flour, bacon, &c. That all had been distributed to
the best advantage. The accounts were examined,
and the action of the committee endorsed.
The rebuilding of the town progressed stead ily, and before the close of the year there were thirteen stores on Mechanic street, where there had been only six previous to the fire.
During all of the year 1833, a party of engineers and workmen in the employ of the Grovernment^ had been engaged in changing the course of that part of the National Road extending from Cumberland to the Six Mile House. The original road, as surveyed and built, lay along Green street, and across Will's Mountain, through Sandy Gap. The new location abandoned that route, and lay along Will's Creek, through the Narrows, and thence along Braddock's Run, exactly as it remains to-day. In the winter of 1833 General Gratiot, the Chief Engineer, submitted his report to the War Department, showing how he had repaired a large part of the Cumberland Road; that the new location had been opened, and that the bridge over Will's Creek was in course of construc- tion. He recommended still further repairs and estimated the total cost to be $645,000.
January 2, 1834. — The tavern house of Mrs. Bruce, widow of Francis Bruce, five miles abovfe town, on the National Road, was destroyed by fire, with all its contents. The inmates saved themselves by jumping from the second story, not even saving their clothing.
January 7. — Notice was given that the Cumberland Bank of Allegany would resume business, on the 13th inst., with Joseph Shriver as Cashier.
