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 22
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307
LOCAL INCIDENTS.
1824.]
At the county election on October 1st, the follow- ing persons were elected to represent the county in the Legislature, viz: George Bruce, Michael C. Sprigg, John McMahon and John McHenry. The whole vote polled was 3,777.
November 30 .- Captain Thomas Beall, of Samuel, proprietor of the town, and an old revolutionary soldier, died at an advanced age, highly respected.
February 24, 1824 .- The Legislature passed an act limiting the levy of taxes in Cumberland, for town purposes, to fifty cents on each one hundred dollars of assessable property.
April 1 .- James Black refitted and opened the tavern on south Mechanic street, near Creek street, and called it the "Columbian Inn."
The Judges of the Orphans' Court were Thomas Cresap, John McNeill, and William McMahon.
The Levy Court was composed of Benjamin Tom- linson, Samuel Coddington, John Burbridge, George W. Glaze, William Price, (of Westernport,) Meshack Frost and Walter McAtee.
The town officers chosen were, Chief Burgess, Roger Perry; Commissioners, Peter Garey, John Boose, John Gephart, Jr., and Gustavus Beall; Clerk, C. Heck. Tax levied, 20 cents on each $100.
May 26 .- General Andrew Jackson, arrived in Cumberland, on his way from Washington to his home, and while here visited the site of old Fort Cumberland, and walked over the ground.
A remarkable accident occurred in the summer of 1824, the result of which was little less than miraculous. At the time of the building of the Jail
308
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1824.
and Court House, about the beginning of the century, the want of good drinking water led the Commis- sioners to determine upon sinking a well. Accordingly, in 1805, they appropriated the sum of ££200 for that purpose, and Upton Bruce and Roger Perry were appointed a commission to have the work done. They selected a spot just in front of the Court House yard, on Prospect street, and sunk a well ninety feet in depth, which was walled up with stone, and furnished with a large wheel and two buckets. The water obtained was excellent. At the time above indicated, Belle. McMahon, a little daughter of William McMahon, about five years of age, was play- ing about the mouth of the well, when suddenly she lost her balance and fell headlong into it. A number of persons at once ran to the spot. The light clothing of the child could be seen on the surface of the water, but every one was convinced that she must have been instantly killed. Her mother, frantic with grief, could with difficulty be restrained from plunging in after her child. Dr. S. P. Smith was amongst the first to come to the rescue. He procured from the jail a long rope, with grappling hooks, which was used for recovering the buckets when they were lost, and with this he caught the little girl, and drew her to the surface. She was apparently lifeless, but the prompt use of restoratives soon brought her to consciousness, and it was then discovered that she had sustained no injuries what- ever, beyond a slight abrasion of the skin on the forehead. The diameter of the well is not greater than four feet, and she must have fallen like a plum-
309
LOCAL INCIDENTS.
1824.]
met to have escaped being dashed to pieces against the rocky sides, in her fearful descent. This well was covered over and converted into a pit for draining the Academy, in 1876.
During the summer a military company was formed under the name of "Allegany Blues." The officers chosen were, H. B. Tomlinson, Captain; Thomas Dowden, First Lieutenant, and S. M. Keene, Ensign.
August 26 .- Hon. John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, and Major Roberdeau, of the Topographical Engineers, arrived, and after tarrying a few hours, and dining, went west along Will's Creek, to view the summit level of the contemplated route of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
A line of coaches to run between Baltimore, Washington and Wheeling was established during the summer, by Reeside, Moore, Stockton & Co. Stages left the two Eastern cities named at 2 A. M., Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and made the trip to Wheeling in 3} days. An accommodation stage left every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and went through by daylight, in four days.
At the election for Congressmen in October, Thomas C. Worthington was elected over John Lee. The vote was as follows: Allegany County, Worthington, 669; Lee, 510. Washington County, Worthington, 2,095; Lee, 1,446. Frederick County, Worthington, 1,558; Lee, 1,533. Total, Worthing- ton, 4,322; Lee, 3,489.
The candidates for the General Assembly were
310
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1825.
John A. Hoffman, John McMahon, Jacob Lantz, Lewis F. Klipstine, John McNeill, Thomas Cresap, and Samuel Thomas. The first four named were elected.
William McMahon was Sheriff.
Samuel McGill, the Postmaster, resigned, and James Whitehead was appointed to fill the vacancy.
December 1 .- A post office was established at Flintstone, and Walter Slicer appointed Postmaster.
Robert Kennedy was at this time principal of the Allegany County Academy.
February 2, 1825 .- An act was passed by the Legislature, repealing previous acts, and giving the Commissioners of the town enlarged police powers.
February 5 .- The following persons were appointed Justices of the Orphans' Court: Thomas Cresap, John McNeill and Robert Swann.
Justices of the Levy Court: Benjamin Tomlinson, Samuel Coddington, John Burbridge, William Price, Walter McAtee, Valentine Hoffman, Benjamin Robinson, Archibald Thistle, and George Rhinehart.
March 10 .- A stage bound West, when four miles east of Cumberland, upset, and John S. Dugan, proprietor of a line of stages between Wheeling and Zanesville, was so badly hurt that he died in a few hours.
The mail stages during this summer left Cumber- land on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 6 a. m., for the East; and Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4 p. m., for the West. The through rates of fare were as follows :
311
RIVER NAVIGATION.
1825.]
From Wheeling to Washington, Pa. $ 2.00
Washington to Uniontown, Pa. 2.25
Uniontown to Cumberland 4.00
66 Cumberland to Hagerstown 5.00
Hagerstown to Frederick. 2.00
Frederick to Baltimore. 3.50
Distance 267 miles. Through. $18.75
Sunday, May 8 .- George H. Drake and Dennis M. Athey went hunting, eight miles north of Cumberland, and after a day of amusement were returning home, when a dispute arose as to who should carry the gun. Drake threatened to shoot Athey, and drew the gun up to his side, when it was discharged, the load entering Athey's body and killing him instantly. Drake reported the facts, but avowed the killing was wholly accidental, and that he was jesting when he made the threat. He was arrested, but, on the 6th of July, made his escape from jail. A reward of $50 was offered for his apprehension.
At this time a considerable amount of business was done on the Potomac River, in the way of transporting coal, flour, &c., by means of suitable boats. Coal was loaded on flat boats at Cumberland, and whenever the stage of water would permit they were floated down to Georgetown. The place of loading was the ground now occupied by the City Water Works. When the trade was first established these flat boats were only capable of transporting 300 bushels of coal, but as the river became known, and experience was gained, their size was gradually increased until they were given a capacity of 1,500 bushels.
312
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1825.
"Keel" boats were also built, sharp at either end, with keel and stem posts. Their greatest length was 70 feet, and their average width 10 feet, their freightage being from 100 to 125 barrels of flour.
These boats were manned by a crew of four: steersman, head oarsman and two side oarsmen. The boat was floated into the current, and when necessary was propelled by the side oarsmen, by means of long sweep oars, the steersman and head oarsman being required to guide it through the difficult channel. The season for boating generally opened in February, and continued usually until the first of May. The boats occasionally ran during the fall freshets. The round trip (from Cumberland to Georgetown and return) occupied from twelve to eighteen days. The down trip occupied only three days, but the return was both laborious and painful, as most of the distance the boat was propelled by means of poles, which the men placed against their shoulders; and on their arrival in Cumberland, frequently their shoulders would be raw and sore.
This enterprise was attended with many difficulties and risks, and the wreck of a boat and the loss of its cargo was a common occurrence. The devious channel, hidden rocks, and frequent islands were serious obstacles. One of the most disastrous places on the river was "Cumberland Falls," just where the dam now is. Many boats were lost here, and several men drowned. The Potomac Company had done something towards lessening the dangers by planting signal posts to mark the channel, and had also
313
LOCAL INCIDENTS.
1826.]
erected stone walls as courses, some of which may yet be seen a short distance below Cumberland. Most of the flat boats taken below, loaded with coal, were not returned, but were broken up, at Georgetown, and the lumber sold.
On the 2d of March, John Oglebay, who went down as steersman on a coal boat, was drowned five miles below, by the capsizing of the boat. He left a wife and eight children.
July 1 .- Judges Orphans' Court: Thomas Cresap, John McNeill and Robert Swann.
Justices of Levy Court: Benjamin Tomlinson, Samuel Coddington, William Price, Upton Bruce, Martin Rizer, Benjamin Robinson, Archibald Thistle, William McLaughlin, Valentine Hoffman and Walter McAtee.
July 29 .- Between 9 and 10 P. M. a fire broke out in Gustavus Beall's large grist mill; the small mill, distillery, two store houses, two stables, and several smaller buildings, as well as a frame store house on the opposite side of the street, belonging to Hoblitzell & Payne, and several other houses, were destroyed. Beall's loss was $10,000; Hoblitzell & Payne's loss $3,000. Beall saved the goods in his store, and opened again in John Scott's house, next to Searight's tavern.
Suspicions were entertained that James Palmer, a sort of desperado, living some distance from town, on the Virginia side of the river, had set fire to the mills, as he had been heard to make threats that he would burn the town. A party of citizens went quietly to Palmer's house and arrested him. A lot
40
314
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1826-27.
of stolen goods was found in his possession, and he was indicted for arson and theft, on which charges he was tried and found guilty, and sentenced to fifteen years in the penitentiary, fifteen months of which time was to be passed in solitary confinement.
At the election for Congressmen, in October, the candidates' were Michael C. Sprigg, John Lee, Thomas Kennedy and Samuel Hughes. The vote in the county was as follows: Sprigg, 1,030; Lee, 282; Kennedy, 41; Hughes, 12. Total vote of the county, 1,365; in Cumberland, 388; in Frostburg, 205; Flintstone, 137. The vote in the Congressional District footed up 3,085 for Sprigg; 2,675 for Lee; 671 for Kennedy, and 667 for Hughes.
A vote was taken at the same time upon the proposition to establish primary schools in the county, which was defeated by a vote of 1,031 against 249.
The delegates chosen to the Assembly were Wm. Ridgely, Jacob Hoblitzell, Robert Armstrong and Wm. Shaw.
In June, 1827, the following justices of the Orphan's Court were appointed: Thomas Cresap, John McNeill and Robert Armstrong.
Justices of Levy Court: Benjamin Tomlinson, Samuel Coddington, William Price, Valentine Hoff- man, Archibald Thistle, William McLaughlin, Walter McAtee and Francis Reid.
July 27 .- A fire broke out in "Berry's Row," on Bedford street, and three houses were destroyed, two of which were occupied by Rev. N. B. Little and Samuel Magill. J. P. Carleton's house took fire several times, but was saved.
315
LOCAL INCIDENTS.
1828.]
October 2 .- An election held, at which Richard Beall was elected Sheriff, and John McNeill, Jr., John A. Hoffman, Jacob Holitzell and George McCulloh, Delegates to the General Assembly.
In the spring of 1828, an eccentric character, by the name of Harris, made his appearance in the town, and began to preach on the street corners, prophesying a terrible calamity to fall upon the people. Harris was a middle aged man, and a Quaker, of good physical proportions, quiet demeanor, and humble manners. His home was somewhere in the neighborhood of Leesburg, Va., and he was evidently of unsound mind. After sojourning for a while he took his departure, but year after year he made his reappearance, and began disrobing himself and parading the streets in a nude state. On one occasion he suddenly made his appearance in one of the churches, in this condition, and walked up the aisle almost to the pulpit, before the congregation recovered from its surprise sufficiently to eject him. For this exploit he was sent to jail, but was shortly afterwards released. His propensity for walking the streets naked led to his chastisement on several occasions, and this infliction he bore without a mur- mur, saying his mission was to suffer and to warn the people. It was finally resolved that he should be permitted to have his walk out, the hope being entertained that he would then regard his mission as fulfilled, and cease to annoy the public. He then paraded Mechanic street from Bedford to the southern end of the thoroughfare, loudly proclaiming a great evil near at hand, and in earnest tones invoking the
316
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1828.
inhabitants to prepare for it. Upon undertaking to repeat this journey, shortly afterwards, he was arrested and sent home to his friends who thereafter guarded him carefully. The visits of this singular man extended over a period of nearly five years, and shortly after their cessation the great fire of 1833 took place, which is said to have consumed all the houses along the route he so persistently paraded.
In 1828, the Cumberland Hotel and Stage Office were kept by Jacob Fechtig.
February 8 .- "The Civilian" was established by Samuel Charles, as the organ of the friends of Henry Clay, and was given its name of "The Civilian" to indicate the sentiment of its originators and supporters, in favor of a civilian for the Presidency as against Andrew Jackson, a military man.
During the spring of this year business on the river was very brisk, over fifty boats leaving in a single week, loaded with coal, flour, bacon, butter, &c., for Harper's Ferry and Georgetown. Some 2,500 barrels of flour were shipped.
May 29 .- The town was brilliantly illuminated in honor of the passage of the bill by Congress appro- priating $1,000,000 towards the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. A handsome arch was thrown across Mechanic street, at the corner of Bedford street, and in the windows were displayed the motto, "Gratitude to Charles Fenton Mercer, and Andrew Stuart," both of whom were indefati- gable workers in the cause.
June 3 .- A dinner was given at Black's Hotel to Hon. Andrew Stuart, as a testimonial to his services
317
LOCAL INCIDENTS.
1828-29.]
in behalf of the public interests, on which occasion Mr. Stuart made a speech which was enthusiastically received.
September 8 .- George Swearingen, Sheriff of Washington county, murdered his wife, one mile above Cresaptown in the woods. Suspicion of foul play being aroused, the body of the murdered woman was disinterred on the 11th, and the coroner's jury, which sat upon the case returned the following verdict:
" After a careful and full examination of numerous witnesses we are of opinion that Mary C. Swearingen came to her death by the hands of her husband, George Swearingen."
Before the body was taken up for examination Swearingen fled, taking with him Rachael Cunning- ham, with whom he was known to have been on unduly intimate terms.
Mrs. Swearingen was the daughter of James Scott, one of the most prominent citizens of Cumberland. Her remains were brought to town and placed in the family burying ground. She was a most estimable and lovable lady, and left an interesting little daughter.
October 3 .- William V. Buskirk, William Price, Joseph Dilly and William McMahon were elected to the Assembly.
January 12, 1829 .- Justices of the Orphans' Court: Thomas Cresap, John Scott and John McNeill.
Justices Levy Court: Benj. Tomlinson, Samuel Coddington, Walter McAtee, Valentine Hoffman, Francis Reed, Arch. Thistle, William McLaughlin, Upton Bruce, Martin Rizer, and John Miller.
March 25-Henry Clay arrived and stopped at
318
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1829.
Slicer's Hotel. He was given a hearty welcome, and an enthusiastic entertainment, which was largely attended. In the evening he made a speech to the assembled crowd, and on the following day pursued his journey.
March 27 .- News was received of the arrest of George Swearingen, which took place in New Orleans, on the 17th of February. On his escape the Governor of Maryland had offered $300 for his capture. Swearingen had disguised himself and changed his name to Thomas Martin. He made his way to the Ohio river, and there got aboard a flat boat bound for New Orleans. He was armed with a rifle, pocket pistols, and a large dagger. He had been in New Orleans several days before he was discovered. One day he walked into a store kept by a man named Sloo, for the purpose of making some purchases, and it happened that John V. L. Ramsay, a Marylander, who knew him, was in the store at the time. Ramsey at once recognized Swearingen, in spite of his disguise, and without delay lodged information with the Mayor. Officers were at once put upon his track, and followed him to a flat boat where they saw him go through a hole in the roof, to the corn, with which the boat was laden. The officers quickly followed him in, whereupon Swear- ingen started up and drew his dirk, but pistols being leveled at him, he surrendered, and was bound. At first he denied his identity, but when faced by Ramsay, he no longer attempted concealment.
Swearingen was taken to Baltimore, on the brig Arctic, arriving there April 23d. He had a hearing
.
319
1829-30.] LOCAL INCIDENTS.
before a city magistrate, and was committed to jail to await removal to Allegany county, the scene of his crime.
A special term of Court was convened in August, for the purpose of trying Swearingen. On the 13th of August a jury was obtained, and the trial com- menced. The Prosecuting Attorney was Mr. Dixon; Counsel for the defense, William Van Buskirk, William McMahon, and William Price, all able lawyers. On the bench were Chief Judge J. Buch- anan, and Associate Judges T. Buchanan and A. Shriver. The case was not concluded until the 22d, when the jury retired and returned in fifteen minutes, with a verdict of "guilty of murder in the first degree." The Court sentenced the prisoner to be hanged on the 2d of October.
October 2 .- An immense crowd of people came into the town, from every direction, to witness the terrible vengeance of the law. The place of execu- tion was on the flat ground on the West side of the Creek. Swearingen was perfectly calm and collected, and said he had no fear of death. Rev. Mr. Miller, of Westernport, was with him, administering spiritual comfort. Volunteer militia companies were present from Bedford and Somerset, Pa., as also the Wash- ington Guards, of Cumberland. The number of people assembled was estimated at 4,000. The execution was speedily accomplished, and the body given to its friends.
On New Year's Day, 1830, the people of this section of country had a "grand circular hunt." The first brigade embraced the country from Cum-
320
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1830.
berland to the mouth of Jenning's Run. The second brigade, from Jenning's Run up the road to Cornelius Devore's Mill, on Will's Creek. Third brigade, from Devore's Mill across to Frederick Rice's in Cash Valley. Fourth brigade from Frederick Rice's along the Bedford Road to Cumberland. About one hundred persons participated in the hunt, and a large amount of game was taken.
Justices Orphan's Court: Thomas Cresap, John Scott and George Hoblitzell.
Justices Levy Court: Joshua O. Robinson, Joseph Frantz, George Blocher, William McLaughlin, Jacob Holeman, John Mattingly, Thomas D. Beall, Walter Bevans, Henry Myers, and Jasper Robinette.
Surveyor: Benjamin Brown.
At the census taken in 1830, William McMahon Deputy Marshal, the population of the town of Cumberland was as follows:
Males. Females. Total.
Under 5 years of age ...
82
71
153
Of 10
66
66
66
15
66
74
39
113
Of 20
66
6. 30
66
91
78
169
Of 30
66
66
66
40
50
66
44
36
80
Of 50
66
66
66
60
18
33
51
Of 60
66
66
66
66
70
11
09
20
Of 70
66
66
66
66
80
7
8
15
Of 80
66
66
90
5
2
7
522
475
997
46
83
129
Free colored.
15
21
36
583
579
1162
66
56
53
109
Of 40
66
66
20
72
70
142
Of 15
76
138
Of 5 years of age and under 10 years
62
66
Slaves
The population of Allegany County was 10,590. February 28 .- A little son of George Kearns, four
321
1830-31.] LOCAL INCIDENTS.
years of age, fell into the well at the jail, a depth of ninety feet, and was instantly killed.
March 18 .- The Western stage while leaving town ran off the road and upset. Bishop Chase, of Ohio, a passenger, was badly injured, having three of his ribs broken, and his left arm dislocated. He remained here until his recovery, and preached at the Church on Fort Hill.
April 20 .- The new Episcopal Church, on Fort Hill, was consecrated by Bishop Meade, of Virginia.
At the election in October, William McMahon, William Ridgely, William Shaw, and William Reid, were elected to the General Assembly, and Mr. Rawlings Sheriff.
October 23 .- The "Advocate" was sold by John M. Buchanan to Richard P. Bailey and Daniel Blocher.
November 22 .-- George Jacobs, of Hampshire County, Va., aged 50 years, was found dead on the Cresaptown Road, the result of an accident.
December 10 .- The Cumberland Fire Engine Company was organized, at Newnam's Hotel.
December 17 .- John Custer was found frozen to death, on the Cresaptown road.
January 14, 1831 .- Snow fell to a depth of twenty- four inches, and travel was almost suspended, as the roads were blocked.
January 20 .- A public meeting was held, and Dr. S. P. Smith, James Everstine, David Shriver, Jacob Snyder and John Hays were appointed a committee to petition Congress for an appropriation to improve the Cumberland Road.
41
322
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1831.
Justices of the Orphans' Court: Thomas Cresap, John McNeill and John Scott.
The population of the county was at this time 10,602.
A fire company was formed, in February, and sup- plied with ladders for use in case of fire. Two ladders were kept against Hook's fence, corner Centre and Frederick streets, and two against Shriver's shed, over the mill race, on the turnpike.
August 2 .- Two railroads were put in operation in Allegany County, one at the coal mine of William Ward, and the other at the mine of John Porter, both within ten miles of Cumberland. They were about one hundred yards in length, the rails being of wood, and the wheels of the cars of cast iron. The cars were drawn by horse power.
Bene S. Pigman was elected to the Senate, in the fall, and William Armstrong and Thomas Blair (anti- Jackson) and George M. Swann and Jacob Lantz, (Jackson) elected Delegates to the Legislature.
Francis Thomas was elected to Congress by a majority of 601 over Michael C. Sprigg.
October 15 .-- The Synod of the Lutheran Church of Maryland assembled in Cumberland.
George Smith was appointed Collector of Taxes, and Aza Beall, Clerk of the Court.
November 24 .- Public notice was given that the proprietors of coal mines in Allegany County, and all other persons interested in procuring a charter for a railroad from the coal mines to Cumberland would meet in Frostburg, to consider the project, and agree upon a route.
323
LOCAL INCIDENTS.
1831-32.]
December 1 .- Henry Clay arrived, en route to Washington, and had a reception during his stay.
February 6, 1832 .- A good stage of water in the river, and forty loaded boats left.
February 22 .- This being the centennial anni- versary of Washington's birth-day, the event was celebrated with unusual enthusiasm.
February 4 .- Justices of Orphans' Court: Thomas Cresap, John McNeill, Sr., and John Scott.
October 2 .- Andrew Bruce, Jacob Lantz, Moses H. Louthan and John Slicer were elected to the Legislature.
October 14 .- The stable and carriage house of Elnathan Russell were destroyed by fire, and several dwellings in the neighborhood were with difficulty saved. The fire was caused by a burning cigar being thrown into the stable.
October 18 .- A meeting was held at Jacob Fechtig's tavern in Cumberland, with a view to securing the construction of a turnpike from Cumberland to inter- sect the Cumberland and Somerset Road at the Pennsylvania line. A number of persons from Somerset were present, and a committee was appointed to draft a petition to the Legislature asking authority for the construction of the road.
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