The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-03
HOUSE oF sEcREr MEETINGS.
Where COnferedate Letters were Left
 and Filibustering Expeditions Planned


 With the removal of the name Chesa- peake House from a33 East Pratt street, where 1t has been a familiar sight for eighty-two years. g. remin- der of interesting historical events will go, and the spot on which they hap pened will be wiped out for the dock Improvements.
 The sites occupation by a restaurant known as the Chesapeake House, says The Baltimore Sun. dates back to 1924, when 1t was opened by James Hodges. He had fought when the British tried to capture Baltimore in 1874 and. 1t is thought, selected the name of his hos telry in commemoration of having as- sisted fin driving the British from the Chesapeake.
 At first the house was a three-story and half brick dwelling, the lower story being fitted with eating booths. across the front of which were curtains to give privacy to the guests. In other respects the idea of an old inn was carried out in the general outfitting. In time it was modernized, but some of the original features were left.
 A new front was placed in the old building before the great fire. in which 1t went down with many valuable relics. One in particular for which a handsome sum of money was several times offered. was large old-fashion- ed hall clock in which secret mes sages were deposited, to be, in some mysterious way, delivered to the Con- federate President Jefferson Davis, and Gen. Robert E. Lee. It Is related that many q letter to mother, sister, or sweetheart from the Maryland Com federates in the field found it's wal into the sercet recess the old clock. from which is was taken to the anxious heart awaiting it. The outgoing letters Il brave courier gathered them and crossed the line with his load of mes sages.
 When the coffee fleet loaded car goes of flour at the foot of South street the Chesapeake House was the rendezvous of the masters for meals. A record still preserved shows that or the great number who resorted thither thirty-five masters and officers have been lost at sea since 1850.
 The fire destroyed the place, with the many buildings that surrounded it. The Bulack brothers were. quiek to erect a one-story building on the site, with the intention of restoring tt 10 the original size, but the authorities willed otherwise. But on the one story shack the name Chesapeake House was painted.
 the second floor of the primitive res taurant many of the most successful filibustering expeditions were planned and carried out by such men as the late John D. Hart, Captain Samuel Hughes, Dynamite. Johnny OBrien and Captain Wiborg. The last of the ex- pedttions=-that of the Laurada--was pianned in the upper story of the Ches- apeake House,
 In this same old history making restaurant many fruit companies. were promoted by men who have since be- come famous in the business. Many of the companies that sprung into existence during the past twenty years were first discussed over a pot of ale or a dinner In this place.
 John Allen, known as the lonely trader to the West Indies whose trips to the islands with his small schooner loaded with what was supposed to be provisions and dry goods, but under meath which were filibusters' articles. was conn ected with the Chesapeake House, being the brother of Mrs. Bulaek. He was never heard of after leaving port until he tied up at Bow ly's wharves with his schooner loaded with bananas.