The Cecil Whig., 1876-02-19
PORT DEPOSIT:
Forty Years Ago and Now.
LETTER NO. 1.

made mention of the grandeur as we'll as
the terrible destructive freshets and ice
gorges with which Port in olden times, as
well as in later years, has been visited,
during which some families resident on the
lower side of the street had to be boated
out from the second story windows of their
dwellings; nor is it necessary to dwell on
this: more able pens have, from time to
| time, reported for city papers graphic de-
scriptions of some of those frightful occa-
sions.
E. r., a man of strong faith and trust,
refused to leave his dwelling, though driven
by the rising flood to the second story of
| his house. He said he would trust in
| Providence. But his practical and strong
common sense son-in-law, J. A. D., re-
minded him that Providence expected all
men to avail themselves of the means
afforded them to escape manifest danger.
f. r. yielded, and consented to be boated
| out.
Next above the academy was the pro-
perty of Henry Doughty, on both sides of
| the street. Then, John McCullough's dwell
| ling and carpenters shop. Mccullough
was master builder for many years. He
was in STATURE one of the tallest and larg-
est men in Port. He was the Nimrod :"
of the town, was often to be seen roaming
DER hills and fields with his long gun and
dogs in pursuit of game, and rarely returned
| without being we'll ladened with his spoils.
That tong gun, by an accidental discharge,
caused his death. Next, was the black
smith shop of Cornelius Smith. after wards
Eli Whites, and his coach shop opposite,
afterwards Jacob Gwinn's. Then. Hannah
Reynolds, widow of John Reynolds. She
afterwards married c. Smith, and lived to
ripe old age, loved by all. She was a
mother in Israel This house was after
wards occupied by Daniel Megredy. whose
house was the preachers home, while he
lived; and who, perhaps, did more for
Mcthodsm in Port than any other man
there. His big sail tent at camp meetings
sheltered all with hearty welcome who
choose to avail themselves of it. After
wards, Elijah Reynolds lived there. For
twenty-five to thirty years, he was the
chief architect and builder of the ware
houses, stores, churches and dwellings
erected in Port during that time. He also
contracted largely on the Eastern and
Western shores of Maryland.
Before proceeding further, let me remark,
that this part of the village was, and is
known, as Nidd7etoacn.
About 1887, two of her most estimable
citizens, Eli White and Rev. Enoch Ne
greedy. emigrated to Illinois They moved
in Pennsylvania wagons-baggage and
families. On the day of their departure,
large numbers of the citizens accompanied
them across the Susquehanna bridge to the
Hartford side, and there, with much weep
ing, bid them God speed.
Opposite this property, now the resi-
dence of VIM. Parker, was the cottage on
the hill of Mrs. Lyle. Then. the Thomp.
sons, Arthur Strout and others. Among
them was my old and much esteemed friend
Edward II. Tarring. whose brother, Henry
| Tarring, was successful minister of the
Baltimore Conference of the N. E. Church
Mr.. Tarring must be older than !. and
longer resident of Port, unless you deduct
the number of times he has removed from,
and returned to Port. He can't stay away.
Who cano Though l may not be tie oldest
inhabaant, yet l have lived here long
enough to see the adage verified in more
cases than in our worthy townsman Tar
ring: viz, Gle who once drinks of the
waters of the Snsquehanna, longs to return
to it again.
The "Sorrel Horse Tavern was kept by
Captain Edward Glacken. The Captain at
one time had business that called him
South He took with him his attorney,
H. Mccullough. Arriving at Vicksburg,
after night the Captain rose early in the
morning and went forth to view the city.
He soon returned, greatly excited, rushed
to the room of his companion and ex-
claimed: Hiram. Hiram! for God S sake
get up and let us get out of this place.
The people are dying by hundreds. ] have
just seen big shop yfuH Of eofins. In Port,
they did not keep such articles "ready
made" The Captain removed to his farm
near Port. He was a Romanist, but fire.
oueutly let his woods to the Protestants to
hold religious meeting in. John Kaveny
succeeded to the " Sorrel Horse" In later
/ years, John has become a successful rail
/ road contractor. at which business he beats
| the Irish. To him, more than to any other
/ man in Port. are the Roman Catholics
indebted for a church of their own. Next,
James L. Maxwell's tannery and dwelling
! opposite. AS all roads lead to Rome, so it
was said, all subjects of conversation led
"Leper" to the :" Rising Sun" He was a
much esteemed citizen, a staunch Whig
and popular legislator Next, was the old
barracks occupied by James Barnes, Levi
Hood and others. Hood was local
preacher. .Sbouting was an element of his
religion. This was not confined to the
church. When at family devotions he
often made himself heard for long dis
tance. On one occasion, at a camp meeting,
. Hood told his audience, that God could not
revive his work there, because the people had
no manners. Once, while leading class
young lady spoke so low as not to be
understood. Hood told her, if she were at
a party, she could talk and laugh loud
enough, and prayed that the Lord might
so fire her heart as to unloose her tongue;
that she might open wide her mouth and
speak out for Jesus not caring whether
her words were straight or crooked as q
rams horns.
Next, was the old stone warehouse. In
it was stored the hogsheads Of whisky,
barrels of flour, grain in bulk, &C., &c,