The Baltimore County union., 1882-05-06
WHOLE No. 0O4.

stable and several old coaches still there, but
tho stalls are nearly all empty and the grass Is
creeping up among the gravel Of the serpentine
drive. The negro quarters, too, are deserted and
the smoke carls over only . very few cabins.
An inhrm negro, bowed with age, iimped BY me,
and with the poltsness Of the old days removed
bis hat TO me and disappeared around the dairy.
No other living thing was visible. The old place
seemed symbol Of departed glory.
Another interesting spot near by the jenkins
mansion is the ruins Of one Of the first iron fur
naces In the country. Iron ore .s very prolific
about this section and the Muirkirk Furnace is
not iar away, where operations are still going
There l was shown . piece Of pig iron with the
perfectly defined impression Of human toe In the
metal. chas. y. coiin. president Of the Muirkirk
Iron Company, IL authority for the story Of negro
salamander who worked there up 70 q few years
ago. This man was In the habit Of removing bis
shoes, and with feet perfectly bare treading about
upon the red.hot pigs Of iron. IIe became famous
for this astonishing performance, and the negroes
one and all believed him TO be In league with
Beelsebub and avoided him like pest. Itis said
that he could depopulate u saloon In instant BY
entering where n crowd Of superstitious darkeys
were assembled. The local minister Of the Meth
odist church once told the story Of the negros
tonishing feats before the conference In Washing
ton and vas severely handled by his brethren for
giving attsrancs 20 What seemed 20 be such paipa-
bic impossibifity. Ills veraeity was questioned
and his position before the conference became
FERROUS one. AT last tue matter assumed fucn tn-
portance that they adjourned and visited "white
Oak Bottom in a body. They saw TO their
prise what seemed like miracle performed before
their eyes and they removed their censure from the
story.teller. The impression saw in the pig of
iron was said 20 be from the toe Of the man. who
Is now working in Howard county at less hazard
Gus employment.
As nfsToaic SEIcHnoRnooD.
The neighhorhood IL full Of historic interest, as
II was closely identified with many important
events In the war Of the Revolution. Il was at
Bladensburg. but few miles southeast, where
cockburn and Ross fought their celebrated battle
in 1914, just previous 10 the capture of Washing
ton. Many of the old mansions occupied
by prominent men. Ex-Govcrnor Oden Bowie
has his home and his stables Of fine racing horses
there. Adinifcl Ammcn, Chief of the Bureau of
Construction. United States Navy, his brother,
General Amen, aud State Senator Albertson each
occupy old family homes there. The visitor will
be surprised TO find n section Of country 90 close
90 two large cities 80 little affected by the march
Of progress. Particularly 10 this true In relation
20 the coiored race. The old special holiday oc-
casons peculiar 90 the anti slavery days are still
religiously observed. Al these times they assem-
bic at an appointed place in large numbers and
perform their games with all the old time vim and
enthusiasm. These are not unlike the chidren's
ring plays. except that they accompanied by
Wild refrains and ehoruses characteristic of the
race. As boarded the train for Washington n
day or two ago was convinced that this primitive
little section of Prince Georges county was dream.
ing serenely in the memory Of the past.