The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1872-08-17

INTERESTING hEMlNlSENCES.-We Sldleu III
our last issue that Rev. L. VanBokkelen, who
sustained such a severe loss by the burning Of
st. Timothy's Hall, at Gainesville, met his
friends and felow-citizens around the charred
remains of the building on Thursday, August
Sth for the purpose of addressing them upon
the rise and progress of the village and its sur
roundings. According to previous notice
large audience, composed OF ladies, gentlemen
and children, assembled at the appointed hour.
The speaker in opening stated that he was glad
once again to meet and greet warmly the peo-
pie among whom he came % years ago, and
among whom he had tried hard to do his duty
as an humble citizen alike to all, high or low,
rich or poor. He had always endeavored to be
true christian man, doing unto others as he
wished to be done by. This had been his mot
TO from youth up, and he felt proud to think
that his fellow citizens had confidence in him,
as shown by the resolutions passed ten months
ago when he lett Catonsville He held it to be
the duty of every man to look first to the care
of those Immediately dependent upon him, and
this done, to the benefit of society at large
This he had always striven to do. Whilst the
building now in ruins stood ne had discharged
this duty, and he believed that some could re-
spond to the assertion that he had so conduct
ed the educational institution there located as
to operate to the pleasures of the neighborhood,
and by expanding his income at home to build
up the locality. Twenty-seven years ago he
had come TO the spot on which he stood, then
almost a wilderness. Looking away to the
south and east, however, he thought he had
never witnessed scene fgreater natural beau
ty. The site of the hall was then called a bar
rem hill. What was it now? At that time
nothing was seen in the distance but dense for
ests. He could still see on the road near by the
long line of white-covered wagons carrying the
productions of this section to the far Vest
There were but few houses then, and near by
was one single estate of one thousand acres, the
property of Mr.. Somerville. Where there are
now green fields there were swamps then. On
Sundays the people from the factories above
came to Gainesville only to jolify not to wOr-
ship. What a change is seen to-day. Balti-
more was then distant city. The only COM
munication was by single omnibus, drawn by
forlorn-looking horses, running from Ellicott's
Mills. Now the residents are able to read the
daily papers at the breakfast table. There
were then no public schools, and when prop
ostion was made for a tax twas hooted at, and
then the people had to borrow money from
small bank in Baltimore to establish one
There were then no churches, and near where
he stood few Episcopalians worshiped In
little log cabin. Now he could point with pride
to the handsome place, Ia fine stone church adj
joining the hall grounds,) where the people had
been assembling for many years.
Referring to St. Timothy's, Mr.. Van Bokkelen
stated IldJ he SbdTG6u lOT J6Iocy OlbJ lIOLH 4NOW
York, with Just $40 in his possession, in the
year 1915. Ere long, in purchasing New
York Herald, now so famous, he found that he
had been robbed of $40 of that store. He came
on through believing where "theres a will
there's a way" He arrived in due time, and
established in q small way the earlier St. Tim
othy's Hall, taking pupils at $50 per year
1t was success, Patronage increased, and 1T
was enlarged again and again, and completed
s,,I 4 llxya call nod q q
it was built up ON its own patronage. The
speaker grew up with it, and Gainesville grew
equally as fast In 1S47 the Legislature grant
ed an act of incorporation, and empowered the
trustees to confer academic degrees, as confer
red by all other colleges.
He was happy in securing competent asso-
ciates, and to them is due much of the success
of the college. There was always goodwill ex-
listing between the pupils and the people ofCa-
louisville, and discord was unknown, hence the
good feeling toward the school and the schol-
ars. Their success continued up to 1850, when,
in common with all, the school was visited
with darkness and gloom, and trouble came
For two years after the doors were closed. In
the meantime the speaker was called to an
other field, but others reopened the school and
managed it with success for some time. After
the school was finally closed, two years ago, he
purchased the property for the purpose used
when DESTROYED BY fire. The school had been
a success, the summer hotel had been success,
and the great fire had been a success as we'll,
for it totally destroyed the building, leaving
nothing but the chimneys. He referred in ex-
pressive and feeling terms to the labors OF the
late ]. P. Fusting, Esq, who had done more to
build up Gainesville than perhaps any other
two men now living.
Referring to the greatly increased value of
surrounding property, the speaker stated that
he could have purchased in 1917 tract oil 900
acres, including the hill on which he stood, for
$50, 900. Now land can be bought at any price
He had first opposed the present railroad, being
in favor of steam road, but it had been sue
cess under Gainesville management, and no
better evidence of growth can be given than the
statement that the company had just declared
a dividend of per cent, justified by the enor-
nous travel on the line. Mr.. Van Bookseller
said he regretted the necessity which took him
away as he loved Gainesville and wished he
could remain. He felt glad TO think, though,
that whilst one monument erected by him
the hall-was destroyed, another-the church
near by--remained. He hoped itmight always
remain.
Referring to the reasons leading to his depar-
ture from Gainesville he expressed no condem-
nation, but cheerfully forgave all who had
done him ill., The school was gone, but the
church of God remained. This thought was of
more value than the rubes, and would rejoice
to know that the present ministry was conduct
ed for the good of souls. In returning back to
Catonsville he had received such hearty well
come that he felt again at home, and hated to
leave it, but he cherished the hope ere many
months to be again among them. The assem-
blage applauded his remarks, listening atten-
lively throughout
The CARROLL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL FAIR
The Westminster Adpocnfe of 10th inst saws: