Smyrna times., 1930-12-31
SMYRNA TOO YEARS AGO TOLD
BY COL WILMER BACK IN 1880
SECOND ARTICLE AS 1T AP-
PEARED IN SMYRNA TIMES
"reminiscences Written Fifty Years
Ago Tells of Happenings Fifty
Years Previous to Year 1880

Years Previous to Year 1880
Qn looking over our files of the cor
responding date fifty years ago. we cam
across a communication of the late Col
Edwin Wilmer. a relative of the Tschud.
family, who described Smyrna and its lead
ing citizens of that time fifty years bacl
from that or 100 years from the presen
time. The article was published last weel
and we are publishing the second install
ment at this time.)
Next and on the corner, (nou
the store of Vernon Lay Phillips)
was the store house of Robert Pat.
terson, one of Smyrna's leading
merchants. I think he was ar
Irishman. He had a son, that
often went with on cunning excur-
sions on Saturday afternoons, tc
carry the game bag and always
got a share of the game. Flint
Locks and tow wadding were in
vogue then. One day his wadding
/ had given out and we were return
! ing home, when flock of birds
were seen flying towards US. Pat
terson hastily took from his pock-
ct a bank-note tore it in half, ram
roded one part down on the charge
of powder and the other followed
the shot, just in time to blow away
his money, but did not bring down
single bird. thought it was the
fault of the wad. John r. and
Thomas Reese succeeded Patter-
son and William Temple Cater
Governor), succeeded the Reeses.
On the opposite IS. Ed corner,
was the store of Mr.. Walker, L
think, though I have not much rec
objection of him; but 1 have a very
pleasant recollection of Mrs. Walk
er and her dughters, one of whom
married Thomas w. Eliason of
Chestertown, a successful retired
merchant and one of the wealthy
men Of Kent County, Md He re-
ceived his mercantile training in
Smyrna. Simon Spearman after
wards did business at this stand.
He had much to do with a Mr..
Roberts, of the Brick Store Land
ing, but do not know that they
were connected in business. Next
to this store following the South
side of the street,, was the dwell
ing of Mrs. Parks; she was
Quakeress, and largely entertain
ed the Friends who came to
Smyrna to attend meeting. Next
to this was carpenter shop. Il
don't remember whose it was, the
building was afterwards occupied
as a printing Office. I don't know
that newspaper was ever issued
from that press. Perhaps there
was. Next was a one-story, one
room house. in which a Miss Far
sons taught the young idea how
to shoot" She was my first
school marm. and l was real fond
of her, though kept in mortal fear
of her mode of punishment. She
did not use the rod, but had sever
al blocks such as the Milliners
then used, and the offending schol-
ar was required to sit on one of
those in the middle of the room
and wear paper Ounce Cap" IF
she is living I make her my best
bow and assurance of high esteem. |
Next was a large brick house with |
wings. The west wing, was the
office of DR.. Collins, I think he af-
-erward removed to his farm in
he ALLEY" The main building
vas occupied by Mrs. Lockwood. I
who kept first class boarding
house. Perhaps prior to that she
Kept the Hotel, and was succeeded
oy the Prince of country Land
ords, Thomas L. Temple. Mrs.
lockwood had two sons, David
ind William. Among her board
RS | remember Captain ALLIE, an
Old Sea Dog" jovial, goodhearted
md generous. Late in life he mar
led a Philadelphia lady of intelli-
renee and culture and this happy
'air were general favorites in the
own. Next were a row of houses
allied the Barracks" In one of
hese Mr.. Luring kept boys
chool. Between this school and
he academy of which Mr.. Priestly
vas the principal, there existed
much bad feeling and indulged in
oggeral songs against the other.
Let me give some specimens that
fill be recalled by some of the
eaders who were pupils in the one
r the other of these institutions of
Priestlys hogs are in their pen.
hey will get out, God knows when
hut when they get out, they run
about
or fear of Luring's gentlemen.
Luring's hounds are always hunt |
ing
tut never find the game they are {
wanting &
t sight of Priestly's men, they ]
run to kennels, ]
away like whipped span ,
iels.' I
Nra..@ A.. a. ssr,..--,,, -, q