the public mind by falsehoods through the -press. The jury to reflect that if they took a course unpopular at the -moment, the whole odium must rest upon them, and that their characters, -motives and conduct would be placed in striking contrast with the more -popular tone of the Court. - -2. That the Court whilst forbearing altogether to notice, or noticing -very slightly, the considerations which took all weight from the -testimony of Corman and Strayer (witnesses for the prosecution), told -the jury it would be a farce to pay any attention to the testimony of -Collins and Owens, witnesses for the accused, although the latter stood -infinitely fairer before the jury, and had no such powerful inducements -as Corman and Strayer to give false testimony. - -3. The offense, if any, established against the prisoner, was that of -taking the mail with the consent of the person having charge thereof. -Yet the Court declined to give the prisoner the benefit of this -discrimination. - -4. The charge of the Court that the testimony of Turk, as to the -non-arrival of the mail at New York, derived from the register, was -sufficient, without the production of the register or any copy thereof, -or extract therefrom. - - * * * * * - -United States _vs._ Braddee. Reasons in arrest of judgment. - -1. The indictment did not pursue the language of the Act of Congress, -but mingles together words which in the act are intended to describe -different offences. The accused is consequently not apprised of the -clause under which he is indicted, and the especial character of the -offence which he must prepare himself to meet. These crimes being -statutory, must turn altogether on the language of the Act of Congress. -Suppose the same count had charged the accused with robbing, stealing -and taking? - -The indictment does not allege that the mail stolen or taken contained -any valuable thing. - -Overruled. - - - THE SENTENCE. - -United States vs. John F. Braddee. May sessions, 1841. Sentence on the -first count of the indictment: That you, John F. Braddee, be imprisoned -in the Western Penitentiary of Pennsylvania, at hard labor, for and -during the term of ten years, and in all respects be subject to the same -discipline and treatment as convicts sentenced by the Courts of the -State; and that you pay the costs of this prosecution, and stand -committed until this sentence be complied with. And while so confined -therein you shall be exclusively under the constraint of the officers -having charge of said Penitentiary. - - - DOCKET ENTRIES. - -May 27th, 1841.--Test. for United States: J. H. Phillips, J. H. Dicus, -Henry H. Beeson, Frederick Byrer, John Keffer, Samuel McLean, Peter -Mills Strayer, Amos Jolliff, Samuel Costello, William Wagner. May -28th--Test. for Defendant: John Warner, Thomas Moxley, Adam George, John -Hendricks, Uriah Hoke, Aaron Wyatt, James McLean, James Smith, Jacob F. -Brant, Robert Carr, Thomas Rowland, Abraham White, Isaac Hague, Jacob -Eckel, Decatur Wolfe. May 29th--Test. for Defendant: John Haney, William -Collins, Francis Wilkinson, Jesse King, H. Mitchell, David Chipps, Wm. -D. Swearingen, Henry Hally, Margaret Collins, William Purnell, John -Imbre, John Campbell, John M. Crane, Alfred Core, Seth Holl, John -Woodward, Henry Smith, Matthias C. Baker, James Marinder, Madison -Mooney, James Owens. May 31st--Test. for Defendant: Jesse Jones, Wm. -Hall, T. Shaw, William Ebert, Gideon John, Alexander I. Fowler, John F. -Sangston, Benjamin Brownfield. June 1st--Test. for United States: Brown -Snyder, George Meason, Robert L. Barry, John Keffer, Alfred McClelland, -Ellis Baily, Isaac Nixon, William Nixon, Samuel Nixon, Geo. Rider, J. T. -Williams, Jas. McGayen, Wm. Reddick. - -June 1. Court took a recess for half an hour. Mr. Black (Col. S. W.), on -behalf of the United States, addressed the Court and jury. Mr. William -Austin, for defence, addressed the Court and jury. Mr. Darragh, district -attorney, addressed the Court and jury. June 2. Mr. Darragh continued -and concluded his address. Mr. McCandless, for defense, addressed the -Court and jury; Court took a recess for half an hour. Mr. McCandless -continued and concluded his address. Mr. Biddle, for the defense, -commenced his address to the Court and jury. June 8. Mr. Biddle -continued and concluded his address. Mr. Loomis, on behalf of the United -States, commenced his address to the Court and jury. The jury, having -been charged by Judge Baldwin, retired. Same day rendered a verdict as -before mentioned. Mr. McCandless moved the Court in arrest of judgment -and for a new trial. - -June 5. Affidavits as to the ownership of a portion of the money in the -hands of Messrs. Darragh and Kennedy filed. Mr. Finley for Edward H. -Brags, moves to take the money out of Court found in the mail stolen, -and identified by the affidavits filed. Same gentleman makes the same -motion for John J. Young. Both motions referred by the Court to Messrs. -Darragh and Kennedy as auditors. Amos Jolliff discharged from his -recognizance to attend as a witness. The following report was made to -the Court by Messrs. Darragh and Kennedy viz: Pittsburg, June 5, 1841. -The undersigned beg leave to report that they have paid out on -affidavits to individuals claiming, or their order, the following sums -from the money recovered on the premises of John F. Braddee: E. H. -Pandell, $250; Timothy Goodman, $1,060; Silas D. Force, $100; James -Sproul, $690; H. S. Abbott, $647.10; Sibbett & Jones, $1,127; Haney St. -John, $1,455; B. S. Williams, $30; G. G. Moore, $170; A. H. Bangs, -$934.90; John S. Young, $190; Chas. S. Bradford, $300; in all $7,154.60. -Whole amount recovered, $10,398.60, leaving $3,244 undistributed. -Report of auditors confirmed, and claimants who have been paid are -directed to give receipts, and the balance unclaimed be deposited in the -Bank of Pittsburg to abide the further order of the Court. - -United States vs. William Purnell. Wm. Freeman, James McCune, O. T. -Moore, H. H. Turk, A. McClelland and William Crawford each bound in a -recognizance of $500 to appear at the next term of the Circuit Court of -the United States for the Western District of Pennsylvania, on the 3d -Monday of November next, to testify in the above case. J. M. Austin -moves the Court to direct the Marshal to pay the witnesses subp[oe]naed -on the part of the defendant in the case of the United States _vs._ John -F. Braddee. Court refused, and ordered that the expenses of compulsory -process be paid to the officers by the United States. - -United States _vs._ William Purnell. Defendant tent in $4,000 on -condition that he be and appear at the next term of the Circuit Court of -the United States, to be held in the city of Pittsburg, on the first -Monday of November, next. James L. Bugh, Benjamin Watson and John -Hendricks each tent in $1,000 on condition that defendant be and appear -as aforesaid. - -June 7. The Court overruled the motion for a new trial in the case of -the United States _vs_. Braddee, and also a motion by John M. Austin, -esq., to postpone sentence, and the Court sentenced the defendant as -before mentioned. - -November 16, 1841. The United States vs. Margaret Collins. Stealing from -the United States mails. Witnesses sworn before the grand jury: E. S. -Harris, Johnze Dicus, A. McClelland, D. H. Phillips, William Ebert, John -P. Sturgis, Henry H. Beeson, Abraham Alexander and Dr. Howard Kennedy. - -Same _vs._ Same. Charged with receiving a $500 Treasury note, stolen -from the mail, knowing the same to have been stolen. - -November 17. Recognizance of William Purnell and his sureties called and -forfeited, and the witnesses in this case discharged from their -recognizances. The grand jury came into Court and presented true bills -of indictment against Margaret Collins. - -November 22. Defendant pleads not guilty. Tried and jury could not -agree, and were discharged. Margaret Collins was Braddee's -mother-in-law. Purnell and Corman were pardoned by the President before -trial. - - * * * * * - -Thus ended the great Braddee trial; an affair that caused more -excitement than any local event that ever interested the people of -Uniontown. The actors are all dead. Judges Baldwin and Irwin, who heard -the cause, are both dead. All the lawyers who were concerned are dead; -some of the witnesses are still living. The bondsmen are all dead. -Braddee died in the penitentiary about ten years after his -incarceration. Many persons believe that he did not die in the -penitentiary, but in some manner escaped therefrom. There can be no -doubt, however, that he died in the penitentiary. - -[Illustration: THE GERMAN D. HAIR HOUSE.] - - - - -CHAPTER XLVII. - - _John Quincy Adams visits Uniontown--He is Welcomed by Dr. Hugh - Campbell--The National Road a Monument of a Past Age--A Comparison - Between the National Road and the Appian Way._ - - - "We hear no more of the clanging hoof, - And the stage coach, rattling by; - For the steam king rules the traveled world, - And the old pike's left to die." - -The foregoing lines were written by one who mourned the departing -glories of the old road. When they were written the steam car had taken -the place of the four-horse coach, and the writer was giving vent to his -grief over the change. Steam has since encountered a formidable -competitor in the shape of electricity, and the time is coming when the -steam car will follow in the wake of the old stage coach. Progress is -the inspiring watchword of the hour, and while there may be nothing new -under the sun, old things are certainly presented in a new light, and -old agencies applied to new work. - -No sound greets the ear of the pike boy now, like the clink of other -days. The glory of the old road has departed, but the memory of its -better days fades not away. The old tavern has gone with all the rest. -The incidents and anecdotes, accidents and episodes of the road have all -passed to the domain of history. - -In the month of May, 1837, John Quincy Adams visited Uniontown, on his -return from Cincinnati, where he had gone to participate in the -inauguration of the observatory on Mount Adams, near that city. Dr. Hugh -Campbell was appointed to deliver the address of welcome to Mr. Adams on -his arrival at Uniontown. The following opening sentences are quoted -from Dr. Campbell's address: - -"_Venerable Sir_: I have the honor of being the organ of this community -to express for them and myself our hearty welcome of you among us. You -see here, sir, an assembly of people of every political faith, come -together spontaneously as one man to express their respect and -veneration for one who has filled so large and distinguished, and I may -add, beneficial space in the history and councils of this nation. We -stand here, sir, upon the CUMBERLAND ROAD, which has, to some extent, -broken down the great wall of the Appallachian mountains, which served -to form so natural a barrier between what might have been two great -rival nations. This road constitutes we trust, an indissoluble chain of -Union, connecting forever as one, the East and the West. As a people -directly interested in this great national work, we are glad to have the -opportunity of expressing our acknowledgments to you in person. It is a -part of that great system which has always received your support, known -as the American System, the happy influence of which you have recently -had the pleasure of witnessing in the rapid and extraordinary -development of the resources of the West." - -Dr. Campbell proceeded at some length in a well conceived and happily -expressed address, and concluded as follows: - -"Again, sir, I bid you welcome to the hospitalities of our town, and may -the God of all grace prolong your existence, and finally receive you to -himself." - -It is noteworthy, because out of the ordinary line, that two of the -ablest debaters and most popular public speakers of Western -Pennsylvania, fifty years ago, were physicians--Dr. F. J. Lemoyne, of -Washington, and Dr. Hugh Campbell, of Uniontown, the first named an -Abolitionist and the other a Whig. Those who have heard them on the -stump aver that they never heard better speakers. They were both highly -educated, masters of logic, forceful in delivery, and in the modern -phrase, "clean cut" in all their utterances. - -In the latest map of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, there is a sketch of -the National Road, written by the late Hon. James Veech, in which that -able man said: - -"It is a monument of a past age; but like all other monuments, it is -interesting, as well as venerable. It carried thousands of population -and millions of wealth into the West; and more than any other material -structure in the land, served to harmonize and strengthen, if not to -save, the Union." - -There was a popular belief, in the olden time, that the National Road -was a bond of union between the States, and that it served to harmonize -and bring together on friendly terms, people of remote sections, and of -different pursuits. This will be seen by the quoted remarks of Dr. -Campbell and Mr. Veech. The generation of to-day regards the affection -of the old pike boy for the old road, as a mere memory, the recollection -of the animated scenes of trade and transportation on the old highway. -It is something more. The old pike boy sincerely and truly believes that -the old pike was a bond of union, that for years it kept the peace -between discordant interests, and prolonged the evil day when the -outbreak of disunion came. - -[Illustration: DR. HUGH CAMPBELL.] - -The Appian Way was a great road, and is invested with much classic and -historic interest, but, unlike the National Road, it did not yield its -place to greater lines of progress and improvement. The Appian Way was -designed to gratify the pomp and vanity of consuls and pro-consuls, -kings and princes, emperors and empires. The National Road was designed -to meet the wants of a free and progressive people, and to aid in -building up and strengthening a great and growing republic. The Appian -Way had more vitality than the government that built it. It outlived its -country. The National Road served its purpose grandly, was a complete -success, the pride and glory of its day and generation, and when it lost -its place as a national thoroughfare, the government that made it was -all the stronger because it had been made. The average width of the -Appian Way was from eighteen to twenty feet, so as to admit of two -carriages passing each other, and the expense of constructing the first -section of it was so great that it exhausted the public treasury of -Rome. The National Road was sixty feet wide, and eight carriages could -pass each other within its borders, while the cost of its construction, -although a very large sum of money, made so light a draught upon the -resources of the public treasury of the United States, in comparison -with subsequent appropriations for other objects, as to be scarcely -worthy of observation. The Appian Way derived its name from Appius, who -was consul of Rome at the time of the undertaking. Its initial southern -terminus was Capua, distant from Rome one hundred and twenty-five miles, -very nearly the same as the distance from Cumberland to Wheeling. It was -subsequently constructed as far as Beneventum, and ultimately to -Brundisium, a seaport town of the Adriatic, distant from Rome three -hundred and seventy-eight miles. We are informed by Anthon, an ancient -classic author of high renown, that the city of Beneventum derived great -importance from its position on the Appian Way, and the same can be -truthfully said of the towns and cities which were so fortunate as to be -located on the National Road. - -Paul the apostle traveled over a portion of the Appian Way on his -journey from Jerusalem to Rome to carry up his appeal from Agrippa to -Caesar. He intersected the Appian Way at Puteoli, where he remained seven -days, and his brethren having learned that he had reached that point, -came to meet him as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns. The Appii -Forum was a station, and the Three Taverns a house for the entertainment -of strangers and travelers on the Appian Way. The latter may have been -three distinct houses moulded into one, as is sometimes done, or a -cluster of taverns consisting of three. That they were taverns, or a -tavern, is unquestionable. There was an old tavern on the Mountain -division of the National Road, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, called -the Three Cabins. The cabins were put up for boarding and lodging -workmen engaged in the construction of the road, and when the work was -finished, united and made one. This grotesque old tavern enjoyed a large -patronage, and was a source of no little profit to its old-fashioned -proprietor. - -Horace, as before intimated, was an occasional traveler on the Appian -Way, not infrequently accompanied by Virgil, and apparently with no -other object than the mere pleasure afforded by the jaunt. These -illustrious authors of classic verse were, it is said, given to -convivial habits, and we have the word of Horace himself that the wine -on the Appian Way was "thick." From some other things said by Horace, it -is very evident that the taverns of the Appian Way were inferior to -those of the National Road. As an instance, he says that "the bustling -landlord of the inn at Beneventum almost burned himself in roasting some -lean thrushes." Lean thrushes never entered the well stored larders of -the old taverns of the National Road. Fatness was the leading feature of -flesh and fowl and bird of every kind that passed inspection of the -old-time landlord of our National highway, and fatness distinguished all -the surroundings of his overflowing hostelry. Nor was it the habit of -our old tavern keepers to do the cooking and roasting of their -establishments. All that pertained to the dominion of the landlady, who, -as a rule, was tidy and robust, and felt a just pride in her calling. -Horace also complained that at an inn at Canusium, on the Appian Way, he -was served with "gritty bread." Shades of John N. Dagg, Joseph Hallam, -Daniel Brown, Charles Miller, James Workman, Alfred McClelland, Joshua -Marsh and Boss Rush, defend us forever against the thought of gritty -bread! Horace, in further deprecation of some things on the Appian Way, -mentions a little town where "water is sold, though the worst in the -world." Generosity was a leading trait of the old tavern keepers of the -National Road. There was an inexhaustible supply of water along its -line, the best and purest in the world, and no man ever heard of a cup -of it being sold for a price. One of the most attractive features of the -National Road was the big water-trough that stood by the side of every -tavern, filled with fresh, sparkling water, and absolutely free to all -comers and goers. - -[Illustration: THE BIG WATER-TROUGH ON LAUREL HILL.] - - - - - APPENDIX. - - _A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, relating to the Cumberland - Road--Unexpended Balances in Indiana--Accounts of Two Old - Commissioners--Rates of Toll--Letters of Albert Gallatin, Ebenezer - Finley and Thomas A. Wiley--Curiosities of the old Postal Service._ - - - 1807. Act of April 9th gives the State's consent to the making of the - road within its limits, provided the route be changed to pass - through Uniontown and Washington; also gives the United States - authorities full power to enter upon lands, dig, cut and carry - away materials, etc., for the purpose of completing and - _forever_ keeping in repair said road. Pamphlet Laws, page 185. - - 1828. February 7th. Joint resolution authorizes the Government of the - United States to erect toll gates, enforce the collection of - tolls, and to do and perform every other act and thing which may - be deemed necessary to insure the PERMANENT repair and - preservation of the road. Andrew Shultz, Governor, Nerr - Middleswarth, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Daniel - Sturgeon, Speaker of the Senate. Pamphlet laws, page 500. - - 1831. Act of April 11th. Preamble: "Whereas, that part of the - Cumberland Road lying within the State of Pennsylvania is in - many parts in bad condition for want of repairs, and as doubts - have been entertained whether the United States have authority - to erect toll gates on said road and collect toll, and as a - large proportion of the people of this commonwealth are - interested in said road, ITS CONSTANT CONTINUANCE AND - PRESERVATION, therefore, etc." The act then goes on and - authorizes the erection of at least six gates, designates - classes and persons exempt from toll, provides for the erection - of directors (boards ordering teams, etc., to pass to the - right), establishes rates of tolls, regulates the manner of - collecting the same, etc. Pamphlet Laws, page 419. For a - judicial construction of this act, see case of Hopkins vs. - Stockton, 2 Watts and Sargeant, page 163. - - 1835. Act of April 1st requires supervisors of highways to make paved - valleys or stone culverts where other roads intersect the - Cumberland Road and this act also signifies the State's - acceptance of the road from the General Government. Pamphlet - Laws, page 102. - - 1836. Act of June 13th provides for payment of half toll by persons - carrying the United States mail, and fixes penalties for - attempts to defraud the State of toll. Pamphlet Laws, page 534. - This act declared inoperative by the Supreme Court of the United - States, in so far as it levies toll on mail coaches. - - 1837. Act of April 4th exempts persons hauling coal for home - consumption from payment of tolls. Pamphlet Laws, page 353. - - 1839. Act of February 5th in form of a joint resolution requires - Commissioners to give bond in the sum of $6,000. Pamphlet Laws, - page 637. Changed by subsequent acts. - - 1839. Act of June 17th, in form of a joint resolution, fixes the - compensation of Commissioners at $3 per diem, not to exceed one - hundred and fifty days in any one year. Pamphlet Laws, page 679. - Changed by subsequent acts. - - 1840. Act of March 24th authorizes the appointment of one Commissioner - by the Governor for a term of three years, at a compensation of - $3.00 per diem, requiring him to give bond in the sum of - $10,000, to keep an account of receipts and expenditures, and - publish the same; and further provides for auditors to adjust - accounts. Pamphlet Laws, page 207. Partially repealed by - subsequent acts. - - 1843. Act of April 5th authorizes Commissioners to stop mail coaches - to enforce payment of tolls. Pamphlet Laws, page 164. This act - held to be void by the Supreme Court of the United States, and - supplied by act of April 14th, 1845, _postea_. - - 1845. Act of April 14th (Omnibus Bill). - - "Preamble: Whereas, it has lately been decided by the Supreme - Court of the United States, that the acts of assembly of this - Commonwealth, relating to the collection of tolls on that part - of the Cumberland Road which is within this State, passed June - 13th, 1836, and April 5th, 1843, do not authorize the - collection of any amount of tolls whatever for the passage - upon said road of any stage, coach, or other vehicle carrying - passengers with their baggage and goods, if such stage, coach, - or other vehicle, is at the same time carrying any of the - mails or property of the United States; and whereas, the said - court sanctions the power of Pennsylvania to provide for the - repairs of said road by a general assessment of tolls upon - persons traveling thereon, which it is deemed just and right - should be paid; and whereas, also, it is found to be - impracticable to keep said road in good repair and out of - debt by the tolls collectable under the existing laws of this - Commonwealth, as interpreted by said Court, therefore," &c. - This act then goes on and in section 12 imposes a toll of not - less than two nor more than fifteen cents, as shall be fixed - and determined by the Commissioner, upon every person riding - or traveling in any vehicle carrying the United States mails, - for every fourteen miles over which such person shall have - been a passenger or traveler, and in proportion for shorter - distances, provided that no toll shall be demanded from any - guard to the mails, agent of the postoffice, bearer of - dispatches for the General or State Government, nor any naval - or military officer of the United States or this State, - traveling in the discharge of official duty. Section 13 - provides the manner of collecting tolls under this act. - Section 14 imposes a penalty of fifty dollars on any driver - who neglects to report at every gate the number of passengers - in his carriage or coach. Section 15 provides that in case of - refusal of passengers to pay or neglect of drivers to report, - collectors shall charge in a book all unpaid tolls and sue for - the same. Section 16 provides that in every case where a - collector may be unable from omission or neglect of drivers or - passengers to ascertain the number of passengers liable to - toll under this act, he may charge and recover for so many as - the carriage shall be capable of carrying. Section 17 provides - a penalty of twenty dollars for every fraudulent attempt to - evade the payment of toll imposed by this act. Pamphlet Laws, - pages 430-1. This act is still in force, though mail coaches - (rather hacks) have been carrying passengers and freights for - many years without paying toll. - - 1847. Act of March 16th authorizes the Governor to appoint a - Commissioner on each side of the Monongahela river, at a salary - of $350 each. Pamphlet Laws, page 477. Subsequently repealed. - - 1848. Act of April 8th provides for the appointment of trustees by the - courts of Somerset, Fayette and Washington counties (one in - each), said trustees to appoint one or more Commissioners. - Pamphlet Laws, page 523. Repealed. - - 1850. Act of May 3d authorizes the Commissioner and the Court of - Quarter Sessions to determine what travel and transportation - shall be in part or in whole exempt from toll; also authorizes - the imposition of toll upon persons using the road who do not - pass through the gates thereon, and prescribes the manner of - collecting the same; also authorizes the Commissioner to change - the location of gates, and to sell and convey toll houses and - grounds, and to purchase sites. Pamphlet Laws, page 682. This - act remains in force. - - 1856. Act of April 22, authorizes the Courts of Fayette and Washington - counties to appoint superintendents. Pamphlet Laws, page 523. - Prior to the date of this act, the officer in charge of the road - was invariably called Commissioner. This act repealed as to that - portion of the road east of the Monongahela by Act of May 1, - 1861. _Postea._ - - 1861. Act of May 1, authorizes the Governor to appoint one person as - Superintendent for so much of the road as lies within the - counties of Fayette and Somerset, and repeals part of the act of - April 22, 1856, _supra_. Pamphlet Laws, page 678. - - 1864. Act of April 13th, requires Superintendents to appropriate fifty - per cent. of the tolls to the payment of old debts. Pamphlet - Laws, page 408. Repealed. - - 1865. Act of March 21, repeals so much of the act of April 13th, 1864, - _supra_, as requires Superintendents to apply fifty per cent. of - tolls to the payment of old debts, and provides that _bona fide_ - holders of certificates of indebtedness for repairs shall be - allowed credit for tolls on their certificates. Pamphlet Laws, - page 474. - - 1865. Act of November 27th, provides for the adjudication and payment - of certain claims against the road. Appendix to Pamphlet Laws of - 1866, page 1,226. - - 1867. Act of January 7th, repeals outright _in toto_ the act of April - 13th, 1864, _supra_. Pamphlet Laws, page 1,543. - - 1868. Act of March 20th, authorizes and _requires_ the Superintendent - to repair the road, and keep it in repair, where it passes - through any town or borough forming a street thereof in the - county of Fayette. Pamphlet Laws, page 444. In force. - - 1877. Act of April 4th, authorizes the Governor to appoint a - Commissioner for that portion of the road lying between the - Monongahela river and the line of the State of West Virginia for - a term of three years from the termination of the term of - incumbent, at a salary of $3.00 per diem, not to exceed $300 per - annum, to account under oath to the auditors of Washington - county. Pamphlet Laws, page 53. - - 1893. Act of June 2d, appropriates $1,500 to repair the great stone - bridge at the Big Crossings. Pamphlet Laws, page 213. - -The following communications and statements show the unexpended -balances in 1834 of appropriations made by Congress in preceding -years, for constructing the road through the State of Indiana: - - WASHINGTON, Jan. 20th, 1835. - - _Sir_:--I have the honor to transmit herewith a report from the - Chief Engineer respecting the unexpended balance of the - appropriation for the Cumberland Road in Indiana, in answer to the - resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 17th instant. - - Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, - - MAHLON DICKERSON, - Acting Secretary of War. - - TO HON. JOHN BELL, - Speaker of the House of Representatives. - - * * * * * - - ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, Jan. 19th, 1835. - - _Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War_: - - SIR:--In obedience to the resolution of the House of - Representatives of the 17th instant, I have the honor to hand you - the enclosed statement, explaining the difference in the amount of - unexpended appropriations on account of the National Road, in the - State of Indiana, and furnishing the information called for - therein. I beg leave to remark that it is often necessary to close - the annual statement of the fiscal operations of the Engineer - Department before the returns, &c., from all the work are received. - The Department, therefore, can only act on the information before - it. This was the case in the present instance, as well as some - others included in the same statement. - - I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, - - C. GRATIOT, Chief Engineer. - - * * * * * - -In the tabular statement of the fiscal operations, under the Engineer -Department for the year ending the 30th of September, 1834, the -unexpended balance of former appropriations is thus stated, relating to -the Cumberland Road in Indiana: - - Amount undrawn from the Treasury, 30th of September $160,882 00 - Amount in the hands of agents, 30th of September 17,631 09 - ----------- - Total $178,513 09 - - Which amount was ascertained from the statement of - balances from the Treasury, on the 30th of Sept $160,882 00 - - And an acknowledged balance in the hands of - Captain Ogden, on 30th of September $1,925 79 - - And from the accounts of Mr. Milroy, - which had been rendered only to - the first quarter of 1834, inclusive, - which showed a balance in - his hands, after deducting $7,218 38 - - Paid over to Capt. Ogden, credited in - his account current for the 3d quarter - of 1834, of $15,705 30 - ----------$17,631 09 - ---------- - $178,513 09 - - Since preparing the annual statement and its transmission to - the War Department, Mr. Milroy has rendered accounts for - the 2d quarter, and part of the 3d quarter of 1834, by - which he shows a balance due him of $1,147 89 - - So that, had Mr. Milroy's accounts been received to the time - of preparing the statement, the amount in the hands of - agents would have been, instead of $17,631 09, only 777 90 - - Which added to the amount in the Treasury, - on the 1st of Oct., 1834 $160,882 00 - =========== - Would make available for the service of the 4th quarter of - 1834, and the year 1835 $161,659 90 - =========== - The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of October, 1834, was $160,882 00 - - Since which there has been drawn and remitted to the Superintendent, - as follows: - - October 21, 1834, to Captain Ogden $30,000 00 - November 25, 1834, to Captain Ogden 17,520 00 - January 10, 1835, to Captain Ogden 30,000 00 - $77,320 00 - ---------- - Remaining in the Treasury on the 19th of January, 1835 $83,562 00 - - -The following accounts of two of the old Commissioners are interesting -as showing the amount of tolls received and disbursements made for -repairs and maintenance at the dates covered, and disclosing the once -familiar names of many who had contracts and were otherwise employed on -the road: - - ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM HOPKINS, - -_Commissioner of the Cumberland Road in Pennsylvania, from Nov. 10th, -1840, to Nov. 10th, 1841._ - -EASTERN DIVISION, EMBRACED IN FAYETTE AND SOMERSET COUNTIES, VIZ: - - DR. - To cash received from the National Road Stage Co $2,378 12 - " " " " Holt & Maltby, supposed 113 94 - " " " at Gate No. 1, Wm. Condon, collector 1,758 87 - " " " " Gate No. 2, Hiram Seaton, " 1,948 24 - " " " " Gate No. 3, Wm. D. Beggs, " 769 27 - " " " " Gate No. 3, Jas. Reynold, " 1,125 29 - " " " a fine collected by Wm. Bradley 5 00 - " " " " " " John Tunsell 5 00 - - Total amount received from Nov. 10, 1840, to Nov. 10, - 1841 -------$8,103 73 - - BY DISBURSEMENTS, VIZ. CR. - - Cash paid Thompson McKean, late Superintendent $50 00 - " " Henry Woolery in full for work 15 62-1/2 - " " Thompson McKean, late Superintendent 40 00 - " " Jackson Brown in full for work 20 75 - " " George Hensell ditto 8 22 - " " Jesse Sachett ditto 90 00 - " " John Smalley, hauling stone 34 20 - " " Peter Leonard, quarry leave 8 62-1/2 - " " Elijah Crabb, work 197 95 - " " Samuel Dean 15 00 - " " George Colley, quarry leave 100 00 - " " J. & W. W. Woolery, work 242 40 - " " Hugh Wilson, " 2 50 - " " William Jeffries, " 83 37 - " " Isaac Brownfield, " 59 85 - " " Thos. McKean, " 300 00 - " " John Brownfield, " 41 25 - " " John Risler, " 3 90 - " " John Dean, " 106 88 - " " James Spears, " 23 25 - " " Isaac Nixon, " 125 22 - " " Elias Gilmore, " 168 20 - " " Ephraim Conway, " 20 00 - " " A. McDowell, " 94 63-1/2 - " " McClean & Emberson, " 28 92 - " " C. Rush, " 4 89 - " " John Deford, quarry leave 9 04 - " " Rich'd Beeson, costs, Com. vs. Stockton 11 83 - " " S. D. Skeen, in full for work 4 60 - " " Thomas Prentice, " 6 00 - " " James Amos, " 135 31 - " " Jno. Hatzman, " 52 84 - " " William Reynolds, " 982 66 - " " Michael S. Miller, " 38 37-1/2 - " " James Watkins, " 2 20 - " " Jos. M. Sterling, " 60 00 - " " Samuel Rush, " 881 89 - " " Hiram Hanse, " 8 00 - " " Thomas Brown, " 324 60 - " " Upton Shaw, " 314 37 - " " John Bennington, " 130 00 - " " William C. Stevens, " 5 18-3/4 - " " Hugh Graham, work $300 00 - " " " " toll house 200 00 500 00 - " " James Snyder, on account for work 235 41-1/2 - " " same in full 28 06 - " " Charles Kemp, jr., " 32 00 - " " I. & R. Hill, " 39 64 - " " Wm. H. Graham, " 395 67-1/2 - " " George Colley, " 80 80 - " " James Marlow, " 651 70 - " " John Bradfield, " 1,508 64 - " " John M. Claybaugh, " 107 63 - " " Henry G. Brown, " 24 69 - " " Joseph Dillon, " 49 64 - " " Charles Rush, " 23 85 - " " Sam'l McReynolds, " 29 33 - " " M. H. Jones, " 23 32 - " " Hiram Hayney, " 50 00 - " " Morris Mauler, " 69 47-1/2 - " " Huston Todd, hauling stone 20 00 - ---------$8,722 41 - -The foregoing items of expenditures were contracts made by Thompson -McKean, Esq., late Commissioner, and paid on his certificate. - - Cash paid Adam Speer, for work on road $ 5 00 - " " William D. Beggs, do 1 50 - " " same do 1 00 - " " same salary for keeping Gate No. 3 83 30 - " " James Reynolds, work on road 1 50 - " " E. Crable, do 2 00 - " " Rush & McCollough, do 25 00 - " " E. H. Showalter, on account of work on road 100 00 - " " N. Bradley, " " " 2 50 - " " William Milligan, " " " 14 00 - " " A. L. Pentland, Esq., costs, Com. v. Stockton 5 00 - " " Wilson McCandless, Esq., Prof. services 20 00 - " " same " " 30 00 - " " R. P. Flenniken, Esq., " " 56 62-1/2 - " " John Irons, for advertising 4 00 - " " Upton Shaw, work on road 30 62-1/2 - " " Samuel McReynolds, work on road 1 25 - " " Samuel Lazure, " " 25 - " " Robert McDowell 20 00 - " " John Bradfield 67 50 - " " William Reynolds 273 00 - " " John L. Dawson, Esq. 33 62-1/2 - " " Nicholas Bradley 58 75 - " " William Condon, Gate No. 1, salary 200 00 - " " George Farney, for work on road 2 62-1/2 - " " John Nelson, " " " 1 50 - " " Jas. Reynolds, Gate No. 3, salary 116 66 - " " Hiram Seaton, Gate No. 2, salary 200 00 - " " McCollough & Rush, for work on road 169 55-3/4 - " " Robert S. Brown, " " 169 90-1/2 - " " Anthony Yarnell, " " 150 00 - " " Sam'l Dean, " " 50 00 - " " Henry Showalter, " " 137 50 - " " Jackson Brown, " " 65 00 - " " John H. Deford, Prof. services 20 00 - " " John Risler, for stone 6 40 - - Total amount of expenditures on Eastern division -----$10,847 98-1/4 - - WESTERN DIVISION, LYING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. - - To cash received from Good Intent Stage Co. $4,246 25 - " " " Moore & Henderson 512 16 - " " " Wm. R. Cope 70 00 - " at Gate No. 4, Stephen Phelps, col. 1,694 23 - " " " No. 5, Wm. Hill 1,773 36 - " " " No. 6, David Guinea 1,569 44 - " " " No. 5, in Oct, 1840, under R. Quail 150 41 - " " " No. 6, Sept. and Oct., 1840, R. Quail 304 67 - " a fine collected by John Freeman, Esq. 5 00 - - Total amount received -----$10,325 52 - - BY DISBURSEMENTS ON WESTERN DIVISION, VIZ: - - Cash paid Egan & Dickey, in full for work on road $1,387 00 - " " John McDonough, " " " 249 22-1/2 - " " John Dickey, " " " 50 62-1/2 - " " Henry Murry, " " " 889 04 - " " same, alleged error in settlement 150 00 - " " Morris Pursell, in full for work on road 215 87 - " " Bradley & Morgan, " " " 234 27 - " " Daniel Ward, " " " 746 66 - " " Brown & Valentine, " " " 287 00 - " " David Guinea, Gate No. 6, salary 133 18 - " " Wm. Hill, Gate No. 5 66 72 - -----$ 4 409 49 - -The above items of expenditure were on contracts made by R. Quail, late -Commissioner, and paid on his certificate. - - Cash paid T. H. Baird, Esq., Prof. services $ 5 00 - " " I. P. Morgan, digging well 32 50 - " " Joel Lamborn, building chimney 11 00 - " " William Craven, smith work 15 80 - " " J. T. Rogen, powder 5 60 - " " Amos Griffith, pump 40 50 - " " A. J. Harry, stove pipe 2 96 - " " Robert Bradley, in full work at well 60 12-1/2 - " " Griffith Taylor, wheelbarrow 1 75 - " " John McMath, in full work on road 8 59 - " " John Bausman, printing 4 00 - " " Grayson & Kaine, " 10 25 - " " H. Winten, in full for work on road 27 00 - " " Samuel Adams, " " 4 50 - " " James P. Morgan, " " 35 31 - " " J. Worrell, on account 7 30 - " " same, in full 2 75 - " " J. McGuire, on account 57 70 - " " Jacob Shaffer, stove pipe 1 37 - " " Robert Sprowl, on account work on road 253 00 - " " Thomas Egan, in full 253 68 - " " Henry Murray, stone 36 86 - " " Jacob Stillwagon, on acct. stone 227 00 - " " Anthony Rentz, " " 59 84 - " " David Andrews, work 128 00 - " " Joseph Miller, in full, stone 62 50 - " " John Huston, work 42 00 - " " Joseph T. Rogers, powder 5 50 - " " Isaac Leet, Prof. services 10 00 - " " William Watkins, acct. stone 15 00 - " " Stephen Phelps, Gate No. 4, salary 200 00 - " " Robert Bradley, work in full 122 96 - " " same on account 81 16 204 12 - " " William Hill, Gate No. 5, salary 200 00 - " " David Guinea, Gate No. 6, " 200 00 - " " on acct. book for Superintendent 3 00 - " " counterfeit money received 11 00 - " " Superintendent, for his services, per - account filed, 309 days at $3.00 per day 927 00 - " " Auditors, for settling and stating this - account, viz: - H. Langley $2 00 - J. K. Wilson 5 00 - S. Cunningham 5 00 12 00 - Total expenditures on Western division -----$7,594 09-1/2 - - RECAPITULATION. DR. - - To amount received on the Eastern Division $ 8,103 73 - To amount received on the Western Division 10,325 52 - ------$18,429 25 - - CR. - - By cash paid out on the Eastern Division, - per statement $10,847 98-1/4 - By cash paid on the Western Division, - per statement 7,594 09-1/2 - ------$18,442 07-3/4 - - Balance due Wm. Hopkins, Esq., Superintendent, on the - 10th Nov., 1841 $ 12 82-3/4 - -The undersigned, auditors appointed by the Court of Common Pleas for the -county of Washington, Pennsylvania, on the 9th day of November, 1841, to -audit, settle and adjust the account of William Hopkins, Esq., -Commissioner of the Cumberland Road, having carefully examined the -accounts submitted to them by said Commissioner (a full statement of -which is herewith presented), and having compared the vouchers with said -account, do find that the said William Hopkins, Commissioner as -aforesaid, has expended up to the 10th day of November, 1841, the sum of -twelve dollars and eighty-two 3/4 cents more than came into his hands, -and that said sum of twelve dollars and eighty-two 3/4 cents was due to -him on said day. - -In testimony whereof, we have hereto set our hands and seals the 22d day -of January, A.D. 1842. - - SAMUEL CUNNINGHAM, (SEAL) - JOHN K. WILSON, (SEAL) _Auditors._ - HENRY LANGLY, (SEAL) - - - WASHINGTON COUNTY, 88. - THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. - -I, John Grayson, prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for said -county, certify that at a Court of Common Pleas for the county -aforesaid, held on the 9th day of November, Anno Domini 1841, Samuel -Cunningham, John K. Wilson and Henry Langly were appointed by said Court -auditors to settle and adjust the account of William Hopkins, Esq., -Commissioner of the Cumberland Road, as appears of record in our said -Court. - -In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal -of said Court, the 22d day of January, 1842. - - [SEAL] JOHN GRAYSON, _Prothy._ - - ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM SEARIGHT, - -_Commissioner of the Cumberland Road in Pennsylvania, from the 1st of -May, 1843, to the 31st of December, 1844, inclusive._ - - TO TOLLS RECEIVED ON THE EASTERN DIVISION, VIZ: DR. - - To tolls received from Thos. Grier, Gate No. 1 $4,466 24 - " " " " Robert McDowell, Gate No. 2 4,102 70 - " " " " James Reynolds, Gate No. 3 4,410 43 - " " " " National Road Stage Co 3,200 00 - " " " " Express Co 254 00 - -------- - Total amount received on Eastern Division $16,433 37 - - TO TOLLS RECEIVED ON THE WESTERN DIVISION, VIZ: - - From David Mitchell, Gate No. 4 $3,509 32 - " Wm. Hill, " No. 5 3,843 87 - " Wm. McCleary, " No. 6 4,105 81 - " Good Intent Stage Co 8,447 30 - Cash received from John S. Brady, on account of Quail's - securities 769 44 - --------- - $20,675 74 - ---------- - Total receipts $37,109 11 - - CR. - By cash paid Thomas Grier, collector at Gate No. 1 $333 33 - " " Robt. McDowell, " " " No. 2 333 33 - " " Jas. Reynolds, " " " No. 3 333 33 - " " Dan'l Kaine, for certifying auditors 1 00 - " " D. Kaine, Wm. P. Wells and Joseph Gadd 12 00 - " " William Jeffries 65 62 - " " Geo. Craft, costs 6 60 - " " Thos. and Robert Brown 330 63 - " " Wm. Hager 3 00 - " " Elias Gilmore 2,737 40 - " " George Palmer 55 25 - " " William C. Stevens 16 80 - " " Peter Kerney 1 50 - " " James Dougan 42 77 - " " Thomas Brownfield 1,922 98 - " " Robert S. Henderson 150 00 - " " John Malone 30 62 - " " Sam'l Shipley, admr. of S. Rush 216 03 - " " Andrew Bryson 3 00 - " " John McCalpin 7 50 - " " Thomas McGrath 485 94 - " " Samuel Harrah 4 87 - " " John Bradfield 1,748 82 - " " Robert McDowell 1,041 80 - " " Calvin Perry 44 25 - " " Wilson Fee 79 93 - " " Thomas D. Miller 403 66 - " " James Dolan 92 25 - " " Upton Shaw 65 75 - " " Elijah Crable 36 00 - " " Samuel Shipley 833 38 - " " Matthew McNeil 107 44 - " " Fall & Herbertson 24 53 - " " James White 8 80 - " " Jackson Brown 50 - " " J. L. Wylie & Co 1 44 - " " Byers & Gregg 35 00 - " " William Reynolds 698 87 - " " James Marlow 65 15 - " " Rudolph Brinkman 82 12 - " " William Spaw 99 90 - " " Sebastian Rush 92 75 - " " John McDowell 809 14 - " " Edward G. Roddy 49 84 - " " Isaac McLaughlin 5 25 - " " George W. Cass 70 00 - " " John Irons, printing 21 50 - " " Samuel McDonald, printing 10 00 - " " J. & G. S. Gideon 24 00 - " " James Veech, professional services 100 00 - " " R. P. Flenniken " " 100 00 - " " Edward Kerven 140 73 - " " Thomas Hougan 30 00 - " " Thomas Dougan 51 75 - " " John Powell 37 75 - " " George Parmertor 71 75 - " " Daniel Cannon 329 75 - " " Hugh Graham 233 95 - " " Morris Whalen 118 28 - " " Nicholas Bradley 91 78 - " " Perry White 116 06 - " " Simon Deal 96 39 - " " William McClean 73 23 - " " James Collins 27 37 - " " James McCartney 82 08 - " " Anthony Yarnell 192 65 - " " William Conard 1 25 - " " Thomas McCoy 33 00 - " " James Reynolds 9 47 - " " John M. Claybaugh 20 43 - " " Robert McDowell 300 44 - " " Gadd & Henderson 2,531 50 - " " Francis L. Wilkinson 12 29 - " " Kerney & Redfern 44 62 - " " Matthias Fry 442 67 - Depreciated money on hand 10 00 - Balance due Commissioner on former settlement 1,580 00 - Salary of Commissioner, from May 1st, 1843, to 31st - of December, 1844, being 513 days at $3.00 per - day 1,539 00 - - Whole amount expended on Eastern Division -------$22,066 53 - - BY THE FOLLOWING SUMS EXPENDED ON THE WESTERN DIVISION. - - CR. - By cash paid David Mitchell, collector Gate No. 4 $ 333 33 - " " William Hill, " " No. 5 333 33 - " " Wm. McCleary, " " No. 6 333 33 - " " E. L. Blaine, for use of Patrick Egan 34 96 - " " J. S. Brady, on account of Wm. Paull 41 84 - " " William McCleary 7 00 - " " James Denison 213 90 - " " Henry Masterson 307 87 - " " Hiram Freeman 1,402 37 - " " Charles Kern 136 72 - " " Thomas Egan 263 32 - " " John McCollough 956 58 - " " Robert Sprowl 2,995 38 - " " Adam Fishburn 1 50 - " " John Robinson 303 07 - " " Joseph Lawson 1,962 50 - " " Patrick Egan 203 00 - " " John Bradley, admr. of R. Bradley 221 25 - " " Thomas Hagerty 87 95 - " " John Huston 20 25 - " " George Irvin 162 07 - " " William Hill 2 81 - " " William Paull 161 00 - " " Samuel Rodgers 3 00 - " " Michael Monahan 55 00 - " " Thomas Finley 36 25 - " " John Curry 6 00 - " " Michael Dougan 9 00 - " " McCollough & Gilmore 980 22 - " " Charles Murphy 70 00 - " " Charles Stillwagon, 75 00 - " " Jacob Stillwagon 305 21 - " " Jacob Daugherty 229 00 - " " Anthony Rentz 534 25 - " " Baldwin Miller 3 75 - " " William Pepper 13 41 - " " Henry Murry 170 66 - " " James Thompson 291 17 - " " James Hurley 280 63 - " " J. J. Armstrong 58 12 - " " B. Forester 25 00 - " " John Mitchell 62 71 - " " Mark M. Passmore 33 75 - " " Grayson & Kaine, printing 17 00 - " " John Bausman " 15 00 - " " Richard Biddle 60 00 - " " Michael Price 21 00 - " " William Scott 15 00 - " " William Hopkins 52 50 - " " E. L. Blaine, costs 11 01 - " " Thomas Sprout 14 94 - " " John Wheeler 62 87 - " " Robert Patrick 45 95 - " " Cornelius Daly 37 85 - " " James McIntyre 226 50 - " " William Hastings 125 62 - " " Jacob Dixon 6 10 - " " Michael Bail 16 00 - " " Keyran Tolbert 55 52 - " " David Butts 2 00 - " " James Redman 160 00 - " " John Gadd 1,556 53 - " " Thomas Hagan 34 50 - " " James Gainer 185 56 - " " John Whitmire 150 00 - " " Peter Kerney 51 50 - Depreciated money on hand 5 00 - Whole amount expended on Western Division -------$16,655 41 - - Whole amount expended on Eastern Division 22,066 53 - --------- - Whole amount expended on both divisions $38,721 94 - - Balance due Commissioner, December 31, 1844. $ 1,612 83 - -FAYETTE COUNTY, SS. - -We, the undersigned, auditors appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of -Fayette county for that purpose, having examined the accounts and -vouchers relating to the receipts and expenditures of Wm. Searight, -Esq., Superintendent of the Cumberland Road, from the 1st day of May, -1843, to the 31st of December, 1844, inclusive, have found the foregoing -statement of the same to be correct and true. - - H. CAMPBELL, - JOHN HUSTON, - RICHARD BEESON. - _Auditors._ - - NOTE.--Gate No. 1 was located at the east end of Petersburg, Gate - No. 2 was near Mt. Washington, Gate No. 3 was near Searights, Gate - No. 4 was near Beallsville, Gate No. 5 was near Washington, and - Gate No. 6 near West Alexander. - - - RATES OF TOLL. - -The following were the rates of toll fixed by the act of April 11th, -1831, which were subsequently, however, changed: For every score of -sheep or hogs, six cents; for every score of cattle, twelve cents; for -every led or driven horse, three cents; for every horse and rider, four -cents; for every sleigh or sled, for each horse or pair of oxen drawing -the same, three cents; for every dearborn, sulky, chair or chaise, with -one horse, six cents; for every chariot, coach, coachee, stage, wagon, -phaeton, chaise, with two horses and four wheels, twelve cents; for -either of the carriages last mentioned with four horses, eighteen cents; -for every other carriage of pleasure, under whatever name it may go, the -like sum, according to the number of wheels and horses drawing the same; -for every cart or wagon whose wheels shall exceed two and one-half -inches in breadth, and not exceeding four inches, four cents; for every -horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, and every other cart or wagon, -whose wheels shall exceed four inches, and not exceeding five inches in -breadth, three cents; for every horse or pair of oxen drawing the same, -and for every other cart or wagon whose wheels shall exceed six inches, -and not more than eight inches, two cents; for every horse or pair of -oxen drawing the same, all other carts or wagons whose wheels shall -exceed eight inches in breadth, shall pass the gates free of tolls, and -no tolls shall be collected from any person or persons passing or -repassing from one part of his farm to another, or to or from a mill, or -to or from any place of public worship, funeral, militia training, -elections, or from any student or child going to or from any school or -seminary of learning, or from persons and witnesses going to and -returning from courts, or from any wagon or carriage laden with the -property of the United States, or any canon or military stores belonging -to the United States, or to any State. The reader will note that the -exemptions provided for by this act are changed by force of the act of -May 3, 1850, which authorized the commissioner and the court of quarter -sessions to determine who and what shall be exempt from the payment of -toll. A large wide board, having the appearance of a mock window, was -firmly fixed in the walls of every toll house, displaying in plain -letters the rates above given, so that the wayfarer might not err -therein. - - - MR. GALLATIN DEFINES HIS ATTITUDE AS TO THE LOCATION OF THE ROAD, AND - GIVES INSTRUCTIONS TO DAVID SHRIVER, SUPERINTENDENT. - -When the road was authorized to be constructed by Congress, Mr. Gallatin -was Secretary of the Treasury, and a citizen of Fayette county, -Pennsylvania. His home was "Friendship Hill," in Springhill township, -near New Geneva, about fifteen miles south of Uniontown, afterward the -home of Hon. John L. Dawson. It was intimated in various quarters that -Mr. Gallatin was desirous of having the road located through or near his -place, and that he used his official influence to further his desire in -this regard. The following letter, however, to his old friend David -Acheson, of Washington, Pennsylvania, shows that the intimations -mentioned were without foundation: - - NEW YORK, September 1, 1808. -DAVID ACHESON, ESQ., Washington, Pa. - -_Dear Sir_: On receipt of your letter respecting the Western Road, I -immediately transmitted it to the President at Monticello. I was under -the impression that he had previously directed the Commissioners to -examine both routes and to report to him. It seems, however, that it -had not then been yet done. But on the 6th ultimo he wrote to them to -make an examination of the best route through Washington to Wheeling, -and also to Short Creek, or any other point on the river offering a more -advantageous route towards Chillicothe and Cincinnati, and to report to -him the material facts with their opinion for consideration. - -That it is the sincere wish of the President to obtain all the necessary -information in order that the road should pursue the route which will be -of the greatest public utility no doubt can exist. So far as relates to -myself, after having, with much difficulty, obtained the creation of a -fund for opening a great western road, and the act pointing out its -general direction, it is sufficiently evident from the spot on the -Monongahela which the road strikes, that if there was any subsequent -interference on my part it was not of a selfish nature. But the fact is -that in the execution of the law I thought myself an improper person, -from the situation of my property, to take the direction which would -naturally have been placed in my hands, and requested the President to -undertake the general superintendence himself. Accept the assurance of -friendly remembrance, and of my sincere wishes for your welfare and -happiness. - - Your obedt servant, - ALBERT GALLATIN. - - * * * * * - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, March 9th, 1813. - -_Sir_: You will herewith receive the plot of the road as laid by the -Commissioners from the 21st mile to Uniontown. - -I approve of having a stone bridge across Little Youghiogheny, and the -measures necessary to secure masons should be adopted, but the site -cannot be fixed until you have examined whether any alterations in the -course be practicable. In that respect I beg leave to refer you to my -former letters. As soon as your examination of the ground has taken -place, and the alterations you may have found practicable shall have -been received and approved, public notice may be given inviting -proposals to contract for completing the road as far as Big -Yioughiogheny river; an additional appropriation of $140,000 having been -made by Congress. You will therefore perceive that in every point of -view your examination of the ground is the first object to attend to. - -I have the honor to be, respectfully, sir, - - Your obt. servant, - ALBERT GALLATIN. - - D. Shriver, jr., Cumberland, Md. - - * * * * * - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, April 17th, 1813. - -_Sir_: Your letter of the 3d inst. has been duly received. The principal -object in finally fixing the course of the road is its permanency and -durability without the necessity of perpetual and expensive repairs. To -select, therefore, the best ground which that mountainous country will -afford, avoiding, as far as practicable, cutting along the side of steep -and long hills, always exposed to be washed away, appears to be one of -first importance. The other considerations, subordinate to the selection -of the best ground, but to be also attended to, are, the expense of -making the road, the shortness of the distance and the accommodation (by -intersecting lateral roads) of important settlements not on the line of -the road. - -As an erroneous location would be an irreparable evil, it is better that -the contracts for the ensuing twenty miles should be delayed, than to -make them before you have had time to take a complete view of the -ground. Examine it well before you decide and make your first report. -This is more important because it is probable that I will be absent when -that report is made, and that it will be decisive, as the acting -secretary, to whom the subject will be new and the localities unknown, -cannot have time to investigate it critically, and will probably adopt -it on your responsibility. If a decisive advantage should arise from an -alteration in the last sections already contracted for, and the -contractors assent to it, you may, in your report, propose such an -alteration. You are authorized for the purpose of facilitating your -review of the road, without neglecting the duties of general -superintendence, to employ John S. Shriver, or some other able -assistant, with a reasonable compensation. You have not stated what this -should be, but it is presumed that you will not, in that respect, exceed -what is necessary for obtaining the services of a well qualified person. -You are authorized to draw for a further sum of twenty thousand dollars; -whenever this is nearly exhausted you will apply for a new credit. - -With respect to details, they are left at your discretion. You are -sensible of the great confidence placed in your abilities and integrity, -and I am sure you will not disappoint our expectations. - -With perfect consideration and sincere wishes for your welfare, I have -the honor to be, sir, - - Your obedient servant, - ALBERT GALLATIN. - - * * * * * - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, April 20th, 1813. - -_Sir_: You are authorized to employ a surveyor to view the most -proper road from Brownsville to Washington in Pennsylvania, and -thence to examine the routes to Charlestown, Steubenville, mouth of -Short Creek and Wheeling, and report a correct statement of distance -and ground on each. If the county road as now established -from Brownsville to Washington is not objectionable, it would be -eligible to prefer it to any other which might be substituted. The -surveyor thus employed will meet with every facility by applying to -the gentlemen at Washington who have this alteration in the western -road much at heart. - -I am respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, - - ALBERT GALLATIN. - D. SHRIVER, JR., Cumberland, Md. - - * * * * * - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, April 23rd, 1811. - -_Sir_: Mr. Cochran has signed his contract and bonds for the third and -fourth sections of the road at the price agreed on, that is to say, at -the rate of twenty-two dollars and fifty cents per rod for the third -section, and of sixteen dollars and fifty cents per rod for the fourth -section. - -I now enclose the contracts and bonds for the first and second sections; -that for the first in the name of Henry McKinley, and at the rate of -twenty-one dollars and twenty-five cents per rod. The proposal of Mr. -Reade was at the rate of thirteen dollars for a road covered with a -stratum of stones twelve inches thick, all the stones to pass through a -three-inch ring. He did not stay here or return here to complete the -business and was not present when the road was altered to a stratum of -stones fifteen inches thick. The same additional price, viz: one dollar -and a half per rod, is allowed him for that alteration which was by -agreement given to all the other contractors, making fourteen dollars -and a half as set down in the contract, instead of thirteen. The -contracts and bonds are in every respect (the names of sections and -difference of price only excepted) verbatim the same as both those -signed by Mr. Cochran, and they were as you will perceive all executed -by me, and signed by the President. After they shall have been signed by -the contractors respectively, they will each keep a copy of their own -contracts, and you will return the other copy, together with the bond -(both being signed by the contractors respectively) to this office. - -If either of the contractors should for any reason whatever refuse to -sign the contract, you will return the same to this office, notify the -person thus refusing that he is not considered as a contractor, forbid -his doing any work, and immediately advertise in Cumberland that you -will receive proposals for making the section of the road thus not -contracted for. You will afterward transmit the proposals which may -accordingly be made. - -I also enclose a copy of the contracts for your own use in order that -you may in every case be able to secure the additions agreed on. - -I have the honor to be with consideration, sir, - - Your obedient servant, - ALBERT GALLATIN. - -The dates were the only blanks left in the contracts and bonds -and must be filled at the time of signing, by the contractors. - - A. G. - MR. DAVID SHRIVER, JR., Cumberland, Md. - - * * * * * - - TREASURY DEPARTMENT, April 30th, 1811. - -_Sir_: Your letter of the 22d inst. has been received. The President has -confirmed the alteration in the first section of the road. It will be -proper to have a short endorsement to that effect entered on the -contract with Mr. McKinley, and signed by him and yourself. - -You are authorized to contract for the bridges and mason work on the -terms mentioned in your letter, with the exception of the bridges across -Clinton's Fork of Braddock's Run, which may perhaps be avoided by the -alteration which you contemplate, and which, if necessary, we may, -perhaps, considering other expenses, be obliged to contract of cheaper -materials. It is left to your discretion to contract for the other mason -work as above stated, either with Mr. Kinkead or with the road -contractors. - -If you shall find it necessary to employ a temporary assistant, you are -authorized to do it, provided he shall be employed and paid only when -actually necessary. I should think that one dollar and twenty-five, or -at most, fifty cents, a day, would in that part of the country be ample -compensation. - -Respecting side walls no decisive opinion can be given until you shall -have matured your ideas on the subject, and formed some estimate of the -extent to which they must be adopted and of the expense. - -I have the honor to be respectfully, sir, - - Your obedient servant, - ALBERT GALLATIN. - - MR. DAVID SHRIVER, JR., - Superintendent of the Cumberland Road, Cumberland, Md. - - -LETTER FROM EBENEZER FINLEY. - - RELEASE, September 1, 1891. - -HON. T. B. SEARIGHT, - -_My much respected friend_: In our conversation the other day, I spoke -from memory entirely, as I had no statistics from which to quote. Your -father bought the stone tavern house at Searights from Joseph Frost. It -was unfinished when your father bought it. I knew Joseph Frost, but have -no recollection of the family he came from. Your father was a single -man, when he bought the house, but married shortly after. - -In relation to Mr. Stewart's and Mr. Benton's colloquy about the -National Road, Mr. Stewart said that "hay stacks and corn shocks would -walk over it." Mr. Benton replied that "he could not conceive how hay -stacks and corn shocks could walk over this bowling green road." "Ah!" -rejoined Mr. Stewart, "I do not expect to see them walk in the shape of -stacks and shocks, but in the shape of fat cattle, hogs, horses and -mules from the Western and Southern States." This was in a discussion in -Congress, over an appropriation bill for repairing the road. Another -conversation with you at some time, would be very much enjoyed by your -unworthy scribbler. - -P. S. Now, Colonel, since writing the above, many things have come -crowding on my memory, and I will mention some of the principal hotels -with which I was more or less acquainted. I frequently traveled over the -National Road in my younger days. I went often to Cumberland and -occasionally to Baltimore. I will begin at Big Crossings (Somerfield). -Coming this way, Thomas Brown kept a tavern on the hillside. Next Daniel -Collier, then Inks, and next Widow Tantlinger (Boss Rush's place). Next -James Sampey at Mt. Washington, then several stopping places before -reaching the Stewart stone house, a hotel that was not largely -patronized by travelers on the road. Next the Chalk Hill house and then -Jimmy Snyder's. Next the first house to the left as you come to Monroe, -built by Mr. Deford. Then several other hotels before you come to -Uniontown. In Uniontown, the Walker House (now Feather's) was well -patronized. Then James Seaton's and Thomas Brownfield's wagon stands. -Next the Cuthbert Wiggins wagon stand (later Moxley's), and next the -Searight house. Over the hill, next was a house kept by Samuel -Woolverton and Hugh Thompson. Then the Robert Johnson (later Hatfield) -stone house. Next old Peter Colley, father of Abel, Solomon and John -Colley. Then the Bowman house, kept by John Gribble, and next the -Brubaker house. Then the first house to the left as you go into -Brownsville, kept by Darra Auld, and next the Workman House. But I -presume you have all these. - - Respectfully, - EB. FINLEY. - - -LETTER FROM THOMAS A. WILEY, A NATIVE OF UNIONTOWN, WHO RODE THE PONY -EXPRESS. - - BALTIMORE AND OHIO R. R. CO., - GEN. TICKET AGENT'S OFFICE, - BALTIMORE, July 16, 1892. - -T. B. SEARIGHT, ESQ.--_Dear Sir_:--I have been receiving from some one -the _Jeffersonian Democrat_, a paper published in my old favorite -Uniontown, and have read with great pleasure your publication of things -that transpired along the National Road. I knew a great many of the old -wagoners, stage drivers and tavern keepers you mention. When I was -working for the stage company the Baltimore and Ohio railroad was only -completed to Frederic, Maryland, and I used to travel the old pike very -often. I hope to be able to come once more to Uniontown before I go -hence, where nearly all the rest have gone, and would delight in a long -talk with you about old times on the road. In looking over the paper you -sent me I scarcely see any names that I used to know in Uniontown. When -last in Uniontown I met William Wilson, Ewing Brownfield and Greenberry -Crossland, and did not get a chance to see my old friend and shop-mate, -Philip Bogardus. He and I worked for the Stockton stage company. The -shops were on Morgantown street. I understand that since I was out my -old friend, Bogardus, has passed away. I recollect the lady he married -was a Miss Lincoln, and I also recollect his boy, Winfield Scott. I have -been with the Baltimore and Ohio company since October 10th, 1852, and -am still in its service. Again thanking you for the paper you sent me, I -close, in the hope that God will bless you and spare your life and mine, -that we may meet in old time-honored Uniontown, and talk over the -glories of the old pike. - - Yours most respectfully, - THOMAS A. WILEY. - - -PROPOSALS FOR CARRYING THE MAILS. - - WASHINGTON CITY, September 26, 1831. - -We will agree to convey the mail on route No. 1,031, from Philadelphia -to Pittsburg, daily in four-horse post coaches, agreeable to -advertisement, for the yearly compensation of seven thousand dollars. - -Or we will make the following improvements: To convey two daily mails -from Philadelphia to Pittsburg: First mail to leave Philadelphia at two -o'clock A. M. and arrive at Pittsburg in two days and five hours, so as -to arrive in Pittsburg at seven o'clock A. M., and extend the route to -Wheeling so as to arrive, including route 1,170, at Wheeling the third -day by nine o'clock P. M., from the first of April to first of December, -and, from first of December to first of April, to Pittsburg in three and -Wheeling in four days; and return from Wheeling by Washington, -Pittsburg, and Chambersburg, to Philadelphia within the same time; -changing the mail as follows: at Lancaster, Harrisburg, Chambersburg, -Bedford, Somerset, Mount Pleasant, and at any other office that is or -may be established on the route. The second mail to leave Philadelphia -at seven A. M., or immediately after the arrival of the New York mail, -and reach Pittsburg in three days and five hours, so as to arrive in -Pittsburg by noon, changing the mail at all way offices. - -We will agree to carry the mail on route No. 1,198, from Bedford to -Washington, Pa., via White House, Somerset, Donegal, Mount Pleasant, -McKean's, Old Stand, Robbstown, Gambles, and Parkinson's Ferry, to -Washington, Pa., as advertised, for the yearly compensation of -twenty-nine hundred dollars. - -We do agree to carry the mail on route No. 1,230, from Bedford, Pa., to -Cumberland, Md., three times a week in coaches, from the first of April -to the first of October, and once a week on horseback from the first of -October to the first of April, so as to connect with the Winchester mail -at Cumberland, and the Great Eastern and Western mail at Bedford, which -is much wanted during the summer season, for the yearly compensation of -thirteen hundred dollars. - - JAMES REESIDE, - SAMUEL R. SLAYMAKER, - J. TOMLINSON. - To the Hon. WM. T. BARRY, - Postmaster General. - - -CONTRACT. - -This contract, made the fifteenth day of October, in the year one -thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, between James Reeside, of -Philadelphia, Samuel R. Slaymaker, of Lancaster, and Jesse Tomlinson, of -Philadelphia, contractors for carrying the mail of the United States, of -one part, and the Postmaster General of the United States of the other -part, witnesseth, that said parties have mutually covenanted as follows, -viz.: The said contractors covenant with the Postmaster General: - -To carry the mails from Pittsburg to Harriottsville, Cannonsburg, -Washington, Claysville, West Alexander, and Triadelphia, Va., to -Wheeling and back, daily, in four-horse post coaches, the first mail to -be changed at each county town through which it passes; the second mail -at every office on the route; and to furnish armed guards for the whole, -when required by the department, at the rate of six thousand seven -hundred and fifty dollars for every quarter of a year, during the -continuance of this contract; to be paid in drafts on postmasters on the -route above mentioned, or in money, at the option of the Postmaster -General, in the months of May, August, November, and February. - -That the mails shall be duly delivered at, and taken from each -postoffice now established, or that may be established on any post route -embraced in this contract, under a penalty of ten dollars for each -offence; and a like penalty shall be incurred for each ten minutes' -delay in the delivery of the mail after the time fixed for its delivery -at any postoffice specified in the schedule hereto annexed; and it is -also agreed that the Postmaster General may alter the times of arrival -and departure fixed by said schedule, and alter the route (he making an -adequate compensation for any extra expense which may be occasioned -thereby); and the Postmaster General reserves the right of annulling -this contract, in case the contractors do not promptly adopt the -alteration required. - -If the delay of the arrival of said mail continue until the hour for the -departure of any connecting mail, whereby the mails destined for such -connecting mails shall miss a trip, it shall be considered a whole trip -lost, and a forfeiture of one hundred dollars shall be incurred; and a -failure to take the mail, or to make the proper exchange of mails at -connecting points, shall be considered a whole trip lost; and for any -delay or failure equal to a trip lost, the Postmaster General shall have -full power to annul this contract. - -That the said contractors shall be answerable for the persons to whom -they shall commit the care and transportation of the mail, and -accountable for any damage which may be sustained through their -unfaithfulness or want of care. - -That seven minutes after the delivery of the mail at any postoffice on -the aforesaid route named on the annexed schedule, shall be allowed the -postmaster for opening the same, and making up another mail to be -forwarded. - -The contractors agree to discharge any driver or carrier of said mail -whenever required to do so by the Postmaster General. - -That when the said mail goes by stage, such stage shall be suitable for -the comfortable accommodation of at least seven travelers; and the mail -shall invariably be carried in a secure dry boot, under the driver's -feet, or in the box which constitutes the driver's seat, under a penalty -of fifty dollars for each omission; and when it is carried on horseback, -or in a vehicle other than a stage, it shall be covered securely with an -oil cloth or bear skin, against rain or snow, under a penalty of twenty -dollars for each time the mail is wet, without such covering. - -_Provided always_, That this contract shall be null and void in case the -contractors or any person that may become interested in this contract, -directly or indirectly, shall become a postmaster or an assistant -postmaster. No member of Congress shall be admitted to any share or part -of this contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon; and -this contract shall, in all its parts, be subject to its terms and -requisitions of an act of Congress, passed on the 21st day of April, in -the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, entitled, "An -act concerning public contracts." - -And it is mutually covenanted and agreed by the said parties that this -contract shall commence on the first day of January next, and continue -in force until the thirty-first day of December, inclusively, which will -be in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five. - -_In witness whereof_, They have hereunto interchangeably set their hands -and seals the day and year first above written. - - (Signed.) JAMES REESIDE. (Seal.) - SAM'L R. SLAYMAKER. (Seal.) - JESSE TOMLINSON. (Seal.) - -Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of - - ROB'T D. CARSON. - JACOB SHEARER. - - -BOND. - -_Know all men by these presents_, That James Reeside, as principal, and -Richard Morris and David Dorrance, as sureties, are held and firmly -bound unto the Postmaster General of the United States of America, in -the just and full sum of two thousand nine hundred dollars, value -received, to be paid unto the Postmaster General or his successors in -office, or to his or their assigns; to which payment, well and truly to -be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, and administrators, -jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals, -dated the seventeenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one -thousand eight hundred and thirty-one. - -The condition of this obligation is such that whereas the above bounden -James Reeside, by a certain contract bearing date the fifteenth day of -October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and -thirty-one, covenanted with the said Postmaster General to carry the -mail of the United States from Bedford to Washington (Pennsylvania), as -per contract annexed, commencing the first day of January, one thousand -eight hundred and thirty-two, and ending the thirty-first day of -December, which will be in the year one thousand eight hundred and -thirty-five. - -Now, if the said James Reeside shall well and truly perform the -covenants in the said indenture expressed on his part to be performed, -and shall account for all penalties, and shall promptly repay all -balances that may at any time be found due from him, then this bond is -to be void; otherwise to remain in full force. - - (Signed.) JAMES REESIDE, (Seal.) - RICHARD MORRIS, (Seal.) - DAVID DORRANCE, (Seal.) - -Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of - - (Signed.) R. C. WHITESIDE. - -A true copy from the original on file in the General Postoffice. - - MW. ST. CLAIR CLARKE, Secretary. - - -CLAIM FOR EXTRA ALLOWANCE. - - WASHINGTON CITY, December 28, 1831. - -_Sir_: For the four years which I have been your contractor for -transporting the great Eastern mail from New York to Philadelphia, it -has happened almost every week, and several times in a week, that -arrivals from foreign countries have brought thousands of ship letters -to the office of New York just before the time for my departure, and the -importance of their being forwarded without delay to the Southern cities -has required my detention from one to two hours beyond the ordinary time -for me to leave New York. This detention I have been required to gain in -speed, and that increased speed has required me always to keep on that -route two extra teams of horses, at an extra expense of not less than -one thousand dollars per year for each team. During the first year your -predecessor made me an extra allowance for this expense, but during the -last three years I have received nothing for it. I now submit the -subject to you, in the expectation that you will allow the claim; it is -certainly but just that I should be relieved, at least in part, of this -burden, for the last three years it has subjected me to an expense of -not less than six thousand dollars, which I hope you will direct to be -paid to me, at least in part, if you do not think me entitled to the -whole. I have also, within the same time, transported to New York all -the large mail bags which are made in Philadelphia and sent to New York, -not with mails, but to be used in New York, and to be sent from New York -to other places. These within three years will amount to about five -hundred pounds a week, as will appear from accounts of the manufacturers -in your office. Wherever I could procure transportation for those bags -in wagons, I have uniformly paid $2.50 per hundred pounds for carrying -them, rather than overload my coaches in which we carry the great mail. -For this service, I hope you will not consider my claim unreasonable, if -I charge ten dollars per week for three years. All of which is submitted -to your sense of justice for decision. - - Very respectfully, your obedient servant, - JAMES REESIDE. - HON. WM. T. BARRY. - -Endorsement--Allowed. Allow $4,500. The residue of the -claim is reserved for future consideration. Allow the remaining -$1,500. - - -COULDN'T AFFORD TO CARRY NEWSPAPERS. - - WASHINGTON, July 12, 1832. - -_Sir_: When we entered into contract with you to run two daily mails -between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, one with unexampled rapidity, and -the other in three and one-half days, we had no idea whatever of -carrying the newspaper mail in our most rapid line, nor do we suppose it -was ever contemplated by the department. It was our intention and we so -expressed it in all our conversation with you, and with the -superintendent of mail contracts, to carry the principal letter mail -only in the most rapid line, not believing it practicable to carry the -heavy load of newspapers sent to the West with sufficient rapidity to -reach Pittsburg in the shortest time specified. Indeed, if we could have -supposed that it would ever become necessary to carry the newspapers -with that rapidity, we should not have undertaken it for less that -fifteen thousand dollars a year beyond what we now receive; but -experience soon taught us that great complaints were made against the -department and ourselves when the newspapers were not received as soon -as the letters, and that these complaints were not confined to -Pittsburg, but extended all over the West. To satisfy the public, and -sustain the credit of both the department and ourselves as its servant, -we made the experiment of trying to carry the newspapers with our most -rapid line. We have partially succeeded, but with very great loss. For -three days in the week we are compelled to exclude all passengers, to -the loss of not less than one hundred dollars a day. We are willing to -perform our contract to the full extent of its meaning, but we must -relinquish carrying the newspaper mails by our most rapid line, unless -we can in part be remunerated for it. If, however, the Postmaster -General is willing to silence the public clamor, which is so great when -we carry them in our slow line, we will carry all the newspaper mails, -together with the letter mail, in our most rapid line to Pittsburg and -Wheeling, in the shortest time specified in our contract, and so arrange -the connection of the Baltimore mail at Chambersburg with our swift -line, as to carry the newspapers as well as letter mail, from Baltimore -to Pittsburg in two days, for the additional allowance of ten thousand -dollars per year, from the first of April last. The increased expense to -us will not be less than fifteen thousand dollars a year, and for our -own credit and for the credit of the department, we will make one-third -of the sacrifice and perform the service for ten thousand dollars a -year. We would gladly do it for a less sum if we could afford it, but we -cannot, and at that rate our sacrifice will be as much as we can bear. -It would be much more gratifying to us if the public would be satisfied -without it, but they will not, and our own feelings will not suffer us -to perform a service in which we cannot give satisfaction to the public. - -Very respectfully, your obedient servants, - - JAS. REESIDE, - SAM'L R. SLAYMAKER. - To the HON. W. T. BARRY, - Postmaster General. - -A true copy from the original on file in the General Postoffice. - -(The above letter is marked "Granted.") - - MW. ST. CLAIR CLARKE, Secretary. - - -MR. REESIDE DEFIES ALL COMPETITORS. - - PHILADELPHIA, January 25, 1833. - -_Dear Sir_: Your favor dated the 22d inst. has just come to hand, which -I have examined with much care, but must confess myself at a loss to -come to the exact meaning it is extended to convey. - -That there is at present, and has been for some time back, an express -carried on horseback between this city and New York, is a fact which is -well known, and which is publicly acknowledged by the newspapers in New -York. That it is impossible to carry the whole of the great Eastern mail -through in coaches or otherwise with the same speed as a small package -can be carried through on horseback is a fact that requires no comment. - -Not having pointed out this matter clearly in your letter whether it was -the wish of the department that a certain portion of mails should be -sent by express to New York at an earlier hour than it now does. - -Should it be the latter, I would at once assure the department of the -impossibility of having it carried through in as short a time as it is -now carried by express on horseback. - -In either case the department may rest assured of my willingness and -determination to use every exertion in order to meet the views and -wishes of the department. Should you desire it to be sent by express, I -have no hesitation in saying that I can have it sent through in a -shorter time than it can be done by any other individual in the country. -This will be handed to you by Mr. Ewing, whom I have sent on with -directions to ascertain from you personally your views of this matter, -and who will give you all the information respecting the express that -has been sent from this place to New York alluded to in your letter. - - With respect, your obedient servant, - JAMES REESIDE. - -N. B. I will say to a certainty I will go from this city to New York in -six hours, or faster than any other one can do it. - - JAMES REESIDE. - To Hon. O. B. BROWN, - Superintendent of Mail Contracts, - Washington, D. C. - - -TEAMS READY FOR THE NATIONAL ROAD. - - TRENTON, February 25, 1833. - -_Dear Sir_: You will perceive by the enclosed that I have attended to -your directions as far as practicable. It is their own exposition of the -matter, and such as they gave me. - -I neglected to mention to you in my letter of yesterday that the cause -of the private express beating that of the Government alluded to in Mr. -Mumford's letter, was owing to but one cause. - -Their express came through from Washington. - -The Government express from Philadelphia, after the arrival of the -steamship, giving the newspaper express the start of six hours in -advance of that of the Government. The lateness of the succeeding -arrivals originated from the cause mentioned in the enclosed letter. No -mail having arrived from the South, they supposed, from the lateness of -the arrival of the express the following night, that there would not be -any more. - -This was caused by the late arrival of the steamboat, and no preparation -was made on the road for taking it on. This is their excuse; whether it -will pass current is for you to determine. I have just received a letter -from Mr. Washington on the subject. He attaches the blame to Thompson's -bad horse, &c. - -I think we shall be able to get the mail through in time to connect with -the boat, should the roads not get worse than they now are. - -The mail arrived in Philadelphia this morning at 6 o'clock. I have good -reasons for believing that it will continue, unless a change should take -place in the roads. - -The mail has left Jersey City the last few days at a few minutes past -three o'clock P. M., and will continue to leave at that hour unless you -direct otherwise: that is three o'clock. - -The teams intended for the National Road are here to-night, and start -to-morrow for the West; they are twelve in number, Jersey stock. - - Yours respectfully, - D. EWING. - - COLONEL JAMES REESIDE. - -P. S. No opposition express for the last four days. Your express horses -are in good order, with but two exceptions. - - D. E. - - -COPY OF AN ACCOUNT AGAINST COL. JAMES REESIDE. - - COL. JAMES REESIDE, TO HUTCHINSON & WEART, _Dr._ - - 1833. - - January 31.--To one horse on express $ 5 00 - February 1. " two horses " 10 00 - " 2. " two horses " 10 00 - " 3. " two horses " 10 00 - " 3. " horses and gig, Eastward, making arrangements - for regular express 5 00 - March 7.--To two horses on express 5 00 - " 7. " running express one month and four days, from - February 4 to this date, inclusive, between - Trenton and New Brunswick 1,885 71 - -------- - $1,970 71 - -The above is a true copy from our books, so far as relates to expresses, -and has been paid to us by Col. Reeside. - - HUTCHINSON & WEART. - - -BEDFORD, PA., GETS A DAILY MAIL. - - February 14, 1833. - -_Sir_: The citizens of Bedford, Pennsylvania, desire that a daily mail -be run between Bedford and Hollidaysburg. The latter being a place of -great importance, being at the junction of the Pennsylvania Canal and -Railroad, and an intercourse of communication very great between the two -points, I will agree to perform the service for a pro rata allowance, -and put the arrangement into effect in ten days. - - Very respectfully, etc., - JAMES REESIDE. - - HON. W. T. BARRY, Postmaster General. - -No. 1215, Pennsylvania. James Reeside proposes to run daily for pro -rata; Postmaster General says within "granted;" James Reeside written to -25th February, 1833. - - - - -Transcriber's End Notes - -Several illustrations ("ROAD WAGON" and "STAGE COACH") appear in the -table of illustrations but do not have captions in the images -themselves. These have been added. The table of illustrations indicates -that a portrait of Ellis B. Woodward was to appear after p. 119, where -he is mentioned. In fact, the portrait was bound between pages 132 and -133. It has been placed in its intended position. - -In Chapter XIV and in the Appendix, accounting reports include balances -carried over to the following page. Since this text will not contain -page breaks, these are superfluous, and they have been eliminated. - -The spelling of place names vary locally, e.g., Allegany / Allegheny. - -The word "phaeton" appears both with and without the "ae" ligature. In -both cases, the spelling here is "phaeton". - -Hyphenation can be variable and is retained as found. Where the sole -instance of a hyphenated word occurs on a line break, modern usage is -followed. - -For Chapters XXIX, XXXII, the chapter summary fails to consistently use -the conventional '--' separator between topics. These omissions have -been corrected. - -The following list contains typographical or spelling errors which were -noted, by the original pagination: (29) excelerating, (145) sapplings, -(155) ignominously, (157) wood-be robber, (166) Gautemala, (252) -whatsomever, (269) germaine, (290) Abram, (297) from widow Goodings, -(323) Tennesse, (327) mint julip, (328) Butting, (333), beleagured, -(349) empanneled. - -Punctuation and spacing errors have been corrected to follow usage -elsewhere in the text. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Old Pike, by Thomas B. 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