The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-01-27
FORTY YEARS AGO
Happenings of Local Interest Occupy
ing That Long Ago.

Ing nat Long ago.
Francis Thomas lone of Maryland
greatest sons" was accidently killed
on the B. & o. railroad near Frankville,
a station named in his honor, adjacent
to his home in Garrett county. The
tragedy occurred as Mr.. Thomas step
ped from an eastbound track to the
westbouud and was run over by help
er engine. Col. Thomas K. Sharp
master of transportation, arranged for
special train to take the remains to
Cumberland. Rev. DR.. Thrall, rector,
officiated at the funeral services in
Emmanuel Episcopal Church and the
pallbearers were: Col. D. c. Bruce,
Hon. Lloyd Lowndes, Jr., Joseph
Shriver, Col. j. NJ. SchleY, George A..
Pearre, Col. w. H. Lowdermilk, H. W.
Hoffman, Col. Henry J. Johnson, Judge
Robert Bruce, Hopwell Hebb, Judge C.
Slack and Capt. Rodger Perry. Dur
ing his brilliant career GovernorThomas
was speaker of the C. & o. Canal Com
pany, member of constitutional conven-
tional convention from Maryland, Gov
ernor of Maryland Q841- 44, representa-
tive foe nine consecutive sessions of
Congress (21st to 4Oth), collector of in
ternal revenue appointed by President
Grant. and in 1872 was appointed minis
ter to Peru. In 1875 he resigned and
secluded himself in his mountain home.
He was an ardent Democrat. He was
80 years old at the time OF his death.
Charles Perry, sold to HenryG. Davis
property at Deer Park for $4,000.
T. j. Caldwell was killed on the rail-
road of the Garrett Coal Company near
Oakland.
The Garrett county school board ap-
propriated $4,000 each to Grantsville
and Oakland to establish at those places
high schools.
The following committee was appoint
ed at the canal extension meeting in
Baltimore to wait upon the represen-
tatives in Congress and urge an APP
preparation for an extension of the
canal to the mouth of the Savage river:
Dr. C. H. Orr, Capt. J. W. Pearce,
John S. Combs. Allegany; Patrick
Hamill and William l. Brown of Gar
rett.
In "reminiscences and sketches of the
life of the late Governor Thomas, The
Cumberland News refers to his domestic
difficulties. The distinguished Mary
lander married Miss Mcdowell, daugh-
ter of Governor Mcdowell, Of Virginia.
exceedingly attractive. Thinking his
wife unfaithful to him, Governor
Thomas applied for a diverse and, as
was the custom, the case was argued
before the state Legislature. Governor
Thomas argued his own case and
Governor Mcdowell, his wifes father.
argued for the defendant. The argu-
mentative efforts by the two distinguish
ed advocates is said not to have been
eXcelled in the state forum. The Cover
nor was refused diverse but separated
from his wife and in l84l was granted
a legal separation by the Virginia leg
lslature Following political difficulties
starting, it was said, over a remark
made by Mr.. Thomas that when the
cats away the mice will play" to
which William Price, of Hagerstown
took exception, a duel was arranged
between the two men in 1910. Stand
ing ten PAGES apart in shaded nook on
the road between Hancock and Bath
the men fired. Neither shot took effect
and the seconds, friends and surgeons
attempted to effect an amicable settle
ment. After an hours argument the
two men shook hands. Those present
at the duel as Mr.. Thomas seconds.
friends and surgeon were: Col. John
Mcpherson, of Frederick; Col. Edward
Lucas and Robert Lucas, of Virginia
DR.. Chas. McGill, of Hagerstown; Mr..
Prices friends were w. II. Norris,
Reverdy Johnson, and Prof. Nathan
R. Smith, of Baltimore; Col. Jacob
Holingsworth and Dr. Frederick Dor
sey, Hagerstown; and DR.. C. H. Ohr,
Hancock. later of Cumberland. Robert
Shriver played funeral march at the
obsequies.