The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-08-28
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 20, 1874

nevertheless true, thousands of dollars
worth of property may be destroyed here
in or near the heart of this great city, and
scarce seem to rufle the tide of surging
humanity, as it Gibbs and flows in the va
rious channels and marts Of trade and
commerce. The old adage that "half
the-world knows not how the other half
live" is no less true in the city than in
the rural districts. While writing you
on the 18th, fire was raging within gun
shot, and in full view of my window,
which bid fair to work destruction TO a
large portion of the southeastern portion
of the city; but the we'll established eff
cheney Of the city fire department is such,
that no panic ever results from a FIRE
alarm here, and, a FIRE scarcely ever
reaches beyond the building in which il
has its origin, so complete il the organi-
zation, that the destroying element is
always bafFled in its infancy, and never
allowed to rule supreme, as it unfortun-
ately does in many places. This city can
justly be proud Of both her police force
and fire department, two arms Of power
and service, which are highly essential
in any well regulated city, and which
are certainly brought to the acme Of
perfection in ye old Monumental City.
My mind had somehow been impressed
with the idea, that this was a very wick
ed, rough place. Who has not heard Of
the Grip Raps," ""Plug Uglies," "Blood
Tubs" Eagles" and "Stringers2" whose
presence gave rise to the reputation so
poisonous as to pollute the fair name. Of
this place in its earliest days; but these
are "by-gones," and who Is not willing to
let "by-gones be by-gones" No one to-
day beholding the extreme good order
and quietude reigning here supreme,
could scarce believe that not a decade
hence, were some Of these hidec us clubs,
just named in full blast, the terror Of all
good citizens, and the "plague Of all
/ plaques" but, for once be it said, right
prevails over wrong, good over bad; and
Baltimore stands to-day higher in the
moral scale than any city Of its size in
America; and may not say the world2
The German "Schuetzenfest" ish sdhilI
un vull blasht nit en- yet yere, "py col
ly, don't it?" Lager beer flows abundant
ly, free and foaming. Boat loads, car
loads, wagon loads and cart loads, are
being guzzled by the Wholesale; and the
fat, jolly red d-faced "tichermans," are met
with everywhere; and the blue coat and
brass buttons keep on a sharp point, Test
trouble may arise in the camp. So far
everything has gone well, yet we occa-
sionally meet with a specimen of hu-
manity somewhat top-heavy from pig
gish desire to be hoggish, and it does
seem TO me when n man gives way to
this peculiar propensity, he completely
outdoes his then better neighbor, the
hog, and is able to outvie any specimen
of animal nature in existence, as far as
bemeaning and disgracing is concerned.
This Schutzen Society is peculiarly as
believe for its principal object the ad-
vancement Of the art Of sharp shooting,
, or target practice. believe it is sus-
tained by very worthy patrons, and is a
very creditable institution, perhaps, as
some of the dignitaries l understand
grace it with their presence and help
support it by their means.
1 was favored with very pleasant
weather for my second trip down to
Annapolis; the bay was calm and smooth
as a meadow, or lawn; yet a pleasant
breeze occasionally stirred, barely sufli-
cient to ripple the surface gently, and
reminding us Of the green pastures the
West, or large fields Of unripe grain, as
ii is swayed to and fro in the passing
zephyrs. l procured some very impor-
tant points in the Registrars Office and
boarded the steamer at p. NJ for the
city. / made the acquaintance of the
very gentlemanly Captain, Mr.. Samuel
Crosby, commander of the steamer Cham
pion, which is justly entitled to the sob
requet it carries. The Captain invited
me into the pilot house, where had not
only had fine view of the bay and yes
sels plying thereon, but also some in
sight into the manner in which those
monsters Of the deep are governed by
the pilot, as he stands at the wheel, his
marine glass lying within his reach, and
+ ship compass placed contiguous to the
lookout, so that a glance as il were, will
determine in the mind Of the man at the
wheel, just his whereabouts, his speed
and destination. / was struck with th,
complete control the pilot may have over
his vessel, with what ease he can tuu
her either to the right or left. wa.
favored by the Captain with many points
of interest connected with a seafairing
life, which l will have to pass for the
present. Our pier on Light street Is
made and l stepped ashore amid about
20 "omnibusters" with "have a hack
sir?" take buss2" "want to rider "gim-
me dime to carry your baggage, sch?
but We quietly elbowed our way through
this worse than flock Of mosquitoes and
made our way to "The Carrollton," feel
, ing that we had done a good days ser
, vice in investigating the C.-B. G.
. Respectfully,
]. c. CURRAN.
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Il