The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-06-10
Touching the Late George Patterson,
wrR. iu EIucou City. Md Times,

IT created it. When | came here it
wa as bare a. the palm OF my hand. |
lined it, | duugcd it, turned the clover
under In those very words Mr. Pat
terson told me Of his early farming expe-
rences at Springfield his estate near Sykes
Vile. Nd. which was then at the height
Of il. productiveness and attractiveness.
Ii was given to him by his father, the
late William Patterson, of Baltimore. Of,
It's said. who struck Billy Patterson
fame. and when he took possession of it,
was in the occupancy Of slaves only, who
resented Mr. George Patterson advent
there. declaring that nobody should man
age them. They lived TO see the folly Of
any opposition to his strong viii.
It i told Of him, that in the early days
Of hi, farming experiences, he superin
tended operations seated under shady
trees, with pitcher of ice water, book
Or two. a brace Of pistols, and some huge
dogs hy his side.
When he determined to become farm
or. he had up 10 that time Travelled ex-
teusiyelyl he made up his mind he told
me not to deserate into sloveuliuess, as 50
many agriculturists do, and made it a rule to
change his shirt and shave every day
which rule he never broke At that time
the country around had a number Of worthy,
but hard riding fox hunting. registering
farmers liyin. there, who were not likely
10 be cousenial to 3 man Of Mr. Patter-
-1n taste.
tine Sunday morning a number of them
rode up to his house 10 call upon him, and
may be have good time with the new
conner. He went to the door. closed it
after him aud said what DO all YOU men
want here? He used TO add, when he
repeated the story, they never came here
again.
He told me that he had spent $50, GOO
in lime upon Springfield and many Of its
fields were drained with tiles, and at the
time used to be there he said that there
were 50 buildings on the estate 1t pro-
lluccd then | 5 barrels Of corn 10 the acre,
and more than three tons Of hay. lie did
not grow wheat, which he said would
lodge
His herd Of pcvons was large and Of the
first quality, As was his flock of South
down sheep, and his drove Of Berkshire
hogs Every animal or fowl on his place
was Of the fines, breed
The best passport to his favor was a
reputation for honesty. Often have |
heard him excuse the foibles Of some one
saving but he a very honest man, and
he greatly disliked lazy people The good
that he did about Sykesyille, and his
charitable deeds there unostentatiously
performed, were legion in number.
His store Of anecdotes of men and things
was large and his memory was unhounded.
He was dilgent student of history, 4
good French scholar, reader Of all the
best books and politician in the best
sense Of the word mean that he had
made a study of politics. His mind was
well stored with valuable knowledge and
he was a very able man, He used to tell
some very amusing stories and his conver-
sation was enlivened by witty and other
bright speeches He delighted to joke
with his friends, but nothing did he SO
much despise as garrulous, pretentious
person.
No mention of Mr. Patterson would
even approach completeness without in
Guiding some of his anecdotes of persons
and things
Upon one occasion he told us of the
death bed of an old man, a neighbor of
his. | think, who was asked if the felt any
pain. None but the inexpressible pain
of diving" he replied Words of deep
import if carefully analysed \ gentle
man, one whom he much liked, said to him
one day in my hearing, Mr.. Patterson,
do you remember my Uncle T-g'
oh. yes, said he, Every well, indeed.
They say that look like him in appear
ance: is that 50? He looked at him in
tently for moment and replied with a
merry twinkle in his eyes. Yes, think
that you are. He was considered the
homeliest man in Baltimore. - 1t is easy
to imagine the shouts of laughter which
followed the reply in which the joked
Joined as heartily as the others.
As | said he disliked pretentious per-
sons. Upon one occasion very iussy
braggart, banker, as he called himself,
took up a large part of the time of the
company telling about himself, his wealth,
his family, &c Mr.. Patterson 5 patience
became exhausted 'Mr. - he said,
twas your father a lame man ?" ''Yes,
sir. "Oh, yes, l remember him very
we'll He was carpenter and made the
fence around my fathers place, Cold
Stream, and he added, she was good
workman and honest man.