The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-12-18

Early Recollections of the York Turn
pike.-Mr. Sias PIERCE, native of Baltimore
county, but for many years a resident of the West
and whose home is now at Oregon, Holt county Mis-
souri, In remitting his subscription for The UNION
gives some interesting facts connected with his
recollection of the York turnpike road, from Tow
sontown to Baltimore, sixty years ago. He says ::
"The first place below Towsontown, on the left Of
the pike, was Bowen & Sons establishment, con-
sisting of blacksmith and wheelwright shops, To-
Gated in the hollow where a small brook, spanned
by wooden culvert crossed the road. The next
place of any Importance after leaving this was
| Govanstown, short distance north of the 4-mile
stone do not remember any public houses in
this place except one tavern, kept by man named
Loudenslager. few rods further south was
| tavern kept by q woman named Synard, and still
| short distance below saddle and harness shop
conducted by q man named Gill, who died of
cholera few years after the time of which write.
The next place of Importance that recall was
the two-mile gate, kept at that time by man
named Mumma, whose first name, I think, was
David. Near the gate were several public houses.
North of it, on the east side of the pike, was
tavern kept by John Given. On the west side
| was grocery store conducted by q man named
Bowers. After leaving the gate, short distance
| below, there was large two-story building, kept
as public house by man named w alker. This
was quite popular place of resort and soldiers
from Baltimore and Fort McHenry often spent
| portions of the summer there. The next place
! worthy of note was large brick mansion, stand
ing on the west side of the pike in front of which
was stone wall and hedge. few rods south,
on the east side of the road, was STAIRS tavern,
and still little distance below, on the same side,
was Jenkins's lanyard, large stone building just
| one mile north of the city, the southwest corner
| being built or against the first mile stone.
| The small stream which crossed the pike at this
| point was spanned by wooden bridge. A short
distance below, on the east side, heavy stone
| nfad Nv DIV old rofu
reaching the top of the hill opposite this wall we
had our first view of the Monumental City, upon
reaching which we put up at what was called the
| clay Scale Tavern" kept at that time by Jacob
| Brookhardt, and formerly by that good-natured,
| jovial landlord, Father Shealey, who, at later
| period, was proprietor of Shealeys Tavern, in
| Towsontown.
IA few years after the time of which I am
writing, on my return from the city, political
meeting was in progress at or near the wo-mile
gate and it there that 1 heard the first poti-
cal speech of my life. The speakers were Gen.
Stansbury, James M. Buchanan and gentleman
named Philpot. If my memory is correct the two
first named were Democrats and the latter Wing.
1 believe this was in 1928, during President Jack
sons first campaign. The day following, at
SHADES tavern, on the old York road, My Lady's
Manor, there was another large political gather
ing, regimental muster, &C."
If our old friend Peirce could come to Towson-
town now and make the trip from here to Balti-
more by the turnpike, he would not recognize it
as the same road of which he gives such an ac-
curate description sixty years ago. Now for
nearly five miles out, it is an almost continuous
town, with horse railway and cars running to
and from the city every fifteen minutes here
there then but one family he would now find
hundreds of people, many of them engaged in all
the various occupations of life. 1t would doubt
be treat to him to see what advances have been
made in sixty years, when one could perhaps
count all the buildings between this place and the
city on the fingers of ones two hands. The "two
mile gate" of which Mr. PIERCE speaks is the same
toll gate that is now in Waverly, surrounded by
town with population of several thousand
The large stone wall, surmOunted by cannon, to
which he alludes, is the Greenmount Cemetery
wall and it is there to day, much more extended
than it was sixty years ago, but is minus the
cannon.
Rossville, 18th DESTRUCTION last Monday
night barn in Back River Neck, owned by
Moses Fox, was burned, also about IS head of
cattle, and large quantities of corn hay, &c. The
fire was discovered about IL o'clock, the origin |
of which is not known.
A few nights ago very instructive and enjoy |
able entertainment given by the Rev. Mr. |
Huber, at Towards Church, for the benefit of the
society. This church has been without regular |
pastor since the death of Rev. J. Leonberger.
Mr.. William Williams has removed to the Hick- |
pike, 101 miles from Baltimore.
Mr.. I. Adolphus German has taken charge of |
the farm of the Messrs. Morton, ON the Hilen road
Mr.. C. Ross Mace, after an absence of several |
months, has returned to his home to spend his |
vacation, which doubtless will be very gratifying |
both to himself and his many friends.
Rev. j. Ii. S. Clarke, who has been visiting rel |
atves in Ohio and Indiana for the last six weeks,
has returned much pleased with his visit |
and gives encouraging accounts of that part of |
the west and he thinks that some of the people of
Maryland might do we'll to 60 there, especially |
those who are fond of cunning, as one gentleman |
reported having killed abont 240 cartridges this |
season. The land is elevated and very produc- |
tive and much of it is in high state of cultiva-
ton. The growing wheat was looking quite
promising.
Mr. Calvin 7. Shaffer was taken quite i'll with |
cramp collie on Sunday last, and has not been |
able to attend to his school this week. At last |
accounts he had much improved.
The Franklin Debating Society has lately been |
discussing momentous questions For instance : |
"Does the organization of the Knights of Labor |
benefit the laborng classes"-decided in the neg
alive. Again-"Is Republican form of Govern !
ment better than Monarchal form ?"
Shrewsbury (Pa.) and Vicinity.-In the
death of Abraham Mcdonald, of Maryland Line,
aged II years, which occurred last week, your
county loses one of its best citizens. The deceased
we'll known in this neighborhood and was
highly respected by every person who knew him,
and his death is generally regretted by the people
of this and surrounding country.
Our people are getting ready for the holidays
Much pleasure and enjoyment seem to be in store
for the young folks.
At the annual meeting of Shrewsbury Lodge, |
No. 1873, A. F. & A. M, held on Tuesday evening,
the following officers were elected: w. NJ, John
NJ. Habliston; S. w., William Creswell; J. W.,
William H. Green; Sec., D. G. Eberhart; Treas,
E. H. Gerry; trustees B. F. Roller, James Gerry,
e. II. Gerry. The officers were installed the same
evening, after which an elegant banquet was
served at Mr.. Raffensperger's hotel.
The switch is put in at Pike Station, south of
Shrewsbury, on the Stewartstown railroad, and
the station building put up, but owing to hitch
between the company and the parties who were to
do business at that point, there is nothing doing
at the station.
We had five inches of very fine ice at the recent
freeze. Our icemen failed to take advantage of
the freeze and secure their ice. The recent thaw
has destroyed it.
Some of our farmers are shipping their cattle to
market, which they have been feeding since Sep
TENDER last. They are in fine condition and are
bringing profitable prices.
Our farmers are getting their tobacco crop ready
for market. They will commence to sell immedi
ately after the holidays. Some Of the choicest
lots are held at very high figures. X.
Philopolis, 9th District-Hebron Lodge,
Knights of Pythias, of Cockeysville will meet at
their hall, at o'clock Sunday morning, 10th
inst, and from thence proceed in body to
Wght's Hall, where Rev. S. M. Afford will preach
special sermon to the order.
Rev. W. Dallam Morgan, pastor of St. Johns
M E. Church, Lutherville, preached a very &C.
ceptable sermon at Union Chapel, on Sunday
evening last.
On the evening of the 10th inst, at 7.2O o'clock,
at Union Chapel Rev. S. M. Afford will preach
sermon on the birth and mission of Christ. On
the 9th of January Rev. Mr.. Chick will conduct
services in the Chapel.
At the regular service at Bosley Church on the
10th inst, Rev. Mr.. Afford preached forcible
sermon on the subject of missions. The collection
taken at the time, including the money contribu
ted by the Sunday school for the mission cause,
amounted to about 500.
The Sabbath school of Union Chapel will be
given Christmas treat on Wednesday evening,
22d inst, at 1870 o'clock, when special services