The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-08-13

icei Spots.-We publish the following from
Ioselp About TOwsOn" in the Baltimore
gerald: OF the many historical spots near
baltimore none has more interest for the anti
quarian and historian than the Mccormick
farm, on the Blue Ball road, short distance
from the Belair road. The farm is owned by
Mr. Alexander Mccormick, president of the
baltimore County Agricultural Society. The
Piace was originally owned by George Coun-
Gilman, who became its possessor through q
grant from Lord Baltimore, and it was and is
now called MARX Alexander's Range" in
nonor Of Mark Alexander, Lord Baltimore's
agent at that time. Mr.. Mccormick has the
original grant from Lord Baltimore. 1t is
handsomely engr0ssed on parchment and is
perfectly legible. Mr.. Mccormick prizes it
very highly and takes the greatest care of it as
precious heirloom, he having become MEM
per OF the Councilman family by marriage with
MISS Martha Councilman, daughter lof Mr..
George Councilman, who recently died at the
advanced age of So years.
One of the objects OF interest on the place is
mighty old chestnut tree, with q circumfer-
ence Of Is feet. and under whose spreading
branches Washington and Lafayette held
council of war and ate their meals while
camping on the farm in the year 1777, the
american Army at the time being en- route
from Baltimore to Philadelphia. This is fact
abundantly attested by the archives of the
family.
Another most remarkable thing is an old
Indian trail passing through the woodlands.
notwithstanding the lapse OF time it is well
preserved and can be easily traced. 1t was used
by the aborigines and it is chronicled that
owing to the number of springs on the farm it
was favorite camping ground for them on
their journeys between the Potomac and the
Susquehanna. This is substantiated by the
number Of Indian relics which have been found
on the place from time to time-of arrow heads,
axes spear points, darts, &c. Some of the
spear points are from six to eight inches in
length and perfectly preserved.
Mr.. McCormick's son Clifton, who takes
great interest in such matters, has large and
valuable collection OF these relics. He is also
an enthusiastic taxidermist, and has large
number of specimens of stuffed animals native
to the region, embracing birds, rabbits 'coOns,
snakes, 0posssums, &c. Even at this late day,
notwithstanding the Entertainments of the city,
game is still plentiful in season on the place.
Mr.. Mccormick has in his possession relic
most highly priced by him-a sword belonging
to his great grandfather and used in the Scot
fish wars during the times of Bruce and Wal
lace.
Another feature of the place. not so ancient,
and aside from the extensive greenhouses, is
well-stocked fish pond, which, besides furnish
ing pleasure and amusement to the members
of the family, is of material aid in supplying
the table with fresh and toothsome food. Al
together, mark Alexander's Range" is most
interesting old place and we'll worth visit
A short distance east of the Mccormick place
is the old Blue Ball Tavern, now used as res
idence. This venerable building was at one
time the only polling place in the old 18th dis
trict of Baltimore county, and voters had to
drive miles in order to exercise the right of
franchises fact which seems almost incredi-
BILE in this age of steam and electricity. Blue
Ball Tavern was in its day great place for
political gatherings, and Henry Clay and other
shining political lights electrified enthusiastic
audiences there.
A short distance from the cid tavern O stone
stands on the side of the road to mark the spot
where a murder was committed years ago. It
was in the stage-coach era, when that vehicle
was the only means of travel between Balti-
more and Philadelphia. The coach was held
up, the driver gagged and bound to tree and
then cruelty shot to death by two daring bandits
in sight of the terrified passengers, who were
then relieved of their money and valuables.
The robbers drove off toward Baltimore, taking
the mail pouches with them. On reaching the
city they went to an inn on Center Market
threw them into Jones falls from the Baltimore
street bridge. Their action was observed by
Waterman, who followed them back to the
tavern, taking good look at them the while.
He then fished the empty sacks from the falls
and, procuring assistance, arrested the two des-
peradoes who were subsequently convicted
and hanged.
Real Estate Sales.-Slade & Risteau, auc-
tioneers, sold at the Court House on Tuesday,
for Messrs. J. r. Gunther, Frank /. Duncan
and q. II. Isaac, trustees, the following pieces
of property belonging to the estate of the late
Vincent T. Shipley, of the 9Th district:
farm Of 140acres, improved by dwelling, etc.,
and situated west of Texas and known as the
Fairview Farm, to Peter E. Tome for $40 per
acre; house and lot on Texas lane to same for
$605; three tenant houses on road leading
past Sherwood Church. Cockeysville, to same
for $405, $420 and $500, respectively; lot con-
tanning 10 acres of timber land on Warren
road. to same for $710; 1924 acres Of land near
Cockeysville, known as the GlenmOre Farm,
to same for SOL per acre; lot in Texas i'm
proved by double frame dwelling, to Jacob
L. Fowble for 5000; two frame houses in Texas
to Peter E. Tome for 5000 and $185, respective
"; house and lot in Texas known as the Han
6fes una faE $3.50 farn2, oft Icy
Harry v. Shipley. for SAT per acre; dwelling
Shipley for $500; four-story frame building
and hall, subject to ground rent of $22, to
Peter e. Tome for $50; unimproved lot in
Texas to same for SOS; the home dwelling of
the late Vincent T. Shipley, containing 16
rooms, with three acres Of land and five acres
adjoining, with limestone quarries and kilns,s
to same for $1,000. III.
Slade & Risteau, auctioneers, sold at the.
Court House door on Wednesday, for Mr..
John X. Brown and wife to Martha Agnes
Anderson, 20 lots of ground in Block No. s
in Joshua, 18th district, to Olive e. Hull
for $500, subject TO mortgage for $7OO. The
property is improved by two-story frame
dwelling.
Work Of the Orphans Court.-In the