Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-10-22
CAPTAIN WILLIAM FRAZIER.
Sketch Of Dorchester Pioneer. Now
Nearly 90, but Hale and Vigorous,
Who was = Member Of the Mary.
- land Legislature many Years.

II was chilly Sabbath afternoon
lin 1861 when my first appointment
own the Meek. led me to Sped
den's meeting boase. They bad
hastily made q FIRE in The one large
template stove standing 10 the centre
Of the plain old church. The stove
pipe was shakY, as it had long reach
up to the aue. The house became
filed with smoke Preacher and peo-
pie felt a smarting about the eyes.
and we could not commence the exer
cises until all the windows had been
opened, and the house clearedaof the
smoke. Before preaching / suggest
ed that the interruption would not oc-
cur again, If the trustees, or some
thoughtful friend would see to the
proper fixing of the pipe, and that
it ought to be attended to the FIRST
thing on Monday morning.
Here, young man.n said plain,
sturdy and very outspoken brother 10
the congregation-''you just mind
your own business and we will attend
to ours; go on with your preach
ing"
had never met Capt. Frazier, but
from what ] had heard of him, l sus-
pected this must be the man, and
| was not mistaken. The way be
knocked the wind ont OF my sails, to
use one of his own sailor phrases,
was a caution, and with fear aud
trembling proceeded with the SER
vice. had my turn, however, four
weeks from that day. 1t was back
word Spring, and they made q Gre in
the old stove, but early enough to
have the house cleared of smoke be-
fore | ascended the pulpit. AS / arose
to give out the opening hymn, which
was always the signal for outdoor
loiterers to enter the church in body,
the vibration Of SO many feet on the
floor, distured the equilibrium Of the
stove pipe; | sawit topple.i We had
just raised the tune, bat down came
that 40 foot cylinder, parting in three
sections, and every joint nearly full of
the accumulated dust of time ''im-l
memorial" !" Part fell over on the
women's side, part towards the amen
corner, and the remainder came down
With a crash among the sinners ia the
rear The first man to leap to the
rescue was Captain. Bill" and seiz-
ing the falling pipe he let it 90 again,
suddenly, aud began TO blow on bis
hands. The pipe was very hot
Our singing was suspended until
the dense cloud of SCOT settled down
on the peoples Sunday clothes, and
the roaring fire bad been put out l
kept my eye on the Captain, aud
catching his, inquired, "Well whose
business is it now to repair the dam
ages I" He possessed q streak of the
ludicrous, and moreover, had o very
big, generous heart; so be made an
apology, that set everybody in good
humor and from that day be and
became the best Of frienns We had
some trouble, however, in, resuming
our hymn, and still more in compos-l
ing our minds and faces, into the pro-
per frame for prayer He insisted I
should 60 home with him, and D.
pleasanter home picture does not hang
in all the gallery Of my recollections,
than / found at the old family dwell
ing Of Capt. VIM. Frazier That fair
haired sanity mother, now in heaven
I can see yet. With her bright children
growing up around her. e g
The Captains stories Of sea and
land and practical sense 10 business
and church affairs and his unques-
toned influence, as the adviser Of bis
neigbors, made him an entertaining
host. His son John Mitchell, the
pride of bis heart, became one of the
most prominent ia the galaxy Of great
men, at the Maryland bar, but died in
the Hush of bis manhood, and At the
zenith Of bis success yQa AN
The Captain, after spending the
latter part Of his life in tho service Of
the Government, 10 the Baltimore
Custom House, and still hale and
sprightlg at the advanced age Of over
four score years. has recently BY
political changes 10 the appointing
power. had to step down and out.
and return to his old homestead near
Spedden's where this writer hopes
his sunset Of life may be serene and
cloudless, and The God and Saviour
he has loved SO ardently and 80 long.
ana bis portion forever.
II vas during the Centennial 10
Baltimore last fall, 1 spent : social
hour with my old friend, and j then
found him Is entertaining and bright
II all bis faculties. as when 81 years
ago. We had many . debate On points
Of theology, or discussed public men
and measures, of which being q
novice, had but very crude opinions