The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-01-05

that city, and marshalling his follow
ers, Mr.. Key led them to the house
under the shadow Of the Washington
Monument, where, surrounded by a
tremendous crowd, which had follow
ed them through the streets, they
sang the "Star Spangled Banner. !"
Shouts of JOY followed its rendition,
men hugged each other and wept in
delight, while an ovation was given
to the inspired author of the national
poem, who was overjoyed at the evi-
dence of the esteem in which he was
held.
Mr.. Key was an ardent lover of the
chase and followed the hounds in the
hunt for the willy fox, with all the
ardor of the true sportsman. He
was also lover of the noble horse,
and kept number of fine animals in
his stables, which were always at the
command of his visiting guests. He
numbered among his acquaintances
many of the prominent men of the
times, and his home was the tempo.
rary abode of hosts Of genial friends.
Mr.. Key had three sons and three
daughters. One of the sons, William
Maulsby, was killed in the civil war,
while the two living, John Francis
and Daniel Murray Key, are inmates
of the Confederate Home, at Pixies
vile. They both enlisted in the Con-
federate service at the beginning of
the war, and remained till the close.
Of the daughters, Fanny married the
late Judge Andrew Dorsey, of Harri-
sonville; Alice married the late DR..
Smith, of Northumberland county,
Va, and Miss Elizabeth Lloyd Key,
resides in Baltimore.
When Mr. Key sold the Films, !"
he moved to Hartford county, Mary
land, on farm equi-distant between
Belair and Perrymanville, where he
lived until his death, which occurred
in 1866, from an apoplectic stroke,
while a guest at the Maltby House,
in Baltimore. He was SO years of
age. He was buried in the family
lot, in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. near
Frederick, where rest the remains of
his parents.
Mrs. Elizabeth Harwood Key, his
widow, lived to attain her gath year,
and died at the Church Home and
In6rmary, in Baltimore in 1900, her
death resulting from the infrmities Of
old age. She was member of the
well-known Harwood family, of An
napolis, where she was born. Like
her husband, she was prominent in
the social life of the times in which
she lived, and was potent factor in
dispensing the hospitality of the
Films" to her husbands friends with
whom she was as great favorite as
her distinguished companion.
Mr.. Key disposed of the property
about 1850, since which time it has
changed ownership several times, the
late John J. Gray beeeming the
owner in 1860, .siuee which time it
has remained n his possession until
his death in 1900, and his successors
since Inexorable time in its fight,
has gradually marked many changes
in the original surroundings. The
stately elms have succumbed, while
the less ornamental locusts have taken
their place the gate keepers lodge
is now remodelled and serves the pur-
pose of tenant house the original
outbuildings have given place to mod
ern structures, and, except the colo
nial mansion, which still defes the
ravages of time, the glories of the
past are written in memories.
Tie Misses Francis and Ellen Gray,
daughters of the late John J. Gray,
its last owner, occupy the home dur
ing the summer months, removing to
the city in the early fall. While oc
cupying the home they are hospita-
BILE entertainers of many friends who
share with them the delights of their
rural surroundings, enriched by the
charming scenery for which Carroll
county is noted.
Previous to its purchase by Mr..
Key, one of the owners of the 'Elms"
was Robert Oliver, who also owned
the property, now the Greenmount
Cemetery of Baltimore. It may be
interesting to state that Mr.. Oliver
came into public notice in a painful
manner, having killed his daughter
under tragic circumstances. AT the
time of the sad occurrence, he resided
at his country seat, now the ceme-
terry, with his only daughter, a lovely
lass, and three sons.
The daughter was a sweet girl,
idolized by her father, which affec-
tion she more than reciprocated. A
bitter family feud existed between her
father and their nearest neighbor,
who had but one child-a son. At
the house of friend, this pretty Ju-
liet met her Romeo, and Cupid did
the rest. They passionately loved
each other, and vowed eternal con-
stancy, believing that in time the OBJ
jections of the parents would be over
come, and they would give consent
to their marriage. But the fathers
grew more bitter, and the sweethearts
found it more and more difficult to
see each other.
One summer night, when the full
moon shone bright, this little lady
had an appointment to meet her lover
at the foot of the hill, just in front of
her home. The moon shone so
brightly that she feared detection, if
she went out in her own clothes, so,
in spirit of frolic, she had her maid
hunt up some of her brothers. cloth
ing, and laughingly donned them, in
joyful anticipation of her lovers sur
prise at seeing her thus garbed. A
long, old-fashioned cloak was thrown
over Der shoulders, and a broad brim-
med Soft felt hat cr0vvned her head