USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > The Ancient City.: A History of Annapolis, in Maryland, 1649-1887 > Part 38
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The various drafts for conscripts were sources of deep trouble to the city. Mr. Frank H. Stockett was the draft officer and Dr. Wil- liam Brewer the medical examiner. Men, conscripted to fight in a cause they disapproved of, made miserable men and women. It was sur- prising to find how many people developed hidden ailments. Unsus- pected sources of pain and impediment were suddenly created by the drawing of the unlucky number. One man developed a lameness that entirely disappeared on the cessation of hostilities. Those citizens who had money, liberally subscribed for the unfortunates to purchase substitutes.
A border city, Annapolis sent representatives to both armies. These met in deadly array against each other at Front Royal and Winches- ter, Virginia, and at Gettysburg, Pa.,-the Annapolis Confederates being in the celebrated charge up Culp's Hill.
In the latter part of July Annapolis was highly excited over an alleged haunted house. Violent knocks and noises drove a family that had rented the house from the premises and coal, bricks, and clubs flew through the air to the great fear of the superstitious. The ar- rest of one colored man ended the ghost theory manifestations. The impression prevailed that the negro who had heretofore occupied the house, free of rent, had ingeniously, with the assistance of friends, labored to create the impression that the house was haunted that he might return to his old lodgings without charge for rent in arrears.
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Annapolis was on the alert, through a committee, to see that it was not called upon to furnish more than its quota in the proposed drafts of the government for soldiers.
On the 18th of August, Henry Frazier, Jr., of Co. B. Punell Legion, was killed in a fight on the Weldon Railroad. Capt. T. H. Watkins was wounded in the head at the same time.
[1865.] The war being over, those who went from Annapolis, and who survived, returned to their former homes. The Confederates and Federal veterans fraternized like brave men and some of the firmest friendships in the city have been cemented between those who wear the palms of victory and those who maintained the "Lost Cause."
Such was the friendly feeling existing between the heroes of the two armies and such the lofty impulses of a genuine patriotism that, on May 30, 1883, Meade Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, invited S. Thos. Mccullough, a lieutenant of the Confederate Army, to de- liver an oration at a joint decoration of the graves of the Federal and Confederate soldiers at Annapolis. The invitation was accepted in the same generous spirit in which it was tendered, and Federal and Confederate marched together to the silent city of the dead and laid their immortelles on the graves of those who had died for their convic- tions on both sides of the great conflict.
A new picture presented itself at Annapolis. By September 21st, Annapolis and its surroundings had ceased to be a military department and dropped down to the humble pedestal of Post. The military had dwindled to four companies, one at Annapolis and three at Camp Parole. "The Naval Academy," said the Gazette, "is rapidly assuming its former beauty, and the midshipmen in our streels have a look of the olden time.
"Perhaps, never within the remembrance of the oldest inhabitants, has Annapolis exhbited so much of the spirit of improvement. Some forty houses are being erected aud several undergoing useful and hand- some improvement. The dealers in building material are as busy as bees. * * * * Many applications are made for dwellings, but there are none vacant to supply the demand."
Annapolis caught the base ball fever prevalent in the country and inaugurated the Annapolis Base Ball club with Edward C. Gantt, as President ; Dr. D. O. Handy, Vice-President ; Secretary, P. S. Schwrar; Treasurer, John H. Thomas; Directors-John C. Regan, John T. Wright, John S. Maley.
The Naval Academy resumed operations at Annapolis Monday October 1, under the Superintendency of Rear Admirel D. D. Porter.
The election in Anne Arundel this year resulted in the selection of the democratic ticket. The vote on sheriff shew the strength of the two parties. Rignal D. Woodward, Union, received 484, votes ; Wm. Bryan, democrat, 654.
At a special election December 28, George Wells was elected Senator from Anne Arundel county by the following vote: Wells, Union, 436, James Deale, of James, D., 391.
In January the town clock was placed in St. Anne's and was con- sidered an acquisition to the city.
January 22, Henry Barnard, L. L. D., was installed as President of St. John's in the hall of the House of Delegates.
The Wesley Chapel congregation purchased in Feburary the lot on East street, extending to Cornhill, of Geo. M. Taylor, for $5000,
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for a parsonage. This is Gallilean Hall now owned by the colored people.
The Enterprise Building Association was organized in March 1st. the first Building Association in Annapolis. W. O. Bigelow was Presi- dent. From this company grew the Horn Point settlement. The company erected the Bridge over the Spa and to it is due the incep- tion of this creditable annex to Annapolis.
In the winter of this year Annapolis was the scene of numerous petty burglaries and arsons. Among the attempts to do damage to prop- erty was one to blow up the Steamer Ferry Boat, Capt. Stephen Chase, on Febuary 7, by firing up the steamer after it had concluded her trips for the day.
On the 12th. of January, George Colton was elected President of the Maryland Hotel Company with R. Swann, W. H. Tuck, Robt. Fowler, and I. M. Denson as directors.
On the 16th of January the following were elected officers of the First National Bank of Annapolis. President-Wm. H. Tuck ; Direc- tors-Robt. Fowler, James Andrews, J. Wesley White, and Johns Hopkins.
[1869.] On Thursday March 25, Hon. A. E. Borie, Secretary of the Navy, Vice Admiral D. D. Porter, and a number of ladies from Washington, arrived at Annapolis in a special train to visit the Naval Academy. They were met at the depot in carriages and driven to the Academy. The Secretary was received with the usual honors. The officers, midshipmen, and marines were drawn up in full dress, and were reviewed by the Secretary and Admiral Porter. The party was much pleased with its visit, and returned to Washington at a late hour in the evening. The Secretary was greatly gratified at the situation and the discipline of the Academy.
At the municipal election on Monday April 5, the vote was :
FOR MAYOR.
W. O. Bigelow, Rep. 109. Augustus Gassaway, D. 335.
FOR RECORDER.
Nicholas Brewer, R. 116. S. T. Mccullough, D. 326.
FOR ALDERMEN.
J. Guest King, R. 123. John H. Thomas, D. 317.
Grafton Munroe, R. 114. John Hammond, D. 333.
Thos. K. Jones, R. 111. John T. Hyde, D. 325.
C. A. Sullivan, R. 104. Dr. Geo. Wells, D. 339.
M. R. Casler, R. 108. W. B. Gardner, D. 333.
The Gazette, republican, explained the one-sidedness of the elec- tion thus :
"The Republicans fought this fight squarely upon the 15th Amend- ment to the Constitution. It was talked of before the election to bring out a citizens' ticket, but some of the Republicans being op- posed to any compromise with the democrats, a straight-out Repub- lican ticket was nominated, and the above was the result. It will be seen that the ticket did well, as a large number, who always voted our ticket, having no hope of success, did not go to the polls. This is the first election in this city, since the adoption of the amendment. We
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say to the Republicans of this city, to continue in the good work, and 'fight it out on that line, if it takes a life time,' and we will surely triumph."
[1870.] St. John's College, in this year, reached its acme of prosperity under the presidency of James C. Welling. On Wednesday, January 19, Dr. Welling made this report to the Legislature :
"He said that the whole number of students during the scholastic year ending on the 28th of July last, was 225, the average attendance being about 200, the present number being 181. The whole number of students nominated by the School Commissioners of the several counties for admission into the college or its preparatory department without any charge for tuition or text books, is 170. The average attendance on this basis during the last and the present year has ex- ceeded 100. The college has offered during this period to receive the full quota of 150, and has made preparations to do so, but it sometimes happens that the pupils selected by the county boards to enjoy these free scholarships fail to enter the college with punctuality. The col- lege has, in fact, been prepared to receive 160 additional pupils, without charge for tuition or text books, being ten in excess of the number required by the existing statutes, which enjoin upon insti- tutions receiving State aid to provide gratuitious instruction at the rate of one student for every $100 of the State donation. Every county in the State has been represented on this basis. The accomo- dations of the college have been strained to their utmost capacity by the number of students seeking admission. Should the number be materially increased, it would be necessary to procure additional accommodations in the city of Annapolis, until a new college edifice could be erected. The want of such a building is already sensibly felt. It may not be generally known that the present real estate of the college (representing a money value of at least $250.000, ) is purely the result of private munificence. The public bounty of the State now generously co-operates with this private munificence by granting to the college, for a limited term, an annual donation of $15,000, being in fact a sum equal to the annual interest on the investments made by private munificence for the founding of the college at the Capital of Maryland. If the endowment of the college were only placed on a permanent basis, its present prosperity would be but a pledge of its higher usefulness in the future.
"The whole number of teachers now comprised in the Faculty is thirteen, but the main burden of instruction is borne by nine pro- lessors and tutors, who alone receive a salary for their services. In the college classes now comprising sixty-one students, instruction is given in the branches of learning taught in American colleges, and the standard of attainment has been raised to the highest point at which it is fixed by any similar institution in the country. The at- tention of the General Assembly is particularly invited to the course of study pursued in the several classes of the college, as it is believed to be unusually broad and practical, as well as thorough in the methods employed to secure proficiency in scholarship. No degree of any kind is conferred except on the evidence of adequate attainments.
"The Preparatory Department of the College corresponds, in the grade and quality of its studies, to a High School. During the last few years this department has engrossed the larger share of the Faculty's attention, but as it is the wish and purpose of the Board of
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Visitors and Governors to build up a College in the fullest sense of the term, and one that shall be worthy the State, it is obvious that the proportions of the Preparatory Department must hereafter be re- duced, that the College proper may be developed on the liberal and comprehensive plan designed by its founders. It should be the para- mount aim of the College to impart that higher education which can- not be imparted by the State, and to do this on terms which shall not make that higher education the exclusive property of the rich. And it is in this view that the College has placed itself in sympathy with the cause of public education in Maryland.
"We should not, perhaps, omit to mention that military tactics are taught to all students who desire instruction under this head, and that three military companies have been formed in connection with the College."
Dr. Welling ends by saying:
"With the expression of graditude due as well to the Legislature as to the people of Maryland for the generous patronage awarded to the College (and the fruits of which are seen in its present unwonted prosperity), I beg leave, on behalf of the Board of Visitors and Governors and in the name of the Faculty, most cordially to invite the members of the General Assembly to visit the College, and to in- spect the method used for the maintenance of order and the pro- motion of diligence in regularity and study." The report was re- ferred to the Committee on Education.
The political corruptions following the Civil War reflected upon the Naval Academy. The shamelessness of the flaunting evils is evinced in this advertisement that appeared in a New York daily :
"UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY .- A cadet vacancy to be filled before June. Parties of means address Congressman. Address, Box No .- office."
The Gazette reproduced the advertisment in its news columns. March 10, Robert F. Bonsall, in the 63rd year of his age died. He was for many years printer to the Court of Appeals, and was a man of high principle.
The Legislature of this year passed the Act to authorize the Mutual Building Association of Annapolis to build a bridge over Spa creek to connect at Annapolis and Horn Point.
The Court House of Annapolis has been made the scene of many important trials by the removal of cases from other jurisdictions. Amongst them the Wharton trial in 1872, the Hoffman trial for the Harnden Express robbery in 1870, Nicholson and Hollahan for murder in 1873, and Hance, for murder in 1885.
During the trial of Nicholson and Hollahan, whilst State's Attor- ney Revell was addressing the jury for the State, Hollohan made an attack upon Assistant Marshal Frey. The marshal was sitting with -. in the rail with his back to the prisoner's dock, and his bald crown within reach of Hollohan, who rose up suddenly and dealt him a terrible blow upon the head with an improvised slung-shot made of a stocking and a piece of coal, nails, and an iron staple. The marshal was severely wounded, Nicholson jumped up on the rail as if to dash out of the Court House, whilst Hollohan was seized in the throat by J. Randolph Walton and Detective Shaffer, a friend of Marshal Frey, clubbed his revolver and beat Hollohan over the head. People fled from the Court House in the excitement, and a general uproar ensued.
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Judge Hayden, the only one that seemed to understand that Hollo- han's life was being choked out of him, in stentorian tones cried out, "Let that man go !" Mr. Walton, who had some traces left of the Samsonian strength of his youth, took his hand from the throat of the well-nigh dead brute, who defiantly demanded that they kill him. The prisoners were then ironed, and the trial proceeded. When he was sentenced, Chief Judge Miller ordered the irons off the prisoners, saying, that "No man should be sentenced in this Court in chains."
[1883.] On the morning of Monday, October 18, 1883, a disastrous fire occurred in Annapolis. It began from some unknown cause, about 2 A. M., in a store on Market Space, occupied by Mr. Lewis S. Clayton, and destroyed three large brick houses on Market Space, injured another, and partially or wholly destroyed five or six others on Main street. Over Mr. Clayton's store was the residence of Mr. James Legg. When the fire was discovered, Mr. Legg's family hur- ried to the street. " His son, Mr. Charles Legg, when the fire was threatening to overwhelm him, sought the room of his aged aunt, Miss Eleanor Watkins, to save her from the flames. Their charred bones, the next day, mutely told the heroic and futile sacrifice. The citizens of Annapolis erected a monument to Mr. Legg in the City Cemetery. He was forty-four years old when he died.
[1886-] After the Revolution the trade of Annapolis rapidly de- clined. The commerce which it had enjoyed, took its flight to Balti- more where all the traffic of the State centered, and fortunes were no longer made in the mercantile trade at Annapolis. What that trade once was is illustrated in the history of one of its merchants, Absalom Ridgely, son of Henry Ridgely. Mr. Ridgely was born in 1742, and began his mercantile ventures in the little house on Flat-Iron corner, at the inter-section of Fleet and Cornhill streets. His capital at marriage was $150. When he died, at the ripe age of 76. he was able to give each of his eight children, eight thousand dollars a piece in cash, besides leaving real property to be divided amongst them, Nor was this the chief heritage, he bequeathed them-he left them that which is greater than riches-a good name. His epitaph so sums up the whole matter .- "He calmly resigned his soul to Him who gave it, after having faithfully discharged his duties as a man and as a chris- tian." His sons rose up to do him honor. John, David, Richard, Charles and Nicholas. Richard was a merchant of Annapolis ; David was State Librarian and the author of the Annals of Annapolis; and John was a surgeon in the United States Army, who, after his resig- nation of that position, was a prominent physician in civil life.
Annapolis, however, retained some traces of its former important business up to the beginning of the war between the States. The plan- ters of Anne Arundel came regularly to the city, at the proper seasons, and laid in supplies for their slaves and families. These bills of five and six hundred dollars each, were covered by notes that were promptly met at maturity. With the abolition of slavery, this trade was taken away from the merchants, and the mercantile trade has little outside resources. The Naval Academy, in some measure, sup- plies the benefits of a foreign trade. The oyster-packing establish- ments, of which there are about ten, bring considerable money into the city, which, with the home trade in oysters, redeems the mercantile business from annihilation.
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Once since the period of the ancient commercial prosperity of Anna -- polis, its mercantile trade received a decisive impulse. The Civil War having made Annapolis a military rendezvous, thousands of soldiers were always quartered in and about the city and the private supplies bought by them gave any merchant who would improve it, opportunity to secure a competence. Some of them took advantage of the oc- casion and markedly bettered their fortunes.
Monday, December 27, the Anne Arundel Historical Society cele- brated its first anniversary. Gen. Bradley T. Johnson read a paper on "The Battle of the Severn," fought opposite Annapolis, March 25th, 1655. The society requested the paper for publication. Officers of the Society for the ensuing year were elected :- President-Nicho- las Brewer ; Vice-President-Frank B. Mayer : Secretary-J. Har- wood Iglehart ; Treasurer-J. Schaaf Stockett. Board of Directors- Rev. Robert H. Williams and Daniel R. Randall.
[1887.] The Amateur Dramatic Association of the Naval Academy gave its first entertainment on Saturday, January 15. Gov. Lloyd and wife were among the guests. The play was entitled :- "The Shakespeare Water Cure." The cast was :- Ophelia, Mrs. Lieut. Bartlett ; Portia, Mrs. Lieut. J. T. Smith ; Lady Macbeth, Miss Har- rington ; Juliet, Miss Sampson ; Macbeth, Ensign Knapp; Romeo, Ensign Gibbons ; Othello, Ensign Lloyd ; Hamlet, Lieut. Mitchell ; Shylock, Lieut. Mahan.
Louis H. Rehn, Collector and Treasurer of Annapolis, made his annual report Monday night, February 14, to the Corportion for the year ending December 31, 1886. The report showed the finances of the city to be in a most healthful condition. The revenue of the city for the year was $26.201.49 ; the disbursements, $23,371.42, Balance in treasury, $1,829.77. Debts due by the city, $14,213.89, bonded debts, $7,750, totaldebt, $26,801.18. Debts due the city, $17,571.50. Bonds, stock, &c., credited to the sinking fund, $8,562.90. The debts due the city and the credits to the sinking fund will almost pay the floating and bonded debt of the city. The city has personal and real property the value of $57,665.00. The city's business is now car- ried on a cash basis-a bill passed one night by the Board will be paid the next day.
The local sensation at Annapolis, Wednesday, March 9th, was the running of the first regular trains on the Annapolis and Baltimore Short Line railroad. One train left here at 6.40 A. M., with twenty- five passengers for Baltimore. It reached Baltimore at 8 A. M. It returned here at 9.30, A. M., leaving Baltimore at 8.20, A. M. The train was under the care of Conductor George Bender, with James Hull, engineer, and Christopher Carl, fireman. The second train left here at at noon under the conductorship of E. T. Divens, with John McCardy, engineer, J. T. Newell, brakeman, G. W. Spalding, bag- gage-master and express messenger, P. Dowlin, fireman. It carried thirty-one passengers to Baltimore. There was a number of citizens out to give the new venture a good send-off. The third train left Annapolis at 4.20, P. M.
March 12, Jacob V. Dolman, captain of the oyster schooner, Oliver M. Ruark, was brought into Annapolis on the charge of killing Wil- liam Stanley, one of his crew, in the Chesapeake, off Hackett's Point. Bartley and Stanley, two of the crew, were afraid the boat would
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turn over and lowered the sail two or three times against the captain's order. On the last time, the Captain shot and killed Stanley.
March 28, the venerable poplar on St. John College Campus was ac- cidently set on fire by some boys. Another set of youths, after consid- erable effort, extinguished the flames.
Tuesday, April 4, Dr. George Wells, of Annapolis, was elected by a unanimous vote of the County Commissioners, treasurer of Anne Arundel county.
Lieut. John W. Danenhower, one of the survivors of the Jeannette Expedition to the Polar regions, committed suicide at the Naval Academy, Wednesday, April 20th, by shooting himself in the temple. He was laboring under a melancholy, produced from the grounding of the U. S. Ship Constellation in the Cheasapeake whilst he was in command.
April 25, Wm. H. F. Wilson, a prominent citizen of Annapolis, died in his 78th year.
CHAPTER LXIII. A DISASTROUS ACCIDENT.
1866.
On Monday afternoon, July 9th, 1866, four Fathers and three students, Fathers Louis Classeans, James Bradley, John Gerdemann, and Timothy Enright, and students John Kenny, John B. Runge and Guhl, left the Redemptorist College in this city on a sailing expedition.
In a secluded place, about five miles from Annapolis, two or three concluded to take a bath, when student John Kenny, who was con- valescing from a recent illness was taken sick and came near drown- ing, but was rescued by Mr. Guhl. Whilst the latter was rescuing Mr. Kenny, Father Gerdemann, attempting to help them, was seen to disappear. This occurred between five and six in the afternoon. Although called for, and searched for, Father Gerdemann was never seen again alive.
The rain now began to pour in incessant showers, and the wind to blow with appalling violence. The faithful party remained until ten o'clock endeavoring to secure the body of the dead priest, but all in vain. The storm of rain and wind still continued, when the sorrow- ful company set out upon their return home. When they had gotten some distance from the shore, an effort was made to put up the sail. Too many were on one side, and, a sudden flaw striking the sail, the boat was capsized. As the boat went over, Father Enright jumped off' into the water, and getting on the bottom of the boat was the only one who was not caught under the vessel.
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Mr. Kenny was the first to appear, but sank immediately saying : "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me !" Mr. Runge next appeared, ejaculating-"Oh, my God, have mercy on me."
Father Enright helped Father Classeans from under the bost and heard his confession. In the meanwhile Father Bradley had- come from under the boat and was clinging to the rudder, whilst Mr. Guhl was all this time under the boat living by breathing the air that was between the bottom of the boat and the water.
This state of affairs lasted about fifteen minutes when the boat, up- turning, freed Mr. Guhl from his dangerous situation, but this broke- the hold of Father Classeans, and he sank, and rose no more. Whilst the boat was righted the survivors endeavored to take in the sail, but, before it was accomplished, the boat was again overturned. The anchor dropping out of the boat and fastening in the bottom produced. a reactionary motion from the force of the waves that kept the boat constantly rolling, and what was worse kept the boat from drifting ashore, as it would have done since the wind blew to the land.
The boat was a round bottomed one, and Father Enright and Guhl, on opposite sides, clasped hands and in that manner kept themselves- on the boat and steadied it somewhat, Father Bradley still clinging to the rudder. Here these brave and holy men encouraged each other by praying and making confessions of sins, expressing their willing- ness to die, and yet declaring they would make every effort in their power to save themselves. Mr. Guhl was affected with sleep, and had to be constantly called to be kept awake .. When help was offered Father Bradley, he refused it declaring that each had sufficient to do to save himself. Their strength was wasting every moment, and when one hour before daylight, Father Bradley lost his hold by the boat overturning, he was unable to regain it and perished. Father Enright also lost hold and was sinking when rescued by Mr. Guhl, and they once more clasped hands across the boat.
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