The Old Pike Part 27

A short distance west from Mitch.e.l.l'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 Was.h.i.+ngton, 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 cla.s.sic 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 "Sh.e.l.lbark." Samuel Thompson succeeded Lenhart, and he in 1846 was succeeded by Mrs. Metzgar, who subsequently became the wife of John Olwine.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 mult.i.tude 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 inc.u.mbent. 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 fas.h.i.+oned banners and old fas.h.i.+oned 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 x.x.xI.

_Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Big Crossings to Mt.

Was.h.i.+ngton--Old Sh.e.l.lbark, 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 "Sh.e.l.lbark." 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 "Sh.e.l.lbark" 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 b.u.t.ter, and eating it in connection with a gla.s.s of whiskey. He enjoyed this matutinal habit for many years, and rarely omitted it. Why he was called "Sh.e.l.lbark" 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 pa.s.sengers 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 s.p.a.ce between this and the Youghiogheny river is called "Jockey Hollow," a level piece of road upon which horses were run and c.o.c.k-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 towns.h.i.+p 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 towns.h.i.+p, 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 canva.s.s 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 cl.u.s.ter of small log cabins, three in number, which const.i.tuted 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" succ.u.mbed 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 pa.s.sed 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 n.i.g.g.e.r." "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 Mitch.e.l.l, who was a great hunter and an occasional preacher. While Holland was lying on the ground dying, Mitch.e.l.l placed wild grape leaves on his wound, and prayed for him.

Mitch.e.l.l was preaching once in this neighborhood, and in one of his most earnest pa.s.sages, 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.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 c.u.mberland. 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 s.p.a.cious 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 pa.s.sengers 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, const.i.tuting 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 a.s.sociate 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 towns.h.i.+p, 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 Was.h.i.+ngton 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 cla.s.sed 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: RUINS OF THE OLD JOHN RUSH HOUSE.]

CHAPTER x.x.xII.

_Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Fort Necessity, Was.h.i.+ngton'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. Was.h.i.+ngton is a point replete with historic interest. Here Was.h.i.+ngton 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. Was.h.i.+ngton 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 Was.h.i.+ngton, 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. c.u.mberland to Pittsburg, and besides a fertile soil, possesses a large quant.i.ty 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 a.s.surances, down from Was.h.i.+ngton, this estate pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sengers 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. G.o.dfrey Fazenbaker succeeded Beggs in the owners.h.i.+p, 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.