The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-05-26
"RUM SQUARE,,

ieu" hIddiC, w JOu huo" NHCIC
it is stuated9 OF course you do; but for
fear that some of your distant readers may
not know where this beautiful, classic and
interesting square is, propose to give its
location geographically, and also some of
its beauties, together with its eventful his
tory.
First of all, it is supposed to be the center
of the world. Boston was formerly sup
posed to occupy that position, but that idea
has been found to be fallacious and there
fore exploded. Port Deposit, in which is
/ located this far famed square, has taken
the place of Boston as the center, around
which all worldly things revolve. Espe-
cially is this the case morally, intellectually
is written.
| will now give its boundaries: 1t is
bounded on the west by Odd Fellows Hall,
some doctor offices, and the store of X.
Katz. On the south by Williams drug
store and the large swinging sign of the
Commercial Hotel. On the east by the
hotel, George NJ. Anderson's drug store,
and the ruins of the Washington House,
which was burned few years since, and
in that sad calamity thousands of lives were
lost, but | am happy to state that there was
no destruction of human life. On the north
this beautiful square is bounded bya splen-
did stone structure called Cooks Store"
building that has stood there from time
immemorial, since the time "when the
memory of man runneth not to the con-
I IL.
historic period, about the time of the build
ing of the tower of Babel. Though as to
its being built there is some dispute. For
some of our most learned historians, geolo-
gsts and antiquarians suppose it to have
tioated there during Noah S flood, being
left there at the time the Ark rested upon
Mt. Ararat, which mountain, by the way,
is situated about one mile south of this his.
toric square and building.
This structure seems to have existed since
the creation of the "everlasting hills
with which it is surrounded, and since ''the
morning stars sang together" And such
is its invunerability, that it is believed no
power in the land, either legal or physical,
or both combined, can ever remove it, for
have not the whole of Port Deposit, to-
gether with some of tie great men of the
nation, attempted it? And still it presents
.
bidding defiance to all the powers that can
be brought to bear for its destruction.
Within this historic square, both in an
cient and modern times, have been enacted
some of the grandest events in the worlds
history. Political rostrumS have been
erected here, from which have been dellv
cred the greatest orations ever listened to
by assembled freemen, and by orators in
comparison to whom DemostEenes or Cicero
sink into insigniticance. And here, in this
square, are the affairs of the nation regu-
lated each year by the great political ora
tors who come from far and near, and,
mounted upon dry goods box, pour forth
their burning eloquence to the assembled
freemen of Port Deposit and surrounding
'barrens," who, with upturned faces to
the speaker, listen with ears, eyes and
mouths wide open, drinking in the streams
of wisdom and eloquence that flow from the
great men upon the rostrum.
But not only is this square celebrated for
its great beauty, and for its historical scenes
in the political and forensic arena, but it is
equally as famous for its exhibitions of
! physical strength, skill and bravery. In
this respect it is equally as famous as was
once the Roman amphitheater, in which
were enacted those contests of gladiatorial
strength and skill which have been the Won
der of the world from the days of ancient
Rome, down, until they have been eclipsed
by similar scenes enacted in Rum Square.
Here, upon election days, fourth of July,
fires, ice gorges and other similar occasions,
when the chivalry of Port Deposit and sur
rounding barrens have become filled with
enthusiasm" drawn from the casks and
KEYS of the Hole in the Wall " and other
similar places, are then often witnessed
scenes of valor which throw the contests of
those ancient gladiators entirely in the
shade.
Much more might be said in praise and
admiration of this beautiful square did
time and space permit; snfice it to touch
upon but one more point-its name. The
time when, or by whom it received its eupho-
NOUS name, no one eau tell. All that is
known about it is what has been handed
down by tradition from former generations.
One account, and | think the most proba
| BILE, is, that many centuries ago this beau
| tiful square was surrounded with rum shops,
and that rum was the favorte drink of the
inhabitants who dwelt there. But all this
has been changed in the latter days. as will
| appear when inform you that there are now
| but three or four of these shops within the
/ limits of the square. And those who in
dulge in that delectable drink are mostly
"outside barbarians, who come to renew
their strength, both physical and mental,
| as well as to replenish their stock of pa
triotism and enthusiasm. They are often
seen making straight wake for the
Hole in the Wall, but when they emerge
therefrom, their wake is any thing but
straight. We often read of "crooked
whisky" but this seems to be combina-
ton of every thing crooked - which a
man can put himself on the outside of, the
real "chain-l lightning" "kill me quick "
and "tangle-foot kind.
The fourth of July is approaching, and
with fair prospects that Rum Square will
again witness the scenes, not only of the
last one, but of those of former years,
which have rendered its name so celebrated
headed monster" RUM may never be al