The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-07-10
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.

The choir then sang columbia, the Gem OF the
Ocean," which was followed by an address of well
come by Rev. j. l.. Walsh He referred to the day
as the first of all days to Americans andNto the
blessings enjoyed by the people of Aberdeen. Our
rich farming lands our we-tlled stores, our CAN
ming factories our two great trunk lines. our
b0oded stock show our material prosperity but
behind them is a moral intellectual and religious
sentiment. Referring to Immigration he said the
gates of the Republic should be closed and sealed
forever against anarchists. nihiliStS and commun-
lists. who know 10 flag but that OF disorder and
DEATH
He gave a warm welcome to the audience and
eXhorted his hearers not to think only of personal
advantage but TO remember that the perpetual
ton of the republic depends upon Sef-sacrifice
upon the part of its citizens.
Master W. Wallace Sheridan, of Towson, recited
nia" and the choir sang my Country, Tis OF
Mr.. j. A. SwIngley introduced the Rev. David
Jamison, who delivered an address on Aberdeen
great attention was replete with humorous incl
dents and was much enjoyed
ABERDEEN's FAST AND PRESENT.
We have, said Mr. IamiS0n. a fresh field. No
one. so far as | am aware. has taken the chrOni-
cles of our ambitious little town and published
them to the world. There is a cOlored man among
us who says he remembers when there was no
house in Aberdeen except those three big oak trees
down by the railroad. But you are not to under
stand that what comprises Aberdeen, Orrather the
place where Aberdeen reposes. is of recent origin.
No learned geoogist, am glad to tell you. can
stand up here saving your land, ilttle While ago
49, 49, -
now propose to build big town was occupied by
the aristocratic terrapin and democratic herring.
We are a new people, and we are an old people.
Fresh blood has come in. and we are In touch with
this progressive age but we have families in the
immediate vicinity that can trace their origin
away back to colonial times and the Revolutionary
war. Gen. Samuel Smith. prominent leader in the
Indian war with Great Britain, and queller of the
mob which rose up in consequence of the failure
of the Baltimore Bank, in which the distinguished
lawyer, Reverdy johnson was concerned, and who
took rank in the United States Senate along side of
one e Of the ancestors Of Mr. Robert H. Smith, Of
Spesutia Island 1t Is pretty well established that
Mr.. John Jay, one of our old residenters. is con-
nected with John Jay, who signed along with
John Adams, both the preliminary and final treaty
of peace with Great Britain, after the war of hide
pendence. Mr. E. Law Rogers, too one of the four
gentlemen who purchased this property in 1850. Is
related, so he claims to General Washington. VIM.
Benedict Hall, the original owner of this tract of
family, of South Carolina. We have the satisfac-
ton, therefore, on this grand occasion, to connect
Aberdeen with names and times very magnificent
indeed. Although we do not mean to dream over
the past while the present and its opportunities
slip away unimproyed, we take pride in the rich
ness Of our records and the prestige we enjoy.
We begin another chapter In our history by
alluding to the gratifying fact that Aberdeen en-
ioyed rapid transit when railroadlng was in its
Baltimore road laid its track and began operations
That was great day when the first train ran
through what is now called Aberdeen. The people
came from all directions to see the eighth wonder
OF the world.
John Townsley. the ugiest man who ever lived
among us-present company always excepted-Was
there, and somebody said, stand back, TownSey,
you will scare the train of the track" And
after it had passed In safety, one remarked John
you didn't scare the train off the track" to which
he good-naturedly replied, mo. but 1t wabbled
little"
For number of years no trains stopped at this
place. People had to go to Havre de Grace or
Perryman to take the train. That Is a thing. how
ever OF the past, but Havre de Grace is still visit
ed by those persons who don't take kindly to Local
Option ideas, for reasons best known to themselves.
Railroad trains were new and startling in print
tive days, and people would watch the approach
tng train with curious eye and break out In various
he saw a train said Here she comes a-galloping.'
A true son OF Hartford, he could not think OF any
thing that could beat horse.
Well! the ladies had their ideas of railroads and
Budd, aprim and positive spinster, on one occa-
sion told the agent that she desired to go to Balt
more next morning, but afterwards sent word
down to the station not to have the train wait for
her. as she had changed her mind, and was not
going. Why. the agent and all concerned. to-day
would see you in Hayre de Grace before they would
wait. even for a lady.
There may be mentioned among the early set
tiers, at Aberdeen, Timothy Keen Daniel Michael.
Daniel Martin, Col George Budd DR.. Septimus
Davis. Thomas Hanway, Robert i. McGaw, Squire
Courtney. Robert +. Morgan and George w. Baker.
Mrs. Ann tritper, of that time, is well remen-
bered. Several boys, now prominent citizens of
Aberdeen. had "Slaye John" knocking chestnuts
from Mrs. Ann Primers chestnut tree. and she
came out OF Paradise, exclaiming, John don't
throw that club up" and the poor badly scared
club went aud Off the chestnut-vandas scampered.
and the valiant Mrs. Ann Pritner returned into
Paradise.
Paradise school-house, a little TO the north of u.s.
now gone TO rest there taught the young idea how
to shoot. Minister'S now in glory preached the word