The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-05-13

E 30 great was the excitement Oh tne laUOf
ers for few days, that R. r. Ndndiver
Esq, who was experimenting the work
finding his men were growing demoralized
was compelled to arrest their further searcl
for the glitterng prize. 1t was said tina
several hundreds of dollars were secured
by the workmen.
Port was not then place of much note
except as a point at which the river wa:
ferried A few militia, under the command
of Col. Creswell, supported by such mer
as Col Gerry, Captain Patten, John Rey
rolds and others had gathered at Per
Ferry" to "do or die But the British
either did not consider Port of sufficient
Importance to destroy it, or because of the
loss of one of their vessels at Bells Ferry
Susquehanna without further desolation
They took the brave Irish O'Neal with
them and would have hanged or shot him,
but for fear that the Americans would re-
taliate two for one.
But, Mr.. Editor, I find l have dwelt at
such length on these incidents of the war,
that my letter is already sufficiently long,
and | shall have to notice very briefly the
fisheries that were conducted on floats OF
batteries on the Hartford side by the Silvers,
Stevensons, Kerrs, Lyons, Steels and 9th
ers. For years these fisheries were large
and important interest, giving employment
to large number of hands, and supplying
the farmers of Hartford and y ork counties
on the west side, and Cecil and Lancaster
counties on the east side with ".Susgue-
hanna bacoR.' Some amusing stories used
to be told of the book keeping of some of
the fishermen, and the modes of settle
ment when the seines were "cut out at
the close of the season. Let me give one
specimen: "Jim, there is twenty dollars
to your credit" eyes, massy." "Well,
then the pair of boots that you got, five
dollars; and the pair you didn't get, five
dollars; and the five dollars in money you
got, and the five dollars in money you didn' t
get, make just twenty dollars. Step aside,
quick, and let Joe come
The calculator was so rapid and made it
so plain, that, although ",Jim ~ did not
comprehend exactly how what he got and
what he did not get counted the same, yet
he generally accepted its correctness, and
if not, was hustled aside to make room for
Joe, who, in turn, received like settle
ment Let it be understood, however, Mr..
Editor, that do not vouch for the correct
ness of these stories, | merely narrate them
as they were told to me by one who had
"been there Above Bells Ferry. at Rock
Run, was the flour mill of Dir. John Archer.
This mill did large business with Port
Deposit until the destruction by ice and
water of the old Susquehanna bridge.
Aud now, Mr.. Editor, in closing up my
"reminiscences of Port Deposit and its sur
roundings, permit me to repeat what said
in one Of my former letters, that it has
afforded rue personal qualification to revive
these recollections of the scenes of the
past. For as distance lends enchantment
to the view,o SO time enhances departed
Joys, anu L am SrdtlIeu TO De assured Dy
others, that these letters have been favora-
bly, received by your readers, and have
revived pleasant memories of Port and her
people in the days long gone by, and awak-
eued old cords of attachment and affection
that have vibrated in many hearts. TO all
such, let me say:
"Long, long be (ourl hearts with such
memories filled,
Like the vase in which roses have once
been distilled;
You may break, you may shatter the vase
if you will,
But the scent of the roses will hang round
it still'
Yours truly, GUYAs CUrAs.
p. S. AS a lady has had something to
do with the writing of these letters. they
should not terminate without 7. 5. So
will just add, that l may continue to
furnish some personal sketches, and have
thought of visiting Ports lefty of the
dead" and giving your readers some
meditations among the tombs." Don't
be frightened; they will not be ghost
stories, but incidents and reflections
"more joyous than grievous.' G. c.