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 8
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
VEHICLES.
It is within the memory of some when all means of travel was horseback or walk. In the early days if a man wished to go west, he joined a company starting from some county town or meeting place in the neighborhood. If a family moved west (Ohio was called way out west in 1825) they loaded in a two-horse covered wagon beds, pots, dishes and eatables, and started. Different families left for the west from this community, sleeping in the wagon and cooking on the road. The travel to the city was the same way; the mer- chant from the west rode horseback; the farmers came to town the same way; the young men and inaidens had rid- ing parties; this continued until the old gig two-wheeled seating capacity for two was invented; the barouche came in about the same time, after 1830; this seated four persons; the springs on some were bow shaped, extending far out behind, some of wood others of sole leather; soon the sulky came in. The first spring wagon had spiral springs, a cu- riosity; then the buggy, a crude vehicle compared to today. Step by step the vehicle has advanced, changed in weight and style until the perfect one of today.
CHURCH BELLS.
The Lutheran bell has been ringing so long, history and tradition fail to agree as to the time its silvery tone first
٠
9.4
wafted through the air. The Roman Catholic no doubt has been ringing ever since they built the church. The Reformed since 1868 when they built their church. The Presbyterian since 1868 when they remodeled their church; that bell was damaged in the fire. Annan Horner gave the present bell as a memorial to his father. John Gel- wicks, E. Smith Waddles and Win. Fraley presented the Methodist bell in 1906.
BANK.
Annan Horner & Co. opened a banking house on the corner of Square and Gettysburg street in 1879. Built the present banking house in 1881, where they have carried on the business since.
AUCTIONEERS.
Each community has had men whose aptitude for an auc- tioneer surpasses other men; they loom up from time to time and serve the people. An old custom was for the auc- tioneer when selling real estate to get the property started, when bids fagged, he with bell in hand walked up or down the street ringing the bell and crying the amount bid, not knocking it down until he returned to the property. Fred- erick Crabbs was the last auctioneer seen on our streets; he left here sixty years ago.
Item .- April 12, 1900, Eliza Smith died, aged 72 ; April 22, 1900, Dennis Smith died, aged 84; April 23, 1897, Peter Brown died, aged 97; April, 1901, Maria Constan died, aged 93; John King still lives, aged 91.
CONCRETE PAVEMENTS.
The first concrete pavement was put down in front of the engine house in 1903; the priests house next; Lansinger next; now they are found at Roman Catholic church, Meth- .
odist church, Reformed church, Lutheran avenue to church, E. E. Zimmerman's store, Chas. Gillelan's house, Morris Gillelan's house.
95
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE.
The W. U. Telegraph was first put up in 1866. the tele- phone in 1892 and 1902; now both Bell and Maryland have exchanges here.
BRASS BANDS.
The first brass band of which any account is given was one composed of men who, if living, would all be over 80 years of age. Dr. Levi Sheets and J. Vance Danner are the only two living, they are past 80.
Since, there have been, bands many, they have come and gone like the seasons. The climate was healthy, the asso- ciations agreeable, but the ambitious young man could see no fortune here, and he went West, therefore the bands could not be sustained. They organized again and again, recently there was a new organization.
SOCIETIES.
Fillial Lodge, No. 62, A. F. & A. M., was started in 1840, in Eysters Hall over the jewelry shop. Great induce- ments caused it to be moved to Mechanicstown in 18 -.
Good Samaritan Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 46, was started in 1840, in Eysters Hall, where it continued until 1847, when for good reasons it was moved to Mechanicstown in 18 -.
Massoit Tribe, No. 41, I. O. R. M., kindled its council fire in Einmitsburg 18-, met every Saturday at eight, run until 1867, when it disbanded.
Junior Order American Mechanics organized -, met for years in hall over Annan's store, purchased the school house at west end, after a short stay sold the property, moved to Annan's Hall, disbanded 18 -.
Emerald Beneficial Association, Branch No. I, monthly meetings, fourth Sunday each month, organized 1893.
TOMES CREEK.
Like many corrupted spelling of words the wrong ver- sion often gets the ascendency. Such is the condition we find in connection with what we are in the habit of calling
1
96
Toms creek. Among the Indian tribes that inhabited these parts was one called Tomes, they were known as residents along this creek. The Indian to designate it from Marsh creek, Middle creek, Flat now Friends' creek, called it Tomes creek, hence, when the English government laid off the land into districts this one was called Tomes Creek Hundred. As to the half Indian Tom, we have heard so much about, that is explained as follows: A child was born to an Indian by a black man; Emmitsburg held this treasure in the person of Tomes Bones' mother, who lived in the little log house where Robert Patterson now lives, her son was a grave digger in his day, he is dead sixty or more years. She married a black man named Bones, she named her son after her tribe, Tome.
CLUBS.
The Q. R. S. Literary Club was organized 1898, com- posed of persons whose tastes will acquisece with the name. They have enjoyed their meetings thus far and look for- ward to the coming years for a better programme and ap- preciation of it. Papers on the various subjects are pre- pared, music of a high order rendered, vocal selections ex- ecuted faultlessly, selections read and enjoyed. All together it is par excellence. Refreshments are provided by the host of the evening. It meets at a member's house monthly.
MASONIC.
Lodge A. F. & A. M. organized 1906 in third story over Annan store, under favorable auspices as Tyrian Lodge, No. -. The citizens hope for a successful organization and a bright future for Tyrian Lodge.
SWIMMING HOLE.
Unless something is said about the swimming hole in this book, the attractive spot for a hundred years past, it would not be complete. It has been the meeting place of all classes; here the boys have learned to swim; here the fathers have taken the little fellows and held them up on the surface and said, "now strike out !" thus giving them
العام
97
the first lesson; not a boy raised in these parts that has not been in the swimming hole; the oldest citizens will tell you he heard his father speak of it. This is the most accurate history we have; who gave it this name ? Here we are lost; nor can we find the early owner's name. The boys of Mt. St. Mary's College came here to swim, I know, fifty years ago, no doubt longer, as it was a common resort at that time; I hear some one say that is true. Yes, it is true; we have all been there.
CARRIAGE MAKERS.
The first person we have any account of engaged in this trade was David Gamble, prior to 1840, in connection with the saddlery; he travelled through the lower counties and into Virginia selling both; he told of his selling a carriage, a pair of horses and harness to a farmer with whom he staid over night; they had herring for breakfast; the host after cutting the herring in three pieces asked him which part he would have; he smiled, and told him up in Maryland they never took less than a whole fish. After Gamble came Frame, Riddlemoser, Hess, Weaer, Baker, Smith, Kerri- gan, Crisomer and Dukehart; at Motter's station Fisher manufactured buggies; manufacturing establishments have changed these home industries into repair shops; although it is said the home-made vehicle is the best, the price is considered and the manufactured sold.
RELICS.
Mr. Henry Stokes possesses a cannon ball picked up on the Gettysburg battlefield. He did have a musket. Mr. Jacob Motter found in his barn a fine set of surgical instru- ments, after the army passed through to Gettysburg, which he gave to his son, Dr. George T. Motter, of Taneytown, Maryland.
CABINET MAKERS.
These were the men that built the furniture so eagerly sought for now. They made the coffins; all good mechan- ics. Amongst the first were Thomas Hays, John Row,
E
98
Frederick Row, Row & Bushman, Joseph Long, Koontz & Dailey, Martin Sweeney, Smith & Shouff, M. F. Shuff, E. E. Zimmerman. Furniture of various kinds still re- main in possession of families made by the old manufac- turers named.
TOMATOES.
It is within the memory of many when they were an ornament to place on the mantlepiece; few were eaten prior to 1848; then understood not to be very good eating. The first were the sinall egg shaped; the present varieties are the result of careful culture.
GRANDFATHERS' CLOCKS.
They were made in Taneytown by Eli Bently and Hoover, near Emmitsburg. Fifty years ago it was difficult. to get a bid at tlie sales over five dollars. When one sold for eight dollars, it was considered a high price. The small shelf clocks came in about that time. About 1830 the wood wheel clocks came; they sold for $25. These clocks are still found with wood and brass works, 27 inches high; they sell at sales less than one dollar. Once the grand- father clock had merit; it lost it; a fad for old furniture re- vived its importance; now blessed is the family with such an heirloom.
LAWYERS.
The first lawyer resident here was Isaac E. Pearson, who about 1860 removed to Westminster, Maryland. Ephraim Carmack, of Mechanicstown, came here at the same time to attend to cases before magistrates. About 1873 Eugene L. Row was admitted to the bar and opened an office liere. Still, later, Vincent Sebold commenced the practice of law here.
BAKERIES.
At various times bakeries have been started. Figy, a Dutchman from Baltimore, opened one in the eastern part of Samuel Seabrook's house, 1876, building a large oven
99
under the dining room. He staid but a short time. Others, Minick, Taney, Dutterer, each giving piace to the other, until James Slagle made a success of the enterprise. Harry Hopp opened a bakery in the country, making a success then in the spring of 1906. He bought Slagle out in town, continuing the two, and moving his business to town.
DEATHS.
It was the custom to toll the church bell, when older people died, and when the funeral took place to toll as many strokes as the person was years old. This has been omitted for a great many years, although the custom still exist in some sections. A custom of setting up with the dead was called a wake. At these gatherings the young usually sat up. When conducted with decorum, it was complimentary to the family, but when frivolity was the leading spirit, it was an insult to the family-hence it has been done away with almost entirely. Irish wakes we have had but few in this locality. At these wakes the custom was for the family to prepare a meal for midnight for the watchers.
OLD PEOPLE.
At this time the town has the following very aged residents: Lewis M. Motter, 91 years; Mrs. Henry Winter, 90; Samuel Flautt, 90; Mrs. John Barry, 95; Mrs. Thomas Bushman, 88. A partial list of old persons dying within twenty-five years: John Clark, 90; Mrs. John Favourite, 95; James Knauff, 91; Frederick Black, 88; Eli Sheets, 91; Mrs. William Floor, 94; Mrs. William Frame, 89; George Winter, 89; Mrs. Catherine Cook, 92; Charlotte Picking, 92; Peter Brown, 97; John Jackson, 92; Lewis Wortz, 87; Mrs. Jno. Mayhue, 94; Mrs. Abey, 92; Dr. A. Annan, 91; Dr. J. W. Eichelberger, 91; Kate Call, 90; Mrs. N. Sebold, 94; Mrs. T. Barton, SS; Mrs. William Moser, 90; Mrs. T. Petticord, 87; Mrs. A. McBride, 87; Mrs. Joseph Eckenrode, 87; Mrs. Gorely, 87; Mrs. Jos- eph Reevers, 94; Mrs. C. Riddlemoser, 90; Mrs. John Singer, 92; George Krise, 91; John Hockensmith, 87; Mrs. Joseph
-
100
Danner, 92; Catherine Hinkle, 89; Lydia Krise, 88; Mrs. John Sloss, 89; Mrs. James Ohler, 92; Mrs. Jacob Brown, 91; Peter Settlemyer, 87; Betsy Miller, 96; Mrs. John Dorsey, 86; Mrs. George Ovelman, 94; Maria Coustan, 93; Ann Coats, 89; William Richardson, 91; Mrs. W. Richardson, 91; Mrs. Eli Smith, 88; Mrs. H. Foller, 91; Mrs. D. Whitmore, 90; Mrs. G. Topper, 88; John Mortimer, 98; John Neck, 86.
ST. JOSEPH'S HOUSE.
In the year 1808, through the generosity of Mr. Samuel Cooper, the money to purchase ground for this institution was supplied. In deciding the locality Mr. Dubourg was favorable to Baltimore City. Mr. Cooper insisted upon the selection of Emmitsburg, Md., as a more convenient situa- tion, as its physical and moral advantages were preferable to Baltimore. Then the priest (Dubourg) replied: "Be it Emmitsburg." The vicinity of Emmitsburg having been selected for the location of the sisterhood projected by Mrs. Seton; now an eligible sight was to be purchased. Mr. Dubourg visited the town in 1808, and bought the land now owned by St. Joseph's from Robert Flemming. At that time this tract of land had a small stone house, part of the old wash house. The property was settled in the joint tenantship of Rev. Wm. V. Dubourg, Rev. John Dubois and Samuel Cooper. Tradition says, after Robert Flem- ming had agreed to take the specified amount, he afteward changed his mind. To get out of it honorably he would only sell at the price named, providing the amount was cash and in gold; this he thought was an impossibility. To his utter surprise they brought him the gold in the given time.
Mother Seton was instrumental in the establishment of this world-wide institution; the progress made by it in all its branchies, whether as a convent, a school or an architec- tural development, it is not surpassed. One mammoth edi- fice after another has been added from time to time, until the present climax stands as a memorial to Mother Seton, as well as the handsome marble monument erected by the sisterhood community.
.
£
.
101
They occupied their first building February 20th, 1810. The property up till IS16 had been held by the Rev. Sam- uel Cooper, its generous benefactor. He deemed it the proper thing to incorporate it, and had an act passed of in- corporation of the Sisterhood by the Legislature of Mary- land, January, 1817. The farm then in their possession was transferred to them in their own right, by those who previously held it. Around this institution cluster memo- ries of many from the Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Silently their progressive work has gone on, until the per- fection arrived at was consummated. Many are the hearts made glad by a returning visit to this valley. The alumnæ organization gives proof of the early impressions made here. They join in chorus, swelling the volume of praise to their alma mater each year. The excellent condition of the grounds give evidence of the æsthetic culture so lav- ishly displayed; how, tame and ordinary the condition usually around the farm houses, not so on the farin attached to St. Joseph's. How inviting, how expansive the im- proved landscape, how fragrant the air as it is wafted from luxurious beds of flowers; then the outlying scene as they stretch west to old Carrick's Knob, climb it, and see that valley of verdure as it spreads before us; the silver stream, Toms creek, running like a silver thread from the mou11- tain to the farthest extent of this extensive tract of land. Greater expectation than Mother Seton's have been accom- plished, through the efficient women who have controlled the affairs of this institution ever since; progress lias only been initiated here, the full fruitage will be gathered later on. When in its fullest development the word will be ex- celsior.
The official head of the institution from the beginning.
Mother E. A. Seton, 1808 to 1821; Mother Rose White, 1821 to 1827; Mother Augustine DeCount, 1827 to 1832; Mother Rose White, 1833 to 1839; Mother Xavier Clark, 1839 to 1845; Mother Mary Etienne Hall, 1845 to 1855; Mother Regina Smith, 1855 to 1860; Mother Ann Simeon, 1860 to -, Mother Euphemia, Mother Mariana, Mother Margaret.
1
102
In the cemetery adjoining the Convent, enclosed by a brick wall, in the centre of a wood, are interred the bodies of the sisters dying at the mother institution. There, sing- ular as it may read, lie the bodies of five of the Seton family. The first buried in this cemetery was Miss Harriet Seton, December 22, 1809; Miss Cecelia Seton, April 30, 1810; Miss Annina Seton, March 12, 1812; Miss Rebecca Seton, 1816; Mother Seton, January 4, 1821. Is it not strange, the first five interments should be the members of one family? There also rests the body of Archbishop Bailey, Rev. Burlando, Rev. Gandolfo, Rev. Mandine, Rev. Jus- tiniana. Three young ladies, whose untimely death, rest here; the time, the seasons, the distance, prevented carry- ing their bodies to the Southern climes. One, Ella Riggs, of Milliken Bend, Miss., unable to return home on account of the Civil War; Miss Ida Keene and Miss Wagaman.
Here amid the quiet of the scene, with the overhanging branches of the forest, sleep in security those whose bodies were borne from the citadel home whilst the feathered songsters repeated the requiem, they rest in peace, secure from hands of the vandal, watched by those who hereafter will repose, side by side, and receive like attention from an unborn community. This gives zest to life to know our graves will not be neglected; it puts a halo of friendship around the spot and contemplates the rising morn, when the graves shall give up their dead at the voice of the Arch Angel, who shall declare time shall be no more.
In 1892 by an act of the Maryland Legislature this insti- tution can confer upon its graduates such degrees as are granted to other institutions of learning.
COLLECTIONS IN CHURCHES.
Among the customs of early times, was the collections taken in churches; a pole 10 feet long, with a velvet bag having a hoop at top, fastened to the pole, was carried around and presented to each in turn for their contributions. Later came the baskets; next the plates. A common cus- tom was for some men to nod their heads instead of drop-
£
T
103
ping in a penny, as they called this their penny contribu- tion. -
BUTCHERS.
Butchering was carried on at the tan yards in early times; one beef a week or in two weeks; later, one killed on Monday and Friday. Where J. H. Row lives a retail beef market was carried on for a long time; where Hoke's millinery store stands, as far back as 1850, it was a meat store; twice a week only, could beef be bought; bacon was the meat used, each family curing it in the fall; the town was full of pig stys; now mark the advantages; beef all the time; cold storage to keep it; canvassed bacon, &c.
RELICS.
The Zacharias family have a jug given the family by a Hessian soldier taken prisoner at Yorktown. Joseph T. Gelwicks has sabre, rifle, revolver, spurs and can- teen; Geo. Gelwicks has sabre, rifle, shells, bullets; the Miss Helmans have a solid twelve pound ball picked up on the Gettysburg battlefield; David 'T. Hoff has a grape shot and rifle ball his grandfather brought from the War of 1812; S. D. Helman has a small bible he picked up when on the march to the sea with General Sherman; also a Tennesse marble bible, carved by one of the soldiers, with square and compass cut on one side.
JAIL.
About 1858 the corporate authorities concluded to erect a jail. The spot selected was that point of land at the in- tersection of the Gettysburg road and the alley bordering the priest's lot, where in the long ago the public school . house stood. Here they built a stone house about sixteen feet square; a few persons were confined in it at different times over night. One night part of the wall was opened near the roof; eventually the house was taken down. If a place was wanted for a drunken man he was confined in the rear of the engine house.
Along in the eighties the present iron cage was made in Waynesboro for the town; when it arrived the boys intended
-
104
to run it back to Toms creek and throw it off the bridge into the creek; a car of lime standing on the track pre- vented this game. The commissioners had a difficulty in getting someone to haul it to the place assigned. It was taken there on an opon wagon in the evening; the next day it was to be set on the foundation. During the night someone run the wagon down into the field and upset this iron jail off the wagon. After great labor it was placed in position; give the men the credit due them. Whilst it is not the best jail, it has served the purpose of preventing crime and drunkennes, for all fear being put into this hor- rible thing. The county jail has always been the place men were committed, and always will be to serve a sentence; this iron jail is simply to scare evil doers or for a night of safe keeping.
MT. ST. MARY'S COLLEGE.
This institution has a history justly entitled to be told. Whilst it does not date back as far in the past as some others, it can justly be proud of its work and speak in ex- cellent terms of some of its pupils.
Rev. John Dubois bought the first land for the seminary April, 28th, 1807, of Arnold Elder; also the plantation of same August, 1808, possession 1809. The seminary of Pig- eon Hills begun by Mr. Nugent in 1806 was transferred to Mt. St. Mary's after Easter, 1809. Seventeen young men were sent to the care of Mr. Dubois, and lodged first at the home of Mr. Arnold Elder. From the beginning of this enterprise until he was made bishop of New York, Rev. John Dubois was president. Rev. Simon Gabriel Brutea who in 1834 was made bishop of Vincennes, Ind., assisted Fr. Dubois in his labors, as did Revs. Duhamel and Hickey. From the establishment of Mt. St. Mary's College until the fall of 1894, the president of the College was acting pastor of the mountain church. The parish priests were Rev. Michael Egan, Rev. John McGerry and Rev. John Purcell until 1832, between which time and 1838 Rev. Francis B. Jamison and Thomas R. Butler presided. In this year Rev.
1
105
John McCaffery, a native of Emmitrburg and a pupil of Rev. Dubois, succeed to the presidency, an office which he held with great success until 1871 when he was succeeded by Rev. John McClosky, who in 1877 gave place to Rev. John A. Watersan; after him again in 1880 Rev. John McClosky until his death in December 24th, 1880. Rev. WVm. Hill was called to the presidency, who for a short time looked after the interests of the College, until Rev. Wm. Byrne, D. D., vicar-general of Boston, took charge. This office was later placed in the hands of Rev. Allen, who served as president until made bishop of Mobile, when Rev. Wmn. O'Hara was elected president; the present presi- dent is Rev. D. J. Flynn. Many of the strong men in the Roman Catholic church are among the gradutes of this in- stitution. Amongst them we name Bishops Hughs, Benton Purcell and Bishop Elder.
The following was kindly furnished by Rev. McSweeney, for which accept thanks:
Mt. St. Mary's College is about fifty miles fromn Baltimore and is reached by the Western Maryland Railroad and the Emmitsburg branch that leaves the main line at Rocky Ridge; the College is situated at the foot of the eastern spur of Catoctin, the Blue Ridge Mountains, which sepa- rate the valley of Hagerstown from the plain through which flows the Monocacy river. The spires of Gettysburg and the hills of the famous battlefield are visible from In- dian Lookout and Carrick's Knob, the highest points of the mountain that shelters the College in the winter and overshadows it so gracefully on summer evenings. The celebrated mother house of the Sisters of Charity, founded by Madame Seton, is in the vicinity. The macadamized road running from Emmitsburg about two miles away to Frederick, passes by the College. The quiet seclusion of the College, its freedom from distractions of cities and the reputation it enjoys from the great number of its distin- guished graduates have turned towards it the attention of parents who are more than usually solicitous for the moral welfare and intellectural development of their children.
C
7
106
The College was founded in 1808 by Rev. John Dubois as a preparatory school for St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, lay students being afterward admitted, and the teaching partly done by the seminarians. Father Dubois enlarged the scope of the institution and established classes of phil- osophy and theology, so as to retain his assistant teachers as long as possible; this finally led to the organization of the College and Seminary on a basis of entire independence, to be conducted by an association of priests under the jur- isdiction and protection of the Archbishop of Baltimore; Cardinal Gibbons is one of the most zealous promoters of the welfare of the College, and has proved himself on more than one critical occasion its most prudent counsellor and practical friend.
The College has a charter from the State of Maryland, dating back to A. D. 1830, so that, after Georgetown, it is the oldest Catholic college in the United States. The Col- lege buildings were burned down on June 6th, 1824, but were immediately rebuilt; not, however, without incurring a very heavy debt, which was carried with comparative ease till the disastrous period of the Civil War, when the patrons of the College in the Southern States, were forced to discontinue their aid. This soon brought on a crisis which was successfully met by the timely donations of the alumni, so that today its financial standing is second to that ot no similar institution in the country. Many improve- ments have been made during the last quarter of a century ; the old buildings enlarged and brought up to date, a splen- did gymnasium with swimming pool, and what is perhaps the most beautiful athletic field in the Union. At present a new and vast edifice is rising, which is intended for the- ological students. The roll for 1905 and 1906 is the larg- est known in the history of the College, there having been 250 lay students and 45 seminarians, while the graduates of 1906 were 15 in number.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.