The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-03-07


SAEE o. tbs PlgeSvulg This
property, situated eight miles from Baltimore,
on the Baltimore aud Westminster tnrnnike,
Is to be sold hyauthorily Of the United States.
We find the following interesting history Of
1t IN the SHa Of Tuesday, and publish ii for
the benefit Of our readers, many nf whom are
familiar with the place;
The chief of the bureau Of ordnance in his
last annual report Recommended the discon.
tinnance and sale Of several arsenals in va.
rions portions Of the country, including the
arsenal Ut Pikesville, Maryland. The reason
for the recommendation was that the improv-
ed modern facilities for INSTRUMENTATION
between the different sections Of the Union
have rendered these arsenals Of no practical
value as compared with the expense Of keep
ing them up
The arsenal al Pikesville was established in
1916. The ground was purchased BY the gov
erament from DR.. Jas. Smith, Of Baltimore
county. The deed, copy Of which is on Gle
among the archives Of the ordnance bureau,
conveys 10 the United States fourteen acres
and one hundred and forty-seven perehes fol
the consideration Of SS95.l2. The witnesses
10 1he deed were Thomas NJ. Griffith and
Richard Carroll. DIR, Smiths receipt for the
money, which was paid 10 him by General
Nehemiah Baden, Of the ordnance depart
ment, is also on Gle. The last appraisement
made Of the property, including the ground
and buildings, fixed the value at S6S,00O The
government has, however, from first to last
expended several hundred thousand dolars
on the property. There are now at the arse.
nal about 100000 Of stores aud munitions o.
war, which viii be removed before the prop
erty Is surrendered by the government.
The command OF the Pikesville arsenal has
always been considered desirable position
by the officers Of the ordnance bureau, MOI
only by reason Of its delightful situation and
its convenience Of access to snch city n
Baltimore, but on account of the refined and
agreeable s0ci fy Of the immediate neighbor
hood Among those who have been in charge
as commandments were Major Huger, after
wards chief Of ordnance Of the Confederat,
States, Colonel Maynadier, a Representative,
OF one Of the old Maryland families, who wa.
there for FIVE years, from 1887 to 1872, ant
Colonel Benet, the present acting chief Of thu
ordnance bureau in Washington. During thu
regime Of Major Huger and subsequently tn,
government had in successful operation at Thu
arsenal one of tn finest chemical Laboratories
in the country, which turned out fine sup
ply Of superior Fixed ammunition.
Before the railroads had penetrated and in
terlaced the country with their iron arms th,
Pikesville arsenal was one Of the most impor
tant belonging TO the government, and wa
the storehouse from time to time Of larg'
quantities of the munitions Of war. Dunnl
the late war it was used as depot, aud wa
principally in charge of Mr.. C. j. Lamberton
faithful old clerk, who has been there FOL
more than lifetime. Ii is now in charge Of
Captain Grealish, ordnance storekeeper.
A bill is now pending before the Senate
the sale Of the Pikesville arsenal, and also tn,
arsenals at Augusta, Maine, and Dearborn
vile, Michigan, and Sag Harbor, Long Island
The bill authorizes the Secretary Of War tc
subdivide the property before selling il, il il
his opinion It shall be to the interest Of the
United States. No sale is to be made at
price less than two-thirds Of the value Of the
property, which Is TO be appraised by boart
of three army officers.