History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition, Part 21

Author: Lowdermilk, William Harrison
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Washington, D.C. : James Anglim
Number of Pages: 588


USA > Maryland > Allegany County > Cumberland > History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition > Part 21


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37


Mill street, now Centre street, was then a narrow, crooked road through a commons, with but few houses scattered here and there. At the corner of Centre and Baltimore streets was Shryer's tan yard, on the north west, and the Lutheran Church on the northeast. At the corner of Bedford street, where the City Hall now stands was the house of John Clise. On the northwest corner of Bedford and Centre was Startzman's tan yard, and on the north- east corner was Thomas Thistle's house, a tavern. The Catholic Church stood on the ground now occupied by the Carroll Hall school building, adjoin- ing the present Church grounds. Immediately south of it was James White's house, and across the street lived Peter Louderbaugh. James Bean occupied a house a few hundred yards north, and above Little Valley road were two other houses, one of which was the house of Mrs. Waugh, a midwife.


Bedford street, or, as it was then called, Blocher street, boasted a very limited number of buildings. On the south side, near the corner of Centre, lived


293


RESIDENTS AND HOUSES.


1813.]


Mrs. Willison and James Moore; on the ground now occupied by Mrs. Henry Korns' residence was the house of Francis Deems; in a field, (corner of Decatur street) lived Abraham Simkins. On the north side of the street, where Jesse Korns now lives, was a block of small houses known as "Berry's Row." A short distance above were James P. Carleton's and John Lingo's, and next Eckles' Pottery, George Blocher's, (house still standing,) Jacob Shuck's and John McMahon's.


A grist mill stood at the mouth of the race, where the wharf of the Consolidation Coal Company is located. This mill was built somewhere about 1800, by Peter Devecmon, at a cost of $8,000, and was regarded as one of the finest mills in the State. It was bought by Patrick Murdoch, but payments not being made a law suit resulted after Murdoch's death.


These embraced all the houses in the town, with the exception, possibly of three or four. The whole number of houses was one hundred and thirty-eight. The taxable property amounted to $22,829, according to the assessment, which was put at very low figures. The following is a list of the names of property holders, and the amount with which each was assessed :


John Anderson. $1,080 | Daniel C. Brant's heirs. .$ 115


Harmenus Alricks 25


Jacob Blocher. 360


Robert Armstrong 25


John C. Beatty's heirs. 225


Christian Albright 100


Andrew Bruce 12


Charles F. Broadhag. 290


Upton Bruce and J Cox. 60


John L. Bugh 15


Jeremiah Berry 80


Mary Ann Boyd's heirs 330


Nehemiah Basnett's heirs. 450


Peter Bumwart .. 200


Margaret & Elizabeth Beard. 30


Upton Bruce. 700


George Blocher 252


Thomas Beall, of Samuel .. 1,815


John Bridenhart.


60


C. F. Broadhag and George Magruder. 15


Robert Beaver. 100


Hanson Briscoe 175


294


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.


[1813.


Jonathan Cox $ 134 |


Peter Lowdermilk $ 125


Dennis Corbet.


20


William Lamar 240


George Clark's heirs


40


David Lynn.


30


Absalom Chambers.


50 Patrick Murdoch 205


David Cox ..


235


John McCleary's heirs. 40


George Clice's heirs


100


George Murrow.


140


Zadock Clark ..


40


Mary Myers.


30


Frederick Christman.


80


Jacob Myers' heirs.


96


David Cook.


15


William Moore. 70


75


Frederick Deems


60


William McMahon.


699


Mary Davis' heirs


37


Henry Mattingly.


65


Francis Deakins.


30


Henry McCleary 15


35


Solomon Davis


80 John Myers.


50


Hannah Entler's heirs


40


Andrew McCleary's heirs.


50


Leonard Extine's heirs


50


John McKim, Jr. 80


Michael Fisher.


100


Clement Masters 45


50


Abrahan Fawn


205


Isaac Mantz


25


John Folk.


240


Robert McCleary, Jr. Francis Madore


50


James Glenn


25


Henry Mckinley 210


John Graham


75


Mary Murdoch. 285


10


Peter Geary.


70


Jacob Neff.


598


James Hook


75


William Osborn


97


George Hebb.


230


Richard J. Orms


15


Jacob Holitzell


465


John Patterson


85


George Hoffman


230


Joseph Polson


65


David Hoffman, Sr


817


George Payne's heirs.


75


James Hendrixson


90


Thomas Price's heirs


10


John L. Hook.


71


Edward Pannell


15


John Hunter.


30


Roger Perry


600


John Hoblitzell


200 John Peter.


80


Daniel Haner


80


Martin Rizer, Jr


135


George M. Houx.


15


Anthony Reintzell .. 15


60


John Hoye.


485


Thomas Reid's heirs.


75


George Hoblitzell


80


John Ryan ..


75


Jonathan Hendrixson


40


William Roberts.


40


Clement Engle ..


15


Martin Rizer's Sr., heirs. 155


30


Lawrence Klemmer's heirs


50


Martin Rizer of Mathias.


15


Joseph Kelley's heirs.


40


Jacob Shuck.


70


Christian Kealhoover.


10


George Shuck


120


John Kime's heirs.


56


John J. Seiss.


90


Jacob Korns.


180


Robert Selby's heirs.


10


H. Korns and J. Witt.


80


Gilbert Strong 35


James Kinkead.


200


Henry Startzman


208


Samuel Lowdermilk's heirs ...


6


Michael Soyster.


151


Robert Larimore


15 John Shryer 210


John Lynn's heirs.


55 James Scott.


270


George Funke


175


John Milbourn


120


Jacob Fair.


75


Peter Gephart


111


Jane McIntosh


Beall Howard.


115


Elnathan Russell


Michael Kershner.


65


George Rizer, of Martin. 200


Nicholas Koontz.


105


James Robardent's heirs


Christian Deetz's heirs


125


Robert McCleary, Sr


Grafton Duvall.


25


Nancy McIntosh.


295


1814.]


THE WAR WITH ENGLAND.


Dickeson Simkins $ 175


| Ebenezer Vowell.


$ 474


Patrick Sullivan.


195


Benjamin G. Vaughn .. 75


Walter Slicer


1,025


John B. Wright.


65


John Scott.


200


Henry Wineow.


170


James Searight.


40


John Walls.


60


Joseph Shumate


40


Samuel Walls


40


John Searight.


120


Sarah Willison's heirs


30


Samuel Smith's heirs


230


Michael Wire


125


John Shuck.


50


Charles Worthington.


20


Benjamin Stoddert's heirs


30


Benjamin Wiley


70


George Thistle.


270


O. H. and Eli Williams


20


James Timmons.


140


John Wickard.


50


John Tomlinson ..


10


George W. Yantz


10


Josiah Thompson


15


Samuel Thomas.


15


Total. $22,829


The progress of the war of 1812-14, and the arrival off our coasts of a large number of British, who threatened the National Capital, as well as Baltimore, led the President to issue a proclamation on the 4th of July, 1814, calling upon the Governors of the various States for militia. Maryland was required to furnish one Major-General, three Brigadier Generals; one Deputy Quartermaster-General, one Assistant Adjutant-General, and six regiments, to consist of 600 artillerists, and 5,400 infantry. The Democrats and Federalists in the State were divided upon the war question, the Federalists calling them- selves the "Friends of Peace," and demanding that the government should confine itself to a defensive war, and make no pretense of war upon Canada. In the fall of 1814, they elected their candidates in this county, to the Legislature, their ticket being made up of Jesse Tomlinson, William McMahon, William Hilleary, and Jacob Lantz. The Democrats, or "war hawks," as they were called, nominated Thomas Cresap, Thomas Greenwell, Benjamin Tomlinson and Upton Bruce.


Allegany's quota towards filling the State requisi-


296


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1814.


tion was filled, there being a considerable degree of enthusiasm manifested. Two companies of infantry were formed in the county, one under Captain William McLaughlin, and the other under Captain Thomas Blair. The first was made up in the lower part of the county, while Captain Blair's company was composed largely of citizens of the town.


Captain McLaughlin's company went to Baltimore in August, and joined the First Regiment of Maryland Militia, under Colonel John Ragan, on the 11th of August, 1814, and served until October 13th, when it was mustered out, returned to the county, and was disbanded. The following is a list of the names of members of


CAPTAIN MCLAUGHLIN'S COMPANY.


Names.


Rank.


Names.


Rank.


Wm. Mclaughlin


Captain.


Busey Charles


Private.


James Hook


1st Lieut


Burrows Elias.


do


George Shuck.


2d Lieut.


Clabaugh Martin


do


Frederick Rice


Ensign.


Connelly Bernard


do


Robert Little.


Sergeant.


Clemmer Lewis


do


Frederick Deems


do


Cox David ..


do


John Porter.


do


Chapman Samuel


do


James M. White.


do


Creamer John


do


Jacob Waggoner.


do


Clark Jacob.


do


Rezin Hook.


Corporal.


Connelly Edward.


do


Daniel Poland.


do


Crawford Samuel


do


John Waltz.


do


Davis Isaiah.


do


William Street.


do


Deverbaugh Benjamin


do


Joseph S. Stafford


do


Entler Michael


do


John North.


do


Erb Joseph ..


do


Busey John


Private.


Garey Frederick


do


Brown Benjamin


do


Gowar Nicolas


do


Bryan James


do


Hoblitzell Samuel


do


Barr David.


do


Hager George.


do


Barnes Nathaniel


do


Isenhart Jacob.


do


Bevans Michael


do


Jadwin Thomas.


do


Bevans James.


do


Jolley Benjamin


do


Banks Samuel.


do


Johnson William


do


Beeman Thomas.


do


Johnson John.


do


Bryan Nathaniel.


do


Jolley William.


do


Broadwater William


do


Kennedy Robert R.


do


Boyer James.


do


Kempton James.


do


1814.]


THE WAR WITH ENGLAND.


297


CAPTAIN MCLAUGHLIN'S COMPANY.


Names.


Rank.


Names.


Rank.


Kinsey David.


Private.


Porter Henry


Private.


Lantz John ..


do


Rice George.


do


Lacey Benjamin H


do


Resoner Arjalon


do


Letters Daniel.


do


Rhodes Daniel


do


Loar George


do


Russell John.


do


Lee James.


do


Rice Frederick


do


Lee Jacob.


do


Robinette Elizophr -


do


Lee John.


do


Riley Thomas.


do


Love Archibald.


do


Sterner Jacob.


do


Laughridge John


do


Shellhorn Henry


do


Lee Frederick.


do


Spencer Moses.


do


Morrow James.


do


Sherry James.


do


Martin John.


do


Spillman Peter


do


McIntire John


do


Saylor Jacob.


do


Markee John


do


Schopper Jacob


do


Myers Peter


do


Shuck John ..


do


Moore James.


do


Stoyer Absalom


do


Miller George


do


Tumbuster Jacob.


do


Michaels Abraham


do


Willson Jonathan.


do


Madore Francis


do


Willson Isaac.


do


Neff John, Jr.


do


White Samuel.


do


Northcraft M.


do


Willson Joshua.


do


Perrin Joseph


do


Whalley Levi.


do


Paxton Joseph.


do


Willison Amos.


do


Paxton William


do


Zumbuly Jacob.


do


The Company formed in Cumberland was made up of excellent material, the organization having been effected some months before. By frequent drills, and the most friendly rivalry amongst the members, a state of discipline and proficiency had been arrived at, which put them upon a footing with veterans, and Captain Blair was justly proud of his command. The following is a list of the officers and men of the company, which marched to Baltimore in the latter part of August, and was in the service of the government as part of the national army from September 2d to November 6, 1814, which time was spent at Camp Diehl, near Baltimore :


38


298


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.


[1814.


CAPTAIN BLAIR'S COMPANY.


Names.


Rank.


Names.


Rank.


Blair Thomas ..


Captain.


Humphrey John.


Private.


McAtee Walter.


Ist Lieut.


Harding John.


do


Lowdermilk Samuel


2d Lieut.


Hoffman John J


do


Shaw Wm


1st Sergt.


Hall Solomon


do


Hinkle Alpheus.


2d Sergt.


Hendrixon Thomas


do


Shuck Jacob


3d Sergt.


Irons James


do


Houx George M.


4th Sergt


Irons Thomas


do


Delouhrey John


Ist Corpl.


Knott Wm ...


do


Strahan Robert.


2d Corpl.


Kight Cornelius


do


Keath James


3d Corpl.


Kennedy James.


do


Taney James.


4th Corpl


Kelly William


do


Mckinsey* Moses.


Drum'r.


Kelly Joseph.


do


Clinton* Thomas


Fifer.


Korns Charles


do


Allen John.


Private.


Kelly Moses.


do


Bernard James.


do


Kelly Samuel


Bowlie Jacob


do


Layfoot John


Bucker John.


do


Lowery John.


Burns James.


do


Long George.


do


Britton Nathaniel


do


Milholland Stephen.


Bruce Francis.


do


Moor John.


Beall Alpheus B


do


Moore Gabriel M.


Burgess Alfred


do


Martin Joseph


Bumsby William B.


do


Massor John


Broadwater Charles.


do


Martz Henry


Britt Robert


do


Murphy James Ist.


Cox John


do


Murphy James 2d ..


do do do


Case John


do


Miller Godfrey.


do


Conrade Michael.


do


Mumau David.


do


Dart John.


do


McCartney James


do


Devore Aaron


do


Majors William


do


Deaking John.


do


Morrison George W


do


Drain Thomas


do


Morris Elisha ..


do


Drain James


do


Neptune William


do


Elbin Reuben.


do


Newman John C.


do


Fisher John


do


Newman George A


do


Fling John


do


Northcraft Edward


do


Foley John.


do


Newton Athanias


do


Forsyth Joseph


do


Potter John


do


Fryer George.


do


Porter Joseph


do


Frazee Elisha


do


Poland John.


do


Gross Adam


do


Potter David.


do


Griffy John


do


Plummer Thomas.


do


Golding Wm.


do


Parkenson William.


do


Gordon William


do


Peters George.


do


Hoffman Jacob.


do


Peterman John


do


Hoff Frederick.


do


Riland Thomas.


do


Clark Zadock


do


Mckinsey Jesse


do do do do do do do


Coddington Robert


do


Morrison Arthur.


do do do


*Moses Mckinsey and Thomas Clinton had both served in the Revolutionary army. They lived in Cumberland, and on all public demonstrations were accustomed to come out on the streets and play the drum and fife.


1


.


1814.]


THE WAR WITH ENGLAND.


299


CAPTAIN BLAIR'S COMPANY.


Names.


Rank.


Names.


Rank.


Ravenscraft James.


Private.


Shockey John


Private.


Riley Elisha.


do


Shelhouse John


do


Roads Jacob.


do


Tasker Elisha.


do


Rizer John ..


do


Thrasher Peter


do


Stephen William


do


Tomlinson Jesse


do


Siford David.


do


Trull Abner .


do


Savage Samuel.


do


Taylor Mal.


do


Sapp Adam.


do


Vansickle Zachariah


do


Shepherd John.


do


Wolfe Jacob.


do


Spiker Adam


do


White James T


do


Shimer Jacob


do


Wilson William.


do


Smith Henry


do


Woodrough Samuel.


do


Shircliff Lewis


do


Winzett William


do


Stanton Joshua.


do


The officers of the First Regiment Maryland Militia, were as follows :


The officer in command at Camp Diehl was Major General Samuel Smith. John Ragan, Jr., Colonel. Stephen Steiner, Lieutenant-Colonel. John Blackford, Major Ist. Benjamin G. Cole, Major 2d. Nathan Cromwell, Adjutant. John Markle, Quarter-Master. George W. Boerstler, Paymaster. William Hilleary, Sergeant. Arthur Nelson, Ist Mate. Daniel Fitzhugh, 2d Mate. Christian C. Fechtig, Adjutant. Joab Doggett, Hospital Steward. Christian Baker, Sergeant Major. Adam Fisher, Quartermaster Sergeant.


At the January session of the Legislature an act was passed authorizing George Thistle, Samuel Smith, John Scott, Jacob Lantz, John Folck, Peter Lowdermilk, and William Lamar, Sr., to hold a lottery for the purpose of raising $2,000 to be applied to the purchase of a fire engine for the town.


In addition to the names of residents heretofore given, in 1814, the following persons were engaged in business in the town, viz :- James M. White, saddles and harness ; John Gephart, auctioneer; W. T. A. Pollock, saddles, &c .; Dr. Read, drugs, &c .; Wm. Houx, chairmaker ; John Milburn, auctioneer ; John Folck, warehouse; Zadoc Clark, hat factory ;


300


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.


[1814.


Robert M'Guire, watchmaker; Dr. Veirs, physician ; Miss Bradley, teacher.


The Perry House, just across the river, in West Virginia, was built by George Calmes, in 1816, and afterwards passed into possession of Roger Perry.


In 1811 the Legislature had established "The Cumberland Bank of Allegany," to be located in Cumberland, the capital stock to be $200,000, and to be divided into four thousand shares of fifty dollars each, and the stockholders to be exempt from any liability beyond their stock. The bank was to be managed by eight directors and a president.


When the bank issued its notes, by some misun- derstanding as to the orthography of that much abused word " Allegany," the engraver spelled it " Alleghany," and as the notes had been put in circulation before the error was discovered, in order to avoid the expense of new plates, as well as the inconvenience of calling in the circulation, an act was secured at the June session of the Legislature, in 1812, changing the name to "The Cumberland Bank of Alleghany."


The officers of the bank, chosen at its first election were, Upton Bruce, President ; and M. Wallace, Cashier.


In 1814, in consequence of the war, the Eastern banks suspended specie payments, and on the 17th of September, 1814, the Cumberland Bank followed their example.


About 1812, the first newspaper in Cumberland was established, by Samuel Magill, and was called the "Allegany Freeman." It was Democratic in


301


THE FIRST NEWSPAPERS.


1814.]


politics, and was edited in a very vigorous manner.


On the 13th of January, 1814, William Brown established the "Cumberland Gazette," a sixteen- column Federalist paper, published every Thursday.


The offices of these two papers were located on


Mechanic street, near Baltimore street.


Their


columns were given up entirely to war news, politics and advertisements. Local matters were wholly ignored, and the most offensive personalities freely indulged in, together with a great many high-flown patriotic sentences.


In the organization of the Maryland Militia, the 50th regiment was ordered by the Council to be organized in Allegany County, and the following officers were appointed : Thomas Greenwell, Lieu- tenant-Colonel; John Folck, Major; Captains, John McElfish, Dennis Beall, Conrad Corbus, Joseph France, and Thomas Porter; Adjutant, Levi Hil- leary. It does not appear that they acquired any great proficiency, or that they ever held even so much as the annual "cornstalk" drill.


September 27th, the town was brilliantly illumi- nated in honor of the gallant victory won by Captain MacDonough, on Lake Champlain, wherein he vanquished a British fleet greatly his superior. Processions paraded the streets, singing and shouting, and the entire population took part in the celebra- tion.


The town was incorporated in January, 1815, at which time the Legislature passed an "Act to provide for the appointment of Commissioners, for the regula- tion and improvement of the Town of Cumberland,


1


302


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1815.


in Allegany County, and to incorporate the same." This act provided that five judicious and discreet persons residing in the town, and holding real prop- erty therein should be elected by ballot on the first Monday of June, 1816, and on the same day every year thereafter, at the Court House, by the free white male citizens of the age of twenty-one years, who had resided in the town one whole year next preceding the election, and that the five persons having the highest number of votes should be declared elected. These Commissioners were ordered at the first election to choose one of their own number as Chief Burgess for that year. They were required to meet at least four times each year, on the first Monday of May, July, October and December, and oftener if necessary, to attend to the business of the town. They were incorporated under the name of "The Chief Burgess and the other Commissioners of the Town of Cumberland." The limit of taxation for town purposes was fixed at one dollar for every one hundred dollars' worth of property. They were authorized to employ a clerk and a bailiff, who were to receive a reasonable compensation.


In 1816 an additional act was passed by the Legis- lature, appointing Roger Perry, William McMahon and John Scott commissioners to lay off, locate, mark, bound and number into lots, streets, lanes and alleys, the land lying between Flat street and the Potomac river, and between Smallwood and Chase streets, but exempted from city taxation all the lots thus laid off until they should be improved.


At the January session of the Legislature, in 1816,


303


THE GLASS FACTORY.


1816.]


a petition was granted for the incorporation of the Cumberland Water Company, the object being to introduce soft water into the town. The Company was authorized to raise a capital of $10,000, by the issue of 500 shares of stock at $20 per share. The subscription books were to be opened under the care of John Scott, Peter Lowdermilk, Samuel Smith, George Thistle, David Schriver and Michael C. Sprigg, who were to have ample powers and privi- leges. The project was never carried into effect.


On the first Monday in June, 1816, the first elec- tion in the town was held for Commissioners, and the following persons were chosen: David Shriver, Jr., George Thistle, Henry Mckinley, John Hoye and John Scott. These Commissioners met at once, and elected from their own number John Scott to be Chief Burgess. Thomas Pollard was then appointed Clerk to the body.


Early in 1816, Messrs. Roger and Thomas Perry erected a glass factory, on a lot of ground near the site of the residence of Mr. John B. Widener. They found sand suitable for their purposes on Will's Mountain, in the vicinity of the Narrows. The first glass they produced was from a coal fire, and proved to be very green. This blast was worked up into green bottles. Wood was then used for fuel, and some very excellent glass turned out. The manufactured article was sold in the towns East- ward, as well as in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Grace Neill has in her possession at present several pieces of glass made at this factory, which she carefully preserves as interesting relics. The management of


304 .


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1819.


this enterprise did not yield the expected results, and after the lapse of a few years, about 1819, the Messrs. Perry felt compelled to abandon it, they having sustained heavy losses, and feeling unable to make any further ventures. Some portions of the old building are still standing.


The projected establishment of slack water naviga- tion on the Potomac river, between tidewater and Cumberland, led to the most extravagant expectations of commercial progress in Cumberland, and owners of lots bordering on the river expected to realize fortunes in the sale of their property. Several persons, anticipating heavy trade by the new water route to be opened up by the Potomac Company, erected warehouses for storing goods, intending to engage in the forwarding business. Amongst others, John Folck built a large brick warehouse on the river bank, near where Mr. A. L. Miller's residence now stands. The failure of the project rendered the speculation unprofitable, but the warehouse was used some years afterwards as a warehouse and store room at a time when a considerable business was done on the river in transporting coal and merchandise by means of flat boats.


By an act of the Legislature of 1812 a considerable sum of money had been appropriated for the improve- ment of the road from Cumberland to Winding Ridge, and the old pike leading from the mouth of Will's Creek through Sandy Gap to the old Braddock Road was built. The ford at the foot of Creek street was passable and frequently used, as repeated disaster overtook the bridge over the stream. In 1820 the


305


THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE.


1820.]


bridge was carried away by a freshet, and the county authorities, determined to provide against any proba- ble contingency of the kind in the future, after examining the bridge architecture of the period, con- cluded to erect a suspension bridge of iron chains, upon a plan invented by James Finley, of Fayette County, Pa, in 1796. Mr. Finley's were the first suspension bridges introduced into the United States, and he had already built several spans of 200 feet .* The County Commissioners contracted with Valentine Shockey to construct one of these bridges over the Creek, and in 1820 the Chain Bridge was built. The piers were single locust posts, there being two at each end, braced together at the top. The span was 1152 feet clear. Two chains stretched from one side of the Creek to the other; the deflection was one- sixth of the span. "The double links, of lẻ inch square iron, were ten feet long. The centre link was horizontal, and at the level of the floor; and at its ends were stirruped the two central transverse girders. From the ends of this central link the chains were carried in straight lines to the tops of the posts, 25 feet high, which served as piers or towers. The back stays were carried away straight, at the same angle as the cables; and each end was confined to four buried stones of about half a cubic yard each. The floor was only wide enough for a single line of vehicles. All the transverse girders were ten feet apart, and supported longitudinal joists, to which the floor was spiked. There were no restrictions as to travel; but lines of carts and wagons,


*Trautwine's Civil Engineers' Pocket Book.


39


+


306


HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1822.


in close succession, and heavily loaded with coal, stone, iron, &c., crossed it almost daily, together with droves of cattle in full run. The slight hand-railing of iron was hinged, so as not to be bent by the undulations of the bridge. Six-horse wagons were frequently driven across in a trot. The iron was of the old-fashioned charcoal, of full thirty tons per square inch ultimate strength. The united cross- section of the two double links was 7.56 square inches, which at thirty tons per square inch, gives 227 tons for their ultimate strength, or say 76 tons with a safety of 3." The work was all done by Mr. Shockey in his own shop, and was of the most durable and satisfactory character. Amongst the several work- men who were engaged with Mr. Shockey in building the bridge was Godfrey Richards, father of Mr. Isaac Richards, one of the old citizens of the town. In 1831, several of the posts or piers gave way, and Jonathan Witt was employed by the Commissioners to replace them. This was done by the substitution of new and heavier locust posts, the work when completed being declared more permanent than ever before.


In 1822 George Bruce was Sheriff of the county. In September of 1823 the "Maryland Advocate," a Democratic paper, was established by John M. Buchanan, the " Allegany Freeman" having been dis- continued.


In October, at the town election, Samuel Magill was chosen Chief Burgess, and John McNeill, Jr., was appointed Clerk. An ordinance was passed by the Commissioners requiring all property owners on Mechanic street to pave their sidewalks.




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