USA > Maryland > Frederick County > Emmitsburg > History of Emmitsburg, Maryland, with a prelude of historical facts of Frederick County, and a romance entitled Disappointed, or, The recluse of Huckle's feld > Part 6
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drunk, and committing conduct unbecoming a civilized town; the public was powerless to stop it; now arrests were made, men fined indiscriminately until the spirit of rowdy- ism was quelled; the burgess was sustained by an honor- able body of commissioners; they inaugurated a clean up club and fined the people who permitted a nuisance; the streets received the first attention towards their present good condition.
The present board commissioners, J. Thomas Gelwicks, John S. Long, Oscar D. Fraley, E. E. Zimmerman, James Mullen, John Dukehart. Burgess, M. F. Shuff. Lamp- lighter and constable, $250.00; burgess, $15.00; clerk, $10.00; tax collector, $18 00.
MAGISTRATES.
As far back as 1777, in the deed made by Christian Keefer to Peter Troxell, the names of Jacob Young and L. Boulas, are attached as magistrates. John Huston and Henry Williams were magistrates in 1804. Wm. Emmit before and after 1800. Patrick Owens later. Lewis Motter, Major Wm. Mooney, Michael C. Adelsberger, Frank Hoover, James Knauff, David Agnew, Andrew Eyster, Geo. W. Troxell, Martin Sweeney, Henry Stokes, J. Thos. McBride, F. A. Maxell, M. F. Shuff, J. M. Kerrigan.
CARPENTERS.
In the list of names of the first settlers of Emmitsburg, we find Richard Baird, carpenter, who built the brick house now Presbyterian parsonage. George Smith was a builder. In 1814 he erected the Lutheran steeple. Peter Troxell, architect. In 1818 James Storm came to Emmits- burg; he erected some of the buildings at St. Joseph's Convent. James Taylor was a prominent builder; amongst the structures put up by him was the Monocacy bridge on Baltimore road; Tehen, a Frederick carpenter, built Clairvoux and the R. C. Church in town and some of the College buildings. Joshua Shorb, Jeremialı Black, John Miller, Jacob Rife, in their day, were the leading builders; after these Tyson & Lansinger, Sebastian Florrence, Wil-
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liam Row, Samuel Flautt, Ed. Baker, George Springer, E. Florrence.
Item .- James Storm was a man of scientific mind, an architect of no mean capacity; always a student, he gave his attention to the collection of curiosities, Indian relics, shells, minerals; he had a room shelved, cased and nicely arranged for display; a valuable collection; at his death it was sold and taken away; it should have remained as a nucleus for a greater one for the town.
SCHOOLS.
The first school master of the village was Thomas Cock- lin. At the beginning of the century, 1800, Martin Cocoran taught the large scholars and Miss Cocoran the primary department; after a time Mr. Sanders, then Mr. Malady and William Mullen came; establishing his mathe- matical academy on Church street, the old people thought well of Mullen; next came Isaac Burbank; he was an up- to-date teacher; some of the older citizens were pupils, and quote him yet; he married the daughter of Jacob Troxell, the hatter; opposition to the marriage caused them to run away; they settled in Indiana, doing well; their daughter married Governor Morton, afterward U. S. Senator Oliver P. Morton. James Knauff and Robert Crooks taught the young ideas how to shoot if they were severe. Oliver Mc- Lean, Derios Thomas, Pearson, Donnelly, Barrack, Fish, Packard, Hill, Seabrooks, Kerrigan, Frazer and many more, good, bad and indifferent, very few the children liked. Mrs. Reid taught a private school. Miss Martha Moore was a teacher of note for children, she was an expert in the primary. The teachers today in the public school are Lloyd Palmer, principal; Miss Ruth Hoke and Miss Sallie Miller, assistants. The first school house was at the inter- section of the Gettysburg road and alley dividing the priest's lot. On that vacant point all the children back of 1820 attended there. A large brick house was erected, on the lot where St. Euphemia school house stands. It was
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divided by a partition, separating the male and female. Here up to about 1880 the public school for boys was con- ducted, prior to 1860 a good house for a girls school was erected on the vacant lot between the Methodist cemetery and Patterson's stable. The two school houses were torn down and the house in which George Kugler lives erected out of the material; after serving the purpose for a few years, the present building on the pike was erected. About 1830 a brick school house was built on part of the Luth- eran Church lot. Here a select school was taught by com- petent teachers, giving instructions not to be had in the public schools at that time. When the cemetery was en- larged it was torn down. Richard Gilson taught a private school in a house standing where Dr. Eichelberger's gar- den is. Rev. G. W. Anghenbaugh and E. E. Higbee taught a select school where the vacant lot of A. A. An- nan is.
The St. Euphemia house was built to accommodate their increasing school, which occupied the hall built by the Ro- man Catholics and town, corner Gettysburg street and Green street.
SIX-HORSE TEAMS.
All hauling from Baltimore to the west was done by teams, usually six horses. This town was on the route to Pittsburg, hundreds of teams during the year passing east and west; an occasional team was decorated with bells; these teams would travel in companies from a few to a dozen or more, for protection and help, stopping at night at one of the many taverns along the road. These taverns had large wagon yards to accommodate these almost daily visi- tors; the teamster would select a spot to stand his wagon, take the feeding trough from the rear of wagon, fasten it to the tongue, and tie his horses on either side to feed and rest through the night; no other accommodation regardless of rain, snow, wind or heat; no blankets to cover in winter; this was a wagoner's life. The teamster carried his bed, unfolding them, they spread them on the floor of the bar-
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room and slept. As their teams approached the town it was a common thing to see a crowd of boys run to the end of town to meet them, and walk beside the teamster. It was an occupation every boy intended to follow when he was a man. These wagons were loaded with goods for the merchants out west; returning they brought flour, whiskey, hides, dried fruit and inany other articles. The millers in this locality sent flour to Baltimore by teams belonging to the farmers, who in return hauled goods for the merchants here. This was before railroads were running; when the railroads were made it ceased, and the taverns closed along the roads.
PEDDLERS.
In the long past peddlers with horse and wagon and pack peddlers were plentiful; the cheap license enabled a new Jew, for they alone followed it, to make a good living, with a small amount invested. Some carried packs, a burden for a horse. One of the early peddlers who frequented these parts was Arnold Schiteling, a regular visitor, horse and wagon; these men carried dry goods principally; the high license put an end to it.
COOPERS.
This industry gave employment to a great number of hands; being near the timber barrels were made here and shipped. All the flour was barreled; whiskey made at the distilleries here and Frederick were supplied with barrels from here. In IS12 John Young, afterwards Michael C. Ad- elsberger, was the most extensive manufacturer; Henry Foller, Joseph Felix, besides nearly every mill had a cooper shop attached to the mill.
CIGARS.
In 1847 James Storin opened a store; he had one journey- man cigar maker to manufacture fine cigars; the cheap cigars called tobies sold for 16 cents a hundred, the half Spanish for 3716 cents or two for one cent, tobies four for a penny. Mr. Storm carried on for about a year. In
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1850 Michael Helman had two, sometimes three inen mak- ing cigars, in connection with his other business; he dis- continued in a few years. Not until IS68, when Frank Scheek made cigars, was the manufacture of cigars carried on again. In 1885 James A. Hicky worked a number of hands for a few years; he discontinued when Charles Miller, of Frederick, carried on for about two years, re- turning to Frederick. Mahlon Whitmore came from Thurmont, opening a factory, which he continues to the present time.
HATTERS.
This was an occupation second to none in each com- munity, as every head required a hat, and all the liats were made by the local hatters. Major John Harrit carried on where the Slagle Hotel stands; he was born 1779, and died in Baltimore 1856; is buried in Roman Catholic cemetery. Jacob Troxell carried on the business where J. Harry Row lives; he was born in 1767, died 1852, is buried in Luth- eran cemetery. Abraham Welty carried on where Payne lives; he was born in 1774, died 1876, buried in Roman Catholic cemetery. John Hitechew was an old man when working journey work for Henry Winter where the Misses Winter's live. The manufacturing of hats closed up all the local enterprises. Hats like all others.
Saltzgiver made hats where Hopp, the baker, lives; with him the industry ceased in Emmitsburg.
MILLINERS.
A milliner was a lady that understood the art of trim- ming hats; she did not sell bonnets, hats, ribbons, flowers, silks for lining, &c .; these articles were kept in stock by the merchants. The ladies selected their bonnets and trimmings, taking them to the milliner. She did the work, · charging a nominal price for it, usually employing a num- ber of young girls, who intended to follow the trade. Miss Kate Curren and Mrs. Blair are remembered as the old- time milliners. Miss Kate Cash was the first to carry a
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stock of material in inillinery. She had her store in the east.end of Mrs. E. R. Zimmerman's house. It revolu- tionized the trade. The merchants closed out their stock, and the milliner made a success of the business. Mrs. D. G. Adelsberger, Jacob Hoke, Misses Susan and Lunnie Winter and Miss Helen Hoke to date.
CONFECTIONERIES.
The places for chiiden to spend money were few sixty to seventy-five years ago; whilst they had little to spend, places to spend that were, Mrs. Boyles, a few jars stick candy and a few ginger cakes, and Mrs. Hitechew, ginger cakes and small beer. Mrs. Hitechew was noted for her ginger cakes; the young men and maidens were frequenters at both places for refreshments. In 1847 James Storm built the office of Dr. Stone for a store; he opened out the first stock of candy; it was an up-to-date assortment; the people appreciated the opportunity and he profited by their pat- ronage. A year later F. X. Deckelmyer, a candy manu- facturer and practical cake baker, opened where the store of Rotering stands, where he kept candy, cakes and toys; he made the first ice cream for sale in the town. He built the brick house of E. E. Zimmerman in 1852, where he carried on until about 1868, when he sold out to Mrs. Sea- brooks; now ten stores carry in their stock confectionery; prior to 1850 bananas were not seen in this market; oranges never sold for less than five cents; too high for the children of that age, as money was not so plentiful as now.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper published in Emmitsburg was edited and printed by E. S. Riley, called The Banner, 1841. After publishing it three months he sold out to Troxell, Duphorn & McTale. We hear of it no more.
In 1844 Mr. C. Grate published the Emmitsburg Star in a shop on the lot where Bennet Tyson lives; he continued for several years, and it is heard of no more.
In 1879 Samuel Motter established the Emmitsburg Chronicle, carrying it on successfully through its infancy;
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making it an assured fact that a paper can be edited and sustained here; he died in 1889, after which time his son Paul conducted the paper. Later William Troxell pur- chased the plant, continuing it until June, 1906, when Sterling Galt, of Washington, bought it. Since the first it has been publisher in the room over J. A. Row's shoe shop. In July, 1906, Mr. Galt purchased the brick store building of G. W. Row's heirs, and moved the plant into it. The old hand press has been laid by, a new outfit in- stalled, with all the modern improvements.
We seldom think of the deprivation of the past. The weekly papers from Baltimore came late Friday night; the only papers received were the weeklies-Sun and Clipper, until 1851. Albert Potterfield opened a store where S. N. McNair's house stands; he arranged to have the daily Sun sent him each day; he had a few subscribers. J. A. Helman · sold the papers on the street, one cent each. The paper was four pages. His store burned in 1852. Mr. Andrew Eyster took the agency and the papers have been a daily visitor ever since. The American, Sun and Chronicle are served regularly at this time.
STREET PUMP.
In the Square, displaced by the fountain, is a well dug no doubt by the first settlers in 1780 or earlier, or at least 1786, when the town was laid out. This was a custom, to dig a well in the square when a town was laid out. There the people of all classes and colors slaked their thirst; from this well some of the families around the Square obtained their water, not having wells on their properties; here the boys drank from the spout just like a boy can drink; pass- ing teams were watered here daily; cows were watered also. It has been said any boy that has drunk from this well will never lose his desire to return to his old home. What if he comes now, and cannot get a drink ? Does not certain objects, familiar scenes make life what it is to us all; the removal of a tree changes the aspect. The thirsty need water, can this be had in Emmitsburg today at any public
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place ? only at a private house, hotel or saloon. When the pump stood on the Square all could drink, man and beast, day or night, summer or winter.
OYSTERS.
This feast of bivalves the people of today enjoy is some- thing in olden time was a luxury indeed. Time was when the only oysters the people of Emminitsburg enjoyed was when some huckster or team had no return load from the city brought oysters, selling them at 25 cents a bushel along the streets. Many were the family shuckings as they roasted them in the tin-plate stove. Young men and maidens often partook of them in company. Later John Burket arranged to sell oysters; shipped to him he carried them along the street, his melodious voice singing:
My oysters is fresh, and just from de shell,
I don't know de reason my oysters don't sell.
LIGHTS.
The present lighted streets and flood of light in the houses, from the improved burners, give a striking contrast to the olden times when the light of other ages, the pine knot or tallow dip, gave a satisfied people pleasure in what they possessed.
It was the universal light; the well-to-do had no ad- vantage over the poor; there was no other alternative, use the dip or sit in darkness. Some of the heirlooms in can- dlesticks if they could tell, oh, what would it be? Court- ships, marriages, sick-beds, death scenes, the only light the tallow dip. The tailors sat around the candle working on the cloth; the shoemaker at his shoes; the wife at her sew- ing; the merchant in almost darkness. This continued until the lard lamp was invented; there was more apprecia- tion of this change than at present over the change from an oil lamp to electric light. Late in the fifties kerosene oil was refined and lamps made to burn it; one wick No. I satisfied the people; the size was increased, Argand burners invented, then duplex, latest Rochester, now we are at the Apex; houses lighted beyond its use. It does not stop;
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acetylene in the churches, in the houses, on the streets, electric-light in prospect. View the changes compared with the dip; are we satisfied ?
Item .- The warehouse of Zimmerman & Co. was built for a machine shop by Joshua Shorb, Charles Miles and D. G. Adelsberger; they carried on a machine shop, foundry and blacksmith shop. The machine shop and contents were moved to Westminster, when Mr. Shotb left, 1868, Zimmerman and Maxell bought the property and moved their warehouse business from the station. It is now used by Zimmerman & Shriner for a warehouse.
POTTERY.
Samuel Baumgardner manufactured clay pots in the house known as Peter Brown's, between 1830 and 1840.
FOUNDRY.
Jones & Hardman erected the building and started the present foundry; Fraley built the present brick shop; the log shop replaced by the brick was Hardman's smith shop, standing where the brick shop stands of Mrs. F. Hardman. It was rolled from up street down to the foundry; Jones sold his interest to Frederick Troxell, mov- ing west. Troxell died in 1852; Hardman continued the plant; later sold it to Joseph Hays & Bro., who sold it to Fraley Brothers.
GUNSMITH.
John Armstrong was early in the town, as his name is on the plat of 1808 as owner of No. 1 and 2 lots; his reputa- tion as a gunsmith was good; he made rifles and shot guns; dying, the business was continued by his former apprentice, Nathaniel Row, who retained Armstrong's reputation; his brother Samuel worked with him until he went west. David T. Hoff is the only repairer of guns between Frederick and Gettysburg and Waynesboro and Westminster; he is a dandy as well as a No. I mechanic; very fond of artistic pictures.
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BRICK YARDS.
-Very early a brick yard was conducted by George Houck where John Bell lives; David Gamble made brick along Toms creek before 1840; he supplied all the brick for a long time; Hopkins Skile made some on the Byers farm; Thomas Clabaugh, and T. M. Stouter, afterward J. M. Stou- ter was the manufacturer; he added tile making; after his death his son continued.
BEER.
Frederick Gelwicks manufactured beer at the old stand very early, 1800, continuing it till his death, when his son Mathias continued it until other beers made it unprofitable. John Elour, a German, came here 1860, a basket maker; later he started a beer cave, conducting it with profit; he retired and built a double brick house with the nickles the boys spent with him.
TAILORS.
The town had tailor shops, good mechanics, where work could compare with tailors any where. We do not know who the early tailors were, save John Devoy, 1811-'12. Away back in the history of the tailors McMasters, who carried on where the bank now stands was a noted tailor. Jeremiah Pittinger carried on in the house now J. Henry Row's; John Zimmerman was one of the old tailors, living on the lot where Mrs. Blair lives; he had a shop below the house; his sons were tailors, John and Alven. Jeremiah Cridler, James Hosplehorn, Patrick Kelly, who did a large business, doing the work for the College, carrying the stock in the storeroom of J. A. Helman. France P. Blair, J. H. T. Webb, C. Danner, Jefferson Favourite. Today we are without a tailor.
BARBERS.
The barber had a poor field to operate in prior to 1860; an occasional stranger dropped in. Abraham Welty, after hat making failed him, took to barbering, between playing his fiddle and his few customers he eked out a livelihood.
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Upon one occasion Colonel Harney was stopping at Mrs. Agnew's hotel, he called upon Mr. Welty for a shave; he gave the old man a $2.50 gold piece. Welty never ceased to speak of Col. Harney. We have had barbers white and barbers black. Not until Charles Kretzer furnished his shop complete did we have a barber shop up to date; located in his own house, between the Slagle House and Eichel- berger's drug store. Brinkner, who has recently opened a barber shop opposite the foundry is complete in his shop also. Few towns can boast of such good accommodations in this line.
KIDNAPPING NED.
Ned, or Ned Crummel, a colored barber, held forth near 1844 in the Barry room. Solomon Day, a stone cutter, was in the chair, when Tom Finigan and Mulhorn entered his shop; they seized Cruinmel and overpowered him, tying his hands (Day scared badly), succeeded in getting him to the Square, where they had a vehicle to carry him off. At this juncture-the people excited to a lynching point were stopped by Dr. Andrew Annan, who came riding up street, jumped off his horse, inquired the cause, using his knife to cut the rope, and freed Ned. These men persisted in a claim due on his service term, their pretext for the seizure. Richard Gilson was sent for, who had some knowledge of the dispute; when he came it was proven beyond a doubt a fraud and Ned was free. They left speedily or summary punishment would have been inflicted on them.
NEGRO WOMAN HUNG.
Jacob Troxell, the tanner, son of Jolin, owned a black girl, Kitty; for her disobedience he sent her to Peter Trox- ell's farın; she became dissatisfied with farm work and re- turned to her master; she was told she could remain at home so long as she obeyed, her first disobedience would send her back to the farm. A few nights after she stole away and set fire to Peter Troxell's barn; barn and house were burned. She taking this plan to remain in town.
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She was tried for the crime, found guilty, and hanged in Frederick May 20th, 1820.
CALIFORNIA FEVER.
The California fever of 1849 induced some in this place to seek the golden treasure-George Grabill, George Hock- ensmith, Dr. James Shorb, John Davis, Francis Hoover, Richard Gilson, Jeremiah Martin. They all found graves in California but Gilson, Shorb and Martin.
STATE MILITIA.
The military formed under the State law were compelled to muster at stated times; these days were known as muster days. Review days in 1848 when war with Mexico was in progress, the State militia was regularly drilled at stated times. The following companies in Eminitsburg, a troop of horsemen, Capt. J. W. Baugher; they presented an inspiring sight; the long white horse tail floating in the breeze fromn their hats; a finely uniformed body of inen. One company of infantry, Capt. Manning, afterward Capt. Anthony Mc- Bride; this company was equipped with guns; one com- pany, Capt. Alfred Jones, Lieut. Henry Winter; one com- pany, Capt. John Taylor, called the corn stalk company; these companies were not called into active service; Fur- ney, the old fifer, played for them. H. J. Favourite was with Gen. Scott at city of Mexico; James Bowers enlisted, but got no further than New York.
MILITARY AT MT. ST. MARY'S.
Mt. St. Mary's college boys had two companies prior to 1860. One the large boys, uniformed and equipped with guns, the other bows and arrows; regularly on Washing- ton's birthday they came to town to parade. It was a gala day for all; the band was a fine one, led by Dr. Henry Diehlman, James D. Hickey and other professors and young men; when the bow and arrow boys shot the arrow in the air, the town boys had a scramble for possession of them; the day was one of merry making for militia and town; the president of the college and other officials accompanied
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them in a carriage; after this day the town boys usually formed one or more companies to drill; boy-like it lasted until something else presented itself, a show or foot race, to divert them; the boys engaged in foot races on the Fred- erick road.
SHOEMAKERS.
This army of mechanics can only be named as heads of the trade. Radford in his day was a leading man; Noah Walker, who achieved so great success as a clothing mer- chant in Balimore, learned the shoemaking trade with Rad- ford; amongst the later is Joseph Hoover, his son John Hoover, John Barry, Lawrence Dwen, Isaac Wright, Ar- thur McGinnis, Joseph Row, his sons Joshua, Eli and James, Stephen Adams, John Hopp, Jacob Lantzer, Philip Law- rence, M. F. Row; at one time as many as twenty-five men worked at the bench. It was difficult to get shoes; today but two are engaged in the trade; the manufacture of shoes has destroyed this enterprise in the towns.
WAGON MAKERS.
This was a business employing many hands; the work of a farming community like this required their wagon making and repairing; first, Henry Dishour was here in 1787; George Winter was the prominent worker; they built the large road wagons as well as all other kinds; G. Winter was here as early as 1796; John Nickum carried on where the Reformed church stands, 1840; his son John car- ried on where Mrs. Lambert lives. Asa Webb was one of the early wagon makers; had his shop where Mrs. John Neck lives; Benjamin, his son, carried on where John Glass lives; James Wise carried on on the lot John Jackson built; Nicholas Baker, Hess & Weaver, Dukehart & Cri- somner carried on coach making.
BLACKSMITHS.
In 1786 Michael Smith was the blacksmith of the town; Ben Smith, called Ben the Ranger, IS30; later Wilson car- ried on where Jolin Mentzer lives; Thomas Reed in the
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Frizzel property ; George Mentzer where Henry Stokes lives; Wm. Smith at same place; Philip Hardman up town; Wm. Webb, Detrick Zeck, Chas. Zeck, J. Welty, W. B. Ash- baugh, Fraley Brothers; this business, like all other trades, has been injured by the store keeping the manufactured article heretofore made by hand.
SADDLERS.
The saddlers of early times are not known, except Wm. Long in 1808, prior to 1830. David Gamble and his brother William are the first we have account of after 1830. Samuel Morrison carried on this enterprise where Harner's saloon stands; McCarty where M. Hoke lives. This man was a great temperance man; he had a life-size of a man stuffed in his shop, King Alcohol; he built and lived where the Sisters live on Green street. Henry Stokes came here from Mechanicstown in 1845; Edward Zepp carried on in 1858 and later in Zacharias store room. William Ulrich for a short time, J. Henry Stokes now.
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