USA > Maryland > Montgomery County > Sandy Spring > Annals of Sandy Spring history of a rural community in Maryland, Volume II > Part 14
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Third month, 19th. The Rev. J. S. Keiffer, of Hag- erstown, delivered one of his most delightful lectures at the Lyceum. His subject, "The Blarney Stone." was not only replete with the felicities as well as the pitfalls of the art of flattery, but also contained a ser- mon on Truth-that most important attribute of character.
If our long-talked-of and ardently-hoped-for rail- road is still denied us we can at least boast of a mys-
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terious telephonic connection with Washington. The family at Sharon can distinctly hear, over their short wire stretching to Brooke Grove, the stopping and starting of the electric cars, some eighteen miles away.
The Third month was decidedly the coldest, most stormy and disagreeable of the whole year. Raw and biting winds, rain, snow, tempests, and a thunder- storm, gave us sufficient variety of weather and con- vinced us that March belongs properly to the winter months; yet, we always feel with his blustering ad- vent that spring should come on apace. The poems are here, but the "ethereal mildness" is still missing.
Only four really clear days had been our portion, and on the 27th and 28th, if not a blizzard, a very near relative to one, set in. If the snow, which fell con- tinuously for many hours had not partially melted, a complete blockade would have been the result of this severe storm.
For several days April did not realize that March had lapsed into the past, as the mercury still lingered around the freezing point, and heavy white frosts ev- ery morning discouraged the most eager and adven- turous horticulturists from planting their gardens un- til about the tenth of the month the wet ground was hastily prepared and the seed hurried in.
Your historian felt safe in exhausting the English language on the subjects of "la grippe" last year, never dreaming this awful malady would, like the celebrated "jaw-bone" in ancient history, again lay low its thousands and tens of thousands.
Through the Third and. Fourth months its victims were most numerous. Those who were boastful last
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spring, and felt themselves rather above catching it. had now enough and to spare, while others, who thought it was something to occur once in a lifetime. like cutting teeth or growing a moustache, soon dis- covered that after one spell one was so full of microbes he or she could keep on having it indefinitely. Taking this season more the form of violent influenza experi- enced convalescents declare there is quite as much de- pression, irritability, aches, pains and fevers in one attack of "la grippe," as would serve a chronic invalid through several years of ordinary sickness.
Fourth month, 9th. The last of the winter's course of lectures was delivered at the Lyceum, on "Ques- tions of the Day," by John D. MacPherson, of Georgetown, D. C.
Fourth month, 11th. Washington Winder Owens died at his residence, Locust Hill, in his seventy- eighth year. This highly-respected and valuable citi- zen was noted for truthfulness, integrity and energy of . character, and his long life was wholly devoted to the successful pursuit. of agriculture. Although not liv- ing within the radius of our neighborhood he was a relative of the Porter family, of this place, and at one time was a director in the Savings Institution of Sandy Spring, but resigned the position some years ago.
On the 13th his remains were laid to rest with those of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather in the home lot, which had been in possession of Mr. Owens' family for seven generations.
Fourth month, 14th, Miriam, daughter of Frank and Fanny Snowden, was born.
On the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th
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we had unusually high temperature for the season, the thermometer recording from eighty to eighty-six de- grees at noon on each of these dates. Even in July or August seven days of such unvarying heat would be noticeable, but with the enervating effects of the "grippe" lingering in our midst, and afraid to dis- pense entirely with winter clothing, Sandy Spring has seldom passed a more uncomfortable week. We had lamented loud and long on the tardy spring-coming, the continuous cold rains, snows and frosts, but now feeling "that man never is, but always to be, blessed," were quite ready to murmur at the too ardent rays of the life-giving sun.
Our historical year now draws to a close. As far as possible the current happenings of the day, the in- cident that diverts, the event of pith and moment, have been gathered and spread before you. One item is reserved for the last.
Harriet Riddle Davis, of Washington, so well known in Sandy Spring she needs no introduction to this audience, has published a very delightful Quaker novel. Many of the characters are types of our people, and the scenes are familiar to us all. She has used several well-known homesteads, the old meeting- house, the Club, the Horticultural, a fox hunt, and a picnic to "Folly Quarter," as the solid warp upon which she has woven an exceptionally clever and pure story.
Most of you have doubtless read with profit and pleasure "Gilbert Elgar's Son," and will, perhaps, recognize the following quotation from it-a sentence replete with the best hopes of the future for our neighi-
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borhood, and towards which happy state we should, individually and collectively, aspire. She says :
"I can fancy no life so full, so satisfactory, as that of a successful farmer who sees his crops turn out well, whose farm flourishes and improves from year to year, whose stock is all of the best and purest breeds, whose land is his own, untouched by debt or mortgage."
CHAPTER IX.
From Fourth Month, 1891, to Fourth Month, 1892.
Visit from Susan B. Anthony-Gold-diggers appeared at Brooke Meadow-Percy M. Reese lectured on Rome, and George Kennan on Vagabond Life in Eastern Europe-Ellen Farquhar and Rebecca T. Miller went to Europe-Obituaries of Deborah A. Lea, Edward Lea, Caroline Roberts, Thomas L. Moore, Kate C. Elbrey, Warwick M. Brooke, Mary Annis Stabler, Mary G. Tyson, Annie E. Hartshorne, Rachel E. Gilpin and Elizabeth J. Holland.
A smaller audience than usual, most of it convales- cent from "la grippe," greeted the historian with comforting warinth and attention on the evening of the annual meeting, Fourth month, 20th, 1891. Rob- ert H. Miller was elected president, Elizabeth T. Stabler, secretary, Samuel Wetherald, treasurer, and the incumbent of another position, who seems to re- main on sufferance, since she is not reelected, is afraid she will soon be classed among those office-holders who seldom die and never resign.
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The following item was sent to begin the history of the new year with: "The quarterly meeting of Orthodox Friends met at Ashton, Fourth month, 20th. Although places were vacant by the removal of some valued members, it was felt by those present to be a time of much spiritual blessing ; five ministers were in attendance."
Fourth month, 26th. Susan B. Anthony renowned for many years as the champion of oppressed woman- hood, made a brief visit to Mt. Airy, and sat with us on a beautiful Sabbath morning, fragrant with the bloom of orchards, in the quiet of the old meeting- house.
Fourth month, 28th. "Charley Forest," the home of the Scofield family, was sold for $7,000 to Frank J. Downey, of Frederick county, the former owners hav- ing moved to Texas to live. This old homestead, which had been remodeled, though still retaining much that was quaint and interesting in its outlines, is said to have been, when built, in 1728, the last white man's dwelling in a direct line between Sandy Spring and Canada. A month later there was a sale at this place of household goods, stock and farming imple- ments, the first of many such sales during the year. For four weeks there had been no rain, a long per- iod of drought for the springtime. On Fifth month, 5th, there was frost enough to frighten the growing fruit, but on the roth the mercury reached ninety de- grees in the shade.
Arbor day was observed in the various schools by essays and recitations on the subjects of trees and for- estry, followed by tree planting.
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In this month Dr. F. W. Elbrey and family moved from Alexandria to their new home, "Mirival," which had been purchased from Thomas L. Moore some months before,
Fifth month, 6th. After long deliberations and a patient waiting of the majority, peculiar to the exer- cises of Friends, it was decided to hold the monthly meetings in joint session.
Fifth month, 15th. Deborah A. Lea died in her seventy-fifth year.
Fifth month, 26th. Edward Lea died in his sey- enty-seventh year, and was laid by the side of the wife of his youth, in Woodside Cemetery, Fifth month, 28th. For some weeks this aged couple had been passing, as it were, hand in hand, towards that silent land whence there is no return. They had lived all their lives near each other, and for over fifty-four years together; Fate was kind to make the separation so brief between this husband and wife. They had been home-staying folks. Their existence passed, for the most part, in the daily work of the farm, she excelling in the cultivation and care of the garden and flowers. They had done much for others ; children educated. orphans sheltered, the ready and constant response to the needs of the poor and suffering around them, and for sweet Charity's sake, they counted as nothing personal toil and self-sacrifice.
At the May meeting of the Horticultural Society. of which they had long been honored members, Henry C. Hallowell read the following tribute to their memory :
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EDWARD LEA.
"When the warrior or statesman, the leader of men, or the molder of the destinies of nations, passes from busy results of activity to his last resting-place, col- umns of eulogy appear in the papers of the day.
"Through the courts at deep midnight, The torches are gleaming, Through the proudly arched chapel The banners are beaming, Far down the long aisle Sacred music is streaming- Lamenting a chief of the people should fall."
"But those who tread the constant round of quiet domestic life, who perform the duty that lies nearest to them to the best of their ability, these merit and should receive the respect and affection of neighbors and friends, for they leave a rich legacy of example to those still passing through the lights and shadows of life's checkered pathway.
"The Horticultural Society had no members who appreciated more than Edward and Deborah Lea its social features and its influence on the neighborhood, as manifest in improved gardens and in lawns and en- closures of increased beauty ..
"Edward Lea, although a man diffident of his own ability, was ever ready to encourage others, and to give a helping hand as far as he was able to do so.
"He was the oldest member of the .'Farmers' Club,' and was one of its originators ; he was greatly inter- ested in the establishment of the Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company of Montgomery County, of which he was one of the charter members.
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"He was one of the incorporators of the Savings Institution of Sandy Spring, and was an active and deeply-interested member of the Society of Friends.
"He also was an earnest worker in the cause of temperance, and frequently, with his wife or some congenial friend, visited the county jail and almshouse to render, if possible, some little service to his unfor- tunate fellow-creatures.
"He was one of those patriotic citizens who believ- ed it to be a duty to take an interest in the affairs of county, state and country. He encouraged his young friends by his counsel and advice, giving his views in an unpretending, yet, earnest manner, and leaving the "seed to germinate" if adapted to the soil upon which it fell.
"After a life of activity and innocence, wishing to live up to a lofty standard, so far as the "hindering cares of time" would permit, he passed quietly over the stream that noiselessly flows between two exist- ences, life and the unseen futurity, on the 20th of May, aged seventy-seven years.
"He had the companionship of the playmate of his childhood through the long years of mature life, and nearly together they became again as 'little children' in their Father's household.
"He was buried at 'Woodside.' a beautiful ceme- tery near his home, and which had been donated by his wife and himself for the resting-place of such as wished to be placed within it. In the words of the Psalmist, 'Mark the perfect man, and behold the up- right, for the end of that man is peace.' "
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Fifth month, 16th, Catherine, daughter of Ulric and Mary Janney Hutton, was born.
Sixth month, 4th. The closing exercises of Sher- wood Friends' School were very creditable to teach- ers and pupils. The resignation of George B. Miller, the principal, was most reluctantly accepted; he car- ried with him to St. Louis the best wishes of many old friends, and the respect and affection of his form- er scholars. The charming home at Oakleigh, which he and his young wife had established the previous year, was not long vacant, Edward N. Bentley mov- ing his family there from Washington.
The record of many years of fair weather for our quarterly meeting was broken by two rainy and tem- pestuous days, Sixth month, 7th and 8th. Large fires were necessary for comfort this most stormy Sabbath, and it was said to be the smallest attendance since 1861.
Sixth month, Ioth. Dr. Charles M. Iddings and Ida Leo Matthews, daughter of A. G. Matthews, of Hazel- dene, Howard County, were married by Episcopal ceremony, at the home of the bride. They came to reside with Dr. Edward Iddings.
Copious rains fell from the 17th to the 22nd, and gave the cheerful and hopeful husbandman his cus- tomary excuse to croak and prophesy every misfor- tune that he and his crops are natural heirs to.
The yield of small fruits was phenomenal. Straw- berries of such size and in such quantities were never seen before in Sandy Spring. The cherry trees were laden with their beautiful fruit, so unusually large it was possible to take two bites to a cherry, while some
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of the berries from Charles G. Porter's garden could easily be quartered and enjoyed.
John H. Janney purchased "Brooke Meadow," the former home of Samuel Ellicott, and is to be con- gratulated on coming into possession of land owned by his ancestors, and as the proprietor of a productive farm, to say nothing of the gold-mine thereon.
In this month the death of Caroline Roberts oc- curred at Brighton. She had lived in the Peirce fam- ily as faithful friend and assistant for seventy-six years, the most lengthy voluntary servitude on record in this vicinity.
Samuel Bond, of Oakdale, established a delivery . wagon from his store, the first to be noted here, and a Laurel firm commenced sending bread to our doors ; each year the farmer may, if so inclined, add more outside expenses to his cost of living, which used to be confined so strictly to the products of his own farm.
Sixth month, 2nd. Elizabeth T. and Marianna Stabler, Bessie Scott, Rebecca T. and Pattie T. Mil- ler, Edith, Mary and Eliza M. Hallowell, went into camp for a week in the empty house formerly occu- pied by Dr. Henry Chandlee-a romantic spot near an old mill, with the pleasant environment of deep woods and running streams. Visitors by the score flocked to see these young women, determined on a change, though still breathing their native air.
About the Ist of Seventh month, Henry H. Miller was appointed postmaster at Sandy Spring, vice George B. Miller, resigned.
Miss Mary G. Colt purchased "Wayside," now
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known as "Wrenwood," and greatly improved the house by tasteful additions.
From Seventh month, Ist to the 15th, the weather was very cool, and the traditional hot Fourth had for once foregone its chief characteristic. There were, however, more horns, boys, noise and fireworks than ever before. Throughout this month fires were often needed during the day and blankets at night. Among the numerous boarders in the neighborhood at this time were Mr. and Mrs. Ye, of Corea, who remained at Rockland some weeks, and were very interesting, as belonging to an alien race, different in color, speech, religion, dress and custom from any other visitors to Sandy Spring, and yet in many ways quite like all the rest of us.
It was no unusual thing for fifty or sixty strangers to sit with us in the old meeting-house on the Sab- bath, representing many creeds and more opinions, yet, perhaps, all touched, in a greater or less degree, by the quiet restfulness of the Friendly gathering.
Seventh month, 16th, Thomas L., twin son of Jos- eph T., jr., and Estelle Tyson Moore, died, aged eleven months.
This sudden bereavement called forth universal ex- pressions of sympathy for the afflicted parents in the loss of their only son, a lovely and promising babe, and the separation of two little companions whose very existence seemed bound up in each other.
"The bud that dries up in its envelope passes away with all its perfume like thou with all thy innocence. "Happy are they who die in their cradles ; they have only known the kisses and. smiles of a mother."
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Dr. Francis Thomas resigned the postmastership at Ednor, and Edward P. Thomas was appointed to fit the vacancy.
Seventh month, 19th. The Forrest Glen Stage was discontinued, to the great inconvenience of many who found this the shortest route from Washington.
That periodic visitor, the railroad, now appeared, this time at Brighton, and informed the doubting in- habitants that Mr. Fuller, of tender memory, as con- nected with that ancient imaginary line, the Sandy Spring Railroad, had sold out to some company who would proceed to build at once.
As Philip E. Thomas, one of the pioneers of rail- road construction in America, was born in this county in 1776, there may be a Thomas, however, "doubting" among us now, who will rise up and build that road without waiting for a fulfillment of these yearly prom- ises that have, as yet, only driven some stakes, de- stroyed a few trees and bushes, without laying a single rail. The last weeks of July were very rainy, and great difficutly was experienced by our farmers in se- curing their hay ; fogs and dampness continued with but few hours of sunshine, and the days which are gen- erally devoted to the pleasures of outdoor life were spent, perforce, in the house.
During the latter part of this month, and into the Eighth, many persons went away, and were reported as visiting or traveling in different places and states. It seemed much of interest and health should have been gathered from such widely divergent points as Cape May, Rock Enon Springs, Detroit, Indiana. Boston, Cape Cod, Niagara; Loudon County, Vir-
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ginia, Alaska, Roanoke, Atlantic City, Norfolk, Nat- ural Bridge, Prouts Neck, Maine, Ocean City, Beach Haven, Luray Cave, Longport, Catonsville, Bay Ridge, Missouri, Baltimore, Hagerstown and New York City.
Eighth month, 22nd, Mrs. Henry H. Miller gave her year-old daughter, Katherine, a birthday party ; seventeen infants, either native born or of Sandy Spring ancestry, were present. Only three of the number were boys-the usual proportion of swains to swans in our neighborhood. An excellent photo- graph of these coming women was taken by Nora L. Stabler.
Gold-diggers now appeared at Brooke Meadow, with the inevitable three degrees of mining specula- tion in this vicinity, positive, mine; comparative, miner; superlative, minus.
J. Elgar Hallowell secured a situation in St. Louis, and removed thither.
The neighborhood was now, as is customary in the Fighth month, teeming with visitors and boarders. but many severe rain-storms, continuing for hours, interfered with outdoor festivities. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th of the Ninth month, however. were delightful days for the Rockville Fair, which was largely attend- ed. The exhibit was most creditable, and many pre- miums were awarded our people.
On the evening of the 5th there was a tremendous thunder-storm, with a fall of three inches of water, in a few hours. The Fair had for once escaped a drenching.
Ninth month, 16th. Sherwood Friends' School op-
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ened with Professor Charles M. Stabler, of New York, as principal; Miss Belle Hamman, first assist- ant, and Emily T. Brooke and Sarah B. Farquhar. teachers. There was an excellent attendance, children coming from other sections, and the roll was increased to fifty-three pupils during the session. An adult class in French and German, taught by Miss Rose Leuty, of France, was a new feature.
Helen and Ellen Thomas entered the Woman's College, in Baltimore, the first girl students from here to patronize a state institution. Esther T. Moore was made a member of the faculty of Swarthmore College; Truxton Strain and his sister, Gertrude, went to Oregon in pursuit of occupation.
William F. Thomas announced that he had open- ed an office in Washington, and proposed to become a banker and broker.
These annals have frequently contained honorable mention of good situations found or earned by our . young men who have left Sandy Spring to engage in business elsewhere. Perhaps it will do no harm to record the achievements of a neighborhood boy of a darker hue. Thomas Cooke, a grandson of old Warner Cooke, while still in his teens, by the great- est effort saved the sum of thirty-eight dollars. He entered a puble school in Baltimore, living on corn- bread and beans for weeks at a time. He managed to subsist for six months. Then he became a waiter until he had accumulated enough to resume his stud- ies. He pursued this plan for years, and now, at the age of twenty-eight, he confidenty expects to gradu- ate as a physician from Howard University in a few
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months. He is said to understand Latin and Greek, is apparently familiar with Shakespeare, Pope and other great writers of the past, and is well "up" on the literature and questions of the day. Anglo- Saxon boys of Sandy Spring, with ten times the ad- vantages of this youth, how many of you will achieve half as much in the next ten years?
Vegetation was almost rank in the Ninth month, and the hot days that had passed us by earlier in the season came now on the 24th, 25th and 26th; the mercury rose to ninety or ninety-eight degrees each day.
An immense corn crop was being secured. It was often remarked that there had hardly ever been a year of such abundance in all directions, although the hay was not quite up to the average.
Tenth month came in with beautiful weather, which continued for many days. On the evening of the 15th Percy M. Reese, of Baltimore, delivered a most interesting illustrated lecture on Rome, to a crowded audience at the Lyceum.
Dr. Tillum and family, of Brighton, returned to Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Sallie Ellicott and daughter rented their place. Caroline H. Miller went first to Washington and then to New York to visit her mar- ried children.
Dr. Charles M. Iddings and wife moved to Loudon county, Virginia. Admiral Jouett and wife closed "The Anchorage," and went, temporarily, we hope, to southeastern Virginia. Dr. Francis Thomas and family again located in Washington for the winter. Arthur Stabler and wife, and Elizabeth B. Smith and
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daughter moved to Baltimore. Elizabeth Tyson sought the orange groves and temperate climate of Florida. Henry W. Davis and wife, of Philadelphia, came to reside at Plainfield for some months.
In the Tenth month Richard L. Bentley was mar- ried to Anna Van Buskirk, of Nova Scotia, and in First month, 1892, Harry H. Stabler was married to Elizabeth T. Reed, of Norfolk, Virginia. Although both of these young men reside in Baltimore, and married outside the fold, as they still wish to retain their membership in this meeting we make this record.
Fifty-seven of our people attended Baltimore yearly meeting of Friends in the Tenth month. On the 28th the first heavy white frost paled the gorgeous dyes of the autumn leaves ; it seemed as if our woods had never been quite so brilliant before.
"RURAL RAPTURES." "When the goldenrod is gleaming By the hedgerow brown. When the crimson leaves are floating On the west wind down, When the stubble in the meadow, Frosty gleams at morn, Then the farmer-thrifty farmer- Husks his corn.
"When adown the storm-swept forest, Ripe nuts patter fast, When the latest harvest's gathered, Indian summer past; When the woodman's axe is ringing On the crashing logs, Then the farmer-bloody farmer- Kills his hogs.
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"When the drifting snows lie heavy, All the world around;
When 'neath mistletoe and holly, Yuletide joys abound, Then beside his glowing hearthstone,
Scorning tempest's roar,
Sits the happy farmer resting, Reading papers by the score."
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