The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-08-21
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.


nlEut Closes 1fOun0 US with AGE fOiD uAt
curtains, we feel more like retiring 70
our "virtuous couch" rather than fgur
ing as bohemian, scratching our head
for ideas; and, scratching reminds ns that
the Chesapeake abounds with legions Of
black-winged, bloodthirsty, night prowl-
ing musquitoes. Unlike their compeera
in the West, they surreptiously present
their bills, in the dark aud draw on us
on shorter notice than though {; were
"on sight" thus stealing from us tho life
giving current, leaving us depleted. poi.
soned and in not very good humoF to-
ward these thievish, villainous "Cheaa-
peakers," whom We trust may Be better
"skeeters" after supplying themselves.
with 70 much hoHess blood
Yesterday we boarded the good steam
er Kent and sailed for Annapolis, 10 en-
anime the old patent records. Here also
we find items Of intense interest 20 the
"ChIlcote" family; one old patent TO Jas.
Chilcote bearing date 1870. containing
100 acres; also one of like date to Sam
uel Merrymap Of 200 acres called "Mer-
ryman's adventure" Of which 100 acres
is conveyed subsequently to John Chill
cote; also a certain lease" for 100 acres
to same, bearing date 1850 for 90 years
without renewal" of which we will
hereafter make mention, rs we are not
yet able to locate it; we also find num-
Der Of other old patents Of which we
have taken notes, some Of which may be
Of financial interest to us, yet we shall
at present hold them IN reserve, a. those
we herewith present, are evidently the
ones which more directly concerns our
mission. A balance Of II acres is found
on record belonging 10. John Chilcote,
his heirs and assigns, which seems 10 be
in the heart Of the city, and which IL
worth more money than we think proper
to attempt at present 10 estimate. and
which we will speak further hereafter.
Our trip down to the Capital was one of
the most pleasant that was ever our por-
tion to enjoy; and here, while the State
officers dincd we took a stroll along the
beach down to the "Navy Yard past
the MARINE Hospital" and Naval Acn.
denny" Finding the war ship "Santee,"
guns, lying along the pier, we boarded
her and was politely received by gen
teel midshipman, who kindly showed us
around, and explained many matters Of
interest to us 20 pleasantly that We very
reluctantly left. Being pressed for time,
we passed several mounted guns and one
or two "Columbians" which grin hor-
rid ghastly grin toward the way of aP-
proach, into the nice and beautiful har-
Dor Of this finished State Capital. We
now took leave Of this coy place, and uf
il was raining and blowing a sharp gale
We anticipated some fun among the
rolling white-caps. We at once took onr
seats at the well furnished table but our
vessel rolled and rocked at such a fear.
ful rate, that we were compelled TO co.
hastily, az the dishes ratified and Jared
and jostled in such confusion, that we
concluded we we're not needed at the ia
bic, and as many were showing signs OF
sea-sicknesz around us, we concluded 10
go above the dining room, and see whD-
effect the rolling sen scene would have
upon an Ohio "clodhopper." The ma
jcstic waves chased each other past US ia
quick succession, our noble vessel reared
and plunged, sometimes mp on high,
sometimes she seemed as though CON
templating n short road to the bottom OF
the bay, as with sudden lurch she would
scoop the foamy white-caps, until the
spray would reach us on the upper decks,
giving us free taste Of the foaming bill
low, and rendering it absolutely necessa-
ry to cling 20 some substantial support
to keep from going prematurely over
board. We enjoyed our sea-Roing trip
hugely, and feel considerably elated 81
the idea Of enduring the storm without
experiencing any inconvenience OF nau-
sea whatever. We passed near the two
forts on our return, a. / believe that T.
the rule observed BY the sailors movin
on this channel. Fort Carroll a. an un-
finished stone fertilization, some three 90
four miles ont aeaward, where Uncle
Sam has spent millions Of money ~
rearing a huge rock pile, which heavy
ship ordnance would knock into a "cuck-
ed Lat" IN less than nn tims. Fort Me
| Henry, however, an parihwork on The
western side Of The bay, situated on =
point about one mile south Of the city,
just between Middle ard y. vs.. branch
Of the Patapsco, IL better investment,
and 50 completely commands the harbor
that II would be next TO impossible fer
any hostile vessel 20 live under her
frowning baations and heavy ordnance
il properly manned. Bnltimnreana feel
Justly proud Of Fort McHenryi and well
they may, as she stands an excellent
"watch-dog," or safeguard, from Threat
ening dangers from foreign inyaaions.
We made our pier, and stepped again on
terra Ey7na, feeling that we could say
what we conld not have said twelve
hours before-we have been rocked up
on the bosom Of old mother ocean, and
realized no unpleaaRntness thorcfrom.
We are again in rooza No. 420, on the
5th floor Of this magnificent hotel
The Carrollton"--and while Mr.. c.
is quietly aleePing away the effects of bic
seafaring trip. your humble servant is
trying to iot down these junbiins liuef
and-harz, the FIRE alarm soundsi aad
from my open window the whole west
ern horizon apPears all Abla1el The
might "a cloudy, and quite brecfe 10
blowing from the west. People are bar
ryinE, with alarm depicted on thsiE
: faces, toward the scene. The ill-late oi
poor Chicago now rushing through 9th
Ter minds as we'll No our own but from
the high roof Of our own towering hotel,
we see the effects Of a superbly conduct
ed Ere department In a city like thi's--
and the loss did not exceed $4,000, al
though the chances were uniavorahle. o.