The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-07-17
"REMINISCENCES OF ELKTON
Another Letter from the Gentleman who
Resided Here Many Years Ago.
NINCENNES, Ind, July 3, 1885,

EINCENNEs, Ind, July 3, 1880.
MIR. EDIToR:-l resume my scribblings
about Elkton. And by the way, l am
strong in the faith that Indiana this fall
will claim Il rather conspicuous place in
the Republican column. Politically.
am glad to say that the hand that writes
this never cast a Democratic ticket No,
sir: and never will.
Although helped to build Il log fort
at Frcnchtown, | was too young for the
army; but my father, Captain Sample,
served some two years III the war of IA.
With my mother and the children used
to scamper off to John Thompson near
Newark, when the cry was given, 1.-THE
British are coming" and remain away
till the alarm subsidized. used to help
to make cartridges up stairs in a small
room in the academy, run bullets in Peter
Miles blacksmith shop, and carry food
to my father while at the fort at the
Landing; and more than once scampered
with my mother and other women up
the road by Gilpin's mill. Once, re-
member, when number of the women
were assembled there north of the creek.
one of the Andersons-Jim, | think
came skulking along, going to the coun-
try, seeking safety i'll flight, the women
tried to shame him back to the fort. But.
no; he acted on the principle that che
that skulks and runs away, may live to
fight some other day" Those were days
of alarm, and l remember we'll of seeing
the smoke when Havre de Grace was
burning. Those were perilOus times.
England will hardly ever try this coun-
try any more.
But my purpose in this communication
was more particularly to speak of per-
Sons and things about Elkton. Ger
tainly have good memory for one now
nearly eighty. But SO it is. | doubt not
that there are several persons about Elk
ton. if | could see them. who could, with
me, recount many things which | have
forgotten. | wonder if any one there re-
members Boyle x Mackey. who used to
Keep SlOlC III lltblC Ill
the Hollow, not far from Billican's tan
yard. They We're Irishmen. Mackey
had little son some four OF five years
old, named Boyle. and taught him, when
asked his name. to answer Hugh Boyle
Mackey, Esq, attorney and counselor at
law. Elkton, Md. remember with great
distinctness the tall and dignified appear
ance of Rev. William Duke, an Episcopal
minister. lie and Hetty, his daughter,
lived Oh the west side of the street as
you go from Main towards the academy.
There were two brick houses therc-one
residence. the other he taught school
in. In the Hollow was Billican's tan
yard.
| But what most particularly | wanted to
state is this. | spoke in my last of the
marshes opposite Elkton, on the south
being covered with PUSHES in those days
and overlooked with every tide. There
was abundance of small bird called
rail. 4 gentleman named William IIol-
lngsworth lived there-a perfect gentle
man. He was in intirm health; was. il
fact, consumptive. He was in the habit
of going out at high tide in a little boat
having some one to row. while he sitting
in the bow would shoot the birds as the,
arose from the rushes to fly away. He
kept his boat locked when not using it.
down near where the bridge is, and 3;
family by the name of Hitler. who livel
in little house Just against the bank
took care of his oars. The Hitler famil,
was of a very low order and had three
| girls who were notorious. George Cos
den. if living. could tell you more o
them than can. Tom Giles used to b,
the cricr of the court, Il worthy man
who did little jobs for people when nee
eSsary: was of that class of Englishmel
who always cruelty the letter H. anC
put it to death when it should live, ant
supplied it in the wrong PLACEMENT ont
morning to get Mr.. llollingswQrth's skit
to take il hunC, ana going 10 the dool
was met by Mrs. Hitler. when this seen,
took place: Good morning, Mrs. Hitler.
Good morning, Mr. Giles" SIS Mr.
'Ollingsworth' hoarS ino" "What -
said Mrs. Hitler. is Mr. 'Ollingsworth'
hoars here?" Said she. "Why, C
d-u you: do you suppose we keep whore
here tor Mr.. HuliiG.Sworth ~ :: why
God bless me if Mr.. 'OllingsworUh didn
tell me his hoars were here any way
Old Tom Giles was Il noted man in hi!
day. He came up to IL man one day il
court who had his hat ON and requested
him to remove it. The man did not d,
it, tiles said, "If the Court please
'sles :. ius,n mho ~onI Jake rs lat off.
Giles was near sighted. "PerhapS,
said the Judge. "the man is Il Friend.
Quaker. well, by even. he has mettl'
buttons on his coat any way.
| would like very much to enlist som,
one i'll Elkton, man or woman, to ceres