The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-04-15
PORT DEPOSIT:
Forty Years Ago and Now.
LETTER No. 10.


letter, | have been looking at small frame
building with a glass roof, that seems to be
one of the chief attractions of Port and it's
vicinity, judging from the number of visi-
tors. Here many blooming lassie and
matron grave stands before the mirror to
consult best looks and most attractive style
and becoming postures, while the proven
bal good nature of the artist is put to its
utmost test. But at last fries and PIN
pies, curls and dimples, visions and posi-
tions, are all satisfactorily arranged and
tired. The instrument is adjusted, and Mr..
Barry proudly produces life-like picture
of his subject. The best compliment that
could be paid him is, his patrons are always
we'll pleased. By the way, he also handles
pen so well that many suspect him of
being the correspondent of Tie Cecil Demo-
crat hope he wont put an ugly "phiz"
on me, because of this impertinence.
The front Of Taylor and Tones steam
boat wharf has been rebuilt with hand
some dwellings and stores, and the Odd
Fellows Hall, in which several other Or
ders meet. Opposite, Benjamin Vandiver
built handsome brick dwelling and res.
taurant between Gerry's and the Farmers
& Commercial Hotel. This hotel has been
much improved by Mr.. Miller, the present
owner and proprietor.
At the junction of Main and High streets,
the late Wesley w. Wiley erected hand
some store building. Since Wiley left, it
has been occupied by Wilson, lamar, and
now by Nesbitt as drug store. j. II.
Rowland Il Co. occupy the wharves from
Tome and Taylor's steamboat wharf down
to Heckart's old wharf, and do an extern
sive trade in lumber, shingles, &c. They
have one of the finest business offices to
be met with in country town. The old
frame warehouse that stood on this wharf
was purchased by Edwin Wilmer in 1857,
and moved to Holly Hall, near Elkton, and
converted into barn and stabling. Mr..
Rowland afterwards erected a brick ware
house on the upper end of the wharf
During one of the ice freshets one corner
of this warehouse was demolished by the
running ice. Harvey" was informed of
it and coolly replied, LET her rip" This
building was subsequently purchased by
the Armstrong;, who have worked it in
their foundry buildings up the hollow.
Henry Clay Nesbitt, who is perhaps the
most enterprising merchant in Port, has
now the drug store before referred to; a
grocery store in the old stand, so long kept
by his father and uncle; dry goods store
in his new store house on the lower side of
the street, and a large store at Lapidum,
formerly Bells Ferry, on the Hartford side.
Nesbitt's "uncle Gordon" was Henry
Clay man, first, last, and all the time
When Mr.. Clay was defeated for the Presi-
wore Grape on his left arm for thirty days.
Like most men, he had his peculiarities,
but he also had a great many good traits.
Next is the drug store of Mr.. Frazer,
then the brick dwelling built by Gordon
Nesbitt next Mrs. Robt. Stephenson
then the brick dwelling built by Benjamin
Vandiver, occupied by r. Emory McClena-
han and owned by J. J. Abrahams, the
store house of Thos. Ringgold, the hand
some dwelling built by \. w. holland,
now owned and occupied by Mr.. Hopkins,
the polite and popular cashier of the Cecil
Bank, DR.. Logues and Mrs. David Orr's,
Setzer's bakery and the dwelling of Mrs
James Tombstone; then row of hand
some brick dwellings, belonging to the
estate of E. J. Rinehart, then the Gilmore
property, owned and occupied by E. D..
McClenahan, who has modernized and
greatly improved it. then the elegant dwell
ing possessing all modern Improvements of
John NJ. lenahan, then the new Pro-
testant E. Church; the handsome dwelling
built by f. ]. Rinehart, now the residence
of the Hon. Joseph B. Pugh, then John w.
Bond and others, then the granite residence
and banking house of the Hon. J. Tome
with extensive grounds beautifully and
extensively decorated, front and rear; the
extensive wharves of Bond Brother & Co.,
lumber dealers; next below Mr.. Tones
park, are three new dwellings erected by
him, then Vanneman's warehouse and lum-
Der yard and general insurance agency
office, the dwellings of Thomas G.. Bond
and Daniel Vanneman; below Vanneman's
wharf is the extensive carriage and smith
shop of Nickel & Davis, who turn out
work of best finish and quality. If any of
/ your readers want a carriage, l advise them
to call ON Nickel & Davis.
From this to Buck saw mill the wharves
and houses were built mainly by the late
Col. J. J. Heckart. Quite number of
houses have been erected below the saw
mill (the site of the old still house, and up
the hollow leading to Cedar Hill. Among
them, about half way from the river to
Cedar Hill, is the elegant country seat of
Mr.. John Buck, who recently became the
happy possessor, in marriage, of one of
Col Heckart's fairest daughters, who pre-
sides over his mansion with lady like grace
and dignity.
Retracing my steps back to the juno
ton of Main and High streets, notice
that this hill side street has kept pace with
the general improvements. Forty years ago
there were but four or five houses on this
street, now there are about fifteen. The
most prominent interest of High street is
the select private school of Miss Martha
Beach, one of the most accomplished and
| deservedly esteemed ladies of Port. Her
patrons always get value received for the
money they pay for tuition.
And now Mr.. Editor have, in two let
tiers, rapidly noticed the improvements of
late years from Rock Run to Still House
Hollow. l have passed over number of
business places and new dwellings, not
deeming it important to be more minute,
as all the improvements and business
! changes and enterprises of recent date are
| familiar to all the citizens of Port and to
| those who visit there. Should, however,
any of your readers feel sighted or dis
posed to find fault, if they will write me
per carrier pigeon, directed to Guyas Cutas,