The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-07-09
A Trip TO Carroll County.

We had the pleasure, this week, of paying
avisit to the bright and busting little city of
Westminster, the county seat of Carroll coun-
ty. 1t is situated on the Western Maryland
Railroad, thirty-three miles from Baltimore,
In full view of the Blue Ridge, and in the
midst of highly improved agricultural re-
gon. The city contains about 5000 inhabi-
tants, all of whom appear to have something
to do, the number of idlers apparently being
small. The buildings generally are neat and
substantial, being constructed mostly ofbrick
made in the ncighborhood. A number of
enterprising merchants supply the inhabi-
tants with dry goods, groceries and notions,
and at prices, too below what they can be
bought for in Baltimore and freighted to
Westminster. Some of the stores are hand
somely fitted up, in n style that would do
credit 10 large city.
On Monday night the patriotism of the
people OF the county overlooked in n cclebra-
ton of the National Anniversary, by in
augurating, in the evening, q Fete Champe-
tire. The exercises were held in the beaut-
full lawn surrounding the Court House. This
was brilliantly lighted up with several hun
drcd gas jets, and gaily decorated with num-
bels Of Chinese lanterns, American flags, &c,
the whole forming one of the most pictur-
esque scenes VIC have ever witnessed The
fete was under the direction of the Amphion
Orchestra, musical club of the place. assist
ed by ladies and gentlemen Of the neighbor-
hood. The patriotic element of the occasion
found vent in the reading of the Declaration
of Independence, by DR.. g. Billingslea, son
of former citizen ofour own town of Abing-
don; while at intervals, before and after this
part ofthe programme, the national airs were
effectively rendered by voices and instru-
menis Other attractions of the occasion
were the ice cream tables, Jacobs Well, n
Floral Temple, &c, presided oyer by the
bellies and beauties of Westminster. There
was also n fine display of fireworks, and a
beautiful fountain did its best to cool the air,
the dripping, sparkling water being refresh
to the ear at any rate. The fcte is to last
until tonight. The proceeds are for the
benefit of the orchestra under whose auspices
it was gotten up. The principal object of
the entertainment, however, was to afford
means of pleasant social reunion, rather than
to make money. Taken altogether we have
never seen anything of the kind more hand
somely and tastefully arranged. The attend
ance was very large, and included not only
citizens of Carroll county, but visitors from
Baltimore city and elsewhere Even Har-
ford was represented, in the persons of Hon.
Stevenson Archer and Mrs. Archer, Major
VIM II. Dallam and wife, and the writer.
We met at Westminster several natives of
Hartford, who still cherish affectionate re-
membranes Of their childhoods home, al
though they left her to take care of herself
while they sought home in Carroll. Among
them was Judge William P. Maulsby, whose
heart never fails to warm when he recalls his
al, T,,1;, ,.,;tl,
brothers and sisters, now scattered in differ
ent parts of the country. We also met Frank
l. Wheeler, the hospitable host of the West
minister Hotel, who left Hartford county many
years ago, and after a soiourn in Baltimore
county, finally took up his residence in West
minister. Mr.. III. A. Macatee, n member of
the bar of Carroll county also drew his first
breath among the Deer Creek Hills, and has
not forgotten his friends and relations
here. a..
The crops in Carroll county are about as
they are in Hartford; and farmers have about
the same troubles to contend with. Potato
bugs did not appear to be quite so plentiful
as with us, but their absence is more than
made up by grasshoppers, which have, in
some instances, wrought great havoc TO crops
of all kinds.
The population of Carroll county embra.
ces Q considerable number of Germans, who
have brought with them the habits of econo.
my, thrift and good management learned in
the Fatherland, and under their hands thew
have made the country blossom as the rose.
mifably cultivated, the rate reproduction DER
acre of wheat and corn especially being
large
One of the finest farms to be seen any.
where Is the County Almshouse property,
containing TIA acres. This institution, from
requiring large annual outlay for its sup
port, has under judcious management grown
to be selfsupporting one. The crops look
ed as well or better than any others we saw.
The superintendent expected to realize fifteen
bushels of wheat to the acre, but this crop.
he said, was cut short by the ravages of the
fly last fall, and the severe winter.
The Almshouso is large brick building,
in front of which Is pleasant lawn. The
house itself is somewhat out of repair, but il
comfortable, and kept scrupulously clean.
1t is heated by hot air conveyed through the
building in pipes, thus making every portion
Of 1t warm and comfortable. A commenda-
BILE feature Of the establishment is q bath
room, furnished with the needful appliances.
All the inmates are required to take bath
twice week, those who are averse to the
operation being gently constrained 10 sub
nit TO il. The stables and barn are conve-
niently arranged, and supplied with improv-
cd labor, saving machinery. A number of
hogs are fattened every year, the product of
theinslitution last year having been 10000
lbs. ofpork. A pen of twenty -one enormous
porkers especially attracted our attention
Any one Of them would at this time dress 300
lbs, and but. one of them was more than
eight months old. They are expected to
average 400 or 500 lbs each next fall. They
were part Chester Indeed Carroll county